- A thorough and honest self-assessment.
- Create a professional resume.
- Compose a unique cover letter.
- Research job possibilities.
- Prepare professional / specific presentations.
- Prepare for an interview - again research - check company websites.
- After the interview - always send a thank-you note.
A thorough and honest self-assessment: Check out a previous post in this blog where we have shown you how to list your skills, abilities, and qualifications. These are transferable qualities that a future employer will find useful.
Create a professional resume: A professional resume is essential for any successful job hunt. You will want to create several resumes. You will need an electronic resume. Many employers ask you to post your resume on their website and there are websites like Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, who will post your resume on their site. You also need a conventional resume - i.e. a paper copy to be faxed or printed on a white or beige stationery. You will want to create your resume in Microsoft Word as it is the most popular format for submitting a resume as a email attachment.
Compose a unique cover letter: This is how you get into the select group of candidates called in for an interview. You need to compose a unique, compelling cover letter that will pique the employer's interest in you over the numerous other candidates. Research the company's website to find the name of the hiring manager. You want to personalize your cover letter. Use the Manager's name and company's address for the inside address of your letter. Call if you must to find out the Manager's name. Your cover letter will impress the reader if you've taken the time to find out his/her name. If it is a woman, use Ms. before her last name. Your cover letter should provide a preview of your background, should highlight your background, and show how your skills will be of benefit to the employer. Your resume will provide the details of these statements.
Research job possibilities: There are myriad of ways to research with today's technology. There is always the library. There is networking - don't forget social networking like Twitter, etc. But be careful not to divulge to much personal information while social networking. And, of course, there's the newspaper. The newspaper represents a very small amount of the jobs available, but is a start.
Prepare professional / specific presentations: If your resume is attractive - printed on a quality stationery, the same as your cover letter, organized, and easy to read, you have a good chance of making it passed the 'slush' pile. You want the reader to recognize that you are a candidate worth interviewing. Choose an attractive format for your resume - an effective font - not fancy, something like Ariel, Courier, or Times. Use bold, italics, uppercase, etc. to emphasize, but do not over do. Use a 12 point type size. When printing your resume and cover letter be sure the copier glass is free of spots. Nothing ruins an otherwise beautiful presentation like smudges.
Prepare for your interview: Look at the company's website to personalize your cover letter and to know what they do and how you can help them. There is an earlier post here that can help you with some of the questions an interviewer may ask.
After the interview always send a thank-you note: A thank-you note is a great way to standout from the crowd. Few people think to send a thank-you note - so, you definitely should. Example:
- Ms. Judith Butler
- Human Resource Analyst
- Franklin Company
- 23 E Franklin St.
- Turner, FL 33859
Dear Ms. Butler,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your time and consideration during our interview on May 18, 2009, regarding the Career Development position.
The duties of the position are challenging and I find myself enthusiastic about the possibilities for expansion into broader areas, with fuller responsibilities, than my previous positions have allowed.
I came away impressed by Franklin Company and would like to thank you again for your time and courtesy.
Sincerely,
Type your name
- Don't forget to sign your name between Sincerely and your typed name - with blue ink.
If you are having trouble with all the rules and advice, fonts, and mail or fax or whatever - see me at www.tjswriteplace.vpweb.com
I'm a professional resume writer, having written more than 2000 resumes / cover letters. The process takes one week (depending on how quickly you get back to me with your completed profile sheet), which I send you by request, by email. You place your order from my website and make a deposit to my pay pal account. When I receive your deposit and profile sheet back, by email, I send you a draft which you revise, then approve, and return to me. The revised, completed document is then emailed to you. You can then personalize it, fax it, print it, send it as an attachment.
Let me know if I can be of assistance. TJ
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