Tips to Land a Job

National Boss’s Day, an annual holiday when employees show appreciation to their managers, is celebrated on October 16. How (or if) you thank your boss for his or her efforts and support is up to you. But here’s one clear-cut boss-related rule: Never complain about a current or former manager in your resume or cover letter.

Hiring managers are drawn to job applicants who show strong interest in the open position as well as in-depth knowledge of the company. That’s why researching a prospective employer and writing a targeted resume and cover letter is so critical.

Good resumes feature concrete achievements, not routine daily tasks. For instance, consider the difference between the approaches these two management candidates took.

Poets and novelists often use complex metaphors to further a reader’s understanding or to highlight important ideas, but crafting a cover letter or resume is not an exercise in creative writing.

Which design samples should you put in your online portfolio? And what's the best way to display them? Four top creative directors gave us the scoop, so you can stop guessing and start delivering the goods.