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Updated 06/25/2009 02:05 PM

Tiny Details Help Job Seekers Stand Out As Winners

By: Asa Aarons

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When even the best paper resume is not enough, NY1's Employment reporter Asa Aarons has some ideas to help job applicants stand out from the competition.

Sometimes even the best paper resume is not enough. Devin Guinn found that out the hard way last fall, when he was laid off and then struck out in many job interviews.

He decided one way to get noticed would be to increase his online presence.

"I already had a website, but it was lacking and very basic," says Guinn. "It really didn't show off my personality and show off who I was, so but I was looking for something that would present myself better on the web.

Tiny Details Help Job Seekers Stand Out As Winners
The system Guinn chose is called Wix, which is free software that allows the user to made colorful, dynamic web pages with a minimum of effort or programming experience.

Guinn works in the theater, and thought he needed something eye-catching and creative was essential for his job search. His efforts paid off.

"When I got my current job at the New York Theater, they told me they looked up the website as well as my resume, and they were very impressed that I had that extra thing to present myself," says Guinn.

Before spending money on a webpage designer, find out if Wix, at www.wix.com, and other free programs can give you exactly what you need.

Of course the best website in the world won't help you unless you can do an effective in-person interview.

"There's so much discussion about resumes and the interview questions that people forget what they need to bring with them," says Kimberly Bishop of Slayton Search Partners.

Bishop has pretty much see it all when it comes to job interview accidents.

"A candidate was coming in for an interview a couple of weeks ago and had a cup of coffee and spilled a little bit on his shirt coming up the elevator," says Bishop.

Tiny Details Help Job Seekers Stand Out As Winners
She recommends a job interview emergency kit, made up of detergent wipes for stain, a bottle of water, a mint, Kleenex hand wipes, a tissue, a pen and a comb.

The kit costs only a few dollars and it could open the door to a high-paying job.

Ask Asa

If you have an employment question, contact Asa Aarons at AskAsa@NY1.com.