here is a format for writing a Below is a guideline for writing a good looking and a well organized cover letter.
First paragraph
In the first paragraph mention the following things:
- Why you are writing (include which position you are applying for)
- How you learned of the position
- Your current status (student or employed)
- If you have completed your degree or when you expect to graduate
- Make a preliminary assertion as to your strength as a candidate
Middle paragraphs
This paragraph is important from the point of view of detailing
- Present specific examples highlighting how your background, experience, achievements, and/or qualifications meet the needs of the position description, department and/or organization
- Explain your interest in the organization
- Discuss your knowledge of and interest in some of the specific characteristics of the organization, and/or department
- Address if your profile differs from the job description
Final paragraph
Here you can indicate:
- How you can best be reached
- What is enclosed with the letter
- Your availability for and interest in an interview
- Follow up action on your part
- Thank the reader for his or her consideration
Structure and Details
Appropriately address the salutation to a specific person, not job title (spell their name correctly). Organize your letter well. Before giving your cover letter check for any spelling or grammar errors. Use an appropriate font type and size – Not to big or not to small. Don’t forget to leave contact information in the letter. Write in the tone of a confident (but not arrogant) professional. Be direct.
A cover letter is your opportunity to tell the what you are applying for and why you are a good match for the position and the organization. You should submit a cover letter with every , whether for an internship or job. While a resume provides a summary of your skills and experience, a cover letter takes it a step further by allowing you to highlight your specific qualification
Monday, April 14, 2008
Dressing for an Interview
One of the main purposes of an interview is to present yourself to a potential employer in a manner that reflects a highly polished and professional image. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. The first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one. That's why it's always important to dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual.
You'll want that first impression to be not just a good one, but, a great one. The candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than the candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.
For Men
Here are some things that a man must not forget for the interview. Belt, tie, dark socks, conservative leather shoes, neat & professional hairstyle, neatly trimmed nails, portfolio or briefcase.
A conservative business suit is almost always the rule. A well-tailored or fitted suit coat and trousers will go a long way in helping you present yourself professionally and confidently. Acceptable colors continue to be darker shades and hues including grays, blues (navy), and black. Pattern designs such as pin stripes and plaids are acceptable as long as they are subtle.
Although, a plain white or off-white shirt is always a winner. Dressing in your best attire for the interview also means having your shoes shined, if not new. Wearing a new suit and tie with an old, dirty pair of shoes that need resoled would be like bad for the interview. Laced shoes are the general rule; loafers are a little too casual. The color of your socks should complement or match the rest of your outfit. See-through socks are not considered appropriate. Likewise, a that matches the color of your shoes and has a small buckle is a good choice.
For Women
Dressing in a conservative business suit is the best way to present a professional image. As has been stated, the suit should fit well and make you feel good about yourself. Ask clothing salespersons for assistance in determining what is currently acceptable for length; generally, length should not be too long nor too short. You should be able to sit comfortably wearing that skirt
The grays and blues are standard; women tend to be able to get away with wearing more of a variety of colors. Oftentimes, bright colors including reds, maroon, and various shades of blue and even green are acceptable. Women are also usually able to wear various fabrics without appearing unprofessional.
Your blouse should complement the suit in a conservative fashion. It should not be too revealing, high around the neck, nor have too many ruffles or frills. See-through blouses are discouraged for the professional interview.
Stockings are a must and should be flesh-toned or colors very close to it. Avoid color or patterns that would be distracting.
Shoes should be sensibly selected in a way that is not intended to make a statement. High heels and open toes are to be avoided.
You'll want that first impression to be not just a good one, but, a great one. The candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than the candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.
For Men
Here are some things that a man must not forget for the interview. Belt, tie, dark socks, conservative leather shoes, neat & professional hairstyle, neatly trimmed nails, portfolio or briefcase.
A conservative business suit is almost always the rule. A well-tailored or fitted suit coat and trousers will go a long way in helping you present yourself professionally and confidently. Acceptable colors continue to be darker shades and hues including grays, blues (navy), and black. Pattern designs such as pin stripes and plaids are acceptable as long as they are subtle.
