Cv For Interviews

Posts Tagged ‘Cover Letter’

Immediately upon graduation, most college students start filling in job applications in hopes of securing a job interview. Prior to this, these graduates need to have an impressive graduate resume. Resume writing is an art that is best left to professional resume writers that specialize in graduate and entry level resumes. A good cover letter and an impressive resume is the first step towards being granted a job interview.

Now that you have secured an interview, you need to prepare for the tough questions that lie behind the employers’ door. The majority of people considers the expected questions and prepare for these. Many rehearse the answers so that they sound confident while answering them. Practicing responses in advance keeps a check on nervousness, and you sound professional and confident. However, with the job market so competitive and so many applicants applying for the same job, employers have come up with a way to weed out applicants and let the cream rise to the top. Employers will ask questions that are difficult, make your pulse race and be tough to answer.

Tough Questions You Can Expect
Let us take a closer look at some of the tough questions you may be asked and what a likely response could be:

•    You have no experience. Why should I consider you? – You need to be persuasive. Mention your ability to overcome deficiencies. Also, mention how you increased your knowledge through education, internships and summer jobs. Perhaps explain how your ability to master new technology made your colleagues turn to you for advice. Detail how your budding management skills would have a positive impact on the organization.

•    How did you resolve a conflict, if you had any, with your professor or last employer? – You need to accept that you had disagreements with your professors or past employers that required resolution. Give specific examples of how you coped and resolved the issue without being judgmental of your professor or previous employer. To answer this question correctly, you need to show that you are able to see the other persons view in the dispute, consider all options and then act rationally. That is what the employer is looking for. The employer really does not care who was right or wrong but what is important is how you handled yourself and the situation.

•    How would your professors (or last employer) describe you? – Explain that all would agree that you were a very energetic person who always accomplished whatever task was at hand. You were dependable, creative and possessed a keen eye to apply your knowledge in a very practical sense. Inform the interviewer that you have references for his consideration to backup your comments.

•    In your opinion, what are the qualities of a successful manager? – Be brief, clear and meaningful with your answer – as this is a true quality of an excellent manager. Some qualities you could mention are collaborative leadership, visionary planning, understanding the corporate objectives. Also, highlight how to interpret these to increase revenues and service the clientele. You can finish your response by giving an example of a person you consider to be a true leader.

•    What is your greatest weakness? – Everyone has one so never answer this question in a lame manner. Be precise and confident in expressing to the employer what you feel your greatest weakness is. Then immediately explain how your main achievement has been to recognize your greatest weakness and work on overcoming the issue.

Never include salary range in a resume or cover letter unless the potential employer has explicitly stated (within a job posting or advertisement or told you personally) that it is a required. Adding this information when it is not requested is the fastest way to get knocked out of contention for the position.

Salary is a sensitive and serious subject, and should only be discussed at the interview phase, once you have had a chance to determine what the position entails and the employer has a grasp on your abilities. You are in a much better bargaining position at this time also; especially if the potential employer is really interested in having you join his team.

However, if an employer does request salary information with your application, include the information on the cover letter only – never directly on the resume. Placing this information on the resume is distracting and takes focus away from the critical elements of your resume.

Within your cover letter, include a brief statement, generally second paragraph from the bottom of the letter. Make a brief and somewhat general statement about your salary range. Always make it sound like you are willing to negotiate for the right opportunity.

For example:

<b>Given my relevant industry experience and proven expertise, salary range is $75,000-$90,000 annually; depending on benefits offered and is negotiable based on the scope of the position.</b>

The above statement speaks of your confidence in you’re your skills and abilities; exhibits your flexibility and willingness to negotiate for the right opportunity and most importantly, offers room for negotiation in the event that your stated salary range is not in line with the employers’ budget. The mention of “depending on benefits” lets the employer know that you are looking for a long term position. Since the cost of employee training is so expensive to any company, this is always welcome news to employers.

The only information a potention employer usually has about you as a job candidate is the information presented on a resume and in the cover letter. It is also the only information that a hiring manager may have about the other five hundred candidates. Given that there are often large numbers of candidates applying for one position, you need a resume that will stand out.

<b>Using a Professional Resume Writer</b>

A professional resume writer is familiar with the job application process, and knows how to present your information in the best possible way. A professionally written resume can definitely help your resume stand apart from the crowd.

Writing a resume is a difficult and daunting task for many people, including those who have been in the workforce a number of years. For a college student with little or no work experience, the idea of writing a resume may seem like trying to do the impossible.

A professional resume writer knows the types of questions to ask to learn more about your background, education, skills, and experience, and then put this information into a cohesive marketing document called a resume. Additionally, a professional resume writer has typically written hundreds or even thousands of resumes, including many for new graduates and college students. Whereas you may be unsure which information to include, a professional can determine the most appropriate information to include and how to best present it. The result? A resume that stands out!

