GRAHAM & ASSOCIATES
					Use Your Tools - Engineers - when you are working with a recruiter, human resources personnel, hiring manager or the person who answers the phone for any of these people, are you using your tools to make the most of each and every encounter?  Use your tools - in this instance your cell phone.  When you are working with any of the people listed above, they should be in your contact list, with their name, the name of their firm and their position in that firm. When your phone rings and you look at the screen, that extra second or two that you have, to wrap your mind around who is calling, can be priceless.  Depending on where you are in the job search process, it could be a question about your resume, an offer for an interview or even a job offer. Use your tools to give yourself that little extra edge that today's job market demands, for success. Engineers - Are You Electronically Professional?  When an engineering or recruiting firm receives your resume, via email, is it from a professional email address?  There are a variety of choices when choosing an email address to use in your job search.  Use your full name or a variation of it.  Use your profession, perhaps with your zipcode.  A combination of your name and location.  All of these are professional.  Not professional?  The name of your college, your favorite sport's team, your child's name with "dad" or "mom" added. Most unprofessional? Anything that is remotely sexual or implies anything remotely sexual, i.e. "hotlips", "waitingforyou", "readyandwaiting", etc.  There are many choices for free email accounts, so setting up an email account especially for your job search can be fast, easy and free. Also, when a prospective employer initiates a telephone call to the number on your resume, what do they hear?  If the call goes to voicemail, do they hear a professsional greeting or do they hear your five year-old saying "This is my Daddy's/Mommy's phone?" Worse still do they hear your current favorite tune blasting in their ear?  This phone call could very well be the key to your future. Shouldn't the caller hear a professional message that states your name, entreats them to leave a message and promises a return call?
	Elisabeth's Tidbits
					If the caller reaches you, instead of your voicemail, do they receive a professional greeting?  As in, "Hello, this is (state your name)."  Is the car radio blaring in the background? Perhaps the TV?  This call is the first verbal impression the engineering firm's representative has of you.  Is it a professional impression?
				GRAHAM & ASSOCIATES
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