How Cover Letters Can Help or Hurt Job Seekers by Stephen Van Vreede
I have to say that I have been feeling badly lately for the poor cover letter. Actually, I have been feeling badly lately for the poor job seeker who tends to neglect the cover letter, passing it off as just a quick intro to presenting the more important piece, the resume.
I certainly understand how that happens. After all, we are becoming a nation of job seekers successfully sold on the concept that we need a professionally written resume in order to conduct an effective job search. So much emphasis has been placed on the resume that the cover letter is often an afterthought.
As a former hiring manager who reviewed hundreds of resumes AND cover letters, I can tell you that the cover letter should be anything but an afterthought. When I was looking for top-quality candidates, I used to focus my attention first and foremost on cover letters.
In fact, I would use the cover letter as my first screen of candidates. Like most hiring managers in large-scale corporations, HR would send up to me their top picks after reading through the dirge of applicants and conducting phone interviews. My first order of business was to read the cover letter. If the cover letter was fraught with spelling and grammar errors, sounded like it was written for any and all potential employers, and was nothing more than some scripted template, I refused to even read the resume.
Why? Because I saw the cover letter as the job seeker's chance to communicate with me directly. After all, the letter was supposedly written to me or to my company. The resume, I knew, was targeted toward my industry or to someone hiring for a particular position. I figured that someone who lacked an ability to communicate with me, knowing that they were applying for a position in my company, was not the kind of individual I wanted to fill my position.
Listen. I recognize how hard it is for job seekers to put together quality resumes and cover letters, much less to find the time to get them out the door. But, hey, last time I checked, they were looking for work…. I don't think it is too much to ask to take a few extra moments and personalize the letter a bit more.
Here is what always impressed me:
1. Why are you choosing to apply here? (Whatever you do, make it sound like you are interested in the company as a whole, not just because you want a job.)
2. What do you know about my company?
3. What do you know about the products/services we provide?
4. What types of clients do we serve?
5. How do you see yourself fitting in to the mission of our organization?
A simple perusal of the company website can certainly help answer these questions. I don't think anyone expects you to have insider knowledge. But it is nice to know that you are considering a candidate who took a few extra minutes to tailor the letter to your company. No one likes to think they are potentially hiring someone who is willing to work anywhere, even if that is true.
About the Author
My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I am an MBA and certified professional résumé writer (CPRW). Feel free to give me a call toll-free at 1-866-755-9800 or sign up to receive my free Job Search Advice eGuide today. In February 2009, I am launching a new group job hunting networking site called Noddle Place. Check it out at http://www.noddleplace.com.
RESUME
Job Seek
Saturday, January 31, 2009
How To Write A Resume - Skills And Experience Section
How To Write A Resume - Skills And Experience Section by Leslie Kearney
Fact #1: Most resume's are boring. The average resume reads like an outline for a term paper. A,B,C, 1,2,3. BORING.
Fact #2: Most of us are not born writers and writing about ourselves is extremely hard.
So how do you outline all your great skills and assets in an interesting (if not exciting and dynamic) way? In this article we'll give you a resume sample to get you started. Let's begin with the basics and perhaps if you discover the "hidden writer" within you might work up to exciting and dynamic.
Professional Experience
The experience section is where you really get to shine. This is where you break out what you did for your last employer(s) and tell that prospective new employer exactly what an awesome employee you're going to be.
This is also where most people fall really flat. By just outlining job duties in a paragraph (typed letters, managed inventory, made coffee, ran errands, shot myself in the head from boredom . . . ) you are virtually guaranteeing that your resume will be put in the "round file."
Before you begin grab a pen and paper and do some real, deep down, thinking about your last job. Were you given goals to achieve? Did you exceed them? Did you do anything above and beyond? Where and how did you "stand out?" Did your prior job contain elements that the new employer is looking for? For instance, if you did the payroll for your last employer is the new employer looking for someone experienced in payroll?
Resume Sample Of A BAD Experience Section
"General bookkeeper for small construction company."
"Managed day to day activities and schedules."
"Reconciled books and did payroll. Paid quarterly taxes."
"Kept track of inventory and supplies."
"Paid bills."
Why is this bad? Because while you MAY have done all those things, you don't tell the employer how you stood out from the crowd! Lots of people have the skills outlined above. What can you bring to the job that someone else might not?
Resume Sample Of A GOOD Experience Section
"Maintained all accounting and bookkeeping records for multiple construction sites."
"Implemented new cost accounting and inventory control that saved the company $1 million dollars on one single construction site alone."
"Generated payroll for over 100 employees in 5 states."
"Maintained accurate books and paid quarterly taxes - that used to be done by professional CPA firm."
"Created new cost-accounting system that tracked all costs associated with construction site and saved company over $100,000 by eliminating duplicate reimbursements to construction sites."
Use action words and positive phrases. In the sample resume piece above "Saved, Implemented and Created" are a few action words an employer might look twice at.
At this point you're probably saying, "but I didn't do anything special at my job." Well, yes - you did (unless you're a slug, then I highly suggest you start thinking about how you might perform above and beyond at your next position). Most people get "writers block" when it comes to bragging about themselves. Don't be nervous. Take a breath and start thinking.
Were you hired for one job and before long you were given 10 others too?
Why did they give you those extra jobs?
Were you were more efficient than your co-workers?
Did you create a special tracking spreadsheet? Because you were more organized?
Did you train any other employees? Even just through mentoring?
Did you reorganize something or streamline it in some way?
For instance, A long, long time ago I reorganized an entire filing system and created a color-coded key for it. This saved people a lot of work trying to find the right files. You bet I mentioned that on my resume for future executive assistant positions!
NOBODY just sits like a lump and does only what they are initially hired for. We always take on extra jobs. Problem is that after a while we are so comfortable doing them we forgot that we weren't originally HIRED to do those.
So, think hard about what you started out doing and what was added to your position and think about how you can "brag" about it.
SKILLS
Skills can be broken out in two ways. You can use them to brag about yourself more by stating things you've achieved. For instance:
Successfully managed 15 accounting employees processing over $1 million dollars a day in billing.
Or you can actually list your skills:
MS Office • QuickBooks • Photoshop • ABC Accounting Program
And then list your certificates:
"HR1 Certificate"
"Certified bookkeeper through the ABC College of Accounting"
Education should be kept simple:
If you have a college degree then don't list your high school. That's implied.
Spell out the name of your college. With the hundreds of colleges out there it's impossible for everyone to know their initials. Plus it just looks more professional.
DO NOT exaggerate or lie about your education. Most companies hire professional background checking companies and you WILL be found out.
You do not need to put the year you graduated down (this gives them a hint at your age) but you may have to list it on the background check information if you're hired.
DO NOT list your GPA - unless you're fresh out of college and the job you're applying for is in the field you studied. DO NOT list college clubs or activities unless they apply to the job or show some sort of leadership ability (for instance being on the student government or donating your time to, or founding a charity)
Be careful to not list any political activities you might have been involved in. You never know the politics of the person you'll be interviewing with so don't give them an opportunity to exclude you before interviewing you.
So that's it in a nutshell! I hope these resume samples have helped. Now sit down with a pad and paper and put your thinking cap on! You know you were a stellar employee, now all you have to do is make your resume show it!
Please keep in mind that these lessons are for the person just entering the job market or in entry-level or lower-level management. If you've been in the workforce for a while and are on the rise in your field then you definitely will want to consider hiring a professional resume writing service.
About the Author
Leslie Kearney is a web author and owner of Resume Help Blog. If you are looking for help finding a professional resume writer, or learning how to write your own resume we can help! We also have up-to-date lists of top companies that are still hiring and helpful information on job searching and interview tips.
Fact #1: Most resume's are boring. The average resume reads like an outline for a term paper. A,B,C, 1,2,3. BORING.
Fact #2: Most of us are not born writers and writing about ourselves is extremely hard.
So how do you outline all your great skills and assets in an interesting (if not exciting and dynamic) way? In this article we'll give you a resume sample to get you started. Let's begin with the basics and perhaps if you discover the "hidden writer" within you might work up to exciting and dynamic.
Professional Experience
The experience section is where you really get to shine. This is where you break out what you did for your last employer(s) and tell that prospective new employer exactly what an awesome employee you're going to be.
This is also where most people fall really flat. By just outlining job duties in a paragraph (typed letters, managed inventory, made coffee, ran errands, shot myself in the head from boredom . . . ) you are virtually guaranteeing that your resume will be put in the "round file."
Before you begin grab a pen and paper and do some real, deep down, thinking about your last job. Were you given goals to achieve? Did you exceed them? Did you do anything above and beyond? Where and how did you "stand out?" Did your prior job contain elements that the new employer is looking for? For instance, if you did the payroll for your last employer is the new employer looking for someone experienced in payroll?
Resume Sample Of A BAD Experience Section
"General bookkeeper for small construction company."
"Managed day to day activities and schedules."
"Reconciled books and did payroll. Paid quarterly taxes."
"Kept track of inventory and supplies."
"Paid bills."
Why is this bad? Because while you MAY have done all those things, you don't tell the employer how you stood out from the crowd! Lots of people have the skills outlined above. What can you bring to the job that someone else might not?
Resume Sample Of A GOOD Experience Section
"Maintained all accounting and bookkeeping records for multiple construction sites."
"Implemented new cost accounting and inventory control that saved the company $1 million dollars on one single construction site alone."
"Generated payroll for over 100 employees in 5 states."
"Maintained accurate books and paid quarterly taxes - that used to be done by professional CPA firm."
"Created new cost-accounting system that tracked all costs associated with construction site and saved company over $100,000 by eliminating duplicate reimbursements to construction sites."
Use action words and positive phrases. In the sample resume piece above "Saved, Implemented and Created" are a few action words an employer might look twice at.
At this point you're probably saying, "but I didn't do anything special at my job." Well, yes - you did (unless you're a slug, then I highly suggest you start thinking about how you might perform above and beyond at your next position). Most people get "writers block" when it comes to bragging about themselves. Don't be nervous. Take a breath and start thinking.
Were you hired for one job and before long you were given 10 others too?
Why did they give you those extra jobs?
Were you were more efficient than your co-workers?
Did you create a special tracking spreadsheet? Because you were more organized?
Did you train any other employees? Even just through mentoring?
Did you reorganize something or streamline it in some way?
For instance, A long, long time ago I reorganized an entire filing system and created a color-coded key for it. This saved people a lot of work trying to find the right files. You bet I mentioned that on my resume for future executive assistant positions!
NOBODY just sits like a lump and does only what they are initially hired for. We always take on extra jobs. Problem is that after a while we are so comfortable doing them we forgot that we weren't originally HIRED to do those.
So, think hard about what you started out doing and what was added to your position and think about how you can "brag" about it.
SKILLS
Skills can be broken out in two ways. You can use them to brag about yourself more by stating things you've achieved. For instance:
Successfully managed 15 accounting employees processing over $1 million dollars a day in billing.
Or you can actually list your skills:
MS Office • QuickBooks • Photoshop • ABC Accounting Program
And then list your certificates:
"HR1 Certificate"
"Certified bookkeeper through the ABC College of Accounting"
Education should be kept simple:
If you have a college degree then don't list your high school. That's implied.
Spell out the name of your college. With the hundreds of colleges out there it's impossible for everyone to know their initials. Plus it just looks more professional.
