Quick tip about cover letters!

So over the past few weeks, I have noticed a common theme with applications, in particular - cover letters. What is lacking is why the candidate is interested in the job and I hear the same theme from my hiring managers and fellow co-workers of them stating - nobody puts this in their cover letters! Always state what interests you in the position, department and company.  State this in the third or fourth paragraph of your cover letter. It will help increase your chances to be picked out of the hundreds of applicants for the jobs you are applying too! I hope this helps and please email me any questions!

Help A Recruiter By Doing The Following Things!

I read on a daily basis probably about anywhere from a few applications (cover letter and resume, profile information) to over a 100. So while I understand that applying for a job is cumbersome, so is trying to understand an application. Here are a few tips that I am advising and asking for you to please take the time to do the following when you are preparing your resume and/or cover letter for a job:

1. Spell out acronyms - never assume that the person reading your resume understands or knows that abbreviation, shorthand, etc.
• This includes degrees too and make sure to get your degree name right (especially important for niche industries)
• If you state a future year, please put the month and year as it is hard to tell if you will meet the basic requirement sooner than later or not for a while.  If you don't have anything you may not be selected to interview. 
• All you need to put is:
• Expected graduation date: June 2011
2. Make sure to list out your job duties on your resume underneath the employment section. I have seen a lot of applicants recently mention a job or school in their cover letter, but it is not on their resume. If you speak to it in your cover letter - make sure it is on your resume for consistency and so the reader of your application can learn more about what you mention in your resume.
3. Spell check, spell check - I can't say it enough!!
4. Make sure you list all the programs that you have working knowledge of and that are listed on the job description. Even some that you may think are "no brainers", etc. So many people fail to do this and hiring managers may not select you because of this. 

I hope these tips help! This information is based on reviewing applications and working with hiring mangers so the tips may help your application get noticed and get that first call for a position! 

A few tips for Phone Interviews

1. If you receive an unexpected call from a recruiter or hiring manager and are not able to speak to them, then ask them to call you back or if you may call them back. It is better to do that, then to risk not being able to focus or not hearing them correctly, etc.

• If you are in a noisy place and do take the call, make sure the recruiter or hiring manager is able to hear you correctly.
• Today most recruiters will send an email to schedule a call, but it is important to always be at your best if you answer that unknown number as first impressions really do last! 

2. When writing or scheduling a phone call, always write very professionally. This is important as you are displaying your writing skills. If the tone of the email you receive is causal or has mistakes in it, you still want your email to be professional. 

• This is a common mistake that applicants fall into as a fyi. Many applicants do not spell check, write in shorthand or write as if they are "texting".   

3. When speaking on the phone with a recruiter or hiring manager - stand up. This helps to project your voice and helps you to sound enthusiastic. Make sure that you end your statements with a smile as that will help too! It is important to sound excited about the position over the phone! 

• Remember that recruiters/hiring managers want to speak with applicants that sound like they are interested in their position/company. 

4. Be ready for basic interview questions: 

• Why are you interested in this position or why did you apply?
• What is your salary range?
• What do you know about our company or this position?
• Have the website to the company open and the position description in front of you
• Where are you currently working?
• If you are not working currently, speak to what you have been doing during your unemployment (taking classes, staying involved in the industry/reading, volunteering, interning, etc.)
• How will this position help you with your career goals?
• What is your availability to come in for a interview?
• Have your schedule at your fingertips so you are prepared to be available! 

5. Salary expectations will be asked about 90% of the time. This is a tricky question, I know this, but at the same time it is extremely important for recruiters to be able to know if you are within the range of the position. 

• Do your research! Go to the company website and see if job grades or ranges are available. This is often located in the employment section of a employer's website.
• Ask what the range of the position is and if no response is given, then use your research to target the mid range, then go slightly below and above the mid range with a range of figures.
• Give a broad range if you do not have a target salary in mind.
• If you know a salary range that you have in mind and will not go lower then state your range. 
• Target a bit above what you want, but do not go too high if you have not done your research.
• There is no easy way to get around this except to state you are open to a discussion if you are offered the position.

Tips for Applying to a Position

1. Research the application process before applying to a position

• Know if you need to include a cover letter or if just a resume will do! Ask someone you know that works there, look it up on the company website or try a google search.
• One of the biggest mistakes I see time and time again is when applicants do not include a cover letter when applicable or required. (Don't get excluded because of this).

2. Proofread, proofread, proofread

• Double check your work, ask a friend to review it and always look for those words in spell check that have more than one definition.....

3. Tailor your work experience to meet the position requirements or description - Don't be afraid to sell yourself!!

• Try to include specific accomplishments in bullets on your resume and if possible add in numbers or amounts that will help to showcase your experience

4. Make sure your resume is not in paragraph form for the job experience section, keep your descriptions short and use bullets!!