<b>How Does it Work? </b>

Depending on the service you choose, your writer will obtain as much information as possible from you regarding your background. You will need to provide information for your college resume including work history, education, volunteer work, professional memberships, skills, abilities, and anything else that may help your resume rise to the top. Most professionals will provide you with a questionnaire to fill out, will ask you a variety of questions, or both. Some resume writers work through the Internet, some by phone, some in person, and some using a combination of these communication methods.

<b>Choosing a Professional Resume Writer</b>

When choosing a resume writer or service, look for one that uses resume writers certified in the industry or who have degrees or other, legitimate credentials in the careers field. A number of organizations certify resume writers. Some of the more respected certifications include Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Master Resume Writer (MRW), and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW).  

Many career counselors and career coaches provide resume writing and additional services, such as assessments, interviewing skills, and job search strategies. Which service you choose will depend on your needs, budget, and comfort level with the organization, and method of communication. Some people enjoy the convenience of working online and through email, while others prefer the immediacy of face-to-face contact.

If you want your resume to rise to the top and obtain those coveted interviews, consider using a resume writing professional. Your future is at stake!

Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a mental exercise, and something that is easy to prepare for.  It is the second impression that you will make on a hiring decision maker – the first impression was obviously made for you by your resume and cover letter, and must have been positive, or you would not have this interview appointment.  That being the case, it is worth while to prepare for it and be ready to put your best foot forward.

Step one in getting yourself mentally prepared is to rehearse.  Practice in front of the mirror, or with a friend or your spouse listening to you, asking questions and playing the part of the interviewer.  Make a list of questions you expect the interviewer to ask and have good answers prepared, but have them on the top of your head in general and not memorized.  Memorized answers can sound canned and not real, and will not help you.  You need to appear genuine and real.

Step two is preparing and practicing two or three ideas that you want to get across to the interviewer as to why you are the right person for this job.  If you are having trouble thinking of ideas, read your resume again.  Look for the key points, qualifications or accomplishments you have written, and be ready to discuss them. 

Step three is to think of what you can do for the company.  The hiring manager really doesn’t care why you would like the job; he cares about how you can help his company if you are hired. 

Step four is on the morning of the interview get dressed.  Wear the same clothes when you are on the phone that you would wear if you were in front of the interviewer in person.  Dress for success and your attitude will reflect it.  Dress in your pajamas or an old sweat shirt and your attitude may reflect that as well.

Step five is to smile.  Smiles are contagious, even if they can’t be seen.  Good salesmen know this and practice smiling on the phone.  There is something in your voice and attitude that is conveyed when you smile, and the person on the other end of the phone can sense it.  There is truth in the old saying, “Smile and the world smiles with you.”  It is basic human nature.

Step six is to speak clearly and enunciate.  Use a good quality phone, a land line not a cordless.  If at all possible do not use a cellular phone for the interview.   Crackling noises are distractions and bad cell sites, leading to dropped calls, are a negative.  You only want positives during your phone interview.

Step seven is the interview itself.  Relax, be yourself and do your best.  When it is over remember to thank the interviewer for his or her time, and offer to provide any other information they might need to make a decision.  Be professional and you may well be rewarded with a job.

A sample letter to use as a guide when preparing your follow up letters can assist your job search, save you time, and make you look very professional.  Take a look at the following, and use it as a guide when preparing your own follow up letters.

SAMPLE FOLLOW UP LETTER

Date
Decision Maker, Position
Company
Address
City
State, Zip code
Dear (use name),

I wanted to touch base with you concerning my recent application with your company.  Knowing you are busy I’ve enclosed another copy of my resume for your review.

My interests and work experience are in the areas of sales and sales management.  Having worked with Xyz company for the past seven years as a sales representative, I have strong experience and believe I could be a strong asset to your organization.

I would appreciate the opportunity to visit with you in person, and will call next week to check on your availability.

Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
John Doe

Resume enclosed

Use this sample as a template, and change the relevant portions of it to fit your own skills, experience and interests.  Customize it, and send it out a week or ten days after you send out every resume, to each company that you’ve applied to.  Following up is a skill that many people fail to learn, and it can make all the difference in getting an interview.  Experiment with it, put sentences and paragraphs into your own words, and make it read like you wrote it.  Don’t get the impression that the letter must be used “as is” without changes.  It is a sample, or a template if you will, and is designed to be a guide for you to follow, not the end result itself.

This sample letter can also be used when applying online through the various job bank services on the Internet.  They all have a place for a resume and cover letter.  A week or ten days after applying, it doesn’t hurt to apply again, using the sample as a guide in the space normally reserved for a cover letter for your second application.

In addition to the follow up letter, your personal marketing toolbox should include other essentials.  These should include a well written resume, plenty of copies on good quality paper, a sample cover letter you can use for customization, copies of your reference sheet, a salary history, plain paper photo copies of letters of recommendation from previous employers, a sample thank you letter to use after the interview, and a job acceptance letter template you can use when you get hired. 

You’ll also need to practice your interviewing skills.  So you can see that while the follow up letter is valuable, there are many other things you need to have when job hunting if you want to look like the professional that you are.