Although, a plain white or off-white shirt is always a winner. Dressing in your best attire for the interview also means having your shoes shined, if not new. Wearing a new suit and tie with an old, dirty pair of shoes that need resoled would be like bad for the interview. Laced shoes are the general rule; loafers are a little too casual. The color of your socks should complement or match the rest of your outfit. See-through socks are not considered appropriate. Likewise, a that matches the color of your shoes and has a small buckle is a good choice.
For Women
Dressing in a conservative business suit is the best way to present a professional image. As has been stated, the suit should fit well and make you feel good about yourself. Ask clothing salespersons for assistance in determining what is currently acceptable for length; generally, length should not be too long nor too short. You should be able to sit comfortably wearing that skirt
The grays and blues are standard; women tend to be able to get away with wearing more of a variety of colors. Oftentimes, bright colors including reds, maroon, and various shades of blue and even green are acceptable. Women are also usually able to wear various fabrics without appearing unprofessional.
Your blouse should complement the suit in a conservative fashion. It should not be too revealing, high around the neck, nor have too many ruffles or frills. See-through blouses are discouraged for the professional interview.
Stockings are a must and should be flesh-toned or colors very close to it. Avoid color or patterns that would be distracting.
Shoes should be sensibly selected in a way that is not intended to make a statement. High heels and open toes are to be avoided.
Creating a resume is the very best way to document your career and accomplishments. If you build and maintain one as you move along your career path, you'll be able to capture key achievements and results while they are still fresh in your mind.
The resume format that you choose should be based on your work experience and the strategy to make that experience seem relevant to the job that you are applying to.
The majority of resumes follow a similar format by listing most recent jobs and work experience first. This is called a "reverse chronological" format. But there is also the "skills-based" or "functional" format that highlights what you can do rather than what you have done. Some find that blending these two formats is the best way to summarize their experience and capabilities. These are called as “Hybrid resume”
There are three main types of resumes:
1. Reverse chronological resumes
2. Functional resumes
3. Hybrid resumes
Reverse chronological resumes list the candidate’s work experience starting from the most recent one based on the premise that it is also the most relevant to the job. That is often true for career-oriented people looking for another job in the same field. The reverse chronological resume is the most commonly used resume format.
Using this format is best for those who have had a steady work history and a record of increased responsibility and career growth. This is also a great format if the companies you worked for, especially your most recent employer, are well-recognized and well-respected within your industry.
Functional resumes list a candidate’s experiences by skill areas. This resume format is used most often when a person decides to switch career, when a person has held many different types of jobs during his career, or when there has been a prolonged period of absence from the workforce. The focus is therefore no longer on “career progression,” but instead on “transferable skills.”
The functional resume includes a career objective that states what type of job you desire or a career summary that encapsulates your work history, education and strengths in a sentence or two.
Hybrid resumes possess some characteristics of both reverse chronological resumes and functional resumes. For instance, they can list a candidate’s work experience by skill areas, but also include the periods of employment.
It might begin with a summary of qualifications and bulleted skills, followed by a chronicled job listing that demonstrates, through measurable results, how you used or applied the skills you just highlighted.
Those are the three main types of resumes. Do not restrict yourself to the above however. If you think there is a better way to grab the employer’s attention, go for it. At the end of the day, if you get an interview, you must have done something right.
The resume format that you choose should be based on your work experience and the strategy to make that experience seem relevant to the job that you are applying to.
The majority of resumes follow a similar format by listing most recent jobs and work experience first. This is called a "reverse chronological" format. But there is also the "skills-based" or "functional" format that highlights what you can do rather than what you have done. Some find that blending these two formats is the best way to summarize their experience and capabilities. These are called as “Hybrid resume”
There are three main types of resumes:
1. Reverse chronological resumes
2. Functional resumes
3. Hybrid resumes
Reverse chronological resumes list the candidate’s work experience starting from the most recent one based on the premise that it is also the most relevant to the job. That is often true for career-oriented people looking for another job in the same field. The reverse chronological resume is the most commonly used resume format.
Using this format is best for those who have had a steady work history and a record of increased responsibility and career growth. This is also a great format if the companies you worked for, especially your most recent employer, are well-recognized and well-respected within your industry.
Functional resumes list a candidate’s experiences by skill areas. This resume format is used most often when a person decides to switch career, when a person has held many different types of jobs during his career, or when there has been a prolonged period of absence from the workforce. The focus is therefore no longer on “career progression,” but instead on “transferable skills.”
