Getting the Job You Want

Finding a job in today's economy can prove more difficult than it was a year ago. Many companies are cutting back, which means they are hiring less. When you do find an open position that seems to be a good fit you want to make sure that you follow some basic guidelines to ensure your best chances for getting the job. Below are some helpful tips that can set you apart from the hundreds of other applicants.

Don't just use the Internet. Online job boards are fantastic resources, but you need to do some footwork if you want to increase your chances of finding a job. Contact companies whom you'd like to work for, even if there are no job listings. Not all companies advertise openings online.

Gear your cover letter to the individual organization . If your cover letter looks like it could have come from a word processor template, right down to the "To Whom it May Concern," don't bother sending it. Hiring managers look for a candidate who wants that specific position. Write a new cover letter for each job application and include details specific to that company.

Spell Check. Sending a cover letter or resume filled with grammatical mistakes and typographical errors shows hiring managers you don't care about the quality of your work and probably not about the job, either.

Target your resume to the desired position. Just like the cover letter, your resume build for a case for you to be hired for a specific position. If you're applying for a financial analyst position, don't waste space including your teenage stint as a waiter.

Never show up late to the interview. If you are lucky enough to get an interview then make sure you show up at least a few minutes early. Nobody likes to be kept waiting, especially hiring managers evaluating whether or not you would make a good employee.

Dress for success. Your interview attire should match the dress code of the company, or be one step up. If the office dress code is business casual, wearing jeans and a T-shirt won't work in your favor.

Always ask questions. When the interview comes to a close, the hiring manager will undoubtedly ask if you have any questions for him or her. Not asking anything is the equivalent of saying, "I don't care all that much about the job."