Type of job: Teaching position at a private school. First: I submitted an online application with resume and cover letter. BUT, I also sent an email to the school’s director explaining that I had applied through the website, but wanted to give more information about my situation and myself not in the cover letter, the story behind the resume. I think this was important because it was more personal, a little less formal. It was a little bit of a gamble, but it paid off because 2 days later: I got an email requesting an interview. Second: I then set about preparing the major component I would need for the interview: my leave-behind. I have heard it called that by a few people, you can also call it a portfolio. I had been talking with my best friend who had been adding some things to her “brag folder,” and the idea just hit me to make something I could leave with them after the interview. An online search yielded the “leave behind” label and its portfolio-like design. Regardless of its name, I believe it was more than a little responsible for my getting the job. I knew I would be interviewed by 2 people, so I made 3 copies. Mine was in a report cover, complete with a cover page and title pages for the sections which were: Philosophy of Education, Letters of Recommendation, Sample Lesson Plans, Other Information, and Resume. I brought this out at the beginning of the interview and referred to parts of it while answering questions. When the interview was over, I let them know that was their copy to keep. They each brought those copies to the 2nd and 3rd interviews. For the third interview, the two interviewers brought in the director I had emailed with them. Practically the first thing she mentioned was how much she loved the portfolio, having seen one of the other copies. I then took out that 3rd copy so she could have one of her own. She was delighted, and referred to it when asking her questions. Practically every job can have one, you just might have to be creative with it; pictures instead of print-outs, for example. My Philosophy of Education page could be your Philosophy of Ethical Sales or Great Customer Service . It could even be a page titled My Work Ethics or My Belief on the Importance of (Job Related Concept). Something that communicates how you feel about the industry or the work. Letters of Recommendation can come from your general references, customers, co-workers, anyone who has perspective on your skills to do that job. You might include a page of your references, if for example, they are different individuals than your customer reviews. Work samples can be any kind of documentation that shows what you have produced. Deliverables. For some, pictures might better demonstrate that. Regardless, make sure you have the proper rights or permissions to use these, or can redact accordingly. For Other Information, I included copies of the advertisement for a workshop I taught, the editor’s introduction for a newsletter I edited, and a thank you letter for some volunteer work. Yours could be awards won, thank you letters, certificates earned for work-related skills, or photos showing you engaged in volunteer work. Again, items to _show_ - not just tell - your talents. And finally, another copy of your resume. You never know who you might want to give a copy of this to, and if it is specifically an interviewer, having that extra copy means the person doesn’t have to go searching for the other one. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for new things to add to mine to keep it fresh and current. That “leave-behind” helped close the deal, and I have will never be without one again. In addition, I will also be certain to find a person to connect to, as well as applying via expected channels. I think by being a little less formal and explaining my story to that person, I created an internal advocate that helped get me a chance, which was all I needed.