As a job search coach, i am always surprised at how few people actually take the time to educate themselves in this manner. And yet, its so easy! Check out these resources to familiarize yourself with your potential employer.

1. The company web site. Don’t just visit the home page. Read the company mission statement, the about us section and any news they may have posted. Learn about their services and what other positions might be open. Squeeze out the last drop of juicy information that might help you make a good impression.

2. Put the company name into a search engine to see what kind of media coverage there is. Look for press releases and other news reported in the daily papers, business periodicals, or blogs.

3. If the business is publicly held, look for an annual report which details the financial picture. Check out wwww.AnnualReports.com  to download the report as a pdf file.

4. Type in “company name + complaints” to see what consumers may have to say. You probably won’t bring this information up in your interview but you might as well get a well-rounded viewpoint.

5. Look for key players on www.Linkedin.com to review their profiles if public. Perhaps you know people in common who can answer questions about the company or even the specific person you will be interviewed by.

Before you go on your next interview, be sure to read up on everything you can find to become knowledgeable. Then work those facts into your questions and answers wherever possible. The more details you arm yourself with, the better your chances of being able to speak intelligently about why you are a good fit and the right candidate for the job.

Take a few tips from direct marketers, because in essence, that is exactly what you are doing. Directly marketing yourself to prospective employers. Direct marketers do all sorts of things to get the envelope noticed and opened. Some of these tactics might not work for very conservative careers, but for most others, you will get noticed and potentially make a big first impression, at least on paper.

1. Use a Colorful #10 Envelope

One way to stand out is to not use a white envelope. Try blue, yellow or bright green. Pastels can be less risky if you are nervous. And just so you know, blue is the color that is most trusted – especially with shirts or ties, but that’s another topic.

2. Send Your Resume Flat in a Big Envelope

The majority of business letters are sent in a number 10 envelope. Be different and use an 9-1/2″ x 6″ or 9″ x 12 envelope. Take it a step further and use a color rather than the standard manila or white. Don’t forget these sizes require more postage.

3. Send it Overnight or Priority Mail

Overnight packages always get opened. If you have a particularly hot prospective employer or one that you really want to work for, it’s worth the investment to guarantee having your mail opened.

4. Send a Three-Dimensional Package

Most people are very curious. When you send a box, especially wrapped, people will want to know what’s inside. That curiosity will get them to open your package and look at your cover letter, just to see what it’s all about.

5. Write a Killer Letter

If you go to all this trouble to stand out from the pile, you better write a letter that makes a splash. Read the employer’s web site to discover a good angle and explain briefly why you are a superb candidate. Get to the point, provide specific, crisp examples and say when you will call to follow up.

It may feel a bit scary to stand out to this extent. On the other hand, with so many college grads out there who have accomplishments as good yours, what’s the risk? The biggest risk from this job search coach’s perspective is getting lost in the pile or ending up in some big file never to be seen again.