Cover Letters – Great

The word that is heard perishes, but the letter that is written remains. – Unknown

Cover letters are a great way (and most of the times the only way) to get an employer interested in your resume and you.

Many job seekers spend hours crafting each item on their resume. Then they whip out a quick and ordinary cover letter full of mistakes -not realizing that the format to a cover letter is just as important as a resume.

Cover letters, or application letters, have managed to cause a great deal of confusion for many job seekers – should I send one, how long should it be, what should I include, will anyone read it?
The answer to the first question is easy – YES, you should always send a cover letter with your application; the other questions however, require a little more explanation.

See below what the format to a cover letter is and what does a cover letter look like.

Get all the insider tips and secrets on how to write a cover letter to a resume at
Winning Cover Letters

How to write a Cover Letter to a Resume

It's true, some hiring managers may never even read the cover letter you submit because most of them read your resume first - and then decide to throw them both in the rubbish!

If you resume doesn't shape up to an employers needs, then there is little chance they'll return to read your cover letter. However if your resume does contain the necessary items they are looking for, an employer will most likely read your cover letter and use it to make a second opinion of you. Therefore it's up to you to direct how they perceive you, using your cover letter.

Your cover letter should express your interest in the position, be tailored specifically to each particular company (as your resume should), include specific achievements and communicate your overall character.

The cover letter is a chance for you to address any specific criteria they're looking for (but don't get this confused as a separate 'Selection Criteria Response' as required for many government jobs) and to address any concerns which may arise, for example why you're applying for an interstate job...

Keep it brief and to the point, usually no longer than one A4 page. And if you're going to be emailing your application, merge your cover letter and resume into one document, so the hiring manager only has to open one attachment and then they read both your letter and your resume.

Get all the insider tips and secrets on how to write a cover letter to a resume at Winning Cover Letters

Advice for Preparing for a Job Interview - Part 3

This is the third in a 3 part series of articles of advice for preparing for a job interview.

Remember and think about this statement carefully. “You only have one chance to make a first impression”

If you don’t use that opportunity you will have to work extremely hard to make the interviewers change their mind and in most cases they might never change their minds about you.

Below is some good advice for preparing for a job interview so that you can make that all important first impression. It is said that people form a first impression in about 3-4 seconds from the time that they have first laid eyes on you! So they might have formed an impression of you before you have uttered one single word.

Dress Properly – you in your clothes will be the first view the interviewer and other staff will get of you. Therefore make sure you have dressed appropriately.

Be Polite when you arrive – make sure you are courteous and friendly to the staff at reception and anywhere in the building, they might and many times will be asked be asked how you behaved before the interview and what first impressions they have of you.

In the Waiting Room – remember anyone going past maybe the interviewer. In some cases they will deliberately let you wait to see if you show any signs of impatience, boredom or aggression if the interview does not start on time. Therefore it is important to keep a good posture, sit properly be friendly to all people. Don’t eat or drink anything while you are waiting. Also don’t talk on your cell phone.

Greet Properly – remember the firm handshake and friendly smile.

In the Interview Room - it is regarded as good manners to stand until the interviewer asks you to be seated.

Get Professional Advice - To get the edge in the job search arena and learn all the insider strategies and trade secrets to ace every possible interview type read more at Job Interview Notes this site contains all the job interview notes you will ever need and will prepare you for any one of the 10 different types of interviews that you might get.

- oscar wilde - “Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are.”

Resume Format

The way we're taught to prepare our resumes in high school is totally outdated and it can be rather embarrassing submitting such a shoddy piece of work to a potential employer.

Probably the most important thing to remember is to be as succinct as possible, and to tailor each resume you submit very specifically to each particular company.

There are a few general areas you should always address in your resume:

Career Profile/Summary/Objective - a brief overview of who you are, what your best skills are and the type of position you are seeking.

Education and Training - only the most relevant education and training should be included, for example if you are a 50 year old Manager with a Business degree, you don't need to include your high school details, unless you've been asked for it.

Professional Experience - start from your most recent and work backwards - only go back 10-15 years in a resume and make sure you include specific achievements at each position.

Expertise/Achievements - this section can include awards, successful projects, specific skills you possess - remember you are trying to market yourself as a valuable asset.

Computer Skills - this becomes more important depending on the industry you are applying to, for example an IT Graduate will need to include this, but a plumber may not.

Other sub-headings might include Community Service, Relevant Work Experience, Projects - depending on the type of position, however there is usually NO need to include personal information such as date of birth, marital status and interests.

The order of your resume is important as well - if you are a graduate your education and training will be the most important item, whereas your professional experience will be more relevant if you've been in the workforce for a number of years.

Visit Super Resume Secrets to learn more and get resume examples.

The difference between a CV and a Resume

What's the difference between a CV and a Resume - and which one do I need?

That's a very good question!

In Australia, most people refer to a 'resume' as a document which gives a summary of your career history - particularly relating to the position in hand which you are applying for - this is the most popular form of 'personal career document' and the one most employers expect to receive for job applications.

