Your cover letter presents your intentions, qualifications, and availability to a prospective employer in a succinct, appealing format. It's your first chance to make a great impression, a personalized letter indicates you are serious about your job search. Your resume can give the nitty-gritty of dates, places of employment, and education but your cover letter must entice the reader to take the extra few minutes to consider you when faced with hundreds and thousands of candidates for any one job opening.
1. Do you really need a cover letter?
You bet! Just as you would never just show up unannounced at a prospective employer's door, your resume should Never just appear solo on a decision- maker's desk. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to introduce yourself, present your qualifications, and show the search committee you are a potential candidate for the advertised position.
2. Personalize it to the company.
Anyone can reproduce a "canned" cover letter and hope for the best. Instead, take a few minutes to personalize your letter by showing that you are really serious about working for the companies you are contacting. State the reason that you are interested in working for that particular company. Mention a department, a new project the company is involved in, an acquisition the company has made. Show that you have done your homework. Address the cover letter to a specific individual whenever possible.
3. Why are you sending your resume and cover letter?
Cover letters should be clear and to the point. Include the specific job title, two to three reasons why your experience makes a good fit, and a brief outline of career highlights.
4. Highlight your strengths!
You may be a great person and never call in sick, but prospective employers really want to know why they should consider you for this position. Brag a little! Give a few facts, list relevant skills, and state accomplishments on your present or most recent jobs that will be impressive. Increased overseas sales by 93%? Negotiated new financial leases/loans? Implemented new training programs which reduced staff turnover by 15%?
5. State your intentions and qualifications right up front.
If you expect a senior personnel manager or recruiter to wade through a mish-mash of information on your cover letter before understanding why you are sending your resume, chances are, it will never happen.
6. What makes you different?
Emphasize your skills, talents, and experiences to show how you would be a valuable addition to the team. If you have relevant volunteer or professional experience include it briefly in your cover letter. Example: An accountant who serves as volunteer treasurer for a nonprofit community health organization; an international sales rep who has lived in Europe and Asia and speaks several languages.
7. No negative information!
Never include personality conflicts with previous employers, pending litigation suits, or sarcastic remarks in your cover letter. If you are bad-mouthing your present place of employment, interviewers may fear a repeat performance if they hire you.
8. When should you include salary/relocation information?
The rule of thumb is to always include salary requirements and/or salary history in the cover letter if a prospective employer requests it. For example: My salary requirements are $60,000-$75000 (negotiable). Or: My current salary is $53,000 at XYZ corporation. To eliminate this information from your cover letter may justify your resume getting tossed out. Never include salary and relocation information on your resume, only address this information in your cover letter.
9. Action Steps to Take
Take a proactive approach in your cover letter. State the fact that you are available for a personal interview; give your home, work, e-mail, and/or cell phone numbers where you can be reached; note that you will follow up by phone (where possible) to provide any additional information required.
10. Be direct!
A professionally written cover letter and resume can open the doors to your next position on the corporate ladder, as well as a new career in a different field. A clean, error-free presentation combined with strong phrasing and solid facts will encourage the reader to review the attached resume and call you in for an interview.
Top Ten Reasons Why You Need a Cover Letter
Avoid the Top 10 Interview Mistakes
The best way to avoid the most common and dangerous interview mistakes is to think ahead and decide not to make them... Read on for a whistle-stop tour of the top ten interview clangers!
1. Lying
Although it's tempting, it doesn't work. By all means gloss over the unflattering things. But out-right fibbing NEVER pays.
Mark Twain said: "If you tell the truth, you never have to remember anything." Think about it. They will catch you out later.
2. Slating your current company or boss
Fed up with your current job and would give anything to leave because they've treated you badly? Your job interview is NOT the time to seek revenge. Bear in mind that the interviewer will be listening to your answers and thinking about what it would be like to work with you. Ask yourself: do you like working with people who constantly criticise others? Isn't it a bit wearing? The trouble is that the interviewer draws massive conclusions from your answers. So your throwaway comment about your boss or employer may be interpreted to be your "standard" way of thinking. It makes you look bad, not your employer.
3. Being Rude
If you find you were accidentally rude, then apologise calmly and genuinely. Then leave it behind you and get on with the rest of the interview. If you dwell on it, it will affect your performance. What's "rude"? Well, that depends on your audience. As a rule of thumb, avoid cracking jokes about potentially sensitive topics and beware of being too "pally" with the interviewer: polite and friendly is enough. After all, you're not in the pub with them. So stay professional. Also bear in mind that everyone you meet could be involved in the selection process. So blanking the receptionist or talking down to the junior members of staff could cost you the job.
