A Guide to Cover Letter Writing
|
|
- Christal Carroll
- 7 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 A Guide to Cover Letter Writing Contents What is a Cover Letter?... 2 Before you get started - Do your Research... 3 Formatting the letter... 4 Cover letter content... 5 Section 1 - Opening... 5 Section 2 - Why you are the ideal candidate for the role?... 6 Section 3 - Why you want the job... 7 Section 4 - Personal circumstance... 8 Section 5 - The close... 9 Tips and hints... 10
2 What is a Cover Letter? A cover letter is a document provided alongside a CV that provides the personal element to your application. While a CV is factual account of your abilities, a cover letter is where you have the opportunity to show real passion for the role you are applying for. Cover letters are often neglected by job seekers, however they can be the difference between rejection and interview. They demonstrate that you have taken time to think about the job you re applying for rather than sending a standard CV. Differences Between CV's and Cover letters CV's are skills focused Cover letters are job focused A CV will often span a wide range of skills and experiences. Cover letters however should focus on why you want the job and why you feel you are the most suitable candidate for the role. CV's should match the industry Cover letters should match the job While a CV may not be hugely altered from job application to application, providing the roles are similar, a cover letter is often developed and used for one specific role at one organisation. This is because a high standard cover letter should be personally tailored to what that organisation needs. CV's provide the what Cover letters provide the why CV's should tell an employer what skills and experience you have to offer. A cover letter should focus on why you want to work for the specific organisation. CV's provide depth Cover letters are brief A cover letter should introduce your CV. It should not simply replicate what is in your CV but provide an account of why you are applying for the role and convince an employer that your CV is worth reading.
3 Before you get started - Do your Research It's important to identify the key criteria that the organisation is looking for in a candidate so you can effectively tailor your cover letter to meet their requirements. This will also make the actually writing of the cover letter a lot easier as you will see later on in this guide. There are 3 main places you can obtain information about the job. The job specification - A good job specification will include a comprehensive list of the duties expected of you within the role and the personal characteristics the employer is looking for. The company's website - Many companies now have a website page highlighting their mission statement and their broader corporate values. This is often found in their About Us or the Careers Section and can be a great way of identifying what kind of people the company is looking for. Speak to the employer directly - Speaking with a member of the organisations HR team or Recruitment Agent and asking what kind of candidate they feel would be suitable for the job can be highly valuable. Most companies will happily discuss what they are looking for and what experience a successful candidate would have and gives you insider knowledge. What if I have done this but have not found out anything? If you have exhausted this list and still have not found any information because; the company is confidential or the job specification is vague then there are still things you can do. Have a look at job specifications for other similar roles. While the duties for the role as an admin assistant in one company may differ slightly for another company, it can still give you a good idea of what the duties will be and the kind of person that will be best suited to this role. Alternatively the two following websites provide a comprehensive review of the roles and duties of most jobs and also provide a list of the key characterises that are likely to be beneficial to have if considering working in this role. nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk planitplus.net
4 Setting out your covering letter Formatting the letter Remember that this is a letter and therefore should be formatted in an appropriate letter format. See below for an example or alternatively download one of our example cover letters with professional letter headings for you to use. Your name Your address Your contact details Date Employers name Employers address Job reference code Dear Sir or Madam Who to address the letter to "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam" are typical way of addressing a cover letter but should be avoided if possible. It's the equivalent of receiving a letter that states "Dear homeowner" and we all know how excited we feel when we receive these letters. If you're lucky the job specification or advert may give you the name of the recruitment manager in charge of hiring for this position. If not there's no harm in contacting the employer and requesting the name of the decision maker/manager the letter should be addressed to. This will show that you re proactive and have thought about making a good impression and will likely pay off. Below is our order of the best ways of addressing the letter; 1. Using Employer's First and Second Name 2. Dear Hiring Manager 3. To whom it may concern 4. Dear Sir/Madam 5. Dear Human Resources Director
5 Cover letter content A cover letter can be separated into 5 main sections; 1. An opening statement regarding the role your applying for 2. Why you are the ideal candidate for the role 3. Why you are applying for the position 4. Your personal circumstances 5. A closing statement Section 1 - Opening The opening statement should outline the job you are applying for, the company it's with, where you saw it advertised and a job reference code (in brackets, if known). Make it professional and to the point as this will set the tone for the rest of the application. An example can be seen below. I am applying for the position of JOB TITLE at COMPANY NAME as advertised on WHERE JOB WAS ADVERTISED (JOB REFERENCE CODE). Remember to include as much detail about the job including job reference code as an employer may be recruiting for multiple roles or a recruitment agency recruiting for similar roles, and therefore may not know exactly which role you are applying for without the above information.
