Resources for applying for a new job

[PixelPerfect]

I thought this could come in handy for all of us. I'm in the middle of applying for a new job and I've been struggling to find a good source on how to apply for a new job in this new competitive world.

Of course situations may vary from country to other but I think we should have one thread where we could exchange experiences and everything related from "Can I use pencil?" to "Do they want my picture in the application?".

I would like to know that should you use graphical elements ever on your application if you're trying for advertising / what about other venues of work? Is it important to have cover letter and whatnots in a general job application you send on your own interest to the company? Ppl can always share their DO's and DO NOT's if they so choose.

[Akatosh]

Well... it's been a while since I had to write a formal application for something, but I do remember a few DOs and DON'Ts from fun-lovin' ol' Germany:

- It's recommended to have a serious picture of yourself on the CV. The specifics vary, but you can't go wrong with suit and tie, unless you're applying for a job at a farm or something like that.

- If you send in a handwritten application, pencil or not, it won't even be read. Don't do this.

- Do some research about the company you're applying for and throw in a few lines about how much you'd love to work for them, and only them. I'd recommend a phone call; that can also be a good way to find out how formal they like it.

- The application itself should be very serious and businesslike. If you're going for a "creative" job, though, you may want to throw in some samples of your work, preferably in a seperate folder.

- Send your application in an unused, clean white A4 envelope. Folding is a no-no.

[Trent R]

Make sure they can't trace you to the drinking pictures on your Facebook/Myspace/Copyatsocialnetworkingsite page. Never happened to me, but I have heard stories of using Social Networking as a quick and easy 'background check'

~Trent