How to Improve Your Chances of Getting an Interview

The recent experience of taking resumes for two new positions at the library has given me the opportunity to realize what is really important to an employer when looking at a long line of applicants. I thought I would take this opportunity to let job hunters know about some pitfalls they can avoid when applying for a job at the library or anywhere.

• If you are changing careers, make sure that you make it very clear that you really want to change careers and point out the skills that you have that will translate to that new career in your cover letter.
• If you don't really want that job, you just want a job, don't waste your time or the potential employers energy with applying; it is obvious.
• Don't mention praying unless you are looking for work at a church.
• Check your email address. If it is shortandsassy@gmail.com or hotandsexy@yahoo.com, take the time to get a new email address for business; they are free.
• When asked to apply by email, apply by email. It is probably part of the pre-interview process. Translated question, Are you technically proficient with email, attaching emails, and can you use the office product listed as a required skill.
• When provided with the information about who to send the resume to, write the cover letter to that person, not to "To Whom it Concerns" or "Dear Sir or Madam".
• If the job has certain nomenclature specific to the field, get it right when mentioning it. The library uses the Dewey Decimal System, not the DUI Decibel System.
• Rather than saying you will bring many great qualities to the job, tell specific stories about those qualities and how they will benefit your new potential employer.
• While you have done many great things in your last place of employment, tell the new potential employer about how those skills will benefit the new place of employment.
• Use spell check and then have someone proof read your cover letter and resume. While the Mispeling Vyrus might be loose in Jasper Fforde's novels, you have the antidote, be sure to use it.

Finally, In case you couldn't tell from all the previous points, it is all about the employer and how you working for that person will improve the business or organization.