DO NOT exaggerate or lie about your education. Most companies hire professional background checking companies and you WILL be found out.
You do not need to put the year you graduated down (this gives them a hint at your age) but you may have to list it on the background check information if you're hired.
DO NOT list your GPA - unless you're fresh out of college and the job you're applying for is in the field you studied. DO NOT list college clubs or activities unless they apply to the job or show some sort of leadership ability (for instance being on the student government or donating your time to, or founding a charity)
Be careful to not list any political activities you might have been involved in. You never know the politics of the person you'll be interviewing with so don't give them an opportunity to exclude you before interviewing you.
So that's it in a nutshell! I hope these resume samples have helped. Now sit down with a pad and paper and put your thinking cap on! You know you were a stellar employee, now all you have to do is make your resume show it!
Please keep in mind that these lessons are for the person just entering the job market or in entry-level or lower-level management. If you've been in the workforce for a while and are on the rise in your field then you definitely will want to consider hiring a professional resume writing service.
About the Author
Leslie Kearney is a web author and owner of Resume Help Blog. If you are looking for help finding a professional resume writer, or learning how to write your own resume we can help! We also have up-to-date lists of top companies that are still hiring and helpful information on job searching and interview tips.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Career Success - How To Stand Out From the Competition
Career Success - How To Stand Out From the Competition by Alvah Parker
Everyday we hear about more layoffs. You will want to be proactive by starting a job search before it happens. That is a smart move but you must be careful. If your current boss gets wind of it you might be the first to be laid off. Of course if you have already successfully lined up a job, it won't matter much!
There are going to be lots of people looking for jobs now. How do you distinguish yourself from the others? This is a really important question. The good news is that you can save months of job searching by simply using one or two of these ideas.
When there are lots of people looking for work how do you get noticed? You must stand out from the crowd. How do you do that? Having a unique skill is one way. You'll need to highlight it on your resume. At an interview you will want to back it up with success stories about how the skill has solved a problems for your past employers.
Another way to be memorable is to tell a compelling story. I recall years ago hearing that someone always told the story of how he was on a plane that was high jacked. People always referred to him as "the fellow who was high jacked". He stood out!
Another way to stand out is to take a risk. We are usually encouraged to follow all the rules when applying for a job. Don't rock the boat so to speak. Following all those rules makes us all alike!
I loved the story I heard recently at an event where Shirley Singleton co-founder of Edgewater Technology was the keynote speaker. In the early 80s after being laid off as a teacher she signed up for and completed a computer programming class.
After sending out hundreds of resumes with no response she answered a help wanted ad in the newspaper only to learn they had already filled the job. In desperation she begged them to just interview her even though she knew they had no opening for her. She just wanted to know what it was like to be interviewed! They agreed to help her.
When she returned home from the "interview" there was a message on her answering machine saying they were creating a job for her! Out of frustration she had taken a risk and as a result she was hired.
Lots of times clients tell me they are perfect for a particular job and can't understand why they were not hired. One job candidate who was really upset when she was turned down for a job sent a gift of candy to that hiring manager telling her how much she had enjoyed meeting with the team. Several months later the hiring manager called her about another job. The gift had made an impression that lasted.
It is important never to burn any bridges and to stay connected to those you meet even the ones who turn you down. You never know who will eventually help you find that perfect job!
So whether you are already laid off or just think you might be, now is the time to think about how you will make yourself memorable to those you meet, what kind of risk you are willing to take to get a great job, and how you can stay connected to those who have the potential to help you in the future. Now is the time to make sure you stand out!
Take Action
1. What kinds of attributes do you have that make you memorable? Is it a skill, a talent, a hobby, an experience? How does it fit into your career goals?
2. What risk would you be willing to take to get yourself noticed? What is the upside? What is the downside? How do you make the decision to follow through?
3. Who have you met recently that has the necessary connections to help you with your job search? How do you stay connected with him/her?
About the Author
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor for Attorneys and a Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine with career and business information. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website free monthly publications and receive a free values assessment along with your subscription.
Everyday we hear about more layoffs. You will want to be proactive by starting a job search before it happens. That is a smart move but you must be careful. If your current boss gets wind of it you might be the first to be laid off. Of course if you have already successfully lined up a job, it won't matter much!
There are going to be lots of people looking for jobs now. How do you distinguish yourself from the others? This is a really important question. The good news is that you can save months of job searching by simply using one or two of these ideas.
When there are lots of people looking for work how do you get noticed? You must stand out from the crowd. How do you do that? Having a unique skill is one way. You'll need to highlight it on your resume. At an interview you will want to back it up with success stories about how the skill has solved a problems for your past employers.
Another way to be memorable is to tell a compelling story. I recall years ago hearing that someone always told the story of how he was on a plane that was high jacked. People always referred to him as "the fellow who was high jacked". He stood out!
Another way to stand out is to take a risk. We are usually encouraged to follow all the rules when applying for a job. Don't rock the boat so to speak. Following all those rules makes us all alike!
I loved the story I heard recently at an event where Shirley Singleton co-founder of Edgewater Technology was the keynote speaker. In the early 80s after being laid off as a teacher she signed up for and completed a computer programming class.
After sending out hundreds of resumes with no response she answered a help wanted ad in the newspaper only to learn they had already filled the job. In desperation she begged them to just interview her even though she knew they had no opening for her. She just wanted to know what it was like to be interviewed! They agreed to help her.
When she returned home from the "interview" there was a message on her answering machine saying they were creating a job for her! Out of frustration she had taken a risk and as a result she was hired.
Lots of times clients tell me they are perfect for a particular job and can't understand why they were not hired. One job candidate who was really upset when she was turned down for a job sent a gift of candy to that hiring manager telling her how much she had enjoyed meeting with the team. Several months later the hiring manager called her about another job. The gift had made an impression that lasted.
It is important never to burn any bridges and to stay connected to those you meet even the ones who turn you down. You never know who will eventually help you find that perfect job!
So whether you are already laid off or just think you might be, now is the time to think about how you will make yourself memorable to those you meet, what kind of risk you are willing to take to get a great job, and how you can stay connected to those who have the potential to help you in the future. Now is the time to make sure you stand out!
Take Action
1. What kinds of attributes do you have that make you memorable? Is it a skill, a talent, a hobby, an experience? How does it fit into your career goals?
2. What risk would you be willing to take to get yourself noticed? What is the upside? What is the downside? How do you make the decision to follow through?
3. Who have you met recently that has the necessary connections to help you with your job search? How do you stay connected with him/her?
About the Author
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor for Attorneys and a Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine with career and business information. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website free monthly publications and receive a free values assessment along with your subscription.
Who Has The Best Job
Who Has The Best Job by Shaun Parker
You know, there are a lot of jobs in this world that are the envy of others - most of them consist of the types of jobs that look like they require very little effort for a great deal of money!
Take the job of a celebrity for instance. There are so many people that rate TV and film personalities as people to be looked up to that they would do anything for a piece of their action. They see them swanning around in nice clothes, attending fancy functions and generally living it up and this is what they believe they get paid for.
Personally speaking, I think those that offer high class cleaning services have a pretty enviable job! Work your way up in the cleaning world and you become privy to a lot more than the general populace see on a daily basis.
Take, for instance, those celebrities we talked of earlier. Now, very few of them are going to be cleaning their own homes. They will call in the cleaning services from their area and have their laundry picked up, their baths cleaned, their carpets vacuumed and their pets walked - all to make their lives easier.
The lucky company that gets a cleaning services contract with a celebrity becomes party to all manner of the inner workings of their lives and believe me the shine soon wears off! They have the same toilets to clean, the same toenails to vacuum up and all the other business that goes with it. You get to see the inner workings of a celebrities life and you realise they are no different to us. They still look rough when they get up in the morning and they still row with their partners!
However, working for cleaning services when you are doing this type of work can be fun, it can get you near to the rich and famous like you wouldn't normally have thought possible, but it also comes with a degree of responsibilities.
These celebrities know that their cleaning services have to supply trustworthy people. After all, their homes are full of celebrity memorabilia that could easily be sold on the black market should it be stolen. No-one in the public eye wants their laundry or their rubbish scrutinised yet some moral free people would do this to make fast money.
An actor's life may well be full of shows and events but they do still have to work. We might watch a two hour film and think we could get paid for doing that but it certainly doesn't take two hours to make. It can take a year or more to make one film and the actors have to be available at all times. It takes a great deal of research to get into the role of a particular character, everything from mannerisms to accent to walks need to practiced and practiced and practiced. Lines have to be learnt.
All these things will take up at least the amount of hours an average person works in a menial job, if not more. This is exactly the reason why they would need to employ cleaning services instead of being able to do it themselves. Acting is not really the type of job you can easily switch off to, particularly those who are in the middle of forming a character. Therefore, this is one type of professional who would absolutely value the cleaning services of a professional company.
About the Author
Shaun Parker is a leading employment expert with many years of experience in domestic staff placements. Find out more about cleaning services at http://www.pro-ductclean.com
You know, there are a lot of jobs in this world that are the envy of others - most of them consist of the types of jobs that look like they require very little effort for a great deal of money!
Take the job of a celebrity for instance. There are so many people that rate TV and film personalities as people to be looked up to that they would do anything for a piece of their action. They see them swanning around in nice clothes, attending fancy functions and generally living it up and this is what they believe they get paid for.
Personally speaking, I think those that offer high class cleaning services have a pretty enviable job! Work your way up in the cleaning world and you become privy to a lot more than the general populace see on a daily basis.
Take, for instance, those celebrities we talked of earlier. Now, very few of them are going to be cleaning their own homes. They will call in the cleaning services from their area and have their laundry picked up, their baths cleaned, their carpets vacuumed and their pets walked - all to make their lives easier.
The lucky company that gets a cleaning services contract with a celebrity becomes party to all manner of the inner workings of their lives and believe me the shine soon wears off! They have the same toilets to clean, the same toenails to vacuum up and all the other business that goes with it. You get to see the inner workings of a celebrities life and you realise they are no different to us. They still look rough when they get up in the morning and they still row with their partners!
However, working for cleaning services when you are doing this type of work can be fun, it can get you near to the rich and famous like you wouldn't normally have thought possible, but it also comes with a degree of responsibilities.
These celebrities know that their cleaning services have to supply trustworthy people. After all, their homes are full of celebrity memorabilia that could easily be sold on the black market should it be stolen. No-one in the public eye wants their laundry or their rubbish scrutinised yet some moral free people would do this to make fast money.
An actor's life may well be full of shows and events but they do still have to work. We might watch a two hour film and think we could get paid for doing that but it certainly doesn't take two hours to make. It can take a year or more to make one film and the actors have to be available at all times. It takes a great deal of research to get into the role of a particular character, everything from mannerisms to accent to walks need to practiced and practiced and practiced. Lines have to be learnt.
All these things will take up at least the amount of hours an average person works in a menial job, if not more. This is exactly the reason why they would need to employ cleaning services instead of being able to do it themselves. Acting is not really the type of job you can easily switch off to, particularly those who are in the middle of forming a character. Therefore, this is one type of professional who would absolutely value the cleaning services of a professional company.