4. Complaining
Ok, so your train journey might have been a nightmare and maybe you thought the tube would never arrive, or the tailbacks on the motorway were endless. But your interviewer doesn't want to know that!
Complaining, even in jest, is not a recommended icebreaker. It may be completely harmless, or it might simply make the interviewer switch off. Don't let complaining set the tone for the interview!
5. Talking about people you don't get on with at work
These days, it's common to be asked how you deal with conflict. Companies realise the importance of interpersonal relationships in the working environment. So if they ask you about difficult people or situations, make sure you hold back from character assassination and blaming others for problems because it won't do you any favours! If you accidentally do "break" this rule, apologise and explain what you "really" meant.
6. Not Being Prepared
Re-read the relevant version of your CV and the job advert, just before the interview. You'd be surprised how many people can't remember what they wrote on their CV. And if you remember what type of person the job advert was looking for, it's easier to demonstrate that you have those qualities.
Make sure you've brought with you anything you were asked for. It's fine to bring a note-pad and pen, but make sure they're tidy. It's even ok to bring notes with you; particularly if you have any questions you want to ask. It shows you're taking the job application seriously. Ill-prepared candidates rarely get job offers.
7. Appearing to be too nervous, or too confident
If you appear too nervous they'll think you're not confident enough to do the job. However, appearing too confident will make them think you won't fit into the team. If interview nerves are an issue for you, it's worth getting practical help from a professional, such as an interview coach.
8. Making a weak first impression
Unfortunately, no matter how hard the interviewer tries, a lot of "don't want to hire them" decisions are made in the first few minutes of contact. If you make a strong first impression, the interviewer will be more inclined to overlook "imperfections" in your answers.
9. Not having researched the company
As a general rule, the more famous the brand, the more they will expect you to have done your homework. Researching the company shows you're serious about the job.
Example from a real interview for a major food brand:
Candidate: "Hello Mr. Interviewer. Yes, I'd love to work for your company. I think your brand is great and I really believe I could make a contribution to your marketing strategy."
Interviewer: "So what do you think about our current merchandising, compared to our competition?"
Candidate: "Oh... Errr.... Well, I haven't had time to check it out, really."
Likelihood of getting the job? Low.
10. Putting your foot in it and not noticing
Yes, we know, you didn't mean to put your foot in it. But it doesn't really matter what you intended. What counts is how the other person reacts. So what can you do? Be prepared to simply say "sorry, that's not what I meant!" This requires you to actually be paying attention to the interviewer, rather than your own thoughts and feelings. Once you've apologised, leave it there, take a deep breath to help you relax and move on with the job interview.
Control Your Emotions and Reach the Top!
Those are only natural feelings. Everyone has had them from time to time. However, what you DO with those feelings and emotions is what counts. Controlling your anger and frustration and learning to perform more productively under stressful circumstances is the defining factor.
Unfortunately, changing your emotional response to others is considered a "lifestyle change". And, as we all know, those are the most difficult to implement and maintain. If changing unproductive habits were as simple as being aware of them, we'd all be living ideal lives. Changing habits and behaviors takes more than awareness and self-knowledge. This is why traditional training (such as books, audio tapes, video training and workshops) often falls short in creating long-term change. They don't offer a consistent support system… the one thing that is vital to maintaining new behaviors.
I recommend that you find a mentor or coach to assist with this process. After all, there is an elegant beauty apparent in people that can remain calm when no one else can. Aristotle said, "Anyone can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, in the right way - this is not easy."
The insights below will help you lay down a solid foundation for managing your emotions and progressing forward in your career.
1. Learn rather than defend. Instead of going into a defensive mode and trying to protect or force your views, learn from the situation. Ask yourself what is really going on with that upset employee or coworker. The old saying is true, "When you change someone's point-of-view against their will, you've never truly changed them." From the moment you lose control and retaliate (even if you are right) you've lost the battle. However, by controlling your emotions and investigating the other's viewpoint, you open yourself to a calm and enlightening discussion.