6 Section 2 - Why you are the ideal candidate for the role? Where most people go wrong on a cover letter is on this section. This section is not for you to repeat everything you have written in your CV. Instead this section should draw an employer's interest towards your CV. Firstly highlight the key skills the employer is looking for. These are likely to be the first skills listed on the job description or will be repeated several times within the job spec. These are likely to be fairly obvious e.g. a sales job will be highly reliant on sales skills. Once you have highlighted the key skill/skills you can link your cover letter to your CV. See the examples below. From reading the job specification it is clear that the ideal candidate for the role will have significant experience in a sales background. As can be seen from my CV I have 10 years experience within sales. During this time I have been successful in creating and developing key business accounts and have achieved sales targets of 117% against target. I understand from the job specification that the ideal candidate for the role will be particularly customer focused. As can be seen from my CV I have substantial knowledge in developing relationships with customers quickly, building rapport and obtaining knowledge to effectively promote the correct products to the right customers. It is clear from the job specification that a successful candidate for this role will have a degree in accountancy. As can be seen from my CV I gained a 2:1 in BSc accountancy in 2014 and am now interested in putting the skills and knowledge I have gained into practise within your graduate scheme. These paragraphs do not provide a lot of detail but they do draw the employer towards looking at the CV and demonstrate that you meet the main criteria they are looking for. However please ensure that your CV does have the relevant skill detailed within it. Your application will look inconsistent if you mention on your cover letter that you have a particular skill and this skill is not detailed within your CV.
7 Section 3 - Why you want the job This section is where it will pay to have done your research. Think about why this job is so appealing to you and why this company over any others? What is this job going to provide you with? What can you achieve in this position? Now it may be that you re applying for a lot of different jobs at lots of different companies but that's not the impression you want to give a potential employer. You want them to think that this is the ideal role for you, in your dream company. This is where your background research pays off. You want to look for any key phrases on their website which describe the goals or values they work by and pick ones you can identify to. Here are some fictitious company values We always respect our staff and customers We value creative and innovative individuals and are always looking for new ideas We support the development of staff to reach their highest potential If you were to apply for this role then you may write a section something like the example below. I am applying for a role within your company because, from my research, I understand that your company takes pride in ensuring respect for employees and customers. I am excited about the opportunity to work for a company that respects its staff, enabling them to provide the best level of service to the customer. I always look for new and innovative ways of working to improve both the speed and quality of work and therefore feel I will fit well within your organisation. Lastly I am looking for a role which will provide me with new skills and enhance my existing leadership skills and can see from your website that you help enable employees to develop and reach their full potential. This paragraph achieves 4 important things 1. Answers the question, why do you want to work for this company? 2. Demonstrates that you have done your research and spent time learning about the company. 3. Gives a suggestion of what you're like a person; customer focused, creative, keen to undertake training and looking for a long term job opportunity. 4. Demonstrates that you already identify with the companies value. You are the right person to work for their organisation and not someone who is likely to struggle to adopt the organisations missions and values.
8 Section 4 - Personal circumstance This is an optional paragraph for you to outline your personal circumstance. While this is optional when used correctly this paragraph can make a real influence on your application. Consider why an employer may not interview you. Is there something that is not explained on your CV? Have you had a break in your employment? Why did you leave your last employment? Are you making a career change? Consider someone who was made redundant from their last job and has been unemployed for 3 months. An employer may see the gap on their CV, make an assumption that they were sacked from their last job and therefore choose not to interview them for this reason. However through explaining the circumstance an employer will understand that redundancies happen and therefore that person did not have any control over losing their job. Another example could be someone who has had a career break to care for children or a family member. Rather than leave this gap and leave an employer wondering why they have been unemployed for this time they will be aware of the situation and therefore increases likelihood of gaining an interview. Remember to use the Good News Sandwich; start with something positive, outline the personal circumstance and then finish with something positive. See below for some examples; As can be seen from my CV I am a very loyal employee with a strong work history. However in 2010 I was required to leave work to care for my mother until 2014 in which these circumstances have now changed. I am keen to return to work within the sector I have had prior success in and feel that this experience has given me a new outlook and will, in the long run, make me more determined to succeed. As can be seen from my employment history I was employed with INSERT ORGANISATION for 10 years. However in 2010 my company went through some difficulties and as a result, myself and a significant number of other employees were made redundant. Due to decline in this industry I found it difficult to find subsequent employment in this industry. However in this time I completed a training course in INSERT TRAINING TOPIC in order to expand my skill set. I have found that my previous work experience has been highly transferrable and complemented what I have learnt in this training. As a result I feel confident in my abilities and knowledge to complete the duties outlined within the job specification. During time in education I was highly focused, engaged myself fully in my studies and left education with a good grades. However since leaving education I found it difficult to gain employment due to a lack of work experience. In order to overcome this barrier I began volunteering with INSERT ORGANISATION HERE to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed within this industry. I now feel that this experience has taught me valuable knowledge and experience which I can use within this role.