About the Author
Shaun Parker is a leading employment expert with many years of experience in domestic staff placements. Find out more about cleaning services at http://www.pro-ductclean.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Job Search Basics - Five Actions Job Seekers Must Take to Find the Job of Their Dreams
Job Search Basics - Five Actions Job Seekers Must Take to Find the Job of Their Dreams By Alvah Parker
There is a big payoff to a successful job search and that is finding your dream job. Imagine being asked to work at a job that seems totally suited to your skills and talents. Better still you find that the work environment of the company is one in which you know you will thrive.
So how do you find that dream job? Starting out on the search probably feels like an uphill climb. There is so much information out there on job searches that it can be overwhelming.
Having coached hundreds of people in the midst of a job search there are 5 things that will insure a successful job search. Do all 5 every time you apply for a job that matches your ideal job criteria and you are bound to find the perfect match.
The first step is that you must tailor the resume to the job requirements. Every job seeker has accomplishments from their current and previous job but not all accomplishments are applicable to the job they are applying for. Carefully choose the accomplishments that bolster the case that you are perfect for this new position.
Your resume paints a picture of you and should give a very clear message about your strengths and skills. Get clear on your message. There are many times during the job search to reinforce your message.
The second thing you must do during the search is to make yourself memorable to the hiring manager by continually emphasizing your message. This means the cover letter reinforces that you have the right skills for the job as does the thank you note(s), any telephone follow up, the interview and all interactions.
Once you have your resume for that particular job complete, review the strengths and skills that you have highlighted along with your accomplishments. The third important piece of the job search is to think of 4 or 5 stories that you could tell the interviewer to highlight your skills. Emphasize a time when that skill or strength was critical to your success. You will use those stories to help you to answer the interviewer's questions. Practice telling them so you can tell them clearly.
The fourth strategy is to be sure to ask questions about the job and the company. Asking questions highlights your interest in the job and the company. This is the time for you to insure that this is really your dream job! Review your company research and your own criteria for the perfect job. Then write down your questions. Most interviewers ask the interviewee if he/she has any questions. Be sure to get your questions answered whether or not the interviewer asks for your questions!
Finally after the interview, be sure to send a thank you note. Hand written notes are more personal and in this day of email and instant messages they stand out as being different. If your writing is hard to read then a typed thank you note mailed through the postal service will stand out too.
During times of plentiful jobs it is often easy to move from company to company without an intense search. If jobs are scarce however you may have to do a more active job search than you are used to. By implementing all 5 of these strategies you'll be in a better position to reap the benefits of finding that dream job you are looking for.
Take Action
1. Update your resume with your most recent job and show 4 or 5 accomplishments of which you are proud. Be sure the accomplishments statements are examples of your key skills and strengths.
2. Write 4 or 5 stories to bolster your accomplishments that highlight your strengths and skills.
3. Write a description of your dream job so that you know it when you "see" it.
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (The Attorneys' Coach) and a Career Changers' Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website http://www.asparker.com/samples.html
Parker's Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are attorneys and people in transition who want to find work that is in line with their own life purpose. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alvah_Parker
There is a big payoff to a successful job search and that is finding your dream job. Imagine being asked to work at a job that seems totally suited to your skills and talents. Better still you find that the work environment of the company is one in which you know you will thrive.
So how do you find that dream job? Starting out on the search probably feels like an uphill climb. There is so much information out there on job searches that it can be overwhelming.
Having coached hundreds of people in the midst of a job search there are 5 things that will insure a successful job search. Do all 5 every time you apply for a job that matches your ideal job criteria and you are bound to find the perfect match.
The first step is that you must tailor the resume to the job requirements. Every job seeker has accomplishments from their current and previous job but not all accomplishments are applicable to the job they are applying for. Carefully choose the accomplishments that bolster the case that you are perfect for this new position.
Your resume paints a picture of you and should give a very clear message about your strengths and skills. Get clear on your message. There are many times during the job search to reinforce your message.
The second thing you must do during the search is to make yourself memorable to the hiring manager by continually emphasizing your message. This means the cover letter reinforces that you have the right skills for the job as does the thank you note(s), any telephone follow up, the interview and all interactions.
Once you have your resume for that particular job complete, review the strengths and skills that you have highlighted along with your accomplishments. The third important piece of the job search is to think of 4 or 5 stories that you could tell the interviewer to highlight your skills. Emphasize a time when that skill or strength was critical to your success. You will use those stories to help you to answer the interviewer's questions. Practice telling them so you can tell them clearly.
The fourth strategy is to be sure to ask questions about the job and the company. Asking questions highlights your interest in the job and the company. This is the time for you to insure that this is really your dream job! Review your company research and your own criteria for the perfect job. Then write down your questions. Most interviewers ask the interviewee if he/she has any questions. Be sure to get your questions answered whether or not the interviewer asks for your questions!
Finally after the interview, be sure to send a thank you note. Hand written notes are more personal and in this day of email and instant messages they stand out as being different. If your writing is hard to read then a typed thank you note mailed through the postal service will stand out too.
During times of plentiful jobs it is often easy to move from company to company without an intense search. If jobs are scarce however you may have to do a more active job search than you are used to. By implementing all 5 of these strategies you'll be in a better position to reap the benefits of finding that dream job you are looking for.
Take Action
1. Update your resume with your most recent job and show 4 or 5 accomplishments of which you are proud. Be sure the accomplishments statements are examples of your key skills and strengths.
2. Write 4 or 5 stories to bolster your accomplishments that highlight your strengths and skills.
3. Write a description of your dream job so that you know it when you "see" it.
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (The Attorneys' Coach) and a Career Changers' Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website http://www.asparker.com/samples.html
Parker's Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are attorneys and people in transition who want to find work that is in line with their own life purpose. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alvah_Parker
Resume Objectives
Resume Objectives By Dilan Davis
Guidelines in Writing Resume Objectives
Resume objectives research and writing can only be successfully done if you first of all understand what the resume object is all about and if you know what to add and what not to add to compose an effective cover letter. It is good to know that a resume objective is a very brief, yet strong declaration which is usually an indication to the employer that you are not only fit for the advertised position, but which gives your employer that impression that no other applicant than you is qualified for that position. This is going to be your arsenal against all other applicants. Remember that this should be clearly written and it should be composed in simple and understandable language. Keep in mind that there may be several applications or cover letter for resume to go through and if your resume objective is long and boring, it will simply be shoved aside.
How should you resume objective be written and what are the contents of your resume objective. Remember that not everything will be added to the contents of your resume objective. Include every positive feature which tells that employer or academic authorities that you are going to be of utmost value to them. If you have had some considerable work experience or academic background, it should be added into the resume objective. Also add any relevant work experience and skills you acquired on the job if you are switching to a new career and explain how you can blend all what you have to produce efficient results. It is important to note that the resume objective will be applicable only in cases that are making applications to a particular job or program.
If you are simply making an application to an organization or to no specific academic program, remember that you will not include a resume objective in your application. This is because it may limit your chances of getting into any of the openings for you. However, if you must submit a resume objective, make sure that you know the exact appellation of the program or job opening. Include any skills you have that may directly or indirectly be related to the position or program applied for. Make mention of the needs of the organization or program and mention how you are going to satisfy those needs. Always keep everything that you include to be short and simple. Avoid any negative words or words that might signal a wrong impression about you. Avoid any language that may tell that you are desperate for that position.
Resume objectives should always be written to tailor the needs of every application you make. Remember that no two applications should always be considered the same. You should also be very choosy in what you include in your resume objective. In writing the resume objective, you must know that you are the first reader. Put yourself into the position of the employer and sift what is relevant and important from what is not. Make sure that you place the information you have in order of priority. Knowing how to write resumes will also lead you to seek for help by looking at cover letter samples or examples of best resumes available over the internet.
Dilan Davis is a certified resume writer at GrandResume.com who provides useful information about resume objectives.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dilan_Davis
Guidelines in Writing Resume Objectives
Resume objectives research and writing can only be successfully done if you first of all understand what the resume object is all about and if you know what to add and what not to add to compose an effective cover letter. It is good to know that a resume objective is a very brief, yet strong declaration which is usually an indication to the employer that you are not only fit for the advertised position, but which gives your employer that impression that no other applicant than you is qualified for that position. This is going to be your arsenal against all other applicants. Remember that this should be clearly written and it should be composed in simple and understandable language. Keep in mind that there may be several applications or cover letter for resume to go through and if your resume objective is long and boring, it will simply be shoved aside.
How should you resume objective be written and what are the contents of your resume objective. Remember that not everything will be added to the contents of your resume objective. Include every positive feature which tells that employer or academic authorities that you are going to be of utmost value to them. If you have had some considerable work experience or academic background, it should be added into the resume objective. Also add any relevant work experience and skills you acquired on the job if you are switching to a new career and explain how you can blend all what you have to produce efficient results. It is important to note that the resume objective will be applicable only in cases that are making applications to a particular job or program.
If you are simply making an application to an organization or to no specific academic program, remember that you will not include a resume objective in your application. This is because it may limit your chances of getting into any of the openings for you. However, if you must submit a resume objective, make sure that you know the exact appellation of the program or job opening. Include any skills you have that may directly or indirectly be related to the position or program applied for. Make mention of the needs of the organization or program and mention how you are going to satisfy those needs. Always keep everything that you include to be short and simple. Avoid any negative words or words that might signal a wrong impression about you. Avoid any language that may tell that you are desperate for that position.
Resume objectives should always be written to tailor the needs of every application you make. Remember that no two applications should always be considered the same. You should also be very choosy in what you include in your resume objective. In writing the resume objective, you must know that you are the first reader. Put yourself into the position of the employer and sift what is relevant and important from what is not. Make sure that you place the information you have in order of priority. Knowing how to write resumes will also lead you to seek for help by looking at cover letter samples or examples of best resumes available over the internet.
Dilan Davis is a certified resume writer at GrandResume.com who provides useful information about resume objectives.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dilan_Davis
Sunday, January 25, 2009
How to Write a Resume
How to Write a Resume by Peter Nisbet
Over three million sites on Google offer information on how to write a resume. According to one of the best free keyword suggestion tools on the planet, almost 1,000 people a day search for information on résumé writing.
Regarding the proper spelling, the word is French and if the 'acute' is to be used, it should correctly be used twice. Hence, résumé and not resumé. You can also use the word without any accents. The correct word is the French résumé and not the English resume which has a totally different meaning, though it seems to be internet practice to use resume and this what will be used here.
A resume and a CV, or curriculum vitae, are much the same thing, though the term CV is more relevant to professional applicants, providing information on academic distinctions, posts held and theses that have been published. A CV is more of an informational document than a sales pitch, and used by doctors, scientists, solicitors, etc.
Here are the salient points to keep in mind when writing your resume:
* A resume is a sales pitch: you are the product and the employee reading it is the target.
* Your objective when you write a resume is to secure an interview - nothing else! It is a sales tool that you can use to your advantage, and give you a head start over your competitors.
* Sell yourself in writing, get the interview, and then sell yourself in person. Learn what you can about the company and sell yourself as filling the exact position being advertised.
* Stress how you can fill the job. Stress any previous experience IN THAT POSITION.
* Highlight your strengths when writing your resume and include numbers and figures. Include cash benefits you brought your last company.
* If you lost your last job, rather than leaving voluntarily, leave it for the interview. That's a different skill. If you must mention it, state something to the effect that you were a victim of your own cost cutting recommendations that the company took up too vigorously.