2. Acknowledge rather than agree. It is possible to acknowledge that someone has a different point-of-view than you have without agreeing with their point-of-view. What happens, more often than not, is that the more strongly someone disagrees with us, the more adamant we becoming about convincing them we are right. Before the situation gets out of control, ask yourself, "How important is it that they agree with me?" If the answer comes down to a matter of personal pride - let it go. Acknowledge and respect other's views, the fact that you have a conflicting opinion and allow the conversation to drift to another topic.
3. Express your emotions. Expressing empathy and being emotionally honest is one of the things that will make you a true leader. Everyone you work with already knows you are human. When you share your strengths, weaknesses, triumphs and trials honestly with those around you, you make a more personal connection. Let us never forget, people follow those they like. While your primary concern at the office may not be to make friends; opening yourself up to your team will help develop a sense of trust and loyalty towards you.
4. Stay in integrity with your values. Emotional control does not equate to silence. Just the opposite. When a difficult subject needs to be addressed, you will be fully able to do so… with a level head. When the truth needs to be told, you will be a person other's look to. By showing others you are filled with integrity and you stand by your values will help to define your reputation. Respect always follow those whose "yes" means "yes" and whose "no" means "no".
5. Tactfully handle the negative. It seems, regardless the size of organization you work for, that negative people will always be present. These are the ones that continually complain, create confrontations and lack control of their emotions. If their contribution to your team does not outweigh the damaging attitude, you may want to consider having them transferred to a position where they would be more suited. Be aware of these personality types. Also be prepared to handle the challenges they will bring to you as you prepare to develop your new emotional steadiness.
Progressive leaders are emotionally stable leaders. They are the ones others turn to during a crisis. They are the ones that become the beacon of true leadership. They are the ones that make it to the top!
6 Top 'People-Person' Jobs
If you're the kind of person who thrives when interacting with other people, sitting alone in a cubicle all day can be absolute torture. If you're more comfortable chatting up clients than writing reports, check out these six "people-person" jobs.
Hospitality Management
Overseeing the day-to-day operations of hotels, restaurants and resorts is definitely not a job for a wallflower, says Dee Wilson, the career development coordinator for University of North Texas' School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management. "You need to be welcoming and energetic," Wilson says. "It requires someone who's very friendly and approachable." If you're working for a large international company, there's also the possibility of living abroad by transferring to one of the company's overseas locations.
Get to Know These Degrees: It's not unheard of to get started in this field without a degree, but a bachelor's or master's degree in hospitality management makes you more competitive for upper management positions -- and higher salaries.
Average annual wage: $48,660 (for food service managers) to $51,140 (for hotel and lodging managers).
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives
Drug company sales reps deal with medical professionals all day long, encouraging them to buy their product. "If you are not a people person, I don't think you can be successful at it," says Tyriney Sims, a pharmaceutical sales rep in Baltimore, Md. "You're talking to physicians, nurses, physician's assistants all day long, every day." In addition to being personable, you should also have a fairly good grasp of sales techniques.
Get to Know These Degrees: Most drug companies require their reps to have at least a four-year college degree. A science degree isn't necessary, but it is helpful. "Of course, you won't know as much as a doctor, but you do have to study during training," says Sims, who has a degree in broadcast journalism. "If you have a science background, it makes it easier."
Average annual wage: $76,460 plus bonuses.
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers can carry out a number of duties, from helping gym-goers pump iron to assisting hospital patients with their physical therapy. The hands-on nature of the job necessitates an outgoing, approachable attitude.
"You should be professional, but your clients need to be able to talk to you about what's going on in their lives, because it is going to affect them physically," says Wendy Rue, a personal trainer in Boston. You don't need to be in perfect shape, but you should be fairly trim and fit -- "You should practice what you preach about exercise," Rue says.
Get to Know These Degrees: Some personal trainers have bachelor's degrees in exercise physiology or athletic training, but a degree is not required. However, certification by an accredited organization is a must. Two widely recognized certifying bodies are the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Average annual wage: $32,990.
Public Relations
PR professionals help shape the public image of the companies they represent, so a friendly demeanor and good social skills are essential. You should also be amenable to collaboration, since many PR agencies have their employees work in groups.
"If you're looking to work with different people and work with a team, PR is great," says Ami Hamilton, a senior account executive at Access Communications in San Francisco. "This is not a job for a person who wants to work independently." You'll also be composing press releases and editing other written materials, so your writing skills should be up to par.
