Archive for cover letter
Do you know who you’re writing to?
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One of my career coaching clients recently sent me a copy of his sample cold cover letter to inquire with companies about possible openings. These are companies where he doesn’t know anyone so it’s very cold. This process is still worth doing though! Remember you need to diversify your job search strategies. You never know what will help you get your foot in the door.
His cover letter had one possible problem however; it said “Dear hiring manager”. We all know this isn’t ideal. Sending a cover letter with a generic greeting can easily be thrown into the circular file (a.k.a. the wastebasket.) You have to do everything you can to find out who the hiring manager is before you send your letter. Pick up the phone and ask the receptionist at the front desk. Look on LinkedIn. See if there’s a company directory online. Do whatever it takes to get that name.
It is always beneficial in the long run to go the extra mile to make an impression. It will be worth your time and effort. Do what it takes to stand out from the crowd!
If you’d like more help with your job search, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my Career Audio Series for powerful advice and tools to help you identify your ideal career, navigate your job search and enhance your work performance
Connect the dots with your cover letter
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In my career coaching practice I consistently hear from clients that they hate writing cover letters. They don’t understand what to include, they are annoyed they have to write one, and they don’t see the point. In our work together, I help them see how the cover letter is really their friend, and how they can use it to their advantage. There is one key reason why:
A cover letter is how you connect the dots for the employer of why you’re a good fit for the job.
The resume doesn’t always connect the dots clearly of how you have the experience and skills to be successful in the job you’re applying for. You do the hiring manager a great service by clearly describing how you are a good fit for their particular job in your cover letter.
Therefore, the best strategy for your cover letter is to follow these two steps:
1) Explain the top 3 reasons you are a perfect candidate for the position. Look through the job description, pull out the skills and experience that you have that match what they are looking for, and highlight these areas in your cover letter.
2) Include quick examples that confirm your experience and skills, so you gain trust and believability that you have the skills you list.
By keeping these two steps in mind, you will create compelling cover letters that grab attention instead of going immediately to the recycling bin. If you’d like more help with writing your cover letter, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
Darcy Holoweski
Certified Career Coach
Should you ditch the cover letter?
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Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
In this day and age with technology and instant communication at our finger tips, people pay less attention to details and the little things that create a final product. This is especially true in the current job market. People begin to skip steps and slack off on things such as resumes. I recently read this article from FOX Business news, How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter.
First impressions are critical, especially during a job hunt, and a cover letter is often a candidate’s first–and possibly only–opportunity to catch a prospective employer’s attention.
For college grads hitting the job market, a customized cover letter for a job opening is crucial to presenting themselves as a worthy candidate to an employer.
People often think that cover letters are over-rated and not necessary, this is certainly not true. Even if an employer doesn’t ask for one, you need include it with your resume. It shows you can communicate and pay attention to detail. It also shows that you care enough about the job to take the time to write one.
The perfect cover letter can make you stand out from all the other job applicants. If you still don’t think it’s necessary, try putting yourself in the employer’s shoes. Why should they interview you? What do you have to offer them? Remember, it’s the first impression that counts.
Do you have a success story or any feedback on cover letters? Please feel free to share in the comments section below. If you’d like more help with your resume contact us today!
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
Create effective job applications in three proven steps
Posted by: | CommentsA problem that I come across a lot when working with my career coaching clients is their ability to position themselves effectively when applying for a job. Last week I was working with a client, Susan. We were putting together her cover letter and resume for a position she was very excited about. Her problem was that she could only focus on the area that she felt did NOT fit the job. This very talented, highly educated professional was focusing all her energy on the one part of the job description where she was not a perfect match. And she was obsessing over that one area.
This insecurity had her completely blinded from all the areas where she was an EXCELLENT fit for the job, and it affected her ability to market herself in her application materials. This is where I stepped in and held up the mirror so she could see how damaging this perspective was. Instead of looking at it from the angle of what she did not have, I turned the tables and explained how much she did have that matched the position.
I was able to language the transferable skills she had into a direct match for what the position was looking for and cover all the requirements, including the area she thought she was missing. Susan was amazed and even more excited about applying for the position right away!
Here are three proven ways to focus on your strengths instead of your insecurities:
- Prior to concentrating on one job description in particular, write out a list of your professional accomplishments. What are you particularly proud of in these scenarios?
- Next pull out the strengths that these examples highlight. For example if you are proud of an award you received at work, what talents and skills did you showcase to win the award? What expertise won you this award?
- Now look at the job description and find where these strengths fit what the job is looking for. If the position is looking for experience with a particular software that you do not directly have, but one of your strengths is to learn technology quickly, highlight that skill in your materials, and provide a concrete example. You obviously cannot make up experience you don’t have, but you can highlight to the employer that you have the underlying skills to be successful.
By accomplishing this you’ll feel more confident that you are marketing yourself effectively in each application. If you are having trouble pulling out your strengths and need an objective expert to lend a hand, contact us for a job search strategy session.