* Action words are always good - such as managed, developed, gained and presented. Do not use weasel words such as best, most, terrific. Don't bum yourself up. Be accurate and informative when writing. You're selling yourself, not an insurance policy.
* Use bullet points such as I am doing here, to the extent that the article directory allows. Use your strongest points, which are relevant for the job being offered, at the beginning. When writing a resume, you should always present information about your achievements in a positive manner. Don't state that "I was responsible for 10 other salesmen." Write "I was responsible for a sales department that secured $500,000 sales every month." Put yourself in the place of the reader and consider what would stand out to you.
Unless you are requested to do so don't include information irrelevant to the position such as your age, religion, hobbies or interests. Stick to RELEVANT employment history. If you don't think you have a lot of that, then perhaps you should find a job that is more relevant to your experience. An employer is not interested on your opinion on your abilities. Proven ability and experience are what are required.
Writing "I have done this job well and can demonstrate it" is meaningful. "I know I can do this job because it fits in with my abilities", is not.
You must be honest. If you try to make false claims you have a very good chance of being found out. This applies whatever country you live in. In the current litigious climate most companies will do what they can to avoid negligent hiring, and employment background checks and pre-employment screening are commonplace. Tell the truth, and if the truth is not good either do not write it, or add it to the bottom of your resume. The reader will probably not get that far and you can discuss your last position during your interview.
Keep in mind that a resume has 10 - 20 seconds to make it. Nobody is going to read all the way in that time. Sell yourself, and if you don't think you have the literary ability to do so, then hire a writer to do it for you. A professional freelance writer will be able to give you advice on how to write a resume, and even do it for you.
About the Author
As a former manager of two multinational companies Peter has much experience in reading resumes and knows what is required in writing them. More information is available on his web site http://www.article-services.com from which he provides freelance writing and ghostwriting services.
Over three million sites on Google offer information on how to write a resume. According to one of the best free keyword suggestion tools on the planet, almost 1,000 people a day search for information on résumé writing.
Regarding the proper spelling, the word is French and if the 'acute' is to be used, it should correctly be used twice. Hence, résumé and not resumé. You can also use the word without any accents. The correct word is the French résumé and not the English resume which has a totally different meaning, though it seems to be internet practice to use resume and this what will be used here.
A resume and a CV, or curriculum vitae, are much the same thing, though the term CV is more relevant to professional applicants, providing information on academic distinctions, posts held and theses that have been published. A CV is more of an informational document than a sales pitch, and used by doctors, scientists, solicitors, etc.
Here are the salient points to keep in mind when writing your resume:
* A resume is a sales pitch: you are the product and the employee reading it is the target.
* Your objective when you write a resume is to secure an interview - nothing else! It is a sales tool that you can use to your advantage, and give you a head start over your competitors.
* Sell yourself in writing, get the interview, and then sell yourself in person. Learn what you can about the company and sell yourself as filling the exact position being advertised.
* Stress how you can fill the job. Stress any previous experience IN THAT POSITION.
* Highlight your strengths when writing your resume and include numbers and figures. Include cash benefits you brought your last company.
* If you lost your last job, rather than leaving voluntarily, leave it for the interview. That's a different skill. If you must mention it, state something to the effect that you were a victim of your own cost cutting recommendations that the company took up too vigorously.
* Action words are always good - such as managed, developed, gained and presented. Do not use weasel words such as best, most, terrific. Don't bum yourself up. Be accurate and informative when writing. You're selling yourself, not an insurance policy.
* Use bullet points such as I am doing here, to the extent that the article directory allows. Use your strongest points, which are relevant for the job being offered, at the beginning. When writing a resume, you should always present information about your achievements in a positive manner. Don't state that "I was responsible for 10 other salesmen." Write "I was responsible for a sales department that secured $500,000 sales every month." Put yourself in the place of the reader and consider what would stand out to you.
Unless you are requested to do so don't include information irrelevant to the position such as your age, religion, hobbies or interests. Stick to RELEVANT employment history. If you don't think you have a lot of that, then perhaps you should find a job that is more relevant to your experience. An employer is not interested on your opinion on your abilities. Proven ability and experience are what are required.
Writing "I have done this job well and can demonstrate it" is meaningful. "I know I can do this job because it fits in with my abilities", is not.
You must be honest. If you try to make false claims you have a very good chance of being found out. This applies whatever country you live in. In the current litigious climate most companies will do what they can to avoid negligent hiring, and employment background checks and pre-employment screening are commonplace. Tell the truth, and if the truth is not good either do not write it, or add it to the bottom of your resume. The reader will probably not get that far and you can discuss your last position during your interview.
Keep in mind that a resume has 10 - 20 seconds to make it. Nobody is going to read all the way in that time. Sell yourself, and if you don't think you have the literary ability to do so, then hire a writer to do it for you. A professional freelance writer will be able to give you advice on how to write a resume, and even do it for you.
About the Author
As a former manager of two multinational companies Peter has much experience in reading resumes and knows what is required in writing them. More information is available on his web site http://www.article-services.com from which he provides freelance writing and ghostwriting services.
Best Way to Find a New Job
Best Way to Find a New Job by Mitsu Fisher
If you think finding a job is hard then please read this article.
A great way to find a new job quickly is to get lots of interviews. Job interviews determine your ability to land a job. If you have five interviews you are sure to be offered a job or two by the time you have completed them.
How do you go about landing job interviews? You can use the same approach marketing people take to landing prospect appointments. That is to say, you should send out sales literature (your resume and a cover letter asking for a job). Then make follow-up calls and ask to schedule a job interview.
In order to send letters and make telephone calls to schedule job interviews, you first need a list of prospects. As a matter of fact the list is perhaps the most important thing you need in order to find a new job. A mailing list is something you can buy from a list broker.
When you look for a job search list you should first look at your CV and write down the names of the companies you have worked for during the last ten years. Then call a job list broker and have them find out what the SIC code is for the companies you have worked for previously. Then tell them that you want to obtain a list that contains only firms with the SIC codes you just determined, for the purpose of scheduling job interviews.
Tell the list broker that you are looking for about two hundred names (companies) with your target SIC code within sixty miles of your home to contact for a job. Also, tell them to match the company size (number of employees) of the companies you use to work for with the firms on your new list.
You will get job interviews more easily when employers realize that you have worked for companies that are similar to them (same industry, # of employees, etc.).
Now that you have your job interview company list, you can get to work. Mail a cover letter and resume to the head of the company. They will send the resume to the department head who is looking for someone like you, to schedule a job interview.
The next step is to telephone everyone you mailed your resume to for a job interview. Call and ask if they recieved the resume and if they are hiring and if you can set a job interview.
You will be happily surprised at how nice and helpful people are when they realize you are calling for a job. They will be able to relate because everyone has looked for a job at one time or another.
If you think finding a job is hard then please read this article.
About the Author
Mitsu Fisher is an expert at finding jobs because he applies sales and marketing techniques to the process.
http://how-to-find-a-new-job.blogspot.com/
If you think finding a job is hard then please read this article.
A great way to find a new job quickly is to get lots of interviews. Job interviews determine your ability to land a job. If you have five interviews you are sure to be offered a job or two by the time you have completed them.
How do you go about landing job interviews? You can use the same approach marketing people take to landing prospect appointments. That is to say, you should send out sales literature (your resume and a cover letter asking for a job). Then make follow-up calls and ask to schedule a job interview.
In order to send letters and make telephone calls to schedule job interviews, you first need a list of prospects. As a matter of fact the list is perhaps the most important thing you need in order to find a new job. A mailing list is something you can buy from a list broker.
When you look for a job search list you should first look at your CV and write down the names of the companies you have worked for during the last ten years. Then call a job list broker and have them find out what the SIC code is for the companies you have worked for previously. Then tell them that you want to obtain a list that contains only firms with the SIC codes you just determined, for the purpose of scheduling job interviews.
Tell the list broker that you are looking for about two hundred names (companies) with your target SIC code within sixty miles of your home to contact for a job. Also, tell them to match the company size (number of employees) of the companies you use to work for with the firms on your new list.
You will get job interviews more easily when employers realize that you have worked for companies that are similar to them (same industry, # of employees, etc.).
Now that you have your job interview company list, you can get to work. Mail a cover letter and resume to the head of the company. They will send the resume to the department head who is looking for someone like you, to schedule a job interview.
The next step is to telephone everyone you mailed your resume to for a job interview. Call and ask if they recieved the resume and if they are hiring and if you can set a job interview.
You will be happily surprised at how nice and helpful people are when they realize you are calling for a job. They will be able to relate because everyone has looked for a job at one time or another.
If you think finding a job is hard then please read this article.
About the Author
Mitsu Fisher is an expert at finding jobs because he applies sales and marketing techniques to the process.
http://how-to-find-a-new-job.blogspot.com/
Saturday, January 24, 2009
You Have Been Invited For an Interview - What Are the Questions to Ask the Interviewer?
You Have Been Invited For an Interview - What Are the Questions to Ask the Interviewer? By Freddy Ngiam
You know all the answers to the questions, an interviewer may ask you in an interview session. Now, the big question is, do you know, what to ask the persons interviewing you? Most job-seekers answer to this question is a big no. They would rather the interviewer to ask the questions than them asking them. It is of paramount importance to ask appropriate questions to the interviewers so that you will be well versed with your prospective employers operations and work procedures.
The interview is generally a two way process. Your prospective employer will want to find out if you are really the person they are seeking for a specific vacancy and you will want to know if the position is right for you. You should ensure that you have enough information to make a good decision as to the vacant position and if it suits you.
The following are questions you may find yourselves asking your future employer.
-What will be my duties and responsibilities?
You should never take a job which you are not sure about in terms of responsibilities and duties. If you do so, you will find yourselves quite confused about any company's operations. Other lazy staff may take advantage of your ignorance and exploit you by overworking you with their responsibilities.
-Where will I fit into this company's organizational structure?
This is a very important question to ask your interviewer, it leaves no doubt that you are the right person for the job in question.
-Who will i report to?
-Who will report to me and how experienced are they?
-The person I'm reporting to, where does he or she fit in the overall company's structure?
-In the first three months, what level of performance is expected of me?
-Who are the company's customers?
-Do I have chances of promotion in this position and what will be my salary, benefits and bonuses?
This question should only be asked after the prospective employer is fully sold to you, do not bring it up in the early stages of the interview, if you do so, you are doomed to fail.
Lastly, do not forget to enquire about when the organization will decide on the appointment. These are some of the questions any job-seeker should arm themselves with when facing the interviewer. Asking these questions will leave a big impression about you, to the prospective employer thus clinching the much needed job for yourself.
By Freddy Ngiam, Founder & CEO http://www.JobSupermart.com a job portal in Singapore, Hong Kong & USA.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Freddy_Ngiam
You know all the answers to the questions, an interviewer may ask you in an interview session. Now, the big question is, do you know, what to ask the persons interviewing you? Most job-seekers answer to this question is a big no. They would rather the interviewer to ask the questions than them asking them. It is of paramount importance to ask appropriate questions to the interviewers so that you will be well versed with your prospective employers operations and work procedures.
The interview is generally a two way process. Your prospective employer will want to find out if you are really the person they are seeking for a specific vacancy and you will want to know if the position is right for you. You should ensure that you have enough information to make a good decision as to the vacant position and if it suits you.
The following are questions you may find yourselves asking your future employer.
-What will be my duties and responsibilities?
