For many people, the process of actually finding a job they want to apply for and then submitting an application form to apply can seem like hard work. The reason for this is usually because they have been trying to get a new job for some time and they don’t seem to be having much luck.
The truth is that you could actually be making your job hunt much harder than it needs to be. If you are struggling with the whole job hunt process and have found yourself lacking motivation when it comes to seeking jobs and applying for them, then it could be that you are going about it all wrong.
Many people are tempted to simply apply for as many jobs as possible in the hope that they will be lucky in one of them. However, all this means is that you are setting yourself up for more rejections, which isn’t going to be very helpful when it comes to being motivated in your job search! You are far better being a little picky with the jobs that you choose to apply for and only going for ones that are really suited to you – and ones that you actually want!
You also need to make sure that you are looking in the right places when it comes to finding a job. If you are searching in the wrong places and can’t seem to find any jobs that are suitable then this can seem like a reason to give up but it isn’t! The truth is that there are jobs out there for the taking, it is just a matter of you looking in the right places and making sure you are making the most of the job resources that are available to you.
Everyone knows that in order to apply for a job vacancy they have to submit a resume as well as a cover letter. We often spend hours going over our resume and ensuring that it is perfect, however, we don’t really give consideration to what it really says about us.
What you need to remember is that the people reading resumes often have a number of them to read – after all job vacancies are rare so more people than ever are applying for them. You need to make sure that your resume stands out from the crowd and tells them exactly why they should hire you.
This means looking a little deeper into the details of your resume and paying attention to what it really says about you. For example, is your email address hotchick @me.com or vodkadrinker @email.com. This doesn’t give off the right impression and even if it is ‘just’ an email address it isn’t saying the right things about you and your application! Setting up a free email address is easy so why not just take a few minutes to set up firstname.lastname @email.com as this will look far more professional on your resume/job application.
Your potential new employer also needs to know that you are serious about the job and easy to contact. Include as many different contact details on your resume/cover letter as possible. This way they know that you are easy to get hold of and this shows you are serious about getting the job!
These might seem like small details, but your resume needs to let them know you are serious about getting the job and that you are going to be a welcomed, professional addition to their workforce!
The expression “curriculum vitae” originated from a Latin phrase meaning “course of life.” It can be described as a concise review of an individual’s academic qualifications, professional experience, and skills and is usually attached to a job application when seeking a job. Whereas a curriculum vitae or CV is used particularly to apply for academic, educational, scientific, and research positions, or even for fellowships and grants in the United States, it is used to apply for all kinds of white collar jobs in other parts of the world. CVs can be anywhere from 3 to 20 pages and more (we’ve seen them all!)– that describe you and your career. Especially in academia, a CV can actually be several pages long, since educators will list all of their published papers, any speaking engagements,workshops, professional development, volunteer info and more. Employers use CVs to screen candidates for personal interviews and to aid in the final employee selection. Therefore, it is important for a CV to be catchy, attractive and interesting. Good CV writing thus becomes an important part of finding a good job. In spite of CVs being so popular, there are a few organizations that prefer to have job seekers apply for a job using a format designed by the company itself. The reason is simple: these businesses rate job seekers based on their answers to a series of standardized questions. A custom format ensures that all candidates provide the desired information, as opposed to a CV, which is somewhat flexible and makes it more difficult to compare two individuals. Internationally a CV is actually what people in the United States refer to as the resume.CV writing could be divided into groups based on the purpose for which a CV is written. General or all-purpose CV writing is when a CV is written to suit all general purposes. Graduate CV writing is when a new graduate writes a CV for his/her first job. Various forms of CV writing can be difficult and has to be done skilfully. Good CV writing is not something everyone can do. As a result, a huge number of professional CV writing companies have cropped up in recent years, each promising a better CV than the other. You could approach a company in person in order to get your CV made, or you could simply hire a CV writer online, from the comfort of your home. The choice is yours. Each CV designing company makes different promises and claims. As always, to your homework and research any company you are interested in.
The whole point of having a resume is to showcase your talents and experience with the aim of helping you to achieve the job of your dreams. When you have a decent resume, it should help you to secure job interviews as well as ensure that when you do get an opportunity to interview, you have a strong chance of being offered the job.
Many people think that just having a generic resume is enough. They assume that if their resume looks decent, then their chances of getting a job is high. What many job seekers don’t realize is that their resume could be holding them back and actually be the reason they are not getting called for job interivews.
If you are unemployed, or actively searching for a new career, take the time to look at your resume and identify areas where you can make improvements. A common mistake is to assume that your resume will work well as a one-size-fits-all option. However, there is little highlighting your office skills on a resume if you are applying to be a Structural Engineer. You need to ensure that your resume is written for the type of position your’re seeking, and effectively communicates the value and expertise you can offer in the position you’re applying for.
Remember – your resume is an employer’s first impression of you and what you offer as a potential employee. Everything you communicate your resume will help them evaluate you and your qualifications. Many hiring managers only take a few seconds to glance over a resume – you must ensure your resume grabs their attention during those few seconds.
In today’s competitive job market, a resume must effectively and efficiently sell a job candidate’s value to employers. Don’t let a poorly written resume hold YOU back from opening the door to a new career!
