Minds United

13/07/2013

http://internsover40.blogspot.com.es/2010/05/9-steps-to-acing-phone-job-interview.html

Would you like to know why some people give good phone? Did you ever go to the bathroom while doing a phone interview :).

13/07/2013

10 Ways To Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

Hundreds of resumes are flooding into many hiring and HR managers. So how do you get someones attention? Does your cover letter “kill” or get thrown in the “b” pile? Many of your comments indicate that some of you think that using a cover letter is a relic of the past. While others have discovered that a well crafted cover letter actually differentiated them from the herd of followers. To the none believers you can just keep filing out those online applications and HOPE for a response. But for those who are proactive and innovative a cover letter can lead to new opportunities. If you already found the perfect job you probably would not be reading this. So maybe its time to take a leap of faith “back to the future” with a well crafted cover letter.(Editor’s Note)

Your cover letter is the first impression that you give employers. Sometimes without a GOOD cover letter, your resume does not get the attention it deserves. Let’s face it; resumes get skipped over all the time. That’s why you have to come up with a strategy on how to sell yourself to this potential employer. Set yourself apart by telling the employer how you will help them achieve their goals and what they reap if they hire you. If a cover letter does not attract the reader’s attention in the first paragraph then your chances of being called for an interview are drastically reduced. An employer may have a hundred or more resumes to look through and he or she is probably limited in time to make their selection. Here are a few tips that can help you towards a high quality cover letter.

Tip #1:

If you are going to mail your cover letter then use high-quality white paper; it’s thicker than typewriter or printer paper. Avoid elaborate or colored stationery. Print a clean final copy to send, not a photocopy. Make sure there are no smudges or grease marks on the paper. Keep your extra copies in a large envelope or manila folder.

(Reader Comments: 42 and Looking said…

“FYI to those who think mailing isn’t worth it: I just mailed 217 covers/resumes to recruiting offices in the Midwest. I’ve received more calls, e-mails and one on one service in the last 10 days than I did in the whole first 5 months of my search. Think about it…you don’t just drop into the electronic void, they have to contact you and request the electronic copy. Have to say mailing worked great for me.”)

Tip #2:

Keep your cover letter(create one here) brief and to the point. Your letter should not go over one page. Use short paragraphs and bullet points whenever possible. Avoid excessive words when fewer words will get your point across equally. Construct your cover letter to have the same format style as your resume.

Tip #3:

Highlight a most recent accomplishment or credential that you are proud of. This gives employers a hint of what you are capable of doing. Impress the employer with your skills and qualifications.

Tip # 4:

If you’re emailing your letter, make sure your document will open properly as an attachment and that your computer system is virus-free.

Tip #5:

Your return address should appear in the top right hand corner, without your name. As a general rule, you should avoid abbreviations in the addresses of your cover letters, although abbreviating the state is common in all business correspondence. The date should appear two lines beneath your return address on the right hand side of the page. Write out the date; do not use the abbreviated format. Example: February11, 2012.

Tip #6:

Always try to find the name and proper title of the addressee before you send out a cover letter. Two lines beneath the date on the left margin of the letter, list the full name of the addressee preceded by Mr. or Ms. (Do not use Miss or Mrs., even if you happen to know the marital status of the addressee). On the next line, list the individual’s formal title; on the subsequent line, list the name of the company. This is followed by the company’s address, which generally takes two lines. The salutation should be typed two lines beneath the company’s address. It should begin with “Dear Mr.” or “Dear Ms. You should never use “To whom it may concern”

Tip #7:

Request an interview or follow-up call in your closing paragraph. This gives the impression that you are eager and ready. Truth be told sometimes you have to follow-up yourself and call the employer to check the status. However be patient. ..At least give them a week to follow-up.

Tip #8

Use a professional ending such as “Respectfully yours”, or “Sincerely”. Don’t forget to sign your name; preferably black ink. Nothing looks worse than a letter with a big white space where the signature is supposed to be. Emailed cover letters are exempt to this.

Tip #9:

Do not use the same cover letter for every job that you are applying for. Tailor your cover letter to that particular company.

Tip #10:

Most important: PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! Use spell check and if available have someone else look over it. Nothing is better than two pair of eyes. Misspelled words will definitely send your resume to the bottom of the pile and possibly overlooked!

13/07/2013

10 phrases You Should Ban From Your Resume:

1. "I'm a Team-Player."
This is one of the most over-used cliches, so try to find a way you can show that you are this team player. Did you collaborate with someone or with a department to meet an objective? Put that on your resume instead of a vague, cliched expression. Be detailed about your achievement.

2. "I Have Great Communication Skills."
Communication skills can mean so many things, which is why using this term on your resume only makes you lose your recruiter's interest. What communication skills did you use to contribute to your employer? Did you create a presentation, a press release or lead a conference call? State your specific achievement.

3. "I Have a Proven Track-Record." So prove it! What did you do to give you this track record? Be specific, and try to quantify your impact; "I brought in 10 new customers, adding $50k profit for 2009" sounds far more impressive than some vague statement, and will help you stand out among the dozens of resumes.

4. "I'm a Problem Solver."
Everybody loves a problem solver, which is why so many resumes state this skill with pride. You can do better: tell your prospective company what problem you solved. Did you optimize a troubling schedule, did you solve an employee dispute or did you iron out a problem with a customer? Again, be specific to be memorable.

5. "I Assisted In X Task."
Maybe you weren't the lead on a particular project, but saying you "assisted" is the kiss of death for your resume. What was it that you did? Did you write a sales report or keep inventory? Write that on your resume with pride, and lose the "assisted" - you're better than that.

6. "I Have a Strong Work Ethic."
A strong work ethic - that sounds great, right? You're not the only one using this cliche, so freshen up your resume by stating how you go that extra mile. Did you take a class to improve your skills? Did you meet some really tough deadline? Show the hiring official what makes you this person with a strong work ethic, instead of using another cliche like your fellow applicants.

7. "I'm Bottom-Line Focused."
Another hollow term that is overused and now means nothing - so show what you did that added to the bottom-line of your company. It's very important to quantify for this skill: list amounts of money, time, or resources you saved or added to the business.

8. "I'm Responsible For X."
We're all responsible for something when we go to work, whether a janitor or a CEO. Drop this expression and just state what your job title is and what you added to the company's success. Cutting these clutter words will make your resume stronger and more to-the-point.

9. "I'm Self-Motivated."
What you're really trying to say is that you're not that slacker who clocks out at three every day, but this cliche is not going to help you get your point across. Find a way to show that you're self-motivated: did you overhaul a broken inventory system, or find a new way to expand your sales territory? Self-motivated employees find innovative ways to improve on what they've been handed - put what you actually did on your resume.

10. "I'm Accustomed to a Fast-Paced Environment."
What does this mean, exactly? Fast-paced work environments are the norm in this recession, where most people do more work for less money. To be specific, look at one of your busiest days in your (former) job. What did you accomplish, and how did you adapt to the obstacles thrown your way? Put that achievement on your resume to prove that you can adapt when challenged - a quality employers look for."
For the complete article by Claire Bradley, go to Investopedia.com