| Using Quotes on your Cover Letters |
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Have you ever heard or read a quotation you just had to share with someone? How about one of these?
- "Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan." Norman Vincent Peale
- "Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love." David McCullough
- "Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone." Unknown Author
Each one provides good advice as well as inspiration. Consider including an appropriate quotation in your cover letter. It will pack a punch, give the hiring manager something fresh and motivating to read, and elevate you in his or her mind. Cover letters that offer more than simply a list of job skills, will rise to the top of the pile. Managers will notice such a person and want to call you in for an interview.
How to weave a great quotation into your letter.
Suppose you are applying for a position as a sales manager for a book publishing firm. You thank the hiring manager for the opportunity to introduce yourself, let him or her know where you found out about the opening and the good things you read or heard about the company, why you believe you're a good fit for the position, and of course something about your previous employment. Add a sentence that asks the employer to look at your enclosed resume for further details. Next, start a new paragraph with a snappy, insightful quotation.
Example: "Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means." (Albert Einstein)
Then add a sentence showing how you will do just that--set an example for the people you manage. Example: You can count on me to live these inspiring words. I know the importance of influencing people for good and that is what I want to be known for. I'd welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person so you can judge for yourself.
When it comes to cover letters, it is essential to make a strong, first impression. You can do that with a great quote from someone known and respected in the field you are aspiring to.
Imagine the results you'll experience in your job search when your cover letter includes not only details about your abilities but also insight into who you are as a person? A prospective employer will actually be excited to meet you, to discuss the job, and to hand it over to you! Potential employees who show creativity and color in their communication are a gift to any company.
So, include a strong, inspirational quotation to your next cover letter and then get ready for the phone to ring!
Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Cover Letter Creator." Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."
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Job Transition Newsletter
Human Capital Initiatives
April 29, 2009 |
Hello Everyone~
Welcome to all the HCI newbies, we hope you enjoy the weekly newsletter. Should you wish to know more about our career coaching process please go to our website, www.jacksonLifeCoacing.com or request your free 45 minute telephone session. We would be pleased to help coach you toward your next opportunity!
Seems almost impossible that we are at the end of April 2009, but alas, we are! It appears that the job market is opening up somewhat, and from the feedback las week from our readers it appear that many of you are seeing that where you live. Many of you are looking at a number of different career avenues in this economy that take you away from your core professions and we feel this trend is going to continue for the next year. It is very important that you think through your job search stategy and that you are very realistic. In this "click to apply" world you may spent a great deal of time just applying on line when in fact that time may be better spent networking and focusing on a very targeted job search.
Finally, I remind all coaching clients that it is time to submit your TQ requests for next week and make sure that your time slots can be kept once you commit to them.
Have a great weekend everybody and write if there is anything we can do for you.
V. Mikal Jackson
Coach
P.S. - If you do not wish to be on our mailing list please use the op-out feature at the end of th newsletter. |
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The "Over-Quaified" Issue! |
 Many job seekers go into the over-qualified situation not appreciating the gravity of the challenge. In my mind, it's just as hard as getting hired when you're under-qualified. I say this not to discourage you, rather to make sure you're giving the challenge the attention it deserves.
Here's a look at the four primary challenges you face when applying and interviewing for a job of this type:
Getting your resume read: A typical corporate recruiter will spend 3-5 seconds scanning a resume before putting it in the "no" or "maybe" pile. Imagine yourself as the recruiter, scanning hundreds of resumes per day. Wouldn't you be looking for easy reasons to eliminate resumes from the pile? Now imagine yourself coming across a three-page resume, with experiences dating back several decades. Wouldn't you quickly pass on that resume? If you're over-qualified, you want your resume to be tuned to the typical qualifications required for the position. Meaning, if they are looking for an accounts payable manager, there's no need to emphasize your 15 years of being a Controller. There's no rule that says you can't cut down your resume to one page, and not feature many old work experiences (trust me, few employers are interested in what you did in 1981). Your resume is a sales document, not a diary of all your work experiences.
Overcoming the perceived flight risk: Once you proceed to the interview step, the key concern of the employer is whether you are a flight risk. Meaning, is this a "safety job" for you, with your true intent to bolt for greener horizons as soon as the economy rebounds? No company wants to shoulder the cost of your training and spin-up, only to have to spend additional dollars to recruit your replacement. My suggestion is to hit this issue head-on with the employer, rather than letting it be the elephant in the room. After all, convincing the employer that you're willing to stay might be the key determinant of whether you get the job. You might say something like "I realize my candidacy might appear a little unorthodox, but at this stage of my life I'm looking to be a strong individual contributor, without the hassles of managing people."
Overcoming the concern that you won't be challenged: If you get passed the "flight risk" concern, next will be the employer's concern that you won't be challenged in the job. Employers intuitively know that very few people stay in boring jobs. Again, hit this issue head-on. You might explain the aspects of the job that are exciting to you, or those that will allow you learn new skills. For example, you might say, "Yes, sales operations is an old hat to me, but I'm really excited that you use salesforce.com to manage your sales process. This would be a new skillset for me, and I've always wanted to sink my teeth into that product."