You should never take a job which you are not sure about in terms of responsibilities and duties. If you do so, you will find yourselves quite confused about any company's operations. Other lazy staff may take advantage of your ignorance and exploit you by overworking you with their responsibilities.
-Where will I fit into this company's organizational structure?
This is a very important question to ask your interviewer, it leaves no doubt that you are the right person for the job in question.
-Who will i report to?
-Who will report to me and how experienced are they?
-The person I'm reporting to, where does he or she fit in the overall company's structure?
-In the first three months, what level of performance is expected of me?
-Who are the company's customers?
-Do I have chances of promotion in this position and what will be my salary, benefits and bonuses?
This question should only be asked after the prospective employer is fully sold to you, do not bring it up in the early stages of the interview, if you do so, you are doomed to fail.
Lastly, do not forget to enquire about when the organization will decide on the appointment. These are some of the questions any job-seeker should arm themselves with when facing the interviewer. Asking these questions will leave a big impression about you, to the prospective employer thus clinching the much needed job for yourself.
By Freddy Ngiam, Founder & CEO http://www.JobSupermart.com a job portal in Singapore, Hong Kong & USA.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Freddy_Ngiam
Interview The Interviewer
Interview The Interviewer By Jason Monastra
This is a subject and conversation that I have had with so many people over the years. With it there comes a lot of strong opinions from all sides stating their perspective on why/why not to do this, or how to approach it. It surfaced this morning in a discussion about why people will not take certain jobs, and the fact that a high powered engineer we were working with has been turning down job offers in this economy. Do people do that I was asked......the answer is YES and for good reason.
Turning the interview on its head is what some people call it. I get a lot of fear when discussing this subject, as most people discuss being uncertain of how they will be perceived when asking serious and in-depth questions surrounding the role. Logically, I think when people really look at it, there fears are crazy. Why would anyone go into an interview, discuss their capabilities and really leave there not knowing exactly what the role is.
Now I say this with caution, as the approach and how one is to do this becomes ever more important. In speaking to some managers, they cannot stand when they feel the candidate is attempting to take over the conversation and really run the entire process. That is not at all what I saying here and really do not want that to be the point of the message. The real idea here is to leave with a conscious understanding of the role, with explicit information, without the manager feeling like he got grilled. And I think there is an easy way to do this.
One of the reasons most people get caught in not know enough information is the format of the interview. The candidate answers questions, waiting for the 10 second time frame at the end where the manager says "do you have any questions" leaving the candidate not knowing which of the 50 that are going through their mind should be asked first. The key is to re-format the interview without upsetting the flow. Create the flow by making the interview conversational and asking questions, or follow ups to certain subjects the interview wishes to discuss - as the interview is progressing. Doing this will allow you to get details answered without ending the interview with the 2 minute jam as much down the manager's mouth as I can session.
Interview flow - keep the interview progressing as any conversation. Asking and answering questions without taking over the conversation. Ensure to stay on subject, allowing client to get the information they need as well. They are interviewing you for a role. Do that and you will find it easier to leave the meeting knowing more, the manager knowing you, and the two of you knowing whether or not to continue the process.
Jason Monastra is a 10 year veteran in the recruiting industry and current partner with United Global Technologies, http://www.ugtechnologies.com, a leading recruiting and consulting firm serving the IT and engineering vertical based out of Charlotte NC.
Jason Monastra maintains a major career advice and job search blog at http://www.lambentpath.com, making it easy to access key informational points to better help navigate your search for your next position.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Monastra
This is a subject and conversation that I have had with so many people over the years. With it there comes a lot of strong opinions from all sides stating their perspective on why/why not to do this, or how to approach it. It surfaced this morning in a discussion about why people will not take certain jobs, and the fact that a high powered engineer we were working with has been turning down job offers in this economy. Do people do that I was asked......the answer is YES and for good reason.
Turning the interview on its head is what some people call it. I get a lot of fear when discussing this subject, as most people discuss being uncertain of how they will be perceived when asking serious and in-depth questions surrounding the role. Logically, I think when people really look at it, there fears are crazy. Why would anyone go into an interview, discuss their capabilities and really leave there not knowing exactly what the role is.
Now I say this with caution, as the approach and how one is to do this becomes ever more important. In speaking to some managers, they cannot stand when they feel the candidate is attempting to take over the conversation and really run the entire process. That is not at all what I saying here and really do not want that to be the point of the message. The real idea here is to leave with a conscious understanding of the role, with explicit information, without the manager feeling like he got grilled. And I think there is an easy way to do this.
One of the reasons most people get caught in not know enough information is the format of the interview. The candidate answers questions, waiting for the 10 second time frame at the end where the manager says "do you have any questions" leaving the candidate not knowing which of the 50 that are going through their mind should be asked first. The key is to re-format the interview without upsetting the flow. Create the flow by making the interview conversational and asking questions, or follow ups to certain subjects the interview wishes to discuss - as the interview is progressing. Doing this will allow you to get details answered without ending the interview with the 2 minute jam as much down the manager's mouth as I can session.
Interview flow - keep the interview progressing as any conversation. Asking and answering questions without taking over the conversation. Ensure to stay on subject, allowing client to get the information they need as well. They are interviewing you for a role. Do that and you will find it easier to leave the meeting knowing more, the manager knowing you, and the two of you knowing whether or not to continue the process.
Jason Monastra is a 10 year veteran in the recruiting industry and current partner with United Global Technologies, http://www.ugtechnologies.com, a leading recruiting and consulting firm serving the IT and engineering vertical based out of Charlotte NC.
Jason Monastra maintains a major career advice and job search blog at http://www.lambentpath.com, making it easy to access key informational points to better help navigate your search for your next position.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Monastra
Friday, January 23, 2009
3 GOOD THINGS A Recession Does for Careers
3 GOOD THINGS A Recession Does for Careers by J.T. O'Donnell
Are you sick of hearing bad news about the economy and job market? Well then, this post is for you.
I'm not trying to discount the fact that a lot of people are suffering professionally these days. Yet, the reality is that a recession actually has some short-term and long-term upsides when it comes to how we manage our careers. That's right, there is some good coming out of 2.5M jobs lost, wide-spread hiring freezes, and a soon to reach double-digit unemployment rate.
Here are three good things a recession does for our careers:
1) Makes being 'let-go' not as hard to accept, nor as difficult to explain.
Today, I spoke to someone who just got let go from their job with a radio station. He's not that upset about it. Why? He simply said, "My manager told me 20 other people on the team got let go too - and I was the most recent hire. So, I know it had nothing to do with my performance." Getting laid-off is mainstream. We all know one or more individuals who lost their job recently. Which means, those who get let go aren't taking it as personally as they would if it happened in a good economy. Instead of feeling singled-out and wondering, "What's wrong with me?" they are able to effectively rationalize the situation by saying, "I'm not the only one. This was out of my control."
2) Gets people to rethink the concept of evaluating people based on what they do for a living.
Our society has always put heavy emphasis on determining how much respect to give someone based on their profession…until now. We live in a culture where the phrase, "What do you do?" is asked as frequently, if not more so, than, "How are you?" Let's be honest, we are all guilty of sizing up someone we've just met and making huge assumptions about them based on what they say they do for work. But in an economy like this, job status suddenly shifts. Those that are employed, regardless of their education or job title, have everyone's attention. This shift has a profound impact on how we connect with others. It helps us to see people differently, and in many cases, build relationships with those we might not have bothered to connect with in the past. For example, getting a college degree has always been a status climber in the US, but watch this 20/20 segment and you'll have a whole new respect for the savvy individual who opted to work their way through trade school. In short, a new set of careers suddenly becomes 'attractive' in a recession.
3) Forces people to accept jobs they wouldn't have otherwise taken.
Needing to pay the bills can make even the most discerning job seeker take work that will provide a paycheck. In doing so, people make new and often valuable connections, and in some cases, even discover new career paths. A young man I knew took a job bartending after college at a local country club. He had a degree in finance, but couldn't land a job. Instead, he spent several months serving drinks to the club members. He got to know a lot of the regulars quite well, to the point that he would get their drinks ready as they walked in the door without them asking. One day, one of the members who had been particularly impressed by the bartender's attentiveness and professionalism asked him about his background. The grad shared his story of getting a degree but not being able to find work. The member gave him his business card and the name of a person at his office to call for an interview. One week later, the former bartender was in a new full-time job.
These are just a few of the things that a recession can do to help careers. I'm sure there are more. Share your thoughts with us at www.CAREEREALISM.com.
How is the current economy changing your definition of career success and your thoughts around the best way to achieve it?
About the Author
J.T. O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated advice columnist, author and founder of CAREEREALISM. Her work has been recognized by leading sources including, Careerbuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for it's timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals (ages 18-40). For more articles, visit her at www.CAREEREALISM.com.
Are you sick of hearing bad news about the economy and job market? Well then, this post is for you.
I'm not trying to discount the fact that a lot of people are suffering professionally these days. Yet, the reality is that a recession actually has some short-term and long-term upsides when it comes to how we manage our careers. That's right, there is some good coming out of 2.5M jobs lost, wide-spread hiring freezes, and a soon to reach double-digit unemployment rate.
Here are three good things a recession does for our careers:
1) Makes being 'let-go' not as hard to accept, nor as difficult to explain.
Today, I spoke to someone who just got let go from their job with a radio station. He's not that upset about it. Why? He simply said, "My manager told me 20 other people on the team got let go too - and I was the most recent hire. So, I know it had nothing to do with my performance." Getting laid-off is mainstream. We all know one or more individuals who lost their job recently. Which means, those who get let go aren't taking it as personally as they would if it happened in a good economy. Instead of feeling singled-out and wondering, "What's wrong with me?" they are able to effectively rationalize the situation by saying, "I'm not the only one. This was out of my control."
2) Gets people to rethink the concept of evaluating people based on what they do for a living.
Our society has always put heavy emphasis on determining how much respect to give someone based on their profession…until now. We live in a culture where the phrase, "What do you do?" is asked as frequently, if not more so, than, "How are you?" Let's be honest, we are all guilty of sizing up someone we've just met and making huge assumptions about them based on what they say they do for work. But in an economy like this, job status suddenly shifts. Those that are employed, regardless of their education or job title, have everyone's attention. This shift has a profound impact on how we connect with others. It helps us to see people differently, and in many cases, build relationships with those we might not have bothered to connect with in the past. For example, getting a college degree has always been a status climber in the US, but watch this 20/20 segment and you'll have a whole new respect for the savvy individual who opted to work their way through trade school. In short, a new set of careers suddenly becomes 'attractive' in a recession.
3) Forces people to accept jobs they wouldn't have otherwise taken.
Needing to pay the bills can make even the most discerning job seeker take work that will provide a paycheck. In doing so, people make new and often valuable connections, and in some cases, even discover new career paths. A young man I knew took a job bartending after college at a local country club. He had a degree in finance, but couldn't land a job. Instead, he spent several months serving drinks to the club members. He got to know a lot of the regulars quite well, to the point that he would get their drinks ready as they walked in the door without them asking. One day, one of the members who had been particularly impressed by the bartender's attentiveness and professionalism asked him about his background. The grad shared his story of getting a degree but not being able to find work. The member gave him his business card and the name of a person at his office to call for an interview. One week later, the former bartender was in a new full-time job.