9 Section 5 - The close Finish how you began in section 1; nice, short and professional. Close the letter thanking them for considering your application and hint for an opportunity to discuss your application further. We suggested offering them the opportunity to contact you to discuss your application via telephone in order to increase your number of phone interviews. For example; "I hope you have found my application of interest and thank you for your consideration. I hope we can discuss this further within an interview and I am available to meet at your convenience. If you would like to discuss anything further required my application please contact me on ". Sincerely INSERT NAME
10 Tips and hints Keep it short - Between half a page and a one page max is sufficient. That said anything less than half a page will not have the sufficient depth in order demonstrate that you're the right person for the role. Keep it focused - Don't just state why you're amazing; target it to the role being applied for. While you may sound fantastic with great experience and abilities, this will mean very little to a potential employer if the skills you are listing are totally unrelated to the roles you are applying for. Avoid repetition - Similarly to the above point, don't just repeat the content of your CV. Your cover letter complement your CV not just repeat what has already been included. Upload a electronic version of your signature - Upload and attach your signature to the bottom of your cover letter. This will make it look more professional and show that you have put time and effort into applying for the role. Proof read before sending - Check your spelling and grammar. Easy mistakes suggest a lack of care, eye for detail and literacy skills. These are all skills that you want to demonstrate to employers, which can all be lost because of a failure to spend five minutes reading through and checking. Don't use the same cover letter for every application - While it is perfectly acceptable to use a template cover letter they must be made specific to each individual employer. If an employer can clearly see you have put the effort in to apply for the role you are more likely to be invited to an interview as those that put a great deal of effort into gaining employment are likely put the same effort into keeping their job. This is not a CV - Don't just highlight all your experience and qualifications this should be saved for your CV. This is an opportunity for you to highlight the key reasons why you re right for the role not a list of what you have done. If you expand on some experience or skill in Cover letter make sure it's in your CV - Your cover letter can expand on things stated in your CV but don't expand on things that are completely neglected in your CV. If you say that you have developed excellent communication skills include communication as a key skill in your CV. Don't talk about jobs that are not included in your work history or training that is not included in your education. This will make you appear forgetful and make your application confusing and inconsistent.
COVER LETTERS & PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
COVER LETTERS & PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE Your Call To Action Write It Right! Now that you have mastered the art of the resume, it s time to tackle your cover letter. Cover letters are intended
More informationStep 1 Self-assessment (Who am I? What do I have to offer?)
Your Job Search Your job search is a process which begins during your studies, when you start thinking about life after you ve completed your studies. It is an ongoing process, from your first job you
More information2. What type of job are you seeking? It can help to have a specific objective or use the position to craft a targeted resume.
The Purpose of a Resume A Marketing Tool: Designed to capture attention and get you to the next stage in the recruitment process. It presents the skills, accomplishments and qualifications that you bring
More informationWriting an Effective Application Letter
Writing an Effective Application Letter Hello, my name is Lauren Caramella, and I m a careers counsellor with the Careers and Employment Service at Griffith. This session has been developed to take you
More informationWriting a Covering Letter Career KnowHow Series
Writing a Covering Letter Career KnowHow Series Careers & Employability, Student Life University House, University of Salford, M5 4WT. t: 0161 295 5088 e: futures@salford.ac.uk w: www.careers.salford.ac.uk
More informationCover Letter and Other Business Correspondence
Cover Letter and Other Business Correspondence 6. Cover Letter and Other Business Correspondence General Information Definition of a Cover Letter Both academic and non-academic cover letter is the first
More informationAPPLYING FOR JOBS: YOUR GUIDE
APPLYING FOR JOBS: YOUR GUIDE CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Introduction 2 2.0. APPLYING FOR JOBS 2.1 Application forms. 3 2.2 CV. 5 2.3 Cover letter. 6 2.4 Hints and tips. 7 3.0 INTERVIEWS 3.1 Before
More informationCover Letters. Student Career Centre. What is a cover letter? 2. Why is a cover letter important? 2. Component of a cover letter 2
Cover Letters Student Career Centre What is a cover letter? 2 Why is a cover letter important? 2 Component of a cover letter 2 Cover letter Do s and Don ts 3-4 Goals of the cover letter 4 Sample Cover
More informationINFORMATION PACK FOR APPLICANTS FOR THE POST OF E-COMMERCE WEB CONTENT ASSISTANT
INFORMATION PACK FOR APPLICANTS FOR THE POST OF E-COMMERCE WEB CONTENT ASSISTANT Information Pack for Recruitment FT Flexi-time Nottingham - January 2013 Paul Smith Ltd. Copyright Page 1 Job Description:
More informationYour CV Your style Your job
LEARNING TO WORK Today s young people, tomorrow s workforce Your CV Your style Your job Your CV guide This guide is designed to help you create your perfect CV, apply for a job and secure an interview.
