11 Career Tips from a Seasoned Professional

In a previous post, I shared some insightful information on How Not to Get a Job. My source for that information was an article from AgCareers.com, written by Karen Debus, a Human Resource Manager for Valley View Farms in Maryland. In the same article, Ms. Debus gave a great list on how to land a job:

• Don’t leave too many messages and become a nuisance.
• Be cautious of your tone; the slightest change may come across as sarcastic or condescending.
• All correspondence should be written professionally and grammatically correct, never like a text or instant message.
• Physical hygiene is one of the most instantly noticeable expressions of your character. Don’t smoke or eat garlic before an interview. Body odors including too much cologne can be offensive. Make sure your hair including goatees and beards are clean, neat, and trimmed.
• It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed even if you’re better dressed than the interviewer. This holds true for jobs that only require casual attire as well. Never wear sweats, short, tennis shoes, or flip flops to an interview – you’d be surprised how many people do.
• Posture is important. Sit up straight and make eye contact. Both signify confidence and respect.
• Fill out your application entirely and legibly. Never write “see resume” on the application. All resumes are written in different styles and formats; it’s not easy to extract bits and pieces from each person’s. The signed application is considered the employer’s legal document.
• Ask your references for permission to use them. Ask what they will say about you including how they will answer questions regarding your weaknesses or areas for improvement. Give them a heads-up if a long time has passed since you’ve spoken to them.
• It’s o.k. to ask the interviewer if your qualifications are acceptable. Be careful not to come across as pressuring. “How well do you feel that my experience and qualifications meet your current needs” is a good way of finding out where you stand.
• Thank the interviewer. A short email or note will send a positive message.
• If you’re not chosen for a position, but are fortunate enough to have a follow up conversation with the interviewer, ask if they would feel comfortable divulging the areas where your qualifications did not meet their needs. They might share information that will be helpful to you in future interviews.

The best person for hiring advice the Human Resourse Manager. Good luck on your job search! If you need more advice, take a look at my blog, FeetOnTheStreet, at lorihopp.com.

Lori Hopp, GCDF

lorihopp.com