These are just a few of the things that a recession can do to help careers. I'm sure there are more. Share your thoughts with us at www.CAREEREALISM.com.
How is the current economy changing your definition of career success and your thoughts around the best way to achieve it?
About the Author
J.T. O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated advice columnist, author and founder of CAREEREALISM. Her work has been recognized by leading sources including, Careerbuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for it's timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals (ages 18-40). For more articles, visit her at www.CAREEREALISM.com.
What That Job Description REALLY Means
What That Job Description REALLY Means by J.T. O'Donnell
BEWARE: Job seekers aren't the only ones who sometimes get creative when it comes to selling themselves (i.e. resumes and cover letters that have been, shall we say, 'tweaked' to make a person look like the ideal candidate). Some employers have a tendency to use verbiage that makes their open positions sound better than they really are. Over the years, I've noticed some popular job descriptors that should be viewed as warning flags a potential employer might be trying to put an overly optimistic spin on a less-than-stellar work situation. Thus, when reading the want-ads, consider the following translations:
motivated team-player - looking for someone who needs a job badly enough that they'll put up with lots of unmotivated, annoying people from whom you'll have to get buy-in on almost everything you do.
high achiever, driven to succeed - must be a complete brown-nose whose sole mission in life is to please and impress management.
customer-focused - can take a lot of abuse from clients AND management and still act pleasant.
resourceful, independent self-starter - since we have absolutely no time or resources to train you, we expect you to figure everything out for yourself…quickly.
attentive to details - we have strict policies and procedures and won't hesitate to blame you for everything if you make a mistake.
flexible, enjoys multi-tasking - we are unorganized and change corporate directions daily, so you'll need to be able to clean up our messes and do jobs that A) you weren't told about in the interview, and B) aren't trained to do properly - all on a moment's notice.
agent of change - you'll be responsible for implementing a bunch of stuff we've been unable to make happen with a group of people who are digging in their heels and refusing to convert.
works well under pressure - our management team considers everything urgent and is going to micro-manage you daily. solution-oriented - we are going to give you lots of messes to clean up and expect you to figure out how to handle them without our direction and with a big smile on your face, even though we aren't going to give you any resources or support to get it done.
Okay - so if you've visited CAREEREALISM.com before you know I'm being sarcastic. But, let's not forget, all humor is rooted in a bit of truth, right?
I'm not saying that any job posting with one or more of these terms should be crossed of your list of potential employers. I'm just pointing out that every job seeker should do their homework to make sure they have a realistic understanding of what a potential employer's work environment is really like. (A great post on the need to be selective was recently written by marketing guru, Seth Godin.) FACT: There are no perfect jobs or perfect employers.
I know these are desperate times and many people feel compelled to accept any job offer they get. However, in doing so, you could jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. You need to honestly assess an employer by asking questions that will help you see their flaws (tactfully, of course). Remember: employers are like a potential mate. Don't fool yourself into thinking you can change them once you are together. Take off your rose-colored glasses (or, beer goggles, for you younger readers) and choose an employer for who they really are - warts and all.
Finally, I leave you with this last piece of advice...
If you do see any of the terms above coupled with "unlimited income potential," "rapid advancement," or "ground-floor opportunity," then before your apply, I just hope you'll ask yourself, "Why are they trying so hard to impress me?" Need I say more?
About the Author
J.T. O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated advice columnist, author and founder of CAREEREALISM. Her work has been recognized by leading sources including, Careerbuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for it's timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals (ages 18-40). For more articles, visit her at www.CAREEREALISM.com.
BEWARE: Job seekers aren't the only ones who sometimes get creative when it comes to selling themselves (i.e. resumes and cover letters that have been, shall we say, 'tweaked' to make a person look like the ideal candidate). Some employers have a tendency to use verbiage that makes their open positions sound better than they really are. Over the years, I've noticed some popular job descriptors that should be viewed as warning flags a potential employer might be trying to put an overly optimistic spin on a less-than-stellar work situation. Thus, when reading the want-ads, consider the following translations:
motivated team-player - looking for someone who needs a job badly enough that they'll put up with lots of unmotivated, annoying people from whom you'll have to get buy-in on almost everything you do.
high achiever, driven to succeed - must be a complete brown-nose whose sole mission in life is to please and impress management.
customer-focused - can take a lot of abuse from clients AND management and still act pleasant.
resourceful, independent self-starter - since we have absolutely no time or resources to train you, we expect you to figure everything out for yourself…quickly.
attentive to details - we have strict policies and procedures and won't hesitate to blame you for everything if you make a mistake.
flexible, enjoys multi-tasking - we are unorganized and change corporate directions daily, so you'll need to be able to clean up our messes and do jobs that A) you weren't told about in the interview, and B) aren't trained to do properly - all on a moment's notice.
agent of change - you'll be responsible for implementing a bunch of stuff we've been unable to make happen with a group of people who are digging in their heels and refusing to convert.
works well under pressure - our management team considers everything urgent and is going to micro-manage you daily. solution-oriented - we are going to give you lots of messes to clean up and expect you to figure out how to handle them without our direction and with a big smile on your face, even though we aren't going to give you any resources or support to get it done.
Okay - so if you've visited CAREEREALISM.com before you know I'm being sarcastic. But, let's not forget, all humor is rooted in a bit of truth, right?
I'm not saying that any job posting with one or more of these terms should be crossed of your list of potential employers. I'm just pointing out that every job seeker should do their homework to make sure they have a realistic understanding of what a potential employer's work environment is really like. (A great post on the need to be selective was recently written by marketing guru, Seth Godin.) FACT: There are no perfect jobs or perfect employers.
I know these are desperate times and many people feel compelled to accept any job offer they get. However, in doing so, you could jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. You need to honestly assess an employer by asking questions that will help you see their flaws (tactfully, of course). Remember: employers are like a potential mate. Don't fool yourself into thinking you can change them once you are together. Take off your rose-colored glasses (or, beer goggles, for you younger readers) and choose an employer for who they really are - warts and all.
Finally, I leave you with this last piece of advice...
If you do see any of the terms above coupled with "unlimited income potential," "rapid advancement," or "ground-floor opportunity," then before your apply, I just hope you'll ask yourself, "Why are they trying so hard to impress me?" Need I say more?
About the Author
J.T. O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated advice columnist, author and founder of CAREEREALISM. Her work has been recognized by leading sources including, Careerbuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for it's timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals (ages 18-40). For more articles, visit her at www.CAREEREALISM.com.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Resume - First Impression is Last Impression
Resume - First Impression is Last Impression by Steve McMains
Let's start with the question what is a resume? A resume is nothing but a marketing tool on the basis of which a company will hire you for a job. You need to cross a number of roads before you join a company such as the interview, technical round, HR round and so on. However remember all of these come later.
First you should create a good impression about yourself in the employer's mind. Only then you can expect to follow the other processes. Resume is your gateway to a company. Resume is the first thing to leave an impression in the employer mind and don't forget that first impression is last impression. So resume writing is not easy. It demands immense importance.
Why Should the Employer Choose You
Your employer or HR goes through thousands of resumes for the given post. They can spend 10 to 30 seconds to read a resume. Why should they identify your resume if it is not unique? Before writing your resume try to think what your employer can expect from you and write your resume. If you have a clear idea about the job profile half of your work is done.
Resume Writing Tips
There are a number of ways to write a resume but there are some basics that are common for all. Follow the tips written below and you are sure to come up with a perfect resume.
Write Custom Resume
People often tend to write a general resume and send it to all the companies and this is the basic mistake. Before applying for a job you should go through the requirement details and the company background again and gain. The employer is sure to be impressed to see that you know about their company. Also read the job description to understand whether the job profile suits you. Don't take any chance.
State Your Objective
Before you start writing your resume you should determine your objective. It is important to state what kind of job you are looking for. You should also state your skills and experiences clearly. After defining your objective structuring the resume accordingly becomes easy. So spend a few lines to define your objective first.
Write Clear and Concise Resume
Since no one spends more than 10 to 30 seconds on a resume your resume must be clear and concise. You don't need to give details of your accomplishments. You can do that during the interview. Be specific and mention the points because the goal of your resume is to obtain an interview.
Use Bullet Points
Write short sentences because no one has the time to go through a lengthy paragraph. Your resume should be designed in such a manner so that any one can have a quick look. Using bullet points is one of the best ways to highlight the key phrases so that the important information can be seen at a glance.
Highlight Your Qualities
This is probably the most important part of your resume. Write your qualities that support the job objective. Go for the right options. Don't write irrelevant points to show that you know a lot. If you are not applying for your first job also highlight your job experiences that support the job profile of the company you are applying for.
Other Necessary things to Remember
Other than the above written tips you need to focus on a few more things. The length of your resume can be 1-2 pages. Don't use stylish points. It is not needed. Use regular fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Your font size should not be less than 10. Use as much white space as you can.
When your resume writing is complete go for an outside opinion. These tips will help you not only to write a resume but also for a job search.
About the Author
Steve McMains is a media professional and writes for different online publications on media and advertising industry. For more information on job search or resume writing, he recommends you to visit http://www.mediajobmarket.com.
Let's start with the question what is a resume? A resume is nothing but a marketing tool on the basis of which a company will hire you for a job. You need to cross a number of roads before you join a company such as the interview, technical round, HR round and so on. However remember all of these come later.
First you should create a good impression about yourself in the employer's mind. Only then you can expect to follow the other processes. Resume is your gateway to a company. Resume is the first thing to leave an impression in the employer mind and don't forget that first impression is last impression. So resume writing is not easy. It demands immense importance.
Why Should the Employer Choose You
Your employer or HR goes through thousands of resumes for the given post. They can spend 10 to 30 seconds to read a resume. Why should they identify your resume if it is not unique? Before writing your resume try to think what your employer can expect from you and write your resume. If you have a clear idea about the job profile half of your work is done.
Resume Writing Tips
There are a number of ways to write a resume but there are some basics that are common for all. Follow the tips written below and you are sure to come up with a perfect resume.
Write Custom Resume
People often tend to write a general resume and send it to all the companies and this is the basic mistake. Before applying for a job you should go through the requirement details and the company background again and gain. The employer is sure to be impressed to see that you know about their company. Also read the job description to understand whether the job profile suits you. Don't take any chance.
State Your Objective
Before you start writing your resume you should determine your objective. It is important to state what kind of job you are looking for. You should also state your skills and experiences clearly. After defining your objective structuring the resume accordingly becomes easy. So spend a few lines to define your objective first.
Write Clear and Concise Resume
Since no one spends more than 10 to 30 seconds on a resume your resume must be clear and concise. You don't need to give details of your accomplishments. You can do that during the interview. Be specific and mention the points because the goal of your resume is to obtain an interview.
Use Bullet Points
Write short sentences because no one has the time to go through a lengthy paragraph. Your resume should be designed in such a manner so that any one can have a quick look. Using bullet points is one of the best ways to highlight the key phrases so that the important information can be seen at a glance.
Highlight Your Qualities
This is probably the most important part of your resume. Write your qualities that support the job objective. Go for the right options. Don't write irrelevant points to show that you know a lot. If you are not applying for your first job also highlight your job experiences that support the job profile of the company you are applying for.
Other Necessary things to Remember
Other than the above written tips you need to focus on a few more things. The length of your resume can be 1-2 pages. Don't use stylish points. It is not needed. Use regular fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Your font size should not be less than 10. Use as much white space as you can.