More informationHow to Write a Nomination or Reference Letter Leadership Toolbox Podcast Transcript
How to Write a Nomination or Reference Letter Leadership Toolbox Podcast Transcript Centennial Student Union & Student Activities Minnesota State University, Mankato Most of us, even as early as in our
More informationINTERVIEW QUESTIONS & TECHNIQUES Collected by MBA Dept
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & TECHNIQUES Collected by MBA Dept General Advice Before you go for your interview you need to find out everything you can about the company. Reread your application/cv/covering letter,
More informationCONSTRUCTING A COVER LETTER
CONSTRUCTING A COVER LETTER A Cover Letter gives you the opportunity to sell yourself to the employer beyond your Resume. In a Cover Letter you will have the opportunity to market yourself for the specific
More informationCover Letter Skills. From the Office of Career/Transfer Services. (252) 638-4597 CareerServices@cravencc.edu
Cover Letter Skills From the Office of Career/Transfer Services (252) 638-4597 CareerServices@cravencc.edu 2 Table of Contents Cover Letter Writing Tips...3 Principles for an Effective Cover Letter.4-5
More informationCOMPLETING AN APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATION FORM - TOP TIPS!
COMPLETING AN APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATION FORM - TOP TIPS! GENERAL Make sure you feel ready to commit to an apprenticeship and meet the expectations of an employer before you apply. Make sure you have enough
More information9. How to write great cover letters
9. How to write great cover letters Unique covering letters Each covering letter (which may also be sent by email) is a vital part of the job application. Never send a standard cover letter. Tailor the
More information15 Most Typically Used Interview Questions and Answers
15 Most Typically Used Interview Questions and Answers According to the reports made in thousands of job interviews, done at ninety seven big companies in the United States, we selected the 15 most commonly
More informationIII. Best Practices/Resources
Reviewing the Application/Resume Before beginning the screening process, take a few minutes to review the job description and the established evaluation criteria. The purpose of the initial screening of
More informationNETWORKING HOW TO STAND OUT. The Center for Student Professional Development
NETWORKING HOW TO STAND OUT The Center for Student Professional Development DRESS THE PART Wear either business casual or business professional clothing. YOUR 30 SECOND SPOT A way to introduce yourself
More informationAdvice Sheet: Covering Letters
Advice Sheet: Covering Letters What is a Covering Letter? A covering letter (or email) accompanies a CV, and whenever you send out a CV you should send a covering letter (or email) with it. The aim of
More informationA PHARMACEUTICAL SALES COVER LETTER
A PHARMACEUTICAL SALES COVER LETTER While seeking a career in pharmaceutical sales, it is important to realize that the resume is very important but it is important to note that many pharmaceutical employers
More informationCOVER LETTER. Types: There are three basic forms. The Application Letter. This letter responds to a known posting, where the employer is seeking you.