If you are applying for a job vacancy, then it makes sense that you will want to give yourself the best possible chance of being successful. Whether you are looking for a job because you are unemployed or you simply want to climb up the job ladder, it stands to reason that you will be passionate about getting the job. It is easy to get carried away with concentrating on your resume and making sure this is up to scratch but that isn’t the only direction your concentration and efforts should be pointed. Your resume is very important, however, you also need to bear in mind that often the cover letter that you send is the first impression potential employers will get of you. It is reading this letter that will help them decide whether or not to read your resume. This means that you need to pay careful attention to your cover letter with regards both the content of it and the layout in order to create the right impression. The first thing that you need to include in your letter is your contact information. If they are interested in you and what you have to say, they don’t want to waste time trying to hunt out how to get in touch with you – you need to make this clear and easy to find.
When you are starting your letter always ensure that the salutation includes the name of the person recruiting if you know it as this is bound to get you brownie points. When it comes to the main content of your letter you need to let the person reading it know what the position is that you are applying for and why they should employ you above anyone else applying. Close your cover letter professionally inviting them to contact you if they need any further information and letting them know that you look forward to hearing from them soon.
Job hunting isn’t easy, especially when you look at the small number of jobs that are often available and the huge number of people that could potentially be applying for them.
If you are looking for a job, then it is important that you explore every avenue available for you in order to make sure that you are aware of every job opportunity available to you. Many people assume that just searching locally for jobs is enough – checking local newspapers and notices in local shops, for example. However, this isn’t going to show you every vacancy that is available so you could be missing out on the perfect employment opportunity. The internet is a fantastic resource when it comes to searching for a job because it allows you to search a number of places all at the click of a button. The great thing about job hunting online is the fact that you can easily search all sorts of criteria’s and categories which makes the job hunt quick and easy. You can then usually read through the options and opportunities available to you before deciding which ones you want to apply for. One of the other benefits of job hunting online is the fact that you can often showcase yourself on job websites. You can simply upload some of your details alongside your CV and potential employers can search this and may find you. It is simply another way of getting your blame out there and making sure that you make the most of every possible job vacancy, to give yourself the best chance of gaining employment as soon as possible.
When you are applying for a job application you must remember how important it is that your resume is professionally written and up to date, so make sure that you do this before you start any type of job hunting.
Job hunting isn’t easy, which is reason enough to get it right the first time. Whether you are looking to change jobs or you need a new career because you are unemployed, it makes sense that you try to get a job as quickly as possible. You don’t want to spend months trawling job hunting websites and applying for jobs, instead you want to be as successful in your job hunt as quickly as possible.
When it comes to job hunting, many of us go about it in the same way and this means that we make the same mistakes. If you are searching for jobs but are being unsuccessful, then it is time to rethink your job hunting strategy and look at ways of helping to make your job hunt as successful as possible. One of the most common mistakes when it comes to job hunting is applying for too many jobs and spreading yourself too thin. You need to decide what career you want to follow and the jobs you want to apply for. It isn’t going to work for you just to apply for as many jobs as possible. You also need to make sure that your resume is suitable for the jobs you are applying for – sell yourself! Don’t just have a resume that is generalized rather than being tailored towards a particular industry. That will do you no favors. Don’t just assume that the longer your resume is the better. Remember that potential employers are likely to be reading a number of resumes so they are going to scan them quickly rather than paying major attention to them. This means that if your resume seems too long or full of too much text, then they will be put off at first glance – which is something that you want to avoid at all costs! Remember as well that job hunting isn’t easy for everyone, so make sure that you don’t give up at the first hurdle. There is a perfect job opportunity out there for everyone so you need to keep up the hunt in order to be successful in your quest for a brand new job or step up the career ladder.
The Cover Letter – More Important Than The Resume?
The resume gets you in for an interview, but what gets that resume in the door? The cover letter. The cover letter serves as an introduction to a prospective employer, much like a handshake. Make sure that you make a good impression with your cover letter. If the cover letter is not a good one the process stops there. A cover letter is often overlooked, but is definitely something that needs as much consideration as the resume. There is never a question of whether or not you need a cover letter. It is always necessary. Remember, first impressions are key. A cover letter is the first thing the hiring manager reads in the actual resume submission process. Good cover letters will convey to the person reading it that you are in fact qualified for the potential position and send everything to the specific hiring manager for the position. That will be the person you need to follow up with later. A basic description of your personal experience that covers any qualifications of the specific job will make a cover letter stand out. Being polite is crucial. Be sure to thank the reader for their time in reviewing your information and mention your experience in terms of their needs, not yours. Mention only your qualifications that best match the position for which you are applying. Show off your manners. Make your mom proud.
End the cover letter with an action plan such as you’ll follow up with them next Tuesday. Bad cover letters will be impersonal and easy to ignore when you address the cover letter “To Whom It May Concern.” Put more time into it. Find out the name of the person handling this hire. Call around and use your resources. This will make a big difference. Keep it simple. A cover letter shouldn’t be more than one page. Stay on subject and think of the letter in terms of the reader, not yourself. Talk more about things you can do for the company rather than only what you’ve done successfully throughout your career. Negative information about the companies you’ve worked for or any layoffs have no place in a cover letter. Very little about your personal life also does not need to be mention. Remember, this is not a social networking site where you mention your wonderful spouse and awesome kids. You may just alienate someone immediately with that if they are having personal problems.
So you now have the information necessary to draft an intelligent cover letter that should not be overlooked. Start researching the companies you are interested in, locate the names of the people you will be sending resumes to and begin to draft your work of art.