A CV (curriculum vitae) is a full record of your career history - dating back to whenever your training or career began (in any field) and including information such as publications, presentations, awards, scholarships, grants, community service, grants etc. This type of document is usually reserved for company executives, academia and high level government positions.

In countries like the UK and New Zealand, they refer to a resume as a CV - so when they ask to see your CV, they are really asking for the Australian version of a resume.

Confusing I know, but definitely worth knowing!

Cover Letters - What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter

The purpose of a cover letter is to (1) introduce yourself to a prospective employer, (2) state the position you are applying for and (3) highlight your strengths.

This might sound quite straight forward but be aware the art of how to write a cover letter to a resume can be truly difficult to master.

Some of the benefits of writing cover letters for job applications are:

1. The cover letter is a lot more personal than the resume.
2. A high impact cover letter can set an outstanding first impression.
3. Can demonstrate your effective communication skills.
4. If it is consistent with your resume it will ‘brand’ you as a competitive candidate.
5. It looks professional, even if they don’t read it.
6. Identifies the position you are applying for.
7. Highlight your key skills, experience or training.

Get all the cover letters examples you need at Winning Cover Letters.

Selection Criteria Examples

Qualifications, experience and meeting the selection criteria will determine your suitability for a specific role.

Below is a list of common selection criteria examples:

• ability to maintain confidentiality
• ability to work as part of a team or independently
• ability to work under pressure
• sensitivity and ability to work in a multi cultural environment
• attention to detail
• flexibility and adaptability
• initiative and thinking skills and problem-solving ability
• keyboard and computer skills
• organisational and/or planning skills
• supervisory and managerial skills
• verbal and written communication
• interpersonal skills

If you are applying for a job where you need to Address Selection Criteria then you need visit our selection criteria website to learn how to do it.

Advice for Preparing for a Job Interview - Part 2

This is the second in a 3 part series of articles on advice for preparing for a job interview.

We were told that during a recent survey of a large number of employers who were questioned about the important aspects of making the decision to employ a person or not body language came out amongst the top five for more than 95% of them. The right body language can radiate confidence to others.

So here is some important advice for preparing for a job interview:

• Make sure you get enough sleep the night before. A yawn can easily be mistaken for boredom!
• Don’t even think to take your cell phone with you!
• Proper and appropriate clothing as well as a firm handshake and friendly smile will always help to make a good first impression. More about that in the 3rd and last article.
• You should practice how to have a good posture before you go to the interview. During the interview it is very important that you constantly keep a good and professional posture in, other words sit up straight and keep your head up.
• Don’t fiddle with things while in the interview for instance a pen or paper or anything.
• Keep both your hands in front of you on the table or where the interviewers can see it. If your hands are not still and are busy fiddling with something it shows your lack of self confidence and can also be very annoying to other people.
• Don’t over use hand gestures while speaking it could be distracting.
• Don’t bite your lips or rub your nose between sentences that is usually a sign that you are dishonest and/or busy making things up.
• Don’t have your arms crossed over your chest while you speak or listen it is a sign of aggressiveness or carelessness.
• Don’t shrug your shoulders when you are unsure because that is exactly what the gesture says to them – you don’t know the answer.
• Don’t answer questions with grunts, nods and head shakes speak up clearly say yes or no don’t use yea or nay or yep and nope other any other slang.

Get professional advice - To get the edge in the job search arena and learn all the insider strategies and trade secrets to ace every possible interview type read more at http://www.jobinterviewnotes.com/ this site contains all the job interview notes you will ever need and will prepare you of any one of the 10 different types of interviews that you might get.

- oscar wilde - “Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are.”

Job Interview Notes - At the Interview

Be dressed appropriately – make sure that you know what is the correct dress code for the company. Remember the way you dress is the first impression people get of you and you have only one chance to make a first impression.

Be enthusiastic - Show that you are interested in the job and the business. Smile and speak clearly.

Be honest - Tell the interviewer about your skills, strengths and experience. If you have not had any particular kind of experience, then say so, at the same time indicating your willingness to learn new skills. Simply present yourself as a positive person with skills to offer and plenty of enthusiasm.

Here are some common blunders that can cost you the job:

• Arrive late for the interview and then indicate you are late because the directions you were given were not good.
• Look disheveled and inappropriately dressed and/or slouches in your seat.
• Don't maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.
• Brag about how great you are, but neglect to cite evidence of your accomplishments.
• Respond in an unfocused, disorganized, and rambling manner and/or Remain low-key and display no enthusiasm for the job and/or answer most questions with simple “yes” and “no” answers and/or give memorized responses, forgetting parts in the process.
• Appear desperate for a job. Ask, “How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?” Blurt out, “I need to make at least $35,000. I hope this job pays at least that much,” near the beginning of the interview.
• Call the interviewer by his or her first name and/or use the wrong name.
• Badmouth your current or former employer.
• When asked, “Do you have any questions?”, reply “No
  

To get the edge and learn insider strategies and trade secrets and to know which techniques to use when and how to ace every possible interview type read more at http://www.jobinterviewnotes.com/

-Jerry Seinfeld- A date is a job interview that lasts all night. The only difference between a date and a job interview is that there are not many job interviews where there's a chance you'll end up naked at the end of it.