COVER LETTER A cover letter is a short, formally written letter that compliments a resume in order to introduce and demonstrate personal qualifications for an advertised position. A cover letter could
More informationPreparing for the IELTS test with Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
Preparing for the IELTS test with Holmesglen Institute of TAFE The speaking component The IELTS speaking test takes around 15 minutes and is in the form of an interview. The interview will most probably
More informationTIPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW
TIPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW Preparing for the Interview RESEARCH Don t forget to research the organization/company before the interview. Learn what you can about the workplace prior
More informationSample Cover Letter Format
Sample Cover Letter Format Your Contact Information Name Address City, State, Zip Code Phone Number Email Address (Times New Roman font, 11-12 point) Date Employer Contact Information (if you have it)
More informationCompleting the competency based application form
Completing the competency based application form For the HEO/SEO cohort, you will be required to provide evidence of how you meet the following competencies: This involves completing and submitting a competency
More informationCV TIPS 1. PREPARATION IS KING 2. STRUCTURING YOUR CV
CV TIPS Sitting down to write your CV can seem like a daunting task. But never fear! We re here to help. We ve seen a lot of CVs in our time, and we how important a well-written CV is to really sell your
More informationCover Letter Writing Guidelines
Cover Letter Writing Guidelines Career Management Office Peter B. Lewis Building, Suite 160 216.368.3662 wsom-cmo@case.edu weatherhead.case.edu/careers 06/2016 Cover Letter Guidelines Table of Contents
More informationHow to Sell Yourself in a Job Interview
TOOLS Interview Tips Helpful Interview Hints How to prepare for the first important meeting What to expect Be prepared The Interview Interview Techniques Most frequently asked questions Facing the Interviewer
More informationTop Ten Mistakes in the FCE Writing Paper (And How to Avoid Them) By Neil Harris
Top Ten Mistakes in the FCE Writing Paper (And How to Avoid Them) By Neil Harris Top Ten Mistakes in the FCE Writing Paper (And How to Avoid Them) If you re reading this article, you re probably taking
More informationScottishPower Competency Based Recruitment Competency Guidelines External Candidate. pp077682 ScottishPower [Pick the date]
ScottishPower Competency Based Recruitment Competency Guidelines External Candidate pp077682 ScottishPower [Pick the date] Aims and Objectives This document will give you an overview of the selection process
More informationAverage producers can easily increase their production in a larger office with more market share.
The 10 Keys to Successfully Recruiting Experienced Agents by Judy LaDeur Understand whom you are hiring. Don t make the mistake of only wanting the best agents or those from offices above you in market
More informationWork. Reading 1. C Reading part 1. babysitting badly paid earn gain experience mowing lawns / cutting grass stacking shelves
Work Reading 1 babysitting badly paid earn gain experience mowing lawns / cutting grass stacking shelves Look at the pictures. Which of these jobs would you like / not like to do part-time? What other
More informationShow your value, grow your business:
Show your value, grow your business: A SUPPLIER GUIDE TO MOVE FROM A TRANSACTIONAL PROVIDER TO A STRATEGIC PARTNER KAREN A. CALINSKI INTRODUCTION /02 At KellyOCG we take a holistic approach to talent sourcing
More informationLoans Mentoring Support. The Essential Guide to STARTING A BUSINESS
Loans Mentoring Support The Essential Guide to STARTING A BUSINESS To help you get to the stage where you can turn that business idea into a reality, we ve created this short guide of important aspects
More informationFind your new job through us
Sida: 1 av 7 Engelska New at the Employment Office (text version of the film on ny.arbetsformedlingen.se) Find your new job through us Welcome to the Employment Service Here you will find information about
More informationWHAT ARE REFERENCE LETTERS AND WHEN ARE THEY USED?
REFERENCE LETTERS These slides provide important information about the purpose of reference letters, the differences in the types of reference letters, and the information that should be included in reference
More informationAim To help students prepare for the Academic Reading component of the IELTS exam.
IELTS Reading Test 1 Teacher s notes Written by Sam McCarter Aim To help students prepare for the Academic Reading component of the IELTS exam. Objectives To help students to: Practise doing an academic
More informationWriting Thesis Defense Papers
Writing Thesis Defense Papers The point of these papers is for you to explain and defend a thesis of your own critically analyzing the reasoning offered in support of a claim made by one of the philosophers
More informationExplaining the difference your project makes A BIG guide to using an outcomes approach. Sara Burns and Joy MacKeith Triangle Consulting October 2006
Explaining the difference your project makes A BIG guide to using an outcomes approach Sara Burns and Joy MacKeith Triangle Consulting October 2006 Explaining the difference your project makes Stock code
More informationFOCUS ON. Business success through training & recruitment. invest in your workforce and gain the competitive edge
FOCUS ON Business success through training & recruitment invest in your workforce and gain the competitive edge Everything we do at Lincoln College is with your success in mind. We live in a fast-paced,
More informationPROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS: COVER LETTERS, REFERENCES, EMAILS, and THANK YOUS
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS: COVER LETTERS, REFERENCES, EMAILS, and THANK YOUS Professional Development Workshop Series Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO) careers@northpark.edu x5575 2 It
More informationManaging Your Career Tips and Tools for Self-Reflection
Managing Your Career Tips and Tools for Self-Reflection Your career may well be the primary vehicle for satisfying many of your personal needs, i.e. your need to feel a sense of belonging, to feel appreciated
More informationCambridge English: First (FCE) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cambridge English: First (FCE) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is there a wordlist for Cambridge English: First exams? No. Examinations that are at CEFR Level B2 (independent user), or above such as
More informationA fresh look at equity release
For financial adviser use only. Not approved for use with customers. A fresh look at equity release How you could add an extra dimension to your business How you could add an extra dimension to your business
More informationGETTING RECRUITMENT RIGHT
INTRODUCTION GETTING RECRUITMENT RIGHT Getting recruitment right is one of the biggest challenges for any employer. Now age discrimination laws are in place, it s a high risk area. To help employers deliver
More informationHow-to-Guide for Writing Personal Statements. What is a personal statement? How should I begin? What should I write about?
