As the famous Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiking guru Ray Jardine once said, “If you don’t have it, you don’t need it.” When you go shopping, go with a list to avoid buying things you don’t need that will just add clutter to your life!

When writing your cover letter, remember your audience! Your future employer will learn to love you as a person, but first they want to know you’ll make a great employee. Write about how you can help them achieve company goals, not about what the job means to you.

Make a folder on your computer with a pdf copy of your application, resume, and cover for every job you apply for. This organization helps track your job search!  Make sure the folder title includes the company name, date of application, and job title.

Don’t be shy about your job search–talk to everyone you know about what you are looking for!  Tell your barista, your friends, your grocery clerk–everyone is a conduit to your new job.  You never know who knows about  jobs you are seeking!

When choosing what font to write your resume with, consider basics like Times New Roman or Arial.They are the most readable fonts to computer scanners–where most resumes end up. Don’t eliminate yourself from consideration with an unscannable resume!

When applying for a job, you may be very excited to submit your resume and rush to get your credentials in.  My advice: take a 24 hour break before you submit! It will allow you to reflect on anything you forgot to add.

Demonstrating your competence is one key aspect of an interview, but don’t forget to feel out the “fit” of the position and the company! Take time to ask important questions about office culture, flex time, and dress code.

If you are currently unemployed, split every day into three parts. 1) Search for positions. 2) Write resumes and cover letters. 3) Learn a new skill. Whether you learn a new feature in Word or read an article, improve your chances of getting a job by updating your skill set!

While thinking about starting your own business, one of the most important steps is to thoroughly research competitors in your immediate and tangential market space. Ask yourself, “How will I be different?” and “What is my added value?”

Include all volunteer and community activities when considering what skills you want to include in your resume and cover letter. Besides highlighting specific qualifications, they can be a handy passive networking opportunity!