January 25th, 2010
When you’re job hunting you know that giving a good first impression is very important. One way to do this is by custom fitting your cover letters for each job you’re applying for. It’s a great use of your time and a great way to show your prospective employer that you were paying attention to the details of the job.
Your cover letter is going to give the employer the most instant information when they’re scanning for qualified applicants. Most employers are not going to go through your resume until they know you’re one of their candidates, so make sure your cover letter gives them the most important facts about you and your skills. Start with basic information for your cover letter. Introduce yourself and explain how your expertise fits the employer’s needs. Then introduce specifics that fit what they’re looking for including your proficiencies, years of experience, and technical knowledge. If you have a job posting, refer to it and include bullet points that match the traits they’re looking for. Then sell yourself! Tell them why they should hire you and why your qualifications make you the perfect candidate.
Cover letters are extremely important, but keep them simple and keep them specific. They are the first impression an employer will have of you. Make sure they’re accurate and custom fit for each job you apply for.
Try using a sample cover letter to make writing your own letter faster and easier.
Tags: custom cover letter
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January 13th, 2010
Writing a resume can be a daunting task, but it’s an absolute necessity when job searching. A resume shows employers your work history, skills and experience. Here are a few elements to include that can help ease the resume writing process.
First, break down the information into sections. To start, you need a section for your name and personal contact information, one for your work experience, and one for your education. You can also add sections for technical experience, club and association membership, certifications, etc. Design your resume to fit your background.
The second most important tip is to use bullets. Do not try to fit all of your information into long, descriptive paragraphs. Keep the information brief and include only pertinent information that describes your work experience and skills. Make sure you put the most important information first, and put an emphasis on your achievements instead of your responsibilities. Also, where you can, quantify the information. For example try to include information such as: how many people did you support, how much money did you save, how many pieces of product did you ship? Use numbers to back up your information.
And the most important part of writing your resume is proofreading. Do it at least twice, ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors and no typing errors. Have a friend read it as well, they may catch mistakes you’ve overlooked.
When you start your job search, make sure you have an effective resume. Keep it concise, organized, informative and error-free for the best resume results.
More resume writing tips.
Tags: effective resume, resume elements
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January 7th, 2010
So you’ve gotten past the first hurdle and you have an interview. Now you need to prepare, but where do you start? Research! Knowing about the company you’re interviewing with is essential. You need to know more than the company name, logo and general information on their products or services.
When researching a potential employer, look for important company information. Start with their website. Find out how long they’ve been in business, how much they’ve grown in the past year, and how many people the company employs. Make sure you know who the key players are, whether they’re owners of a small business or CEOs of a Fortune 500 company, familiarize yourself with their names and a little of their history. Find out what the company’s mission statement is and what their immediate goals are. Know what their primary products and services, who their customers are, and who their competitors are. And above all else, be sure you’re well acquainted with the position you’re applying for, the details of the job and what it entails.
Doing your homework and getting familiar with a company before showing up for an interview will give you an edge over your competition. It will help you highlight the appropriate skills for the company and have accurate expectations of the job and the employer. Doing your research is key to helping you ace the interview.
Tags: interviewing
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December 30th, 2009
Most people believe that a good resume is their key to interviews and job candidacy and often put less emphasis on their cover letter. This is a big mistake! Your cover letter is as important as your resume, and sometimes even more important.
Your resume is a very long, very detailed breakdown of your work history and your skills and experience. Many employers never even look at your resume until they think you’re a potential candidate for the position. Your cover letter is often what gets them to turn the page and look at that resume. Don’t throw your cover letters together at the last minute. Spend some time and make a few versions for different types of jobs that can then be custom fit for each and every job you apply for. This is your chance to sell yourself and to help you get in the door for an interview. Keep them simple but include specific skills and experience that pertain directly to each job. Make sure you are assertive about your qualifications without being over-confident. Let them know that you are a perfect candidate for the position and tell them why. And above all else, let them know how you fit their needs. Make your letter about how you can best help them, not the other way around.
A great cover letter will give you an extra edge in what is currently a highly competitive job market. Make sure yours reflects your knowledge and interest in the position. It’s as important as your resume!
Read cover letter writing tips.
Tags: cover letters are important
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December 22nd, 2009
One of the hardest parts about finding a job is the interview. If you don’t have a lot of experience interviewing, it can be very intimidating and nerve racking. It’s hard to know just how to approach it, how to handle yourself and even what to wear. There are some tried and true tips to keep in mind to help you relax and focus on the questions.
First, dress for the interview and be prepared. Wear what is appropriate for the job, whether it’s a suit or a shirt and tie. Never under dress! Being dressed up makes you look enthusiastic and serious about the job. Make sure your clothes are clean and pressed at least a day before the meeting. Next, make sure you print extra resumes and remember to take them with you. Most likely they will have your resume with them, but in case they don’t or they need extra copies, make sure you have them available. When you get to the interview, make eye contact! This seems like a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget in a high-pressure situation. Making eye contact with the interviewer or interviewers shows them you are interested in them and focused on the conversation. Also be sure to listen carefully, but don’t be afraid to have them restate a question or clarify. And finally, be positive! Don’t give negative information about yourself or about past employers. Talk about your strengths and how they apply to the position.
Interviewing is difficult, even for the most seasoned employees. Being prepared will put you at ease. Take advantage of your time to ask questions and be engaged. And above all else, relax and be yourself.
Read more interview tips.
Tags: how to interview, interviewing tips
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