When your resume writing is complete go for an outside opinion. These tips will help you not only to write a resume but also for a job search.
About the Author
Steve McMains is a media professional and writes for different online publications on media and advertising industry. For more information on job search or resume writing, he recommends you to visit http://www.mediajobmarket.com.
Monday, January 12, 2009
What Every Business Should Know About Envelopes
What Every Business Should Know About Envelopes By Sara Warak
Standard business envelopes come in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes. Knowing the envelope sizes helps make your regular and advertising mailing easier. For example, the number 10 envelope is only 9-1/2" wide, the 6-3/4 is only 6-1/2" wide.
Envelopes come with gum flap that is moistened to seal. Self Seal flaps are available either Flip and Seal or Peal and Seal. Examples are on my web site www.drsenvelopes.com Paper ranges from 20 lb wove and 24 lb wove in white or a variety of colors to 32lb brown kraft. The most common correspondence envelope is No. 10, (regular) 24 lb. white wove printed in the upper left hand corner in black ink. The No.10 envelope will hold up to 4 sheets of 8-1/2" x 11" standard 20 lb. paper with 2 folds comfortably.
Window envelopes are produced in the same sizes and configurations as regular envelopes with a standard window that measures 1-1/83 high by 4-1/23 wide placed 7/83 from the left side and 1/23 from the bottom. The envelopes come either gum flap or self seal. Note: Not all sized come Self Seal. Standard window envelopes are available plain or tinted inside in blue or black ink for greater security of your important documents.
Envelopes manufacturers supply double window envelopes to simplify placing checks and other items in the envelope eliminating printing the company name and address and addressing the envelope. There are many sizes and window positioning on double window envelopes. Make sure that the envelope you purchase fits the product you are going to insert.
Envelopes manufactures have dies to produce just about any size you need with almost any size window in the position require. The minimum order for custom regular or window envelopes is usually 10,000.
Standard business envelopes are usually offset printed in one color, 2 color 3 color or full color. Raised printing is thermography (not recommended since thermography will melt in high speed copiers or laser printers and can ruin your equipment). We recommend special raised printed envelopes that go under various names such as LaserRaised etc. The quality of LaserRaised is comparable to highly expensive engraved envelopes.
6-3/4 envelopes is the standard size for Business Reply. These envelopes can be manufactured either full face with your name and address printed on the face of the envelope or with a postage paid form on the face of the envelope. Check with your post office for the latest charges for postage paid envelopes. The post office will design the form for your envelope.
Stationery envelopes come in a variety of papers that match the sheet you are using. There are no standard stationery papers. You choose the paper, printing and color that represents your business. Standard weight for stationery paper is 24 lb. from manufactures such as Strathmore, Classic Laid or Linen and of course the most prestigious Crane Bond or Wove.
Standard size business and correspondence envelope:
#6-1/4
3-1/2 x 6 # 6-3/4
3-5/8 x 6-1/2 # 7
3-3/4 x 6-3/4 # 7-3/4 or Monarch
3-7/8 x 7-1/2 # 8-5/8 or Check
3-5/8 x 8-5/8 # 9
3-7/8 x 8-7/8 # 10
4-1/8 x 9-1/2 # 11
4-1/2 x 10-3/8 # 12
4-3/4 x 11 # 14
5 x 11-1/2
In our next article we will discuss Booklet, Open End, Tyvek and the new postal prices using size not weight.
For more info visit at http://www.myenvelopes.net.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Warak
Standard business envelopes come in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes. Knowing the envelope sizes helps make your regular and advertising mailing easier. For example, the number 10 envelope is only 9-1/2" wide, the 6-3/4 is only 6-1/2" wide.
Envelopes come with gum flap that is moistened to seal. Self Seal flaps are available either Flip and Seal or Peal and Seal. Examples are on my web site www.drsenvelopes.com Paper ranges from 20 lb wove and 24 lb wove in white or a variety of colors to 32lb brown kraft. The most common correspondence envelope is No. 10, (regular) 24 lb. white wove printed in the upper left hand corner in black ink. The No.10 envelope will hold up to 4 sheets of 8-1/2" x 11" standard 20 lb. paper with 2 folds comfortably.
Window envelopes are produced in the same sizes and configurations as regular envelopes with a standard window that measures 1-1/83 high by 4-1/23 wide placed 7/83 from the left side and 1/23 from the bottom. The envelopes come either gum flap or self seal. Note: Not all sized come Self Seal. Standard window envelopes are available plain or tinted inside in blue or black ink for greater security of your important documents.
Envelopes manufacturers supply double window envelopes to simplify placing checks and other items in the envelope eliminating printing the company name and address and addressing the envelope. There are many sizes and window positioning on double window envelopes. Make sure that the envelope you purchase fits the product you are going to insert.
Envelopes manufactures have dies to produce just about any size you need with almost any size window in the position require. The minimum order for custom regular or window envelopes is usually 10,000.
Standard business envelopes are usually offset printed in one color, 2 color 3 color or full color. Raised printing is thermography (not recommended since thermography will melt in high speed copiers or laser printers and can ruin your equipment). We recommend special raised printed envelopes that go under various names such as LaserRaised etc. The quality of LaserRaised is comparable to highly expensive engraved envelopes.
6-3/4 envelopes is the standard size for Business Reply. These envelopes can be manufactured either full face with your name and address printed on the face of the envelope or with a postage paid form on the face of the envelope. Check with your post office for the latest charges for postage paid envelopes. The post office will design the form for your envelope.
Stationery envelopes come in a variety of papers that match the sheet you are using. There are no standard stationery papers. You choose the paper, printing and color that represents your business. Standard weight for stationery paper is 24 lb. from manufactures such as Strathmore, Classic Laid or Linen and of course the most prestigious Crane Bond or Wove.
Standard size business and correspondence envelope:
#6-1/4
3-1/2 x 6 # 6-3/4
3-5/8 x 6-1/2 # 7
3-3/4 x 6-3/4 # 7-3/4 or Monarch
3-7/8 x 7-1/2 # 8-5/8 or Check
3-5/8 x 8-5/8 # 9
3-7/8 x 8-7/8 # 10
4-1/8 x 9-1/2 # 11
4-1/2 x 10-3/8 # 12
4-3/4 x 11 # 14
5 x 11-1/2
In our next article we will discuss Booklet, Open End, Tyvek and the new postal prices using size not weight.
For more info visit at http://www.myenvelopes.net.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Warak
The Right Way to Answer Job Interview Questions
The Right Way to Answer Job Interview Questions By Morgan Hamilton
To be honest, I have always disliked attending a job interview. I understand that they are a necessary evil, but I have always dreaded them. I think that it is all about showing that you are good or bad at job interviews, and not whether you are good at the job you're applying for. Some job interviewers approach the interview very scientifically. They read up on techniques and psychological profiling to help them in their task. You must know how to answer job interview questions if you are about to attend a job interview.
You have to master the art of telling people what you think they want to hear if you want to succeed at job interviews. You also have to exhibit a degree of honesty while you answer job interview questions. This is because we all exaggerate our experience and skills a bit from time to time.
You are walking on thin tight rope when you answer job interview questions. Interview questions tend to be designed to find out lots of contrary information. An interviewer may attempt to determine if you are good team player and if you also enjoy working alone. They would also be interested in finding out if you like to lead and if you are good at following instructions.
There’s a good chance that you will find it difficult to answer job interview questions if you are nervous and don't listen properly at job interviews. You have to swallow your nerves and listen intently when you are attending a job interview. Try to be calm and collected when you answer job interview questions.
You may have some success by doing some meditation exercises before going into the interview. Do not try the much-recommended technique of imagining the interviewer in his or her underwear. I tried this once and got a fit of the giggles. Unsurprisingly, I did not get the job. Try to think of it as a conversation between equals, rather than a job interview.
Applying for a job that you don’t really want is the worst situation in which to answer job interview questions. You will find it hard to answer questions about the reasons why you chose their particular company, if you have no real desire for the job. It is difficult to master the art of answering job interview questions. It is also hard to sustain trying to be who the interviewer want you to be, especially if you are facing a panel of interviewers.
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Answer Job Interview Questions. Visit our site for more helpful information about Answer Job Interview Questions and other similar topics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton
To be honest, I have always disliked attending a job interview. I understand that they are a necessary evil, but I have always dreaded them. I think that it is all about showing that you are good or bad at job interviews, and not whether you are good at the job you're applying for. Some job interviewers approach the interview very scientifically. They read up on techniques and psychological profiling to help them in their task. You must know how to answer job interview questions if you are about to attend a job interview.
You have to master the art of telling people what you think they want to hear if you want to succeed at job interviews. You also have to exhibit a degree of honesty while you answer job interview questions. This is because we all exaggerate our experience and skills a bit from time to time.
You are walking on thin tight rope when you answer job interview questions. Interview questions tend to be designed to find out lots of contrary information. An interviewer may attempt to determine if you are good team player and if you also enjoy working alone. They would also be interested in finding out if you like to lead and if you are good at following instructions.
There’s a good chance that you will find it difficult to answer job interview questions if you are nervous and don't listen properly at job interviews. You have to swallow your nerves and listen intently when you are attending a job interview. Try to be calm and collected when you answer job interview questions.
You may have some success by doing some meditation exercises before going into the interview. Do not try the much-recommended technique of imagining the interviewer in his or her underwear. I tried this once and got a fit of the giggles. Unsurprisingly, I did not get the job. Try to think of it as a conversation between equals, rather than a job interview.
Applying for a job that you don’t really want is the worst situation in which to answer job interview questions. You will find it hard to answer questions about the reasons why you chose their particular company, if you have no real desire for the job. It is difficult to master the art of answering job interview questions. It is also hard to sustain trying to be who the interviewer want you to be, especially if you are facing a panel of interviewers.
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Answer Job Interview Questions. Visit our site for more helpful information about Answer Job Interview Questions and other similar topics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Get Hired Quick: First Know What Your New Boss is Thinking!
Get Hired Quick: First Know What Your New Boss is Thinking! by By Darrell Z. DiZoglio
My resume clients often ask: "But how do I know what the boss is thinking and looking for?" Here is some insight from a hiring authority and recruiter you need to know to get hired. First of all if there is one talent most bosses have it is being skeptical, doubting and critical. They really need to be judgmental. The sooner they can size you up and dismiss you the sooner they can get back to their most pressing problems of the moment. Another talent they usually have besides delegation is keen observational judgment by actions and all evidence presented to them: Your actions, body language, posture, handshake, eye contact, dress, confidence, tone, enthusiasm, the evidence you present, reference letters, resume, cover letter, whether you are currently still employed, whether your cell phone rings during the interview, professional demeanor etc.
Sure some managers are promoted due to politics, family,relationships or the result of friendships, but one thing is for certain most hiring decisions are made in the first ten minutes of the interview. The remainder merely confirms their thinking was right. After all, what managers do you know without confidence? My sincere thanks to all the folks at Google, Business.com and Linkedin.com who made my researching a lot easier. The purpose of this free info article on how to get hired quick is to give you the scoop on exactly what key factors will get you hired. This way you can address them successfully in your interviews.
Most hiring decisions are based on the following key factors:
-Can they help me best with my most pressing problem?
-Did they bond with me better than others? (A key life skill)
-Did they prove to me they are talented with results?