The manager intimidation factor: If the hiring manger is a relatively young manager, there's a chance he or she will be uncomfortable hiring a "peer". Having someone with your strong skills on his team might make him insecure that you'll be a "shadow manager," or worse, make a play for his job. I wish I could reassure you that this is the exception, but sadly very few managers are comfortable hiring people stronger than themselves. What can you do? My advice would be to position yourself as completely dedicated to his or her success. You might say something like "I'm a strong believer that the world needs leaders and followers, and both are equally important roles. At this stage of my career I would prefer to be a committed follower, helping my manager achieve his or her goals."
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Do you want to Land that Job?
Q. You have had several job interviews at different companies, but still no job offers. Are you doing something wrong
A. You may not be doing anything wrong. This is a highly competitive job market, and even if you have 9 out of 10 qualifications for a position, an employer may be in a position to find 10 out of 10, said Paul Powers, a management psychologist in Wellesley, Mass., and the author of "Winning Job Interviews."
Remember that "the essential nature of an active job hunt, while you're unemployed, is rejection," Dr. Powers said. "If you're not getting rejected enough, you're not working hard enough."
In fact, your ability to obtain interviews is a sign that you are doing something right - sending out a résumé and cover letter that appeal to hiring managers. And that's no small feat when hundreds and even thousands of people may be applying for the same job.
That said, you should conduct your own "post-interview review" to see whether there is room for improvement, Dr. Powers said.
(First, of course, make sure that you are washing and combing your hair, dressing appropriately, arriving on time, turning off your cellphone and performing all the other basics of making a good impression.)
Most companies interview the same candidate more than once - sometimes many times. If, on numerous occasions, you have never made it past the first interview, "there's probably something going on in your interview strategy that's not leading to that second interview," said Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers, a career management firm in New York.
Q. What could be wrong with your interview strategy?
A. For one thing, you may be sending out brilliant applications for jobs that aren't a good fit for you, Dr. Powers said. Don't let a sense of panic cause you to cast your net too wide - it wastes time on both ends.
Even if you are a wonderful candidate, you may be answering questions in a less-than-ideal way. Some people "believe that talking in generalities is the way to go," Ms. Safani said, but hiring managers usually prefer specifics - especially examples of how you executed a project or solved a problem. Otherwise, you don't differentiate yourself and you become a mere blur, she said.
In addition to these "stories of success," candidates need to be able "to communicate in 30 seconds what they're all about and how they're going to add value to that organization," Ms. Safani said.
If you are questioned about your weaknesses, "be authentic without being damaging," Ms. Safani said. Be ready with an example of a weakness that is not centered on the core competencies of the job you are seeking, she said.
And, of course, be prepared to ask questions yourself - ones that show you have done research about the company. Ms. Safani recommends asking some questions that go beyond the particular job you are applying for, and that cover the direction of the company as a whole.
Q. Looking back, you know that you gave stupid answers to some interview questions. What now?
A. View it as a learning experience and move on, Dr. Powers said. Eventually, it becomes clear that the same 20 or 30 questions tend to be asked, he said, and you can practice your answers to them - perhaps in mock interviews with family, friends or members of a networking group.
It may be a mistake to start out by applying for a job at the company you most want to work for, he said; you may want to practice your interviewing skills at a less-desirable company first.
Q. What if you interviewer is unprepared?
A. First, never assume that the interviewer has read your résumé or even has a copy of it. Always bring extra copies with you.
"If the person's not prepared, that's actually an advantage, because it allows you to take control of the interview" and showcase your stories of success, Ms. Safani said.
Take the opportunity to ask questions about the job and the company, and answer even poorly formed questions with enthusiasm and specificity, drawing on the extensive research you have done.
Q. What should you do at the end of the interview?
A. Use the close of the interview to reaffirm that you are interested in the job and are highly qualified for it, Dr. Powers said.
Then ask what the next steps are. Unfortunately, it is common for companies to delay or even halt their hiring plans without letting candidates know, Ms. Safani said; if you don't hear anything within the time frame specified in your interview, you have a legitimate reason to call the hiring manager. But don't leave multiple messages; just try to get the person on the phone once - you don't want to be a pest.
Q. Should you send a thank-you note?
A. Generally, yes. If your main communications have been via e-mail, an e-mailed thank-you note of a few paragraphs - reiterating your qualifications and your interest - is fine, Dr. Powers said. You can also send a thank-you note via regular mail - on better than copy-quality paper, he said. But don't send a handwritten note unless you have perfect penmanship, he advise
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We hope you enjoyed this weeks newletter and again, if you do not wish to be on our mailing list please use the opt-out at the bottom of this E mail.
If you would like more information on our coaching practice just let us know. We certainly want to do all we can to assist you in find that next great opportunity!
Sincerely,
V. Mikal Jackson
Human Capital Initiatives |
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