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Hiring Managers Tell It Like It Is
By Suzanne Hosie

Suzanne Hosie is the President/CEO of
Write on the Edge, Inc. in Vista.

Have you ever wondered why you didn't get a job that you knew you were qualified for? Maybe you made a silly mistake and didn't even know it!

We asked hiring managers for their tips to job applicants. The overriding theme in their answers was professionalism—be polite, focus on the job you're applying/interviewing for, and show your skills—do these things, and you'll be way ahead of many job applicants.

Remember, to the potential employer, the job opening is not about you, it's about a business need. By following the tips below and remembering the employer's perspective you should have no problem finding that perfect job.

1. Apply

• Make sure you're qualified for the job, and make sure you tell the employer how you're qualified. Hint: Read the ad carefully and address the points in your cover letter, then make sure the résumé backs it up. Show potential employers how you can help them and their organizations—don't expect them to spend the time to figure it out. Sell yourself by addressing their needs.
  
  
• While you're reading the job ad carefully, make sure you provide what it requests. If the ad specifies that you should send a Word résumé, do it. If you don't follow the instructions in the ad, the employer will get the impression you don't know how to follow instructions at all, and your résumé will go quickly to the "no" pile.
  
  
• Include a cover letter. This helps the manager know that you can write coherently, that you understand the position you're applying for, and that you care enough to put a little bit of time into applying.
  
  
• Be honest. Don't lie in your résumé or cover letter or in the interview. It won't help you long-term, and, if the employer finds out, your reputation will suffer.
  
  
• Remember that, while you are in the job-hunting business, the employer is in the résumé-elimination business. (Yes, there usually is more than one applicant for a given job opening.) Résumés and cover letters need to be compelling to stay in the "possibilities" pile.
  
  
• Don't name your attachment "resume.doc." If you do, the file will be overwritten by the next job applicant who has the same lack of ability to name files. File management is a core skill for technical writers, so show you have it. It's helpful to include your name in the file name.
  
  
• Know that your résumé is a writing sample, and use it to show your stuff. For example, if you know what a style is and how to use it, do it in your résumé. (Employers will check your formatting.) If you know how to create a document that's nice to look at, make sure your résumé is an example of this expertise. Note that these tips apply to your cover letter as well.
  
  
• Proofread your résumé. Remember again, it's a writing sample. Look especially hard for mistakes that a spelling checker won't catch (such as "of"/"or"/"on," "in"/"is"/"it"/"if," and "you"/"your").
  

2. Interview

• During the interview, answer the question that was asked. If you don't understand the question, ask for it to be restated. Do not use canned answers.
  
  
• To you, your job hunt is about you. To the employer, the interview is about meeting the company's needs. You will make a better impression if you focus on the company and job rather than on your needs. Communicate specific needs if you have them, but don't use the interview as a forum for making demands.
  
  
• Research the company before the interview, and come to the interview prepared to ask questions that will help you gain a better understanding of the company. Your questions should also indicate that you already know something about the company and the position you're applying for.
  
  
• If you have other offers pending, don't bring them up in the interview. It's not polite, it won't get you leverage, and it can turn off potential employers.
  
  
• Be prepared to discuss your portfolio items in general and in detail. Be ready to explain design and style decisions. Be up front about what you did and didn't do on a particular piece. Don't act insulted by questions about your portfolio.
  

3. Follow up

• If you follow up, be polite about it, don't nag, and don't act like it's your right to get a quick response. Applicants have been moved from the "possibilities" list to the "reject-letter" list for this kind of behavior. Remember, hiring managers can be very busy. (If they weren't, they wouldn't be hiring, would they?) They may not have time to get back to you as soon as you might like. It's good to follow up, but remember the employer's perspective.
  
  
• Be polite to everyone you come in contact with at the company. Don't assume that the person answering the phone will never talk to the person doing the hiring. They will, and if you're rude or demanding, the result will be a quick trip to the "no" pile.
  
  
• Send a thank-you card to each person who interviewed you.

Contributors:
Suzanne Hosie, President/CEO, Write on the Edge, Inc.
Kristine Oden, Manager, Technical Publications, Invitrogen Corporation
Bonni Graham, President/CEO, Manual Labour, Inc.
Deborah Gill-Hesselgrave, Principal Consultant, dgh enterprises