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Anyone interested in a position at a particular company should make every effort to understand more than the product line or business focus; they should also learn about the style of management, the esprit de corps and even the dress code. These are the factors that determine how well an applicant might fit in the culture.

Company websites and brochures typically define a company's vision and mission, a prime indicator of what is important to the company. These alone will not reveal the subtle and more palpable factors that define the culture. Before applying to a company, it is a good idea to try to visit with someone who works there. If that is not possible, the applicant can always ask the question during the interview.

Once an applicant knows what is important to a company and is interested in pursuing the open position, he or she can emphasize any experiences that would be compatible with those attitudes. Someone who has hiked the Appalachian Trail, for example, should highlight that fact to a company that specializes in organic foods or seeks to portray an image as earth friendly.

Darlene Elder is human resources director for a nationwide company with more than 150 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. She tells a story about one job applicant who mailed her resume with a teddy bear. Imbedded in the bear's arm was a record-a-sound device. When Elder squeezed the bear's arm, the bear spoke: ?Hire me.?

Nearly any HR director would groan at such a tactic, but Elder was enthralled by the creativity and moved quickly to get the applicant scheduled for an interview. Elder is Director of Human Resources for Build-A-Bear Workshop, where customers get to custom-make their own teddy bears to reflect their personalities. The company culture is very informal, fun and creative.

  ?We're in the business of hugs,? she says. ?Warmth catches my attention.? (Actually, Elder's title is Director of Bear and Human Resources and customers are referred to as guests, so you get the idea.)

  Most companies would have serious doubts about the professionalism of someone who let a bear do the talking. But Build-A-Bear has a unique culture, and the talking bear idea reflected it perfectly. The moral of the bear story is that applicants should tailor their resume and cover letter to reflect the culture of the company they hope to join.

The people who successfully apply at Build-A-Bear understand that. Elder regularly gets application letters written on teddy bear stationery, filled with puns about how the applicant can ?bear-ly? contain their excitement about getting a chance to work for the company. She says Build-A-Bear values creativity and enthusiasm for working with others. And, obviously, the company likes people who like teddy bears.

Sending a gift or using unusual packaging for the resume might not work at many companies, but that does not mean that the application cannot be tailored to suit the company culture.

A vice president for a large corporate property management company tells how she got her start in the industry. An upscale shopping center was advertising for an office manager to support the center manager. The woman, who had held a number of part-time jobs while raising her family, made herself familiar with the shopping center. She noticed the beautiful landscaping throughout the outdoor center. She also learned that the center catered to the arts community, with live classical music and jazz. When she wrote her resume and cover letter, she emphasized the fact that she was trained in dance and had taught ballet classes. She also highlighted the fact that she had worked in a landscaping center. While these were jobs she held for only a short time, they differentiated her from others who talked about their administrative skills. The company wanted an office manager who could relate to the culture of the clientele. She easily adapted to the culture and was later promoted to center manager, which set her onher career in property management.

Knowing the company culture reinforces your interest in a position and helps you get an edge over the other applicants. This knowledge will demonstrate your enthusiasm, resourcefulness and tenacity to a potential employer. Inserting yourself into the company's environment from the start will make it easier for the hiring coordinator envision your place within the organization.