Thursday, August 28, 2014

Writing a Cover Letter

I gave a class last night to a wonderful group of very eager job seekers.  The class was about returning to work after an absence.  One of the questions was about the wording to use in cover letters.  Here is a former post on cover letters and inside the post is some language that you can use in your own cover letters:

A recent survey asked HR managers about their thoughts on cover letters.  Ninety seven percent said that while they may not always read them, they better be included. Why include a cover letter?  A cover letter sets you apart from other candidates and allows you to showcase your brand. Since it’s the first impression a recruiter or hiring manager has of you, it’s vital in these days of job insecurity that you identify what makes you a specialist, expert or a leader in your field. 

There are a couple of different formats to writing a cover letter but the important part is that it is unique to you and to the open position.  Don’t use the same cover letter for every position.  Don’t lift something from your resume and plop it down in your cover letter either. Rather, explain how your background and experience can fill the open needs identified by the company

You can use a standard bulleted list or the newer “T” format. The bulleted summary statement emphasizes your particular strengths and achievements. .  If the job responsibilities call for experience in scheduling, communication and event planning then you need to succinctly highlight your experience in these areas. In the “T” you can create a column or “T” that matches the job skills needed by the employer with your skills and experience.”

Here is an example of a “T” cover letter.  You can substitute the middle paragraph with a standard bulleted list if you’d rather stick with the tried and true.

Proper Salutation/Address Information Date
Dear Mr. /Ms. Last Name;
The open position for a Human Resources Assistant, listed on the (company) website calls for many of the abilities I have developed in my 10 years of Human Resources experience. My background indicates experience and successful implementation of a number of innovative recruiting processes with (company) including:

In the body of the cover letter, set up a "T" column. On the left side of the "T", write out several of the job requirements. On the right side of the "T", state your accomplishments as they relate to each of the listed job requirements.


There are other areas of my background including my educational background, solid social networking and employee referral abilities, on-boarding program design and organization skills that may also be of interest to you. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting with you personally to discuss how I might fit into your
organization. 

Sincerely,

Name
Phone number





 

Friday, August 1, 2014

Lessons From Rosie



Today we had to put our sweet dog, Rosie to sleep.  She was 17 years old; ancient for any dog but especially so for a bigger dog such as Rose, a pit bull/lab mix.  Her legs gave out and her heart was tired; she was partially blind and mostly deaf. Keeping her alive would have only made our family feel better; not her. She was never meant to simply, “stay alive” as she lived her life joyfully; always using all of her senses.


As I look through old pictures and gaze at her bed and the bowls that I cannot yet put away, I am reminded of the sweetness and purity of her life.   She taught me so much and to say that I will miss her forever is an understatement. I think that we can all learn something from our pets.  Here are Rosie’s lessons in no particular order:

1. Stay curious
2. Don't hurt other creatures
3. Enjoy your food, especially the ice cream
4. Take naps
5. Be kind (wag your tail) to others.
6. Play
7. Display patience
8. Don't stand in the rain
9. Be excited about tomorrow
10. Age is just a number


A Yoga Drishti and Your Job Search

 If you've been following this blog long enough, you'll know that I practice yoga. I also write how certain yoga techniques can be u...