How-to-Guide for Writing Personal Statements What is a personal statement? A personal statement is an essay about you! A successful essay reflects on your achievements, opportunities, and obstacles in
More informationResume Writing Samples
Dear Job Applicant, I m sorry you re looking for a job. I ve done it myself, and it s not much fun. For what it s worth, I did so when the world seemed much less competitive, when the competition had fewer
More informationHow To Write A Letter To Someone
/The Seven Cs of Business Letter Writing Effective letter writing boils down to knowing why you are writing a letter, understanding your reader's needs and then clearly writing what you need to say. Every
More information1. What types of organisation do you fund? 2. Do you give grants for individual children and young people?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Who can apply for a grant? 1. What types of organisation do you fund? 2. Do you give grants for individual children and young people? 3. Some of the young people our organisation
More informationREGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP: A GUIDE FOR BUSINESS SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES
REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP: A GUIDE FOR BUSINESS SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES Business Services Representatives (BSRs) in one-stop centers are the front-line professionals from the local workforce system who
More informationInterviewing. Structure/Format of an Interview The typical structure of an interview is as follows:
Interviewing After you send your cover letter and resume to a number of companies, hopefully some of these companies will invite you to interview with them. Before the interview, it is important to prepare
More informationInterviewing Strategies & Tips. Career Center For Vocation & Development
Interviewing Strategies & Tips Career Center For Vocation & Development Before the Interview A job interview is an opportunity to showcase your strengths, experience, and interest in the position for which
More informationHow to predict the questions that you will be asked in a job interview
How to predict the questions that you will be asked in a job interview Predicting the questions that you will be asked at interview is actually relatively easy. With practice, you can predict around 80%
More informationApplication Forms. Information on Covering Letters
and Application Forms 1. EFFECTIVE COVERING LETTERS A covering letter is traditionally the first document that a hiring employer looks at and it is critical to the impression you create. Understand that
More informationWhat we mean by competence is an appropriate skill, aptitude or ability that you have demonstrated
Page 1 of 7 Tips for Completing Competence-based Application Forms What we mean by competence is an appropriate skill, aptitude or ability that you have demonstrated Q - How do you demonstrate a competence
More informationCareer Services Center. Cover. www.wssu.edu Take quick jump to Career Services
Career Services Center Cover Letters www.wssu.edu Take quick jump to Career Services Cover Letter Tips Do Keep letter on paper to one page (three to five paragraphs) Keep electronic letters to one screen
More informationPREPARING RESUMES AND WRITING COVER LETTERS
PREPARING RESUMES AND WRITING COVER LETTERS I. UNDERSTAND THE POSITION The Job Requirements In order to target your resume and cover letters, it is critical that you invest some time in understanding requirements
More informationReflective Writing. How do you write reflectively? Stages of reflective thinking
Reflective Writing Reflective Writing There are a variety of reasons you might need to write reflectively. When you apply for jobs, undertake self-evaluation at work or whilst studying, or when writing
More informationMeasuring the Impact of Volunteering
Measuring the Impact of Volunteering Why is measuring the impact of volunteering important? It is increasingly important for organisations or groups to describe the difference that volunteering makes to,
More informationApplication Letter Writing
Application Letter Writing The application letter you send with your resume provides you with your first opportunity to present yourself to a potential employer. It is more than just a brief cover note
More informationChartered Accountants Ireland, Career Development & Recruitment Service. Tips on Writing the Winning CV & Writing the Winning Executive CV
Chartered Accountants Ireland, Career Development & Recruitment Service Tips on Writing the Winning CV & Writing the Winning Executive CV This document is intended only as an introduction to the process
More informationCVs AND COVERING LETTERS CONTENTS
CVs AND COVERING LETTERS CONTENTS General Guidelines CV Instructions CV Example Examples of Personal Statement Example of Covering Letter CV Template CVs AND COVERING LETTERS GENERAL GUIDELINES CVs Whether
More informationFIELD GUIDE TO LEAN EXPERIMENTS
FIELD GUIDE TO LEAN EXPERIMENTS LEAN ENTERPRISE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the Experiment Map posters. If you have not done so already,
More informationCover Letter Workshop. Career Development Centre 2012-2013
Cover Letter Workshop Career Development Centre 2012-2013 Learning Objectives To understand the purpose of a cover letter To understand what makes a cover letter effective Become aware of the cover letter
More informationTHE BEHAVIORAL-BASED INTERVIEW
THE BEHAVIORAL-BASED INTERVIEW When interviewing candidates for a position at your facility, it is important to remember that it is important to ask questions beyond what can be found on a Curriculum Vitae.