The functional resume includes a career objective that states what type of job you desire or a career summary that encapsulates your work history, education and strengths in a sentence or two.
Hybrid resumes possess some characteristics of both reverse chronological resumes and functional resumes. For instance, they can list a candidate’s work experience by skill areas, but also include the periods of employment.
It might begin with a summary of qualifications and bulleted skills, followed by a chronicled job listing that demonstrates, through measurable results, how you used or applied the skills you just highlighted.
Those are the three main types of resumes. Do not restrict yourself to the above however. If you think there is a better way to grab the employer’s attention, go for it. At the end of the day, if you get an interview, you must have done something right.
Difference between CV and Resume
You may have heard "curriculum vitae" being used to describe a resume. Although they are slightly different documents, some people use the terms inter-changeably. You may want to use a curriculum vitae (c.v.) if you are applying to a position which is academic or research-oriented. Many graduate students use a C.V. if they are applying to advanced programs or to employers such as those just mentioned.
Often referred to as a "vitae." A vitae is very similar to a resume. It highlights a speaker's education and key jobs held. A speaker in the academic community usually uses curriculum vitae. A special type of resume traditionally used within the academic community. Earned degrees, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, and related activities are featured. Unlike a resume, a CV tends to be longer and more informational than promotional in tone.
The primary difference between a CV and a resume is the length and the purpose. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. A goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise since, at best; the resume reader will spend a minute or so reviewing your qualifications.
A Curriculum Vitae, commonly referred to as CV, is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis. It includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details.
A curriculum vitae, meaning "course of one's life, is a document that gives much more detail than does a resume about your academic and professional accomplishments.
When seeking a faculty, research, or leadership position at an academic or scientific organization, you need a special resume called curriculum vitae. Candidates who use a CV have an educational background directly related to the positions they seek, education is always featured first. Even after twenty years of research, your degrees and the schools where you earned them will overshadow your experience.
Following are the things to include in a CV
Like a resume, your CV should include your name, contact information, education, skills and experience. In addition to the basics, a CV includes research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information relevant to the position you are applying for. Start by making a list of all your background information, and then organize it into categories. Make sure you include dates on all the publications you include.
Name dropping is more common in CV’s than in resumes. For example, if you performed research under a certain professor, you would probably include her name and title. Science and academia are small worlds, and it is likely that a prospective employer will have heard of a given specialist in her own field. Similarly, if you went on clinical rotations at a given hospital, name it; your future employer might have hospital privileges there.
Often referred to as a "vitae." A vitae is very similar to a resume. It highlights a speaker's education and key jobs held. A speaker in the academic community usually uses curriculum vitae. A special type of resume traditionally used within the academic community. Earned degrees, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, and related activities are featured. Unlike a resume, a CV tends to be longer and more informational than promotional in tone.
The primary difference between a CV and a resume is the length and the purpose. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. A goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise since, at best; the resume reader will spend a minute or so reviewing your qualifications.
A Curriculum Vitae, commonly referred to as CV, is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis. It includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details.
A curriculum vitae, meaning "course of one's life, is a document that gives much more detail than does a resume about your academic and professional accomplishments.
When seeking a faculty, research, or leadership position at an academic or scientific organization, you need a special resume called curriculum vitae. Candidates who use a CV have an educational background directly related to the positions they seek, education is always featured first. Even after twenty years of research, your degrees and the schools where you earned them will overshadow your experience.
Following are the things to include in a CV
Like a resume, your CV should include your name, contact information, education, skills and experience. In addition to the basics, a CV includes research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information relevant to the position you are applying for. Start by making a list of all your background information, and then organize it into categories. Make sure you include dates on all the publications you include.
Name dropping is more common in CV’s than in resumes. For example, if you performed research under a certain professor, you would probably include her name and title. Science and academia are small worlds, and it is likely that a prospective employer will have heard of a given specialist in her own field. Similarly, if you went on clinical rotations at a given hospital, name it; your future employer might have hospital privileges there.
