My basic thoughts on cover letters is not to bother with them.  A cover letter should only be written when you know the name of the hiring manager, especially if you were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. Under any other circumstances, your Cover Letter becomes a “recap” of your resume or is a form letter. If that’s the case, don’t bother.

Don’t fall into the trap of adding extra words or accomplishments into your cover letter because your resume doesn’t reflect the description of the job. Every resume should be tailored for each job. A Cover Letter should be short and relevant to the reader.

Cover Letter Tips:

1. Include the name of the person you are sending it to.
2. Something about the requirements of the job.
3. Keep it short and ask for a meeting.

Cover Letter Example:

Dear John: 

I am writing to you in response to your company’s need for a XXX, which I understand reports to you. I can offer you 12 years of experience in customer service. I’ve thrived in fast-paced environments and worked with fragile customer relationships turning them into referenceable accounts. Combined with my attention to detail, this should make me an ideal candidate for your position.

I have attached my resume for your review and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Warmest regards,

XXXXX   XXXXXXX

We all know that the great and powerful Wizard of Oz was not really so powerful. He was however; empowering. Job hunters sometimes lose their way. The cowardly lion found his confidence. The scarecrow found his brian and the tin man found his heart. They just needed to feel empowered.

When facing big challenges like searching for a new job, it’s easy to get caught up in the randomness of things. When this happens:

1.  Have a vision and create a plan.  Picture in your mind what you want to accomplish. What does the end result look like? Be as specific as you can and write it down.
2.  Create structure and order for each day.  Each night, make a plan for the following day. Write down whom you are going to contact and why. Have a well thought-out “script” of what you’re going to say.
3. Be accountable to someone else for achieving your goals and plan.  Find a  job search buddy or Career Coach. Spouses and partners want you to succeed but sometimes the pressure is too intense for you to be creative, resourceful. It’s best to have partner with someone you are not emotionally close to.

 Believe and say to yourself,

There’s no better match for the job than me. There’s no better match for the job than me. There’s no better match for the job than me . . .  

Now, put your plan to work!

Have you ever walked out of an interview and thought, gee that went well or didn’t?

When it’s your turn to ask questions of the interviewer, use it to your advantage. One question that will help you understand if you are or aren’t a good match for the job is to look the interviewer in the eye and ask:

 ”So what would make me a better candidate?” OR “What concerns do you have about my background?” 

You really do want to know. By understanding their concerns, you just gave yourself an opportunity to address those concerns on the spot. Otherwise, they go unanswered which means, you’re probably going into the “NO” pile.

When you’re asked what questions do you have, bring out your “A” game – find out what would make you the best candidate. This is a fabulous opportunity to use your great listening skills – then share your accomplishments in a way that frames what the interviewer is looking for.

It’s seems everywhere I turn, I hear ”there’s an app for that”.  And if I don’t hear it, I ask, “Is there an app for that?”

CareerBuilder, Monster and others have had job search apps for awhile. Not until recently have direct companies reeled in the benefits of having their own apps.

Now you can track some of your favorite companies right from your smartphone.  Accenture, Deloitte & Touche and Pepsi are examples of companies who have recently added mobile apps.

You can find all kinds of company information including open jobs by location, title, etc. Create job alerts from companies you’re really interested in from anywhere and everywhere.

I admit that sometimes I watch “The Bachelor/Bachelorette”. Well, maybe more than sometimes. Every time I watch, I think to myself, why would you put yourself in a position of competing within a highly competitive group with the purpose of winning The Bachelor/Bachelorettes heart  hoping for a long-term commitment.

It sounds just like today’s job market. Doesn’t it?  Each has a strategy they are committed to using from the moment they are on the show. Looking for a great job is the same. You need to have a strategy. You don’t know who you’re competing against.  Assume that they are highly educated, experienced and competent.

So what are you doing to build a job search strategy?

If you are looking to Fast-Track your job search, check out our eWorkbook www.freyassociates.com/ebooks to find out how to develop a pro-active job search.

Have you ever wanted to get plugged into a company before you worked there so you knew the inside scoop?

You know, what it’s really like to work there? The juicy stuff  like how much money do people make.  Or, what’s the culture really like (not just what they say it’s like in an interview).

Check out www.glassdoor.com. You’ll find anonymous reviews from current employees. You’ll also find questions that were recently asked during interviews and more.  It’s free. If you sign up, you’ll have access to even more information.

As expected, you’ll find mixed reviews for most companies but it’s an interesting website to check out company salaries and more.

Writing your own resume can be worse than going to the dentist. It’s slow and painful.

If you want to create a powerful resume, focus on the results you accomplished and why they were so great. Here’s how you know if your resume needs work:

If the “action word” you used to describe what you did, does not tell the reader why it was so great – it’s really more appropriate for a job description.  And a job description is not going to sell you to a new employer.

Here’s an example:

Resume / Job Description says – Responsible for the recruiting strategy and analyzing job descriptions.

“Responsible”, that’s hardly an action word. That’s a job description word. Be action and results oriented in your resume.

New Version of the above using action words that answer why it was so great- Designed a recruiting strategy that increased the quality of hires from a “7″ to a “9″ on company rating scale by dissecting the hiring process from the creation of job descriptions to the setting of performance goals.

Now that’s powerful and results oriented!

If you would like more information on how to write a powerful resume that attracts interviews, please visit the Fast-Track Series www.freyassociates.com/ebooks.

One of the biggest landmines in the interview process is the subject of money. It’s emotional. It’s just downright dangerous.

You don’t want to price yourself out of the market too high or too low for the position.

So here’s how I recommend you respond to that dreaded question – How much salary do you want?

“Yes, money is one reason I’m here today, but more importantly, I am here about the opportunity. I’m currently making $xxx; I would be in the market for a fair and reasonable increase in my salary.”

Be sure and rehearse your response. You want to sound confident when you say it.

For tips on discussing money and other sensitive subjects, see The Job Hunter’s Fast-Track, “How to to nail your job interview!”

If you are looking to leverage your network, it’s best to keep the following thoughts in mind.

1. Networking is about building relationships – it doesn’t happen overnight. Put in the effort to create, nurture and grow these relationships as an ongoing part of your work-life.

2. Networking is about giving - not asking. Should someone suggest they can make an introduction for you; Bingo, you did a great job. Be the first to offer help.

3. Treat each person in your network as a cherished friend who you want to keep forever.

There is something to be said about Karma. Be a good networker and pay it forward.