Researching Employers Online

One advantage of job seekers have today over job seekers from 20 or 30 years ago is the opportunity to quickly research and explore prospective employers all with the click of a mouse. Surfing the Internet in this manner will allow you to identify those companies and organizations that best suit your employment goals and values.

Whenever you decide to apply to an employer make sure you visit their company website first to learn more about them. Not only will this exercise help you determine whether there is an appropriate "fit" between you and the company, but based on your research you will be able to customize your resume and cover letter to an employer.

Customizing your resume and cover letter to an employer is extremely important and will make the difference between getting a job and not getting a job. Most applicants don't do this research, so you will gain a substantial competitive edge by heeding this advice.

Here are a few important tips:

• Always communicate professionally with employers, writing complete sentences in e-mail, and using your full name at the end of correspondence.

• Never use "smileys" or other facial expressions made with punctuation marks.They are always inappropriate.

• Always write in a formal manner and check the spelling of your e-mail once complete. Never use slang or words in short form.

• Have an e-mail address that is appropriate and not cute or clever. They are considered unprofessional by most employers.