The log book or the job seeker’s "Bible"

In your log book, write down:

Name of business

·1 Director or Personnel Manager (with proper spelling)
·2 Address
·3 Phone / Fax / E-mail / Website
·4 If you go in person, get a business card

Dates

·1 Of every contact you make
·2 Of the next contact after agreement with company

Names

·1 Of everyone you talk to and their title
·2 Of the interviewers (when you get called for an interview)
·3 Of every lead you get (don’t forget to ask them if you can use their name)

Other information

·1 How long they will keep your resume (if you have different versions, you should keep a copy of the one you gave them).
·2 Agreement on the next step
·3 Important details of every conversation
·4 All information you gather on the company:

    · from workers
    · from the secretary / personnel
    · from the people you talk to
    · from newspapers / magazines
    · from the company’s web site
    · with observation

This includes :

·1 Company’s values and philosophy
·2 Dress code
·3 Working schedule
·4 Partnership / competitors
·5 Company’s history / annual report
·6 Future of the company:

    o manpower needs
    o expansion plans
    o new orientations
    o market trend

·7 All different occupations within the company
·8 Information on hiring procedures:

    o requirements for a specific position
    o the need for a cover letter
    o how many person will be at the interview
    o testing

When organized properly (alphabetical order), the information for each company will be easily accessible. You will also be able to follow-up when it has been agreed on with employer and therefore, demonstrate your organizational skills.

Think, for a moment, that if an employer calls you to do a telephone interview and ask you "What do you know about our workplace and why do you want to work here?" You don’t want to miss that one! As you can see, you also need to keep your log book close by your phone.

Good luck with your job search and remember, "Better be ready than sorry!"