More informationCongratulations! Handling Job Offers
The Job Offer Boston University College of Engineering Career Development Office 44 Cummington Street, Room 112 Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-5731 www.bu.edu/eng/careers Congratulations! After all your hard
More informationBBC Learning English Talk about English Business Language To Go Part 1 - Interviews
BBC Learning English Business Language To Go Part 1 - Interviews This programme was first broadcast in 2001. This is not a word for word transcript of the programme This series is all about chunks of language
More informationKeep the following key points in mind when writing each letter:
Cover Letters How to Write a Great Letter You will have many different forms of correspondence with employers throughout your job search informational interview letters, cover letters, thank you notes,
More informationPrinciples and standards in Independent Advocacy organisations and groups
advocacy 2 0 0 0 Principles and standards in Independent Advocacy organisations and groups Advocacy 2000 January 2002 We would like to acknowledge that the Scottish Executive partly funded the editing
More informationFollow-Up Letter After Submitting a CV Template & Samples
The Big Misunderstanding Average applicants misunderstand this follow-up approach. They think, "I don't want to bother the interviewer they must be too busy." WRONG thinking! Some companies purposely wait
More informationInformation Pack. shaped.
Information Pack Thanks for downloading my information pack and taking your first step to virtual freedom. With my help you can discover just how easily you and your business can start benefitting from
More informationWhere are all the candidates at?
HireHive Handbooks 06 Where are all the candidates at? Things you can do to make searching for great talent even easier. 1 Where are all the candidates at? Hire people who are better than you are, then
More informationDriving more business from your website
For financial intermediaries only. Not approved for use with customers. Driving more business from your website Why have a website? Most businesses recognise the importance of having a website to give
More informationJob Search. How to make your job search successful
Job Search How to make your job search successful Pick a major that relates to a specific job or occupation. Get a great GPA. Participate in leadership activities. Secure internships, summer jobs, part-time
More informationActive Listening. Learning Objectives. By the end of this module, the learner will have
1 Active Listening Learning Objectives By the end of this module, the learner will have An understanding of what is meant by active listening Gained insight into your natural listening strengths and areas
More informationYears 10 & 11. How To Apply for Work Experience. Write A Letter. Produce A C.V. Complete An Application Form
Years 10 & 11 How To Apply for Work Experience Write A Letter Produce A C.V. Complete An Application Form Letters Of Application Writing a covering letter You may need to write a covering letter in order
More informationJob adverts. How they can be improved for job hunters and recruiters
Job adverts How they can be improved for job hunters and recruiters Introduction In April 2015, Citizens Advice looked at over 800 job adverts from across England and Wales on three public job search websites.
More informationYour personal statement
Your personal statement HOW TO WRITE THE PERFECT TEACHER TRAINING APPLICATION Contents 1. The basics 2. What to do 3. What not to do 4. Things to cover a. Introduction b. Teaching skills c. Other skills
More informationMOST FREQUENTLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS. 1. Why don t you tell me about yourself? 2. Why should I hire you?
