How-to Land The Interview

These days there is more demand for jobs than there is supply. But to get the interview, it is important to give a potential employer a reason to call you.

By Robert Elsenpeter, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: June 21, 2009 - 6:34 PM

Make Yourself Known
"It's about standing out," says Jim Kwapick regional vice president of Robert Half Management Resources. "If you're in the resume shuffle - and are responding to an ad - an underused tool is the coverletter. They'll help you stand out, because most people don't use them."

According to a recent survey conducted by Robert Half, 86% of executives sent a cover letter helps land an interview.

The cover letter should be short an concise - only a couple of paragraphs.

"In the first paragraph, mentioning a name helps," says Kwapick. "If you have a legitimate connection to the place, this is a great place to mention it."

Beef Up Your Resume
Don't neglect your resume. A good one will help you stand out and make an interview more likely.

"The same rules apply to a well-written cover letter that apply to a well-written resume - it needs to be concise," notes Kwapick.

The typical resume gets looked at for 15 seconds before a decision is made.

Make sure you constantly update your resume - not just before applying for a new job. Ensure that it is written with present skills. It shouldn't simply parrot the job description from the posting.

"The key is to make it have a punch," says Kwapick.

Use Your Network
An even better way to get face time with a potential employer is to avoid being part of the slush pile. Networking is a great way to get the inside track on a job opening.

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