Help Wanted

Sooner or later, almost every job hunter turns to the want ads hoping for an easy way to
find the job of their dreams. Knowing how and when to use advertised listings is an
important part of your job search.

1. Identify the newspapers, magazines, and trade publications that are most likely to
advertise the kinds of positions that you are looking for.

2. Read the entire classified section from two or three past issues to get a feeling for
how the information is organized.

3. Make a list of the job titles and section headings that are most appropriate for you
and make sure that you check those job titles and section headings each and every
time you read the ads.

4. Cut out or make copies of the ads that you want to respond to.

5. Review the ad carefully before responding. What qualifications are required? What
are your greatest strengths and selling points? How do they prefer to receive
responses? Remember to take your lead from their cues—if they say “No phone
calls!”, that means no phone calls.

6. If the ad requests that candidates send resumes, write a strong cover letter to send
along with your resume. In your letter, stick as closely as you can to the language
and information that is highlighted in the ad.

7. Make sure that you include an address, telephone number, and e-mail address
where you can be reached.

8. If you haven’t heard back from the employer after one week, follow up your letter
and resume with a telephone call. In that conversation, confirm that your resume
has been received, discuss your qualifications, and request an interview. FYI: Some
employment experts estimate that follow-up phone calls increase the likelihood of
getting an interview by 25 percent or more.