You've made the decision. Maybe you need more challenge or more money. Maybe you're looking for a career change. Or maybe the decision was made for you - you were downsized - or rightsized as the case may be. In any event, the outcome is the same.

Time to get the resume in shape and try to get past Round one for an interview.

You've probably heard about the shortage of skilled workers. So, you ask yourself, "Why am I having so many problems getting an interview? I'd be a great worker." Often, the person who makes that decision is the Human Resources Manager (or some similar position), otherwise known as the HR Manager.

There's a lot of information on how to get a job. You've probably had lots of advice. Things like, "have a firm handshake," "follow the instructions that you're given," and "develop a stable job history." Maybe you took that advice... but maybe it just wasn't that important.

Recently, an interesting question was posed on the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) Website Bulletin Board. The question asked HR Managers what they didn't like in potential candidates. Actually, they were asked to complete this sentence, "I hate it when..." If you didn't take the great advice above. Well, reading is believing. Here's a look at what some of them said.

One HR Manager says, "How difficult is it to follow directions? I hate it when I specify to send a cover letter with the resume and I receive a post-it attached to the resume. I hate it when I ask for salary and do not get what I asked for. I will not even consider those resumes. If you can't follow instructions why would I extend an interview?"

Here's another one. "A pet peeve is applicants who put 'see resume' in the work history section of the application after being specifically instructed to FILL IT OUT. Think 'reason for leaving' and 'last rate of pay' isn't relevant? Think again!"

Or how about this, "I get the cold, dead fish handshake from a candidate. Nothing turns me off more than a lack of confidence. That first moment that you meet a prospective employer is your first chance to sell yourself to that person. Don't blow the handshake. Nothing oozes less confidence than a limp handshake."

Patty Foster, a Human Resources Consultant from Portland, OR advises would-be job seekers, "A person needs to do background research on a company, before the resume gets sent in. Even if you don't have Internet access at home, you can go to the library. It amazes me when people don't know what the company does!"

And, don't forget to mind your manners. You never know who's watching. This HR Manager says, "The receptionist always tells me who has been rude either in person or over the phone."

Here's reason not to work on your resume during dinner. "I hate receiving resumes that smell like garlic or have food or something else too disgusting to mention stuck to them."

And how about if you decide to take a chance, and "just stop by" your company of choice to see if there's any job openings. Sally Bachius, vice president of Human Resources at Lutheran Care Ministries Network, advises applicants, "Always dress as if you're ready for an interview, and dress appropriately for the position you want - even if you're only stopping in to fill out an application!"

When you do get that interview, take special care on how those tricky interviewer questions are answered. For example, you may be asked, "What to you do to alleviate stress?" Answers in the acceptable category are, jog, workout, walk, read, meditate or something similar. An HR Manager tells of one candidate, who said, "I take a newspaper and hide out in the restroom for an hour or so". Needless to say, he didn't get the job.

Here's another question you might have to field. "How do you prioritize your work?" One candidate said, "I really get a lot done in the morning because at 1:00 I have got to have nap."

And of course, we all know that we're not supposed to bring our personal lives into the interview, but some people just can't resist. One HR Manager tell this story, "I was interrupted in an interview once by the applicant who asked me, "Will your health insurance cover my husband's vasectomy? We have one child and I don't want to be sterilized."

So there you have it. It's just like our parents and teachers told us. First impressions do count. That first impression could be a piece of paper or a telephone call. Make yours a positively memorable one!

Lynda Ford, author of this article, is president of The Ford Group, a consulting firm dedicated to improving organizations through their greatest potential resource people. Her first book, FAST52: Building an Exceptional Workplace Environment has just been published. She can be contacted by e-mail at lynda@fordgroup.com, or by phone at (315) 339-6398.

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