10 ten things you should not do

1. Dress "business casual" : Even though this should be common sense, I have interviewed someone who came in sockless before. Seriously people, if you are trying to show your best side to a potential employer a suit is the way to go. Every single time. Unless of course the interviewer tells you specifically not to dress up.

2. Use slang in an email: believe it or not, your future employer is checking to see what your written skills are in a professional environment. no y'all or cool or stuff in your emails.

3. Put a picture on your resume: I have come to understand that this may be the "norm" in other countries. Here in the US it just gets your resume passed around the office for a giggle.

4. Personal info on the resume: It is great if you are actively involved in an organization that involves your hobby, by all means add that information... Do not add your sewing hobby, marital status, or the 3.5 kids/animals you have at home. Not interested and will not ask.

5. Multiple phone calls: The recruiter and/or hiring manager did not forget about you. A courtesy email after a few days is fine, but stalking a very busy person is not a good idea. Bad impression.

6. Blue tooth: This invention is awesome, but it has no place in the interview. Take it off and do not tell the interviewer that you "forget" about it. The last thing I want is someone going to a client's office and "forgetting" to take their blue tooth out for a meeting. What else are you going to forget about if the blue tooth on your body is forgettable.

7. Not researching the company: No excuse. If you want the position, it is worth the hour long website research to find out what the company is all about and develop some questions about them.

8. Phone ringing: and even worse you taking the call. The interviewer has taken time out of their day to speak with you. Turn it off, leave it in the car. This clearly also applies to texting while interviewing -- as dangerous as texting while driving ;)

9. Understanding your experience: Make sure that you can communicate your background clearly and apply it to the job description you were given. Best idea is to create a "match-up" between your skill base and the needs of the company.

10. Wrong contact info on the resume: seriously? I won't even give an explanation here.