Darcy Holoweski
Certified Career Coach
Stop Spinning in Your Job Search
Posted by: | Comments- Are you in career transition but aren't finding the job you want?
- Do you feel like you're spinning your wheels and getting nowhere in your job search?
- Are you not getting any quality job offers?
- Do you need help with your job search strategies?
Then this one hour job search teleclass is for YOU!
On this call you'll learn key strategies to conduct an effective job search. You will get resume and cover letter tips, learn vitally important interview skills, and get networking advice that you can begin using right away.
Learn more about the job search teleclass here:
www.halliecrawford.com/jobsearch.html
Have a great weekend!
Hallie Crawford
Job Search and Career Coaching
Resume Writing Rumors
Posted by: | CommentsThere are so many rumors that circulate about the "right or wrong way" to craft your career resume. Can you recall people in your lifetime, offering you free advice on the proper protocol for resume creation?
"Always list your career history in chronological order."
"Make sure you print on cream or grey parchment paper instead of plain white so you'll get noticed in the pile."
"Don't make even the tiniest mistake or your resume will get thrown into the trash!"
The fact is, each career opportunity is unique, as is each employer. Something that appeals to one hiring manager may actually be a turnoff to another. You won't know what that might be until the day of your interview… so, there’s no sense in obsessing about it or trying to please everyone.
So if you're feeling anxious about creating your resume, don't sweat it! Two things that will get you noticed "in the pile" are if you tackle your career seeking research with confidence, and approach things in your own style. And it's worth pointing out that "in your own style" does not mean unprofessional. It simply means having common sense about the things that any hiring manager would want to read on a resume, while also giving yourself the freedom to be who you are and share your best qualities.
Here's a great tip for writing your resume. Put yourself directly into the employer's shoes. If you were running a business or managing a department, what qualities would you want in your future employees? Think about the position that needs to be filled. What skills and strengths might a supervisor equate with "the ideal candidate." Do you possess those qualities? Perfect! Talk about it in your career resume and cover letter. Let them know exactly why you are the ideal person for the job.
For personal career guidance that includes resume writing tips as well as finding a career you love, contact me for a complimentary phone consultation.
Here's to having a career you love!
Hallie Crawford
Career Coach & Speaker
Unemployed in a Tough Economy Part II
Posted by: | CommentsToday we continue to look at tips for people unemployed during the tough economy. If you missed Part I, you can read that article here.
Being laid off in any economy is hard. However, being laid off during a recession brings on new challenges. For example, there is more competition for the jobs that are available, only certain industries are hiring, and pay is often decreased for the jobs that are available.
What do you do if you are unemployed in a tough economy? First of all don’t panic! There are jobs out there, but decisions made out of fear never have good results. Although you may have to work a little harder to find a job during a recession, here are tips 4-6 to help you:
4. Create a schedule. This is an extremely important step because it will keep your mind focused so you don't get depressed. Make a list of what you want to accomplish daily/weekly. Perhaps it’s writing your cover letter or updating your research. Maybe you will start researching potential jobs and looking at websites like CareerBuilder or Monster. Set realistic goals for yourself each day and stick to them!
5. Consider a temporary lower paying job. This may be a hard step for you to take, but it will give you the opportunity to get more work experience, will get you out of the house, boost your morale, and most importantly in a tough economy, it will offer some temporary financial assistance. Temp agencies are a great place to start.
6. Get support. Are you unsure of your ideal career path? Do you need help identifying values and goals? A career coach can help you find your ideal career path. If you need help contact me for a complimentary consultation.
Here's to having a career you love,
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
Unemployed in a Tough Economy Part I
Posted by: | CommentsHappy Monday!! I hope your weekend was great 
This week I have some tips for people unemployed during the tough economy.
Being laid off in any economy is hard. However, being laid off during a recession brings on new challenges. For example, there is more competition for the jobs that are available, only certain industries are hiring, and pay is often decreased for the jobs that are available.
What do you do if you are unemployed in a tough economy? First of all don’t panic! There are jobs out there, but decisions made out of fear never have good results. Although you may have to work a little harder to find a job during a recession, here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Make sure your resume is up to date. Take some time reviewing your resume. How do you stand out? Does your resume highlight your skills and professionalism? Do you have a cover letter that works? Think about hiring a professional to help you revise your resume and cover letter.
2. Network. Networking is still the best way to get a job. Tell family, friends, former co-workers, etc. that you are looking for a job. They can’t help you unless they know you are looking. Don’t just say “I’m looking for a job”. Give them specifics. Ask them about specific people they know that might be in your industry. Dig up names in your address book from internships or summer jobs you’ve had and reach out to those people.
3. Use blogs and social networking sites. Join online networking groups, especially if there are networking groups specific to your industry. Online networking tools are very important. Social networking sites like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook are great places to network online. Write on other blogs or start your own. That is a great way to show others what you know about your industry. All of these techniques help you get your name out there.
Stay tuned for tips 4-6 on Wednesday!
Here's to having a career you love,
Hallie Crawford
Career Coach
