Once you have a handful of job leads, do some research into the companies and positions so that you can tailor your resume and find a contact person. Avoid sending out generic cover letters and resumes, as these are often ignored. Your materials need to answer the employer's question, "What can you do for my company that these other 50 applicants cannot do?"
Some companies require that you fill out an application instead of or in addition to submitting your resume. As always, put your best foot forward. If filling out the application by hand will take much longer than average or you need someone to write on your behalf, find a graceful excuse for bringing it home. Fill it out completely, in your best handwriting, and make sure everything is legible.
Some applications are available online. This benefits people with certain disabilities, while creating problems for people with other disabilities.
Whether you are replying to a newspaper advertisement, an online posting, or an invitation from your cousin's neighbor to apply for work, treat every lead as important. Follow up your resume or application with polite phone calls expressing interest and asking where they are in their process.
This article presents terrific tips on what you should do before and
after submitting your resume and/or application:
http://content.monster.com/articles/3475
/18771/1/home.aspx
Your reason for doing all of this is to get to the next step - being invited for an interview!
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