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Why don t you tell me about yourself? The interviewer does not want to know your life history! He or she wants you to tell how your background relates to doing
More informationHow to write a great CV
How to write a great CV No matter what the selection process is for the role you are applying for, the first step is making sure you have a great CV! Your CV will be used to assess your suitability for
More informationJOB SEARCH TOOLKIT DISCOVER IT EXPERIENCE IT REACH IT
JOB SEARCH TOOLKIT Finding a job is very much like a full-time job in and of itself. It is a long, drawn-out process with a lot of record keeping and details to keep track of. To be successful, you must
More informationFinding Job Openings on the Internet. A Special Report
Finding Job Openings on the Internet A Special Report Russell Tuckerton Interview-Aid.com Finding Job Openings on the Internet There are thousands of sites across the Internet that advertise openings at
More informationA step-by-step guide to making a complaint about health and social care
A step-by-step guide to making a complaint about health and social care www.healthwatchhampshire.co.uk Step by step Page 3 Are you concerned about something that is happening now? Do you need to make a
More informationIB Diploma Online Teacher Recruitment Information
IB Diploma Online Teacher Recruitment Information Dear Prospective Teacher, It gives me great pleasure to share with you some information on our teaching positions. We hope that this information pack will
More informationDOING YOUR BEST ON YOUR JOB INTERVIEW
CHECKLIST FOR PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW Read this pamphlet carefully. Make a list of your good points and think of concrete examples that demonstrate them. Practice answering the questions on page 6.
More informationCambridge English: Advanced Speaking Sample test with examiner s comments
Speaking Sample test with examiner s comments This document will help you familiarise yourself with the Speaking test for Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE).
More informationRestructure, Redeployment and Redundancy
Restructure, Redeployment and Redundancy Purpose and Scope From time to time the Lake District National Park Authority will need to reorganise its services and staffing to meet changes that arise in future
More informationWHAT THE RESEARCH TOLD US...
1 INTRODUCTION In late 2014, we commissioned PFA Research to undertake independent research into the senior level job market, to gain a clear insight into how today s market works from a candidate and
More informationWRITING EFFECTIVE REPORTS AND ESSAYS
WRITING EFFECTIVE REPORTS AND ESSAYS A. What are Reports? Writing Effective Reports Reports are documents which both give a reader information and ask the reader to do something with that information.
More informationCOVER LETTER GUIDE. Career Services Goodwin College One Riverside Drive East Hartford, CT 06118 (860) 727-6768
CAREER SERVICES COVER LETTER GUIDE Career Services Goodwin College One Riverside Drive East Hartford, CT 06118 (860) 727-6768 COVER LETTERS COVER LETTER GUIDE Your cover letter introduces you to a prospective
More informationJob Grade: Band 5. Job Reference Number:
Job Title: Business Analyst Job Grade: Band 5 Directorate: Job Reference Number: People and Transformation P01216 The Role: This is a challenging role working with and across all services to support the
More informationREPUTATION MANAGEMENT SURVIVAL GUIDE. A BEGINNER S GUIDE for managing your online reputation to promote your local business.
REPUTATION MANAGEMENT SURVIVAL GUIDE A BEGINNER S GUIDE for managing your online reputation to promote your local business. About Main Street Hub: Main Street Hub is the voice for more local businesses
More informationRelationship Manager (Banking) Assessment Plan
Relationship Manager (Banking) Assessment Plan ST0184/AP03 1. Introduction and Overview The Relationship Manager (Banking) is an apprenticeship that takes 3-4 years to complete and is at a Level 6. It
More informationJob interview. The. a concise guide to preparing for the Employment Interview Process
The Job interview a concise guide to preparing for the Employment Interview Process developed by the Career Services and Transfer Services offices of Mercer County Community College www.mccc.edu Table
More informationGRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE
GRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE Applying to graduate school is an exciting process, but it can be time consuming. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about the graduate school admissions process and the
More informationA Small Reference Guide Prepared by Mireille Trottier-Roy
No more fear! Preparing for Your Interview A Small Reference Guide Prepared by Mireille Trottier-Roy What you need to know The Interview "Monster" Nothing to fear for the well prepared... 1 A Few Things
More informationTo be used in conjunction with the Invitation to Tender for Consultancy template.
GUIDANCE NOTE Tendering for, choosing and managing a consultant Using this guidance This information is not intended to be prescriptive, but for guidance only. Appointing consultants for relatively small
More informationSo, why should you have a website for your church? Isn't it just another thing to add to the to-do list? Or will it really be useful?
Why Have A Website? So, why should you have a website for your church? Isn't it just another thing to add to the to-do list? Or will it really be useful? Obviously, 'everyone else does' it not a good enough
More informationFocus on Essay Writing
Focus on Essay Writing Essay writing is a process and a product. You need to focus on the process in order to achieve a high quality product. What is an essay? The word essay originally meant to test or
More information