Written By Jimmy Sweeney
Author of the new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator
Every job seeker wants to land an interview that leads to a job.
A unique cover letter can make that happen.
Here's how:
Let the hiring manager know what you can do. Toot your horn a bit--without blowing him or her away! Run-of-the-mill cover letters waste a lot of space with meaningless phrases meant to impress the hiring manager. Example: I am enclosing, forthwith, a resume of my professional experience that lays out in detail the positions I've held with various companies, etc., etc. The result? Such letters land in the waste basket.
But you can move to the front of the line by getting right to the point--showing what you can do for the employer now. After the usual greeting and opening paragraph of your cover letter, where you introduce yourself to the hiring manager, grab his or her attention with a paragraph like this: (Change details to fit your specialty and target market.)
Continue reading " Say Goodbye to Your BORING Cover Letter!"
Posted by Candice Arnold on July 2, 2009 at 3:11 PM | Leave a Comment (0)
Written By Jimmy Sweeney
Author of the brand new, Amazing Resume Creator
Many job seekers ask if they should include volunteer work as part of their job resumes when seeking new employment. It's a question worth looking at. Some employers are only interested in seeing the nuts-and-bolts details that show the what and where of your employment history.
Others want to see what you do in your spare time. They're not referring here to a round of golf on Saturday morning but rather what you do for the community as a volunteer. Perhaps you donate a few hours each week to a homeless shelter for men or you're part of a literacy program for immigrants or you provide meals for the elderly.
Continue reading "Add THIS to Your Resume and Stand Out!"
Posted by Candice Arnold on July 2, 2009 at 3:06 PM | Leave a Comment (0)
Once you embark upon a job search your resume, perhaps previously gathering dust in a file drawer, will become the most important document you own. Job seekers have a tendency to show everyone they know a copy of their resume; many of them seem to weigh each opinion equally and continuously edit the resume based on the most recent "great advice" they have been given.
It seems like everyone has an opinion about what you need to do to create a good resume. In fact, if you do a quick Google search you will find that there is no shortage of resume writers in this country. If you look in your local yellow pages you will also probably find "resume writers" who a really typists who can format information for you. So, whose opinion counts when it comes to resumes? How do you know if you are getting good advice or not?
Continue reading "Who Should You Listen to for Resume Advice?"
Posted by Candice Arnold on July 1, 2009 at 4:59 PM | Leave a Comment (0)
Boy, its been awhile since I posted. I have been extremely busy and have really let the blog slide so I need to get back on track!
I just got a new puppy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel whom I named Oliver. He is so adorable and sweet. He spends most of his day keeping me company on a pillow that I have placed next to the computer on my desk. When he isn't sleeping he is running around the house, playing with my other dogs, exploring, sitting on laps, and generally spreading joy and fun wherever he goes. As I watch him grow and learn it occurred to me that adult humans can learn a thing or two from puppies.
1. If you fall down, get back up and keep going.
Oliver is very quick and spry; sometimes I don't even hear or see him coming until he has smashed into a door I am opening. The other day he ran head-on into a door just as I was opening it. I don't know how he didn't get a concussion. He didn't cry or whine. He just got up, wagged his tail and followed me out the door. As we get older I think most of us indulge ourselves in some time to complain or be upset about things that go wrong - maybe we should try to bounce right up and keep going instead of wasting precious time feeling sorry for ourselves. Easier said than done of course.
Continue reading "5 Things Humans Can Learn From Puppies"
Posted by Candice Arnold on June 26, 2009 at 6:19 AM | Leave a Comment (0)
This post by Michael at Human Race Horses makes an argument that I hear often. In these days of social media and web-based job search, can a resume really do the job? Michael thinks not:
Another personal reason for wanting to kill my resume is that in looking at this little historical snapshot from so long ago - slightly over two years - it is really shocking to realize that it does nothing to communicate anything at all about me that I would want to put out if I were job searching. It doesn't effectively reflect: * extensive skills in social media * knowledge and expertise of Hr and how it applies to today's work environment * research skills, especially deep skills on the net * networking * blogging, writing and thought leadership
He wonders then whether he shouldn't scrap his resume in favor of online profiles where he can better communicate these skills. But this is the part of the 'resume is dead' argument that I don't understand.
Continue reading "Is the Resume Dead?"
Posted by Candice Arnold on June 9, 2009 at 1:55 PM | Leave a Comment (0)
Written By Jimmy Sweeney
Author of the brand new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator
Today's hiring managers are being bombarded with job applications, resumes, and cover letters. Some have a mile-high pile of paper on their desks and not nearly enough time to read and respond to it. So what is a dedicated job seeker to do in this tight economy when employers are overworked and overwhelmed?
Make your cover letter stand out from the rest. No, not with pink or blue paper or accompanied with a dozen chocolate chip cookies. But simply by writing a one-page cover letter that features these seven wonders:
1. Three paragraphs on a single page: introduction, your skills and qualifications, and a request for an interview.
2. Three or four well-written sentences in each paragraph. Easy on the eyes.
3. Plenty of 'white space' around your writing so the cover letter is easy to read and comprehend. Create generous margins and double space between paragraphs.
Continue reading "The Seven Wonders of a World-Class Cover Letter"
Posted by Candice Arnold on June 5, 2009 at 8:15 AM | Leave a Comment (0)
Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new, Job Interview "Secret"
Put your best foot forward.
Make a good first impression.
Look your interviewer in the eye.
Pretty standard fare, you might be thinking. You've heard these tips numerous times. But have you considered what they mean and how important they really are? If not, here are some reasons to do so for each one.
Not-So-Secret Secret #1: Put Your Best Foot Forward
The wording here is a bit odd. It implies that we have three or more feet. It would make more sense and be grammatically correct to say: "Put your better foot forward." But knowing what it means is what really matters: To start on a journey or task with purpose and gusto. In other words walk into your interview with a determined step, a smile on your face, a friendly handshake, and expectancy in your mind and heart. Be your best self and trust that your authenticity will compel the interviewer to take a good look at YOU, in person and on paper.
Continue reading "Not-So-Secret "Secrets" For a Successful Job Interview"
Posted by Candice Arnold on June 5, 2009 at 7:09 AM | Leave a Comment (0)
