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Writing Persuasive Cover Letters
Hundreds of people send me resumes without cover letters — even when the job announcement specifically requests one. I guess they figure I know what they want (the job I'm filling) and assume their resumes let me know they're capable of doing the job. What they don't realize is that without a cover letter, I don't know why they want a particular job or what makes them especially qualified for it.
Just the Facts Ma'am. Questions Often Asked About Formatting A Resume and Cover Letter
Perhaps one of the most common questions I am asked has to do with formatting one's resume. And the question goes something like this, 'Is it better to use the more standard chronological format or should I create a resume that is more functional /skill-based?'
Re-think the way you write your resume by asking 'What Message Am I Sending Through My Resume?
For years, I have reviewed resumes, perhaps numbering in the thousands, and taken a three-step approach in answering the question, 'what message is this prospective candidate sending through their resume?'
Chronological vs. Functional: Which Resume is For You?
Resume formats vary in all shapes and sizes. The most common formats – outside of the academic resume – are chronological, functional and what I like to call the combination platter. Determining which one is right for you is as easy as deciding where you have been and where you wish to go next.
Finding the Fairytale Job: How to Tell Your Story
The average headhunter will spend about eight seconds looking at your resume before moving on to the other hundreds of pieces of paper on his or her desk. Capture that headhunter's interest with a resume that tells your story accurately and effectively, and grabs attention.
Setting the Right Tone: Action Verbs that Count
How many times do you use the action verbs "develop" or "implement" on your resume? The odds are, it's too many. But before you whip out a thesaurus, get our list of more than 700 action verbs that will frame your experience in the language of success.
Judging a Book By Its Cover: How to Write a Cover Letter
The cover letter is the dust jacket of your resume, and the recruiter's first introduction to your voice. A cover letter not only adds another dimension to your application, it also shows the recruiter you can write. Yet, from easy to catch mistakes like forgetting to change the name of the company in the address block to larger issues of quantity, substance, and tone, a bad cover letter can torpedo your hopes on landing an interview.
E-Resumes: Getting More Bites with Bytes
Learn how to get your online resume in front of anyone you want by sending your private URL to human resource directors and recruiters who, in this world of rampant viruses (some even cleverly titled, "Resume"), are unwilling or afraid to accept resumes as attachments in e-mail. What's more, with your own URL, you can show off your knowledge of the Internet while leapfrogging ahead of your technologically-challenged competition.
Job Searching
International Job Seekers
International candidates, in addition to credibility issues, must address a series of language and culture concerns.
New Year, New Job: Jumpstart Your Job Search
In the crowded field of perennial New Year's resolutions – lose weight, stop smoking, get organized – one is almost guaranteed to find those four tiny but optimistic words: "Get a New Job."? Unfortunately, like losing those last ten pounds or finally getting next year's holiday cards out on time, the promise of a new job slowly fades from its original glory when the reality of the search proves too overwhelming. Instead of promising, in vain yet again, that you will get a new job by the end of January, resolve to jumpstart your job search.
On Time, On Target: Using the ExecSearches.com Registry
The Internet has been overrun with recruiters and human resource managers trawling for the best candidate catch. Their bait is extended or brief, placed on web pages large and small, non-profit and for profit, exclusive to the non-profit world and not. But, you can't bite until you find their hooks and that's not always easy... unless you become a member of the ExecSearches.com Registry, a free e-mail jobs notification service based on criteria that you select and update. It's free, easy and takes less then ten minutes.
Looking for Jobs/Applying for Jobs
How to Make "Networking" Work
Between the insider jokes, the wine and the hors d'oeuvres, you can be left wondering just how to break the "ice," and more importantly, who to start with. It can be daunting. However, there are many ways to make networking work for you.
Headhunters: Who are they - what do they do - are they for you?
Simply said, headhunters are recruiters, but not all recruiters are headhunters. Which is which, and why do you need one?? Learn more about them in this article.
Why Qualified Candidates Don't Always Get the Best Jobs
Over the past two years, Executive Recruiter Larry Slesinger conducted fifteen searches for nonprofit organizations seeking executive directors, chief operating officers, directors of finance and administration, and other senior staff. To complete these searches, he read about 1,700 resumes and interviewed around 200 applicants. What about the other 1,685 people who did not get the jobs or even called in for an interview?
Top Ten Mistakes Made by Job Applicants
Executive recruiter Larry Sleslinger's article on why qualified candidates don't always get the best jobs was so popular that we thought we'd go a step further. A step further back, that is, and talk about the ten most common mistakes seen by headhunters by otherwise intelligent, impressive candidates.
Interviewing
Deal with Job Search Anxiety: Career Stress Management 101
Sweaty palms?? Shortness of breath?? An inability to string the simplest of sentences together?? These are indicators of interview related anxiety and stress. Learning to relieve the anxiety can combat these symptoms, and will greatly improve your ability to make your case for why you should be hired. Career Psychologist Dr. James Pann teaches you the? tools.
Never Let 'Em See You Sweat: Preparing for the Interview
You've heard the old expression: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. But what you haven't heard is that most interviewers will size you up within the first ten minutes of an interview. Here's how to wow them at the handshake and keep them engaged until "this way to your new office."
To Be Asked or Not To Be Asked: These are the Questions
Before you step over the threshold of an interviewer's office door, you had better be prepared to impress them with well thought out answers to questions you haven't even heard yet. Most of their questions can be anticipated, but you should always be prepared for the unexpected.
Tag, You're It! What to Ask When the Spotlight is on You
At some point in every interview, the tables turn. The Questioned becomes the Questioner; the Asker becomes the Answerer. It may seem like the moment when you can finally let out a breath of relief, sit back and revel in fact that the evaluation is over. Don't fall into that trap. Whoever said that there are no stupid questions never sat in on a job interview.
The Interview's Over: Now What?
With an ounce of relief and a pound of pride, you step from your interviewer's office exhilarated that you have made it through yet another step of the job search process. But, any good candidate knows that the job interview doesn't end with, "thanks, we'll be in touch."? So, what do you do now? Read this article to learn the next step that will set you apart from other candidates.
Negotiating the Job Offer
Negotiating Salary
Recent clients have asked many questions about salary related topics. How is it most tactful to broach these sensitive issues? When is it appropriate to raise questions about salary?? What do you say?? How can you prepare to answer questions about your compensation requirements?
The $64,000 Question: What is Your Current Salary?
Will you be underpaid in your next job?? The exact point in your job search where you lose every bit of your negotiating power is when you hear the words, "So, what is your current salary?"? Mishandling this question will likely sound the death knell of your negotiating power.
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