Job Hunt Etiquette 101

May 27, 2002 12:00 PM ET

Computerworld - It may require some extra legwork, but make sure to personalize the salutation in your cover letter, says Allison Hemming, president of recruiting firm The Hired Guns.
Hone your administrative skills, even if it means working in Mom or Dad's store for a while, says Luc LaFontan, vice president of corporate technology at About.com.
Take advantage of your alumni network, but don't expect a stranger to help you off the bat, says Hemming. Start with an e-mail or letter asking for an informational phone interview.
Demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow on the job, says Robert Bowman, an information manager at Xerox. Don't expect your first job to be in management.
Dress at least one step up on interviews, erring on the side of formality, says Hemming. So if everyone in a company wears khakis, wear a sports jacket. If everyone wears sports jackets, wear a suit.
Try to take summer jobs in your discipline to show your commitment to IT, suggests Bowman.
Create a job-searching group with friends, where you share ideas about resumes, cover letters and interviews.

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