-Did they prove honest? Good credit, References, education verified?
-Do they have white hot desire for the job?
-Are they loyal? Is their attitude an asset?
-Is my decision based on evidence? Have they proven their case?
-Is their required salary within our budget?
-Available for hire right now? How much notice do they need? (People who give a two week notice are kind, and my kind of people.)
-Did they ask intelligent questions during the interview?
-Do they have the required skills and experience to perform well?
-Will they fit in with our current team?
-What significant advantages does this candidate have over the rest?
-Will this candidate pass a drug test?
Now ask yourself: Am I currently addressing & proving myself in all these areas? Is my resume and cover letter also addressing all these concerns? Remember, your resume and cover letter is you on paper. Is yours getting you interviews?
About the Author
(c) 2009 by Darrell Z. DiZoglio of http://www.RighteousResumes.com a free info source for all job hunters. Reprint this article wherever useful provided my 2 links appear. Find Recession busting specials here: http://www.RighteousResumes.com/services.html and get real results from research, creativity, key words and know how. Thank you in advance for forwarding this article to friends, colleagues, newspapers, magazines, article directories, book publishers and webmasters.
My resume clients often ask: "But how do I know what the boss is thinking and looking for?" Here is some insight from a hiring authority and recruiter you need to know to get hired. First of all if there is one talent most bosses have it is being skeptical, doubting and critical. They really need to be judgmental. The sooner they can size you up and dismiss you the sooner they can get back to their most pressing problems of the moment. Another talent they usually have besides delegation is keen observational judgment by actions and all evidence presented to them: Your actions, body language, posture, handshake, eye contact, dress, confidence, tone, enthusiasm, the evidence you present, reference letters, resume, cover letter, whether you are currently still employed, whether your cell phone rings during the interview, professional demeanor etc.
Sure some managers are promoted due to politics, family,relationships or the result of friendships, but one thing is for certain most hiring decisions are made in the first ten minutes of the interview. The remainder merely confirms their thinking was right. After all, what managers do you know without confidence? My sincere thanks to all the folks at Google, Business.com and Linkedin.com who made my researching a lot easier. The purpose of this free info article on how to get hired quick is to give you the scoop on exactly what key factors will get you hired. This way you can address them successfully in your interviews.
Most hiring decisions are based on the following key factors:
-Can they help me best with my most pressing problem?
-Did they bond with me better than others? (A key life skill)
-Did they prove to me they are talented with results?
-Did they prove honest? Good credit, References, education verified?
-Do they have white hot desire for the job?
-Are they loyal? Is their attitude an asset?
-Is my decision based on evidence? Have they proven their case?
-Is their required salary within our budget?
-Available for hire right now? How much notice do they need? (People who give a two week notice are kind, and my kind of people.)
-Did they ask intelligent questions during the interview?
-Do they have the required skills and experience to perform well?
-Will they fit in with our current team?
-What significant advantages does this candidate have over the rest?
-Will this candidate pass a drug test?
Now ask yourself: Am I currently addressing & proving myself in all these areas? Is my resume and cover letter also addressing all these concerns? Remember, your resume and cover letter is you on paper. Is yours getting you interviews?
About the Author
(c) 2009 by Darrell Z. DiZoglio of http://www.RighteousResumes.com a free info source for all job hunters. Reprint this article wherever useful provided my 2 links appear. Find Recession busting specials here: http://www.RighteousResumes.com/services.html and get real results from research, creativity, key words and know how. Thank you in advance for forwarding this article to friends, colleagues, newspapers, magazines, article directories, book publishers and webmasters.
CAREER CRUNCH?
CAREER CRUNCH? by Corinne Mills
Just imagine your job goes tomorrow? What's your Plan B?
The last few months have seen unprecedented shifts in the financial markets. Many financial institutions have either gone under, become part state owned or chosen some unlikely bedfellows. One U.S. news anchorwoman commented "Who's merging next?
Goldman Sachs and House of Pancakes? " In more recent times, the dot.com bust and the aftermath of 9/11, there was uncertainty, but it affected particular sectors and their related suppliers. The current economic crisis has shaken to the rafters the very fundamentals of the business economy and no business or individual is immune. This unchartered territory makes life on the Board particularly challenging as we weigh up the threats to our company as well as the potential risks to our own career situation. What may be right for the organisation may not be right for you personally, particularly if your own job is affected by a potential merger or re-structuring?
So what happens if your job disappears overnight? Is it really any different from 12 months ago? The reality is that there are a number of significant changes which could affect your ability to find a new position, if it becomes necessary.
1. At one time, companies were generous in providing outplacement support to their senior staff on exit. This has changed. Individuals increasingly need to argue for this in their exit terms or organise it themselves. The danger is that you can be 6 months into a frustrating job search before you realise that professional career support is needed - by which time finances, confidence and marketability may have taken a hit
2. There will be increased competition from good candidates as organisations are forced to let go even their high-performing staff
3. Recruitment companies and head-hunters have less to offer as organisations delay hiring new staff and increasingly carry out their own search and selection
4. There is an increased risk that even if you are offered a job after what may be a lengthy interview process, it may be pulled at the last moment because of a recruitment freeze Is it all doom and gloom? Well, it's certainly tougher at the moment and will be for the foreseeable future. However, as in any crisis - and let's be clear - it really could be that bad - those who are proactive and prepared will fare better. So even if you feel safe at the moment, don't wait for change to be forced on you, start contingency planning now.
So how do you create your own Plan B?
1. Review your own requirements for a job and establish your wish list - the sector and type of company you want to work for, key responsibilities, salary, location etc
2. Research the market using adverts, on-line resources, head-hunters to establish which areas are in growth, what employers are looking for and what will give you a competitive advantage
3. Where there are any gaps between what you have and what the "market wants" - make sure you plug them! Identify any specific experience or training or qualifications that will help you and take steps to achieve these. It can sometimes be enough to be enrolled on a required course, even if you haven't finished it
4. Consider all of your options. Ask others for advice and suggestions as they often come up with good ideas that you may not have thought of yourself
5. Determine what your "offer" is. What impact have you made in your previous organisations? What can you do in the future to help organisations improve their position? Make this relevant to the market e.g. managing adverse economic conditions
6. Update your CV focusing on how you can add value to organisations and substantiating it by showing your track record of achievements
7. Network. Ensure that business contacts, related suppliers, customers, business associates etc are aware of your "offer" and keep the conversational door open should either of you want a more focused discussion at a later stage
8. Check your finances to ensure you know how long you could survive without an income - remember senior positions can take at least 6 months to fill. Also check the exit terms on your contract, including any restrictive clauses as forewarned is forearmed
9. Increase your visibility in your industry. Write articles, go to conferences, sit on joint working groups etc
10. Continue performing well in your current role and make sure that you communicate any successes internally as well as externally
The key factors for success in managing your career, even during an economic crisis, are being clear about what you want next, your ability to articulate verbally and in writing how you can add value and knowing how you can use other people for contacts, suggestions and information.
Using specialist career management services can also be a tremendous help in achieving all of the above.
Many people find it challenging to retain objectivity in their own career situation. The advice and support of a career coach can be particularly beneficial in helping you make informed decisions, finely hone your selling skills and jump over the recruitment hurdles more quickly than you are likely to do on your own.
It's going to be a rocky road ahead but if "push" turns to "shove" then at least you are prepared.
About the Author
Corinne Mills is MD of Personal Career Management. He regularly contributes article on career counselling, career transition. To know more visit http://www.personalcareermanagement.com/
Just imagine your job goes tomorrow? What's your Plan B?
The last few months have seen unprecedented shifts in the financial markets. Many financial institutions have either gone under, become part state owned or chosen some unlikely bedfellows. One U.S. news anchorwoman commented "Who's merging next?
Goldman Sachs and House of Pancakes? " In more recent times, the dot.com bust and the aftermath of 9/11, there was uncertainty, but it affected particular sectors and their related suppliers. The current economic crisis has shaken to the rafters the very fundamentals of the business economy and no business or individual is immune. This unchartered territory makes life on the Board particularly challenging as we weigh up the threats to our company as well as the potential risks to our own career situation. What may be right for the organisation may not be right for you personally, particularly if your own job is affected by a potential merger or re-structuring?
So what happens if your job disappears overnight? Is it really any different from 12 months ago? The reality is that there are a number of significant changes which could affect your ability to find a new position, if it becomes necessary.
1. At one time, companies were generous in providing outplacement support to their senior staff on exit. This has changed. Individuals increasingly need to argue for this in their exit terms or organise it themselves. The danger is that you can be 6 months into a frustrating job search before you realise that professional career support is needed - by which time finances, confidence and marketability may have taken a hit
2. There will be increased competition from good candidates as organisations are forced to let go even their high-performing staff
3. Recruitment companies and head-hunters have less to offer as organisations delay hiring new staff and increasingly carry out their own search and selection
4. There is an increased risk that even if you are offered a job after what may be a lengthy interview process, it may be pulled at the last moment because of a recruitment freeze Is it all doom and gloom? Well, it's certainly tougher at the moment and will be for the foreseeable future. However, as in any crisis - and let's be clear - it really could be that bad - those who are proactive and prepared will fare better. So even if you feel safe at the moment, don't wait for change to be forced on you, start contingency planning now.
So how do you create your own Plan B?
1. Review your own requirements for a job and establish your wish list - the sector and type of company you want to work for, key responsibilities, salary, location etc
2. Research the market using adverts, on-line resources, head-hunters to establish which areas are in growth, what employers are looking for and what will give you a competitive advantage
3. Where there are any gaps between what you have and what the "market wants" - make sure you plug them! Identify any specific experience or training or qualifications that will help you and take steps to achieve these. It can sometimes be enough to be enrolled on a required course, even if you haven't finished it
4. Consider all of your options. Ask others for advice and suggestions as they often come up with good ideas that you may not have thought of yourself
5. Determine what your "offer" is. What impact have you made in your previous organisations? What can you do in the future to help organisations improve their position? Make this relevant to the market e.g. managing adverse economic conditions
6. Update your CV focusing on how you can add value to organisations and substantiating it by showing your track record of achievements
7. Network. Ensure that business contacts, related suppliers, customers, business associates etc are aware of your "offer" and keep the conversational door open should either of you want a more focused discussion at a later stage
8. Check your finances to ensure you know how long you could survive without an income - remember senior positions can take at least 6 months to fill. Also check the exit terms on your contract, including any restrictive clauses as forewarned is forearmed
9. Increase your visibility in your industry. Write articles, go to conferences, sit on joint working groups etc
10. Continue performing well in your current role and make sure that you communicate any successes internally as well as externally
The key factors for success in managing your career, even during an economic crisis, are being clear about what you want next, your ability to articulate verbally and in writing how you can add value and knowing how you can use other people for contacts, suggestions and information.
Using specialist career management services can also be a tremendous help in achieving all of the above.
Many people find it challenging to retain objectivity in their own career situation. The advice and support of a career coach can be particularly beneficial in helping you make informed decisions, finely hone your selling skills and jump over the recruitment hurdles more quickly than you are likely to do on your own.
It's going to be a rocky road ahead but if "push" turns to "shove" then at least you are prepared.
About the Author
Corinne Mills is MD of Personal Career Management. He regularly contributes article on career counselling, career transition. To know more visit http://www.personalcareermanagement.com/
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