Many job seekers forget about the competitiveness of job hunting. The emphasis can never be on one interview strategy, but practicing the smaller ones can make a difference during the interview process:

1. Call before sending your résumé  and cover letter. Whenever possible, obtain the names of people who will be reviewing and deciding who to interview to send your information. A cover letter addressed, “To Whom It Concern” is a turn off for many employers because it shows the lack of research conducted on the part of the applicant. Due diligence is a must for job seekers as access to company personnel is available on the company website. There is no excuse for a lack of research before applying for a job.
2. Remember the names of personnel contacted during the interview process. People make jokes about remembering faces and not names, but it is a missed opportunity. It will get anyone through the company maze to reach significant people in the hiring process.
3. Treat everyone with tact and respect. Greet everyone you meet with a temperate tone, and show chivalry at every opportunity (women do this too). Treat them as future coworkers, and this will help the employer envision your fit within the company.
4. Send a “thank you” note after each interview to each participant of the interview. Last week, LaTisha Parks commented on last week’s post how critical this strategy becomes needed to stand out among hundreds of applicants. Hand-write a thank you note and send a thank you email. Send everyone a thank you note, even if there were four people. Spell each person's name correctly.
5. Do not air your dirty laundry at any point of the process. Do not dump negative job experiences that negatively reflects on a former coworker. It does not impress the interviewer because it negatively reflects on you. Share positive experiences about a former employer.

Nothing replaces the experience, contributions, and solutions shared during an interview. Please read last week’s post on interviewing. Feel free to add more suggestions and questions in the comments section below.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

http://blog.competitiveresumes.net