Job Hunting

Wait a full week before responding to a help-wanted ad.

Reason: Respond immedi­ately and your letter will arrive with many others—and may not get the attention it deserves.

Also: Employers are often discour­aged by the quality of the initial wave of applicants and watch eagerly for someone really good to apply. Don’t worry that you’ll somehow miss the boat by waiting. The hir­ing process typically takes weeks…and fre­quently months.