ClearRock

BOSTON - Finding a new job in the new year will be a lot easier and rewarding if people follow these number-related job search strategies, according to ClearRock, an executive coaching and outplacement firm headquartered in Boston.

• 2 Minutes - That's about how long you should spend describing who you are and what you do in response to a question such as "tell me about yourself." It's known as The Two-Minute Drill. "The Two-Minute Drill succinctly summarizes who you are, where you've been, what you have accomplished that is relevant to this particular position, and - most importantly - what you can achieve for this prospective employer," according to ClearRock Managing Partner Greg Gostanian.
  
• 7% words, 38% tone and 55% body language - "That's the formula for success in communicating during job interviews and networking meetings," said ClearRock Managing Partner Annie Stevens.
  
• 2 Levels Higher - "That's the way to 'dress to impress' during an interview: dress two levels higher than the job for which you are applying. It makes a powerful first impression, and first impressions are everything," said Gostanian.
  
• 75% - Make eye contact with the interviewer around 75% of the time. "Be careful not to stare, but maintain eye contact at a level that shows you are engaged in the interview," said Gostanian.
  
• 70% - "Be sure you really have at least 70% of the qualifications when answering a help-wanted ad ' or you'll be wasting your time and the interviewer's time," said Stevens.
  
• 25% - "Don't crowd every line of a cover letter. Leave about 25% white space by using bullets, columns, etc. The more skillfully laid out the cover letter, the better chance it will be read," said Gostanian.
  
• 5 - "Five is the maximum number of bullets about yourself and your experience that anyone wants to see in a cover letter. Make sure you refer to each desired skill in a separate bullet, and describe precisely how your background and experience fits that need," said Stevens.
  
• 3 - "Three is the maximum amount of contacts to use in a cover letter - home phone, work phone (if this will present no problems), and personal (NEVER work) e-mail address, which should always be included. If you're going to include a cell phone number, clearly state that this is a cell phone, in case a prospective employer calls you and the reception is bad. In that case, always try to switch immediately to a land line," said Gostanian.