There are some veterans around here, and I'm interested to know some of the best job hunting tips you've gotten. And the worst as well.

The best tip I got was this: customize your cover letter to the institution. Convince them not just that you're great, but that you want specifically the job that they are offering. This is really hard to do well, but definitely worth it.

Another good one was to start applying several months before I graduated (specifically, start in October for a May graduation). I was scheduled to graduate in May 2006, and I sent out my first job application in September 2005 to a job that seemed like the perfect fit at the perfect school. I didn't get interviewed, however, and figured it was because I had applied too soon before I had my degree (or that I was miserably underqualified). However, the first search failed, and they re-posted the job in January or February. I wasn't going to apply because I thought that if they didn't want me the first time, they probably didn't the second... and then they asked me to re-apply to the job with a newly rewritten job description. I did, and got the job, and it was lined up in March or April of the year I graduated. If I hadn't applied so early, I don't think I would have been on their radar the second time around.

The worst: wear cute, not comfortable, shoes to a job interview. Okay, I never really got this advice. But it can be very tempting to wear the shoes that look cute at 8am when really at 5pm you'll want to burn them.

Anyone else?

Good: Eat breakfast on your own before you get picked up for the day. A search commitee's idea of breakfast tends to be a box of donuts, which may not be so keen when you are burning a lot of nervous calories all morning and lunch doesn't hit your stomach until 1 PM or later.

Bad: Find the biggest, scariest librarian and "take them down" on the first day of interviewing to establish your dominance.

Good: Close every contact, (cover letter, phone interview, in-person interview) by explicitly stating that you are interested in this position.

Bad: It is hard to develop rapport and demonstrate personality in a phone interview, so have a few skits and wacky voices ready. For instance, when the search committee calls you, behave as if you have called them -- to order a pizza -- as the Godfather! Hilarity, and a job offer, is sure to ensue.