Interesting list. I'll try to share my tips here. Practical ones:
- For jobseekers - almost every company now uses some sort of automated process to take in resumes/applications. Your resume is likely to go through an automated review (if not a few) before it would ever be seen by human eyes. That automated system is looking for something that is deceptively basic yet most people don't realize it - it looks for as many keywords as possible to match the job posting. So without copying the actual posting, be sure to pepper your resume with many of the same terms.
- I think someone else said it too, but another way to get your resume saved from a pile of irrelevance is to know someone inside, so they can say "Hey, take a look at XYZ's resume." This is the only real purpose of friending people on LinkedIn, but if you don't have that connection, to establish a contact in a company. Anyone you might know inside would do, though.
- Be incredibly suspicious of any mail or text message that wants you to click on a link. Lots of email and texting scams going around.
- As with so many other thefts, mail theft is up significantly. (I know, Debbie Downer....but it is.) If you have to send a check/cashier's check or money order for something, don't put it in your mailbox with a flag up for the mailman or even in your outgoing mail slot....take it to the post office, walk it INSIDE and drop it in the slot in the wall.
- Too many people are careless about where they put trash and/or unwanted mail, and I know two people who were victims of identity theft as a result. Shred any business documents, credit card offers, or anything that might have any sort of personal info on it. Keep a Sharpie marker around (I have a "king size" one) to use to cross off my name/address from shipping boxes, so the random person digging through your trash can't get it.
- To add to the person at top of thread that suggested offering coffee, etc. to any contractor/helper/etc. - it doesn't have to be a buffet lunch or anything, lol. Just extend basic human decency. I usually make sure any time a contractor is going to be around for more than 10-15 minutes that I (a) tell them they can use the restroom if needed and (b) set cold water bottles on my counter and tell them to help themselves. Bathroom access is an issue for many of these people, especially when it's a woman (who might be fearful of even taking a quick pee in a straight man's house). Not everyone would feel comfortable about that, I get it - I have a guest half bath so I do. (I mean, obviously, offer the hot ones a blowie or a handy....LOL)