Cv for Interviews

Archive for December, 2009

Career advisers tell jobseekers to send a thank you note after an interview. To address the most frequently asked questions on how
and what to send in a thank you note, here are some give aways. Won’t the employer think that an applicant is desperate and a sissy
applicant if he sends a thank-you letter?

Of course not. Rarely does an employer not pleased to receive a thank-you letter. It is considered as a common way of showing
politeness, a gesture of courtesy, one way to outshine the rest of the interviewees, and a way to keep your name upfront.

Will it not jeopardize the possibility of getting the job? Not in most cases, but it could in some point of time. So why take the
chance? (so they ask) The answer: Most bosses wavers between the last two most promising applicants, a student and experienced officer
for example, after the final interview for a certain position. But when the boss gets a thank-you letter from the student, it made all the
difference. Because of that simple well mannered gesture, the student lands on the job.

Can it be handwritten or should it be typewritten?
Actually, it does not matter. What’s important is the thought of doing it. It must be tailored to your prospective company and the officer
who made the interview. Thus, respect is further established. However, if the company, interviewer or the position being applied
calls for a formal business letter, then do so. Mostly, a handwritten note is okay if the interviewer and the applicant have built rapport.
Will it be okay to e-mail the thank you note?

First thoughts indicate that this is a big NO. However, it depends on the company’s culture. If the people in the company use e-mail in all
of their communication and correspondence, then it should be acceptable. This will also apply if the company is into fast decision
making when hiring applicants. Always remember that even if e-mails fit in with the culture of the company, it’s still a better idea to follow
up the email with a hard copy of your thank you.

So you can just save yourself from trouble since “anything goes” right? NO. On the other side of the previous story, there are prospective
applicants who were almost on the verge of being hired but suddenly hit the skids after sending in a sloppy, ill-fixed thank you letters, with
many typographical errors and misspelled words. A part of having a good communication skill is being able to write effectively and
companies do not need employees who have to be taught simple writing skills.

Will a borrowed thank-you letter do?
Yes, borrowing is one thing. But make sure to look at the basic structure of the letter. Never plagiarize the whole letter as it may be
applicable to the one person but not for the other. Surely, there are employers who can distinguish a thank-you note that has been copied
or not.

If it was a panel interview should thank you letters be sent to all interviewers? Frankly, that’s the best. The same letter to each is as essential as
making one for each. All you have to do is edit some phrases for individuality in case the interviewers would bump in to each other and
compare the notes they received.

How soon should a thank-you note be sent?
The golden rule is to send thank you notes within 24 hours after the interview.

Will it still be okay to mail the thank you note if the hiring decision will be made sooner than when the mailed thank you note is received?
Come to think of it, if the mail is too pre-historic for the hiring decision makers, then find a much speedy way: it can be via e-mail, fax, express delivery or personal delivery. In fact, if you have hand
delivered the thank you note, it can leave a great impression. What if there’s already an offer before even sending the thank you notes?

It’s still better to send the thank you notes as this can be used to accept or decline the offer. This could also be a confirmation of your
agreement andor understanding of the offer they have given (salary, benefits, other compensation, starting date, vacations, etc.), this way
any discrepancies can be straightened out before even starting for the job.

Always find a way to make it as personalized as possible. Try to think out of the box, you may even adapt what you have observed the
interviewer has in the office during the interview. Sending an article that you think the interviewer could be interested in is also another
suggestion. Whatever method you use, make it fast and professional

Heres a job-scout checklist to help you along your way:

1. Identify experience list
2. Identify prospective employers
3. Prepare documents
4. Plan schedules
5. Contact companies andor employers
6. Get ready for an interview
7. Evaluate how interview went along
8. Take the exams
9. Start with the new job!

How often we talk about having the perfect job yet is there really such a thing? Is
there anything that is perfect in life? When it comes to the perfect job, it is
something that is in the mind of the job seeker. Each person has his or her own
idea about what constitutes the perfect job and only the person making the choice
can identify what is truly a perfect job. The definition is different for each person
and is therefore not something one can identify with a dictionary definition.
For some people the perfect job may mean being able to have weekends free to
spend with family or being there when the children come home from school. Each
persons definition will be directed toward what is important for that person and not
for the working force in general. It is impossible to say that any one type of job is
the perfect job because that in itself would be putting the term into a world of
fantasy. There will never be any two people who will want the exact same thing
from a job and as such there will never be two people who view a perfect job in the
same way.

People seek different things in their jobs and what is the perfect job for one person
will be different for another. Making the choice that is right for each person is an
individual one that depends on the needs of that person. It is not the choice of any
other person to decide if it is fantasy to even consider whether there is such a thing
as the perfect job. It is ludicrous to think that the term perfect job will be the
same for everyone.

What is a perfect job? The term will vary among job seekers and is impossible to
identify otherwise. As a job seeker, you must decide what you consider a perfect
job to be. That means you must place your own identification marks on it and
decide what you need and what you seek. The combination of things you seek in a
job will be you definition of the perfect job, and these will be different from
someone else. You and others you know may have some of the same requirements
but they will never be the samethere will always be some differences even if it is
just one of the items on your list.

There is a great deal of work involved in obtaining the perfect job. It begins with
defining your idea of the perfect job then searching and obtaining interviews. It is
not an easy task and you may ask yourself if it is worth the effort but when you
look at the end results that you can accomplish you will know the effort is
worthwhile. When you have to work anyway, isnt it worth it to do something that is
worthwhile and enjoyable? People who have a job they enjoy are more successful
than those who work a job they do not like.

The efforts you exert in having the proper training and experience will give increase
your opportunities in the workforce. With an enhanced skill level you have a better
chance of finding the job you want and being able to secure it. Certainly it takes
more effort but when the job market is in a slump, you will have a better chance to
remain or become employed. The effort you exert in both obtaining and maintaining
your perfect job will provide all that you need during those times when the job
market is in a slump.

For many people a job is nothing more than a way to make sure their family has
what they need and although this is the major function of a job, is it not worth it to
having something that is enjoyable? The extra effort you exert to have the job you
really want will allow you to become a higher achiever than you would under other
conditions. For instance, those who like their jobs are likely to become managers
and executives while those who do not like their jobs usually remain in the same
position unless something else opens in another department or another company.
The effort you exert to find the perfect job will ensure that you will enjoy a lifetime
of success as long as you continue to put forth the effort. Its essential to go the
extra mile in order to make sure you will not be overlooked when it comes time for
promotions. Even if you do not advance with your current company, if you decide to
move forward to something else, you will have the skills necessary to be an integral
part of another company doing the job you enjoy because you put forth the effort
to achieve.