How to Write an Effective Resume Objective
You must have a goal to bring success in your life. Resume is no exception. If you can not state clearly about your career objective in your resume, chances are less that your prospective employers will take any interest in you. In simple words, you must have a career goal in your life and that must reflect from your resume. Without a clearly stated resume it is virtually impossible for the employers to decode your intention to understand your dream. So, there are few criteria for writing an effective career objective in the resume. An effective career objective must be precise, positive and so appealing that it can easily draw the attention of the readers. Here are few essential tips that you can follow in order to compose an effective career objective for your resume.
State Your Prospective Contribution Instead of Desire
It is important to keep the career objective neutral and simple. This is not the place where you become so emotional and use it to describe your desires and dreams. Rather you must use this area very practically and wisely to give insight on your potential contribution and how your service could be beneficial for the business of the respective company. So, never use such phrases like "a position where I can exploit my talents". Rather you must focus on the job requirement while writing your career objective in your resume, such as "A position as a Business Development Officer in a Professional Banking Organization". When you will be writing your career objective, you must focus on the job requirement and the position you are applying for. While writing your career objective, always place yourself in the position of the hiring manager and ask yourself what you might look for in a new applicant.
Put Only a Single Title
Never put a series of job title that you wish to accomplish in your career. It may be possible that you are a multi-talented personality, but listing all your desired titles in a single resume may make the hiring manager utterly confused and quite likely this may not turn out to be fruitful for you either. So omit putting multitudes of job titles in a single resume. Respect your talents and your prospective employers and don’t create a laundry list in the name of career objective. Repeatedly ask yourself, "What kind of job you are actually looking for right at present?" and look for an answer from your own wisdom.
Make It Precise and Short
Always remember writing career objective and writing an essay is entirely different things to do. In fact, these two are just opposite to each other. You must write your career objective in a precise format. It must be short. No exception. At its highest extent, you can make it two sentences long, but not more than that. Composing a long objective never brings much attention, but it spoils the prospective opportunity at the first place. Do not use complex sentence. Make it as simple as possible. After writing a career objective in your resume, try to consider it from employer's perspective and reconsider if you find anything not so appealing.
State Your Prospective Contribution Instead of Desire
It is important to keep the career objective neutral and simple. This is not the place where you become so emotional and use it to describe your desires and dreams. Rather you must use this area very practically and wisely to give insight on your potential contribution and how your service could be beneficial for the business of the respective company. So, never use such phrases like "a position where I can exploit my talents". Rather you must focus on the job requirement while writing your career objective in your resume, such as "A position as a Business Development Officer in a Professional Banking Organization". When you will be writing your career objective, you must focus on the job requirement and the position you are applying for. While writing your career objective, always place yourself in the position of the hiring manager and ask yourself what you might look for in a new applicant.
Put Only a Single Title
Never put a series of job title that you wish to accomplish in your career. It may be possible that you are a multi-talented personality, but listing all your desired titles in a single resume may make the hiring manager utterly confused and quite likely this may not turn out to be fruitful for you either. So omit putting multitudes of job titles in a single resume. Respect your talents and your prospective employers and don’t create a laundry list in the name of career objective. Repeatedly ask yourself, "What kind of job you are actually looking for right at present?" and look for an answer from your own wisdom.
Make It Precise and Short
Always remember writing career objective and writing an essay is entirely different things to do. In fact, these two are just opposite to each other. You must write your career objective in a precise format. It must be short. No exception. At its highest extent, you can make it two sentences long, but not more than that. Composing a long objective never brings much attention, but it spoils the prospective opportunity at the first place. Do not use complex sentence. Make it as simple as possible. After writing a career objective in your resume, try to consider it from employer's perspective and reconsider if you find anything not so appealing.
How to Make Professional Resume
There are always certain rules of conduct that you need to follow when you are preparing something organized and fruitful. Creating professional resume has no exception. When you are preparing your professional resume, you must be careful about few essential codes of conduct, so that you resume gets the highest priority.
Although you can prepare your resume by yourself only, but if your resume is not getting enough hits, it is the time to reconsider. While reconsidering for crafting a professional resume, you can think of two major segments – one is online resume template or resume builder and the second one is professional resume writers. Let us know about each of these segments.
Online Resume Templates / Builders
In the first place, when you are counting on online resume templates or builders, you may browse different websites that offer plenty of free online resume samples. All you need to insert keywords like 'Graphic Designer Resume Sample' