A cover letter is usually formatted using three paragraphs.  The first paragraph should tell the employer the position you are applying for, where you learned about the opportunity, and ask that they consider your enclosed/attached resume to be considered for the opportunity.

The second paragraph should provide a brief summary of your skills as they relate to the position you’re applying.  In this paragraph, it is important that you match your skills and qualifications to those that the employer requires and/or prefers as described in their advertisement.  For example, if the employer seeks someone with a Bachelors degree in Accounting, five years of experience in the accounting field and prefers that you possess experience with QuickBooks and Peachtree Accounting systems, you should highlight this information in this paragraph if you possess these skills, experience and/or level of education.  You may also want to tell the employer why you’re applying to their company specifically and use information obtained from your research to let the employer know what impresses you about the products and/or services they provide.  Perhaps you learned that they were recently awarded with a special award or participated in a community event that you support as well.

Finally, in the third paragraph, take the time to thank the employer for considering you for an interview and provide them with information about how they may best contact you.  Be sure you don’t forget to sign the letter.

The focus of this article is the redemption of that plummeting interview. After all, many people wonder if they can possibly save an interview after making an inappropriate comment or simply making a fool of themselves in some other way.

The answer is that you can redeem the interview, but only if you own up to the mistake in the first place. For instance, let’s say that your interviewer asks you a question about your former boss or employer. Let’s also say that you have been getting more and more comfortable with this interviewer as the time passes. When they ask this question about the former job, why you left, etc., you may inadvertently say something wildly inappropriate.

For our example, we’ll say that you roll your eyes and say “because the guy was a total idiot!” Now, that is a huge mistake, and you probably realize it even before you finish saying the sentence. Can you save this situation? Yes…but it means you need to admit the mistake and then clarify in a far less emotional manner. For example, “Sorry…so, sorry! That was a totally irresponsible comment! What I should say is that I found my experience there to be frustrating. I don’t feel that my opinion is an accurate description of the company or even my former manager, but I do feel justified about leaving and have no regrets over the choice.”

That is the best you can do when such a thing slips out, but a responsible reaction to an irresponsible comment does demonstrate that you are mature enough to own up to mistakes and then correct the situation. THAT leaves a very favorable impression.

Of course, if you feel that the interview is plummeting because it is going nowhere, you can take control of the situation. Remember that any professional interview is a two-way street and that you have the right to ask questions too. Show an interest in the company, have some valuable questions in mind before you enter the interview, and then be prepared to use them if things take a turn for the worst!

Because of the importance of other factors in long-term job retention, it is important to carefully evaluate each employer with regard to these “intangible” factors before accepting a job offer. When you understand how to evaluate a company during the hiring process, you will be well-positioned to ask relevant questions that can help you make an educated decision based on your career goals.

Below we outline five such intangible factors to help with your research.

1. Company size. The size of the company is an important consideration since it affects salary ranges, scope of benefit package, work culture, as well as management style. While larger companies are able to offer higher salaries and more comprehensive benefits, the benefit of working for a smaller firm is that you will be exposed to many areas of operation. What this means is that you will be eligible for faster promotions than employees in larger firms who are limited to advancement within their particular vertical.
2. Company History. An important consideration is how long the company has been in business as this indicates how secure your job will be. While large companies do offer a greater degree of security, they also tend to be more hierarchical in nature with a rigid management style.
3. Whether the company is private or publicly owned. Publicly owned companies will be easier to research since they must publish quarterly and annual performance reports for the benefit of shareholders. Before accepting any offer of employment be sure to research the firm’s financial viability, market reputation, planned initiatives over the next 2 to 5 years, staff changes (especially at the management level), and industry trends over the next few years (you don’t want to be in an industry which is expected to experience a downturn). Information on many public and private companies can be found on such Web sites as Dunn and Bradstreet and Hoovers Online. Another option is to “Google” the name of the company for current news and press releases, along with visiting the company Web site and LinkedIn profile.
4. Career growth opportunities. Both large and small firms offer opportunities for career advancement. However, there are also firms that promise the world in terms of promotional opportunities and professional development during the interview process, only to fall far short once you actually start working with the firm. Best to speak with current employees of the firm to determine the extent to which the company does foster a promote-from-within policy. For those employers that do offer such opportunities, try to find out if you will receive a salary increase or bonus upon program completion and whether the firm offers tuition reimbursement.
5. Company culture and management style. Company culture can refer to dress code and range from casual (think blue jeans) to conservative (think Brooks Brothers). Company culture also involves the management style and can vary from rigid and autocratic with limited opportunity for input on the part of employees to transparent and supportive management that values employee contributions. Another component of culture involves the degree to which the company fosters a team environment as opposed to one which is overly competitive.

©Copyright 2012 Lisa Ann Burke. All rights fully reserved

So, the first thing to know is the “level” of expertise required for the work. Many firms make the mistake of slapping on a descriptor as basic as “entry”, “junior” or “senior” level. What does this mean? The true meaning of entry level is “just out of school”, and so someone recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy is as entry level as someone who graduated last week from high school! It means that you have little to no experience. The junior level descriptions imply that you have high levels of proficiency but no management (usually five years of work experience), and the senior levels imply that you have done administrative and management work.

Now, the definitions of experience are not just described by levels but also in terms of your proficiency or working knowledge. Thus, you can expect to see those words: proficient, experienced, knowledgeable, etc. Be sure that you closely read these terms because they can apply differently even in the same paragraph. For instance, you may see that you have to have a “working knowledge of” medical software but a mastery of specific treatments. Thus, you would need only the most basic skills with the computer program but require the highest levels of skill with the medical treatments described.

Finally, understand the personality types that a job description is seeking to explain. For instance, if you see “motivated”, you know the work is challenging, if you see “team player,” you need to understand you are not in a leadership position; “task oriented” usually indicates a lot of deadlines.

You can use the descriptions above to begin to get a far more accurate image of the sort of candidate most ideally suited for a job. A lot of employers do not realize how much time they are wasting by casting too wide of a net in terms of potential employees. When you narrow down their meanings you can easily see if you have the skills, experiences and desire to apply or not.

Your resume’s been proofed up to wazoo. Half a dozen recruiters and hiring managers gave it the green flag . Only obstacle left now is your equally qualified pool of competitors.   Unfortunately, it is the one over which you have the least control–or is it?

Let’s focus on where you’ve got the most leverage now.  Namely, how will you noticeably distinguish yourself in a way that is significant enough to land you a highly coveted interview slot but convivial enough to reinforce rather than distract?  The answer is simple: words.  Words –your words– in fact, will give you more leverage and mobility during this phase of the process than the rest of the variables put together.  The words and phrases with which you describe yourself cannot be selected too carefully.
Here are some examples of words you might have chosen for your self descriptives:
1.      Creative
2.      Organizational
3.      Effective
4.      Extensive experience
5.      Track record
6.      Motivated
7.      Innovative
8.      Problem solving
9.      Communication skills
10.  Dynamic

Sound familiar? Like something you’ve come across before, perhaps?  There is a reason. According to the world’s largest professional online network, LinkedIn, the word list you just read were the most common terms used by job seekers in the United States in 2011. 
Now, count how many of those words show up in your in cover letter and resume.  Chances are, they will not be difficult to substitute. Take, for example, the most common term on the list, “creative.” The options offered by the reference aggregate, Thesaurus.com, include but are not limited to:

1.      Inventive
2.      Original
3.      Artistic
4.      Bright
5.      Imaginative
6.      Innovational

The very process of reflecting upon which of those words best characterizes your unique brand, might already be leading you to a new,  unexpected place. Contemplating the word “inventive” for example, could remind you of the recycling programs you developed as superintendent of the twenty unit multi-family residence you managed.  Perhaps “bright” characterizes the way you orchestrated overlapping doorman shifts in anticipation of snow. Replacing buzzwords with concrete descriptors that are specific and unique to your experiences will optimize your chances of creating a lasting impression on the person reading your resume and cover letter. They might end up inspiring new ways of highlighting your skills and experiences.

If you’re still in the military, it may not be the best time to get out as the job market is really tough out there.  However, if you still have some time before you’re out, it would be smart  to do some initial ground work before being thrust into the civilian employment pool.  Part of that is making sure you are taking advantage of services available to you, such as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) that is offered by the Department of Defense, Department of Labor and the Department of Veteran Affairs.  They’ll assist with your resume, get you prepped for interviews and help you get focused on the career that best suits you.

Another rich resource are those who have tread these waters before you.  In other words … networking.  After all, networking has historically been the best avenue for finding a job, and why would it be any different with the military transition?  One organization you can hit up is the Military Officers Association of America, or MOAA.org.  It is a terrific resource for networking as well as assisting in your post service job search.  This site, along with others such as HireAHero.org also highlight those companies who are military friendly in their hiring practices.  As a matter of fact, at Hire A Hero, you can set up a profile, search for jobs and view military friendly employers by state.

Finally, a terrific and efficient use of your time and energy is researching and attending job fairs.  You’ll be able to target specific industries and companies, research their business models, create a customized resume, and best of all, meet face to face with potential employers.  It’s a way to get yourself out there quickly and to cast your net as wide as possible by getting you and your resume in front of decision makers.  You can learn about job fairs through the sites mentioned above as well as job hunting sites such as JobsRadar.com, CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com.

Step 1: Job Search Preparation

• Obtain a clear understanding of the steps involved in a job search campaign and create a job search strategy based on my career goals.

• Prepare a list of all jobs that interest me and that I am qualified for in terms of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

• Prepare a list of target employers which may be based on industry or company size, geographic location, etc.

• Research on all companies on my target list using such resources as Dun and Bradstreet, Moody’s,  LinkedIn, Google, as well as industry  and business magazines.

• Create my “unique value proposition” (UVP) which is a succinct three or four sentence statement regarding the value I can bring to each company in terms of my experience and KSAs and which distinguishes me from other candidates for the position.

• Develop a strong network of contacts that can refer me to jobs for which I am most qualified.

• Prepare my list of references and notify each person that I included their name.

Step 2: Cover Letter Preparation

• Review the importance of a cover letter to a successful job search

• Review the basic structure of different cover letter styles in terms of formatting (e.g. centering my name and contact information, indenting paragraphs, using bullet points, etc.)

• Prepare cover letters that target each job specifically and that address the recruiter or hiring manager by name, where possible (many job ads use blind “reply-to’s” and in this case a salutation such as “Dear Hiring/Recruitment Manager” is acceptable).

• Use action verbs to explain all accomplishments in prior employment

• Provide specific examples of accomplishments with quantifiable data (such as “Increased sales by 25 percent in the third and fourth quarters”).

• Clearly state the value I bring to the company “With my extensive background in intangible sales, I am confident of my ability to quickly develop a strong pipeline of qualified prospects”.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the company and reason(s) for wanting to work there

• Keep my cover letter to one page and use several paragraphs, with bullet points to outline specific accomplishments

• Did not just repeat what is included in my resume but value added content

• Edit and proofread each letter carefully for spelling and grammatical errors

• Allude to some action I will take at the end, such as “I will follow-up in three days to further discuss this opportunity.” If this is a blind ad, this last might be hard to do but you can still invite the employer to contact you with any questions and provide all contact information under your name.

Step 3: Crafting Your Resume

• Understand the different types of resume formats (chronological and functional).  The chronological is the most common format for those with 0 to 5 years work experience.

• Create a header with all contact information: full name and address, primary and cell phone numbers, along with email address.

• Prepare a list of 5 key accomplishments for each position held. The accomplishments you select should most closely reflect the duties of the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a Paralegal position within the real estate section, your resume should highlight your skills and accomplishments the areas of math, negotiation, client service and language (not necessarily within the real estate sector).

• Use bullet points and short sentences to list each accomplishment, remembering to place the most important first.

• Omit pronouns such as “I”, “me, “my”, “we”, etc. and start each sentence with an action verb (such as created, facilitated, implemented, etc.)

• Replace the statement ”Responsibilities included” or “Job Duties included” with “Key Accomplishments and “Skill Set.”

• Create a “Summary of qualifications” section at top of your resume (this replaces “Career Objective” which is not used to a large degree any longer).

• Not list any personal information such as martial states, age, etc. Many people also choose to leave off the dates of college graduation if more than 10 years in the past

• Edit and proofread resume carefully and asked family or friends to also look over to catch any mistakes I may have missed

 ©Copyright 2012 Lisa Ann Burke. All rights fully reserved.

Do you really want a career change?

Before making a big jump like this, you need to take a close look at what you’re really feeling about your current situation.  It could be that you actually like your job and career, but don’t like the company you are working for.  Or maybe you like the company and many aspects of the job, but you are seeking more of a challenge or more of an opportunity.  If any of this is the case it may be time to look at other opportunities with other organizations or within your own.

Play to Your Strengths

It will be much easier to change careers if you focus on your strengths and talents rather than pursuing something because it sounds cool.  You’ll want to tailor your resume so that those skills you developed in your previous career relate to the new career you are seeking.  If you do get the interview, it will be extremely important that you really know your stuff, can demonstrate how your experience will transfer, and have solutions on how you will go about filling the inevitable gaps in knowledge.

Join networking groups both online and off

Most cities’ chambers of commerce offer networking events and networking groups that you can attend, which is a great way to meet local business owners and get your name out there.  It is also vitally important to build your online social network, particularly with professional oriented sites like Linkedin.  With Linkedin, you can also join industry specific groups as well as subscribe to news feeds, job postings, and articles on the profession you are looking to jump into.

Get yourself out there.

Ultimately, you need to get out from behind the computer and put yourself out there in the real world, not only to help you get noticed, but to also develop your much needed skills.  Do volunteer work, pro-bono work, or offer to work on a trial basis to show that you are serious.  You’re going to need an edge in the competitive marketplace, and you’re competing with workers who have a whole lot more experience than you, so you’ll have to really work hard to show them how valuable you can be!

Fall Quarter

If you are a final year student and you are targeting a graduate scheme with a large blue chip or a government agency then the fall quarter is an excellent time to search for jobs. It is during the fall quarter that these larger organizations visit university campuses to meet and interview promising students. Therefore, prior to the fall quarter, be sure that you have a well polished resume and you have researched both into your desired career paths as well as into the background of your target employers. Then, during the fall be sure to visit the careers office in order that you can arrange to meet the attending employers.

Spring Quarter

Smaller companies or firms from high demand sectors will tend to advertise for the job at the time it is needed, rather than having an annually scheduled graduate intake like the larger businesses. If you are a final year student looking to work for smaller companies then Spring quarter is the best time to start looking for jobs. This is because these employers will be aware that graduation is only a few months away and they will be lining up to capture the best graduate talent.

December

Surveys have shown that December may be one of the best months to start your job hunt. This is because there are still many jobs being advertised but, due to the holiday season, there are less candidates on the job market, so there will be less competition for each job vacancy. This will mean that you will have a greater chance of getting selected for interview or even being chosen for the job

November and December for Retail and Airlines

The busiest time of year for retailers is of course the holiday season. Retailers will do most of their hiring in November and December so this will be a great time to apply for retail jobs. Airlines jobs availability also increases during this period as the holiday season is the busiest and most demanding time of year for the airline sector.

Fourth Quarter for Finance Professionals

Many business begin their fiscal year on Jan 1, so the fourth calendar quarter is an excellent time for finance professionals to begin searching for jobs because many firms will be in need of help to complete their year end financial analysis and reporting requirements.

Summer Months

Surveys have shown that personal trainers will have an increased chance of being hired during the summer as people are typically more inclined to go outside and exercise.

March

If you are a gardening or landscaping professional, then there will be a high availability of work during March and this will continue, although at a lower level throughout the summer.

1.  Temporary jobs provide a paycheck. We all need money to pay the bills, buy groceries, and have a little fun along the way! A temporary job, while sometimes short term, is still a solid source of income to get you by until you find that full time gig. Plus, once the assignment is done you can usually qualify for unemployment benefits in between jobs.
2. You can build and fill out your resume while expanding your skills. Temporary jobs are a great way to puff up your resume with legitimate corporate experience. This is extremely valuable if you are just out of school or making a career change. It also shows that you value the opportunity to work and aren’t just sitting around waiting for something to happen.
3. It’s a great entry point into a large company. Many large corporations have a limited budget number for full time staff positions plus additional funds for temporary and seasonal employees. If it’s a company you are interested in, it’s a terrific way to learn about them, find out if you really enjoy working there, and show off your stuff to the powers that be!
4. The agency is working for you and will represent you in the best possible light. The recruiters already have the relationships in place with HR managers, and thus have access that you couldn’t dream of having. They also know about job listings that are not advertised, including full time positions. When your resume comes directly from them to the client, it automatically invokes a sense of respect.
5. Working as a temporary employee gives you more flexibility. Many folks out there don’t want or need a full time job, but need a somewhat steady income to supplement their family budget. Working as a temp allows you to work when you want and take time off when you want, without fear of losing your job. When you’re just starting, you may want to take on as many assignments as you can get to prove yourself, but once you’ve successfully completed several jobs, you can begin to be a bit more choosy.