Get to Know These Degrees: Most public relations representatives hold bachelor's degrees in communications-related majors, like journalism and English, but those with degrees in other fields may be able to get their foot in the door through an internship. "It's definitely about the experience," Hamilton says. "For a lot of people, an internship is critical."
Average annual wage: $57,100.
Human Resources
From interviewing job candidates to mediating employee disputes, HR professionals' main business is people, so anyone in that field should be able to relate to them well, says Beverly Wichman, a job interview coach and former HR rep in Nashville, Tennessee.
"You're often handling problems," Wichman says. "Very rarely does an employee come to you saying 'I just want to tell you about my great day.'" Most HR professionals also perform recruiting activities for their company, like placing job ads and working with local schools to identify potential employees. They also conduct the first round of interviews during the hiring process.
Get to Know These Degrees: The best-paying HR jobs usually go to candidates who hold 4-year or master's degrees in business administration, human resources or other related fields. However, entry-level positions are sometimes available for candidates who don't quite meet all these requirements. "Usually, they'll be able to grow from there," Wichman says.
Average annual wage: $56,740.
Licensed Professional Counselor
If you're the one friends turn to when they need advice or just to vent, then a career as an LPC might be for you. But be warned -- an LPC's client roster often runs the gamut from children to criminals, and a good counselor will need to be comfortable working with all of them.
"You do have to like people, and I do mean all types of people," says LeAnn Steen, an LPC and chair of the counseling department at Loyola University in New Orleans. LPCs work in a variety of settings, including battered women's shelters, nonprofit agencies, and their own private practices. Some LPCs also specialize in counseling a specific population, like teenagers or domestic violence offenders.
Get to Know These Degrees: Educational requirements for LPCs vary by state, but most require a master's degree in counseling, followed by a licensing exam and about 3,000 internship hours counseling clients.
Average annual wage: $40,710
Top 5 Keys to Mixing Work & Romance
1. Be Honest with Your Prospective Partner.
If you're only looking for a quick fling, don't make long-term-relationship noises in your efforts to seduce. Candour is always important, but especially so in the workplace. If you imply a possible wedding-bell future, and then after a hot date or two suddenly cool off, let alone start flirting with another officemate, you're asking for big-time reprisals. Remember the old saying, "Hell hath no fury like a woman (or man) scorned"?
2. Think Twice Before Starting a Relationship with Your Boss.
In some workplaces this is strictly verboten, but even if it is permissible, beware. If later on, you dump your boss, he may retaliate. For example, "I need you to do this extra work." "Sorry, I can't let you take an extra 15 minutes for lunch." "No, I won't give you any extra resources." The opportunities for torturing you are endless.
In fairness, sometimes a relationship with a boss can yield special privileges, like a corner office. Even if the boss decides to end the relationship, he may give you a promotion or another perk to reduce the risk that you'll file a grievance. One study found that 64 percent of women who had a romantic relationship with their boss reported that, as a result, their work situation improved.
3. Think 10 Times Before Starting a Relationship with Your Direct Report.
That's risky even if the relationship is working well. For example, your honey begs you for a plum assignment that, from a business perspective, you believe should go to someone else. But you feel forced to say yes to your special friend. And if you break up the relationship, you're really in danger -- your former beloved could claim you abused your power. You could end up losing your job.
4. Keep It Quiet.
I know, I know. When you're in love, it's tempting to tell everyone in the office. Mistake. From then on, the two of you will be under the microscope. It's even dangerous if the two of you are peers. For example, if you're seen helping your sweetie out with work, someone else who also needs your help may go to the boss and complain you're playing favourites.
"But," you protest, "the chemistry between us is so obvious that everyone already knows we're having a relationship." Chances are, many co-workers don't know. They're wrapped up in themselves; they're not monitoring the vibes between every twosome who walks by. Other co-workers may suspect but can't be sure. If you confirm your relationship to just one person, chances are the whole office will know within 24 hours. And it takes just one disgruntled co-worker to make your life miserable. Until it's time to send the wedding invitations, keep the relationship to yourselves.
5. Have Fun.
Actually, the office is a pretty darn good place to meet a romantic partner. Unlike in a bar, where you pick mainly on impulse and an alcohol-impaired chat, at work you get to see more of what a person is really like. So you're more likely to find your valentine at the office water cooler than a barstool.
Just follow these five rules to reduce your risk and then focus on having a great time. Being in love is wonderful -- take it from me. I had an office romance and lived to tell the tale. In fact, I married her.
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