Clean up your online profiles
It’s 2013, folks. Employers, even older ones, know how to use the Internet. It goes without saying that you should have your privacy walls as high as the Great Wall of China, but they might still find stuff. Just take an hour or two (or three, or four…) and go through your online profiles to make sure they reflect the mature, responsible person you are – or are trying to be. Delete those embarrassing pictures from college, and try to refrain from posting profanity about your current job. It’s not a good look.

Make sure your resume shines
Your resume is the first thing an employer is going to look at when he or she is deciding whether or not to even respond. Just because you updated it back in 2010 when you graduated doesn’t mean that it’s up to speed now, and you may want to take off that camp counselor job you had in 10th grade. Make sure that it is tailored to reflect your relevant experience for the job you’re applying for, and please, PLEASE proofread!

Write a detailed cover letter
Even more so than your resume, this is your introduction to a potential employer and the first thing they’ll see before they even open your attachment. While it’s OK to have some generic portions that you reuse, especially when applying for more than one job in the same industry, make sure that it comes across that you’ve done your research. Allude specifically to the company you are applying to and tailor the letter to reflect exactly what you can bring to that environment in particular.

Be flexible
If a company is trying to set up an interview or a time to talk, give them more than a one-hour window on a Wednesday afternoon. It shows that you’re making them a priority, and that you’re willing to adjust your schedule to get the job. Also, don’t write off a company that asks to reschedule an interview – things come up and people get busy. It doesn’t mean they don’t think you’re still a serious candidate. Accommodating their schedule shows you want it even more.

Look sharp
If you’re on the fence about how formal an office is, always err on the side of caution. While you don’t need to rent a tux or a three-piece suit, don’t show up with holes in your shoes and a ratty shirt. Unless you’re applying for a position where they’ll ask you to perform certain activities in the interview – teach a swim class, run a basketball practice, etc. – it’s best to wear something nice. Also, if you have to ask if an outfit is conservative enough for a job interview – it’s probably not. Go change.

Be early for interviews
Whether you’re driving, taking the train, or flying across the country, always leave tons of extra time to get to an interview. If you end up being an hour early – great. Head across the street and grab a cup of coffee and go over your notes one more time while you wait. Not only is it incredibly rude to be late, but you don’t want to show up sweaty and out of breath because you had to sprint 12 blocks due to traffic.

Don’t lie
It will always come back to haunt you. We all want to make our accomplishments sound as impressive as possible, but if your experience leans more towards slinging burgers at McDonald’s and less towards five-star gourmet cuisine, be honest. When you get started, it’ll come out soon enough. Just because you got the job doesn’t mean they can’t fire you on day one, which is embarrassing. You’ve just wasted everyone’s time.

Always send a thank-you note
After every interview, always send a follow-up to thank potential employers for their time, and reiterate your interest in the position. Alternatively, if in the course of the interview you realize the job isn’t for you, tell them that as well. Chances are there are tons of candidates. Don’t waste their time by keeping yourself in the mix when you have no intention of saying yes. Either way, following up after an interview helps keep you fresh in their minds, and shows your appreciation for the opportunity.

Turn OFF your phone
You’re not fooling anybody when it’s on vibrate, and it’s unprofessional and impolite in interviews. Interviews are almost never more than a few hours long, so you can go that long without responding to a text or updating your Twitter feed. And for heaven’s sake – DON’T look at it if it buzzes! You’d think this was self-explanatory, but some people…

Be a good employee
No matter how much you impressed them in the interview process, you still have to actually do the job you worked so hard for. Especially in this economy, most jobs won’t give you tenure – and definitely not right away. So do all the things you said you would when you first met them – be punctual, collaborate with coworkers, bring fresh ideas, and work your tail off!