Cover Letters Examples » job http://cover-letters-examples.com A blog for cover letters, resume writing and interviewing skills. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:28:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 Bring in the New Year With a New Job http://cover-letters-examples.com/29/bring-in-the-new-year-with-a-new-job/ http://cover-letters-examples.com/29/bring-in-the-new-year-with-a-new-job/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:38:41 +0000 Merit http://cover-letters-examples.com/29/bring-in-the-new-year-with-a-new-job/ The holidays can be a frantic time of year for most people. They shop till they drop. They overeat and under sleep! But you don’t have to be one of them. The best way to cut stress is to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically, so you can enjoy the festivities and the people in your life in good humor. Pace yourself. No need to impress anyone. Do what you can with what you have. And be willing to say ‘no’ if you start to feel overwhelmed.You can utilize these same principles to an forthcoming job interview. Get ready well in advance so that when you walk into the hiring manager’s office after the holidays, you’ll be calm, cool, collected and confident that you stand a great chance of landing the job.

Following are some ways to prepare now.

1.Research the company you want to work for, including details regarding location, policies, work hours, pay scale, job responsibilities, and management personnel.

2.List your strengths and skills. Be specific. Example: I’m organized, able to take the lead in tough situations, sensitive to the needs of others, willing to follow orders, and produce the demanded results. Have two copies available-one for you and one for the interviewer.

3.Find out something special if possible about the hiring manager. Does he like to golf? Does she volunteer at a youth group? Such details will help you connect on a personal level. This will show the other person you are interested in him or her, not just the potential job.

4.Take time to get a hair cut, if necessary, and a manicure a couple of days beforehand of time. Remember you only get one chance to make a great first impression.

5.Lay out your clothing and shoes before you go to bed the night before the interview. Get to sleep early so you’ll be well rested and relaxed.

6.Slip a bottle of water into your briefcase or purse to keep yourself hydrated. This will help you rest alert and focused.

Remember people who care prepare! Take time now to list your priorities for this New Year. Have fun, enjoy your family and friends, and plan for your future, by carving out a nice chunk of time to get ready for the interview that could very well lead you to a new job and a new you.

Happy holidays and a prosperous New Year!

]]> http://cover-letters-examples.com/29/bring-in-the-new-year-with-a-new-job/feed/ 0 Preparing For An Interview—The Importance of Appearance http://cover-letters-examples.com/26/preparing-for-an-interview%e2%80%94the-importance-of-appearance/ http://cover-letters-examples.com/26/preparing-for-an-interview%e2%80%94the-importance-of-appearance/#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:55:10 +0000 Merit http://cover-letters-examples.com/26/preparing-for-an-interview%e2%80%94the-importance-of-appearance/ “Dress for Success.”

Most people have heard and seen this slogan on television, in magazine articles, in fashion stores. It’s become such a common refrain it has nearly lost its meaning. But for you, a wise job-hunter, it’s worth taking seriously!

Today’s culture is inundated with a ‘look’ that ranges from casual to grunge. Rarely do you see a truly smart dresser except in the pages of fashion magazines. Women often show up at the theater, office, or fine restaurant in jeans and sliders.

Some men slip into work environments looking as though they just rolled off the couch after a late-night movie. Shirts are rumpled. Pants bag or fall off hips. Hair needs a good combing. Not everyone, of course, but enough to make you wonder.

Imagine the stir you could create if you walked into a hiring manager’s office dressed appropriately for the job you wish to get.

THE “WOW” FACTOR

You don’t want your appearance to overpower your personality, but it should reflect the person you are and the work you hope to do. Women are always attractive in pants, a sweater or blouse, and a fitted jacket. Basic flats or pumps with closed toe and heel are ideal. This is not the place for stilettos, mini shirts, bare legs or an armful of dangling bracelets. Use make-up that flatters your coloring and complexion. A friend can give you perspective. Wear your hair in a way that complements your outfit and shows off your face.

Men frequently show up for the job interview of their dreams in need of a fresh shave and haircut, an out-of-date tie, a tired-looking shirt and shoes that could stand a good brushing. Spend a little time thinking about style and color. Understated is best. Choose soft colors, pressed pants, polished shoes, a sport coat or sweater and you can’t go wrong.

The hiring manager will likely shake your hand so spend a few dollars on a professional manicure. Small details matter more than you might think.

People make up their minds about a person within five seconds of meeting him or her. Avoid squandering your chance to be hired before you even say a word. Present yourself in a way that will cause a silent WOW! You’ll be able to tell if you pulled it off by the look in the hiring manager’s eyes.

WORTH EVERY PENNY

Appearance isn’t everything. But it is something. Something important enough to consider and invest in.

Sparkling eyes, a kind smile, a firm handshake, and an attractive ‘look’ will go a long way to land you the result you want-an offer for the job you’ve worked so hard to secure.

When you look refreshed, well groomed, and attractive you’ll feel refreshed, well groomed, and attractive. The hiring manager will feel at ease with you and perhaps realize before you even stand up to say good-bye that you are the one he or she wants to hire to fill the job opening.

]]> http://cover-letters-examples.com/26/preparing-for-an-interview%e2%80%94the-importance-of-appearance/feed/ 0 How to Write a Post-Interview Cover Letter http://cover-letters-examples.com/25/how-to-write-a-post-interview-cover-letter/ http://cover-letters-examples.com/25/how-to-write-a-post-interview-cover-letter/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:30:20 +0000 Merit http://cover-letters-examples.com/25/how-to-write-a-post-interview-cover-letter/ Your interview is over. You feel good about your chances of landing the job you want. But what if the hiring manager forgets about you or interviews someone else before responding to you? Cut those chances to zero by following up with a post-interview cover letter that moves you to the top of the ‘must consider’ list.

Keep in mind that few job seekers take time to express their gratitude in writing. A simple ‘thank you,’ ‘I appreciated our meeting today,’ or ‘I’m grateful we had a chance to get together,’ can draw the line between getting hired and being ignored. On which side do you want to land?

Choose right now to write a thank you note in your own handwriting-directly to the hiring manager. Everyone likes to be acknowledged and appreciated. Your follow-up letter will also reveal the kind of person an employer would like to hire–someone who is thoughtful, other-centered, and caring.

You have only one chance to make a great first impression-and a lasting one!

A well-written post-interview cover letter is your passport to excellent job offers.

So make it your best.

A personal note that acknowledges your gratitude is the best way to follow up on every interview. It is a known fact that mail which is addressed to a specific person in the sender’s handwriting will be opened first.

Following is an example of a clear and precise post-interview cover letter that hits the mark:


Dear Hiring Manager:

I really enjoyed meeting you today. Thank you so much for making time for me. I appreciated the tour of your facility, meeting some of your colleagues, and having a chance to see the department where the new candidate will work. It was very kind of you to invite me to explain why I feel I am the best-qualified person to fill the job opening. Your humor and good eye contact put me at ease. I know I’d like working for your company very much. I felt right at home. Please call if you’d like me to return for a second visit. Give me a date and time that work for you and I’ll be there. Again, thank you for meeting with me this afternoon.

Sincerely yours,

Fiona (or Foster) Follow-Up

Take a moment after every job interview to write a post-interview cover letter. Then hang on till the hiring manager follows up with you-inviting you in for a second interview which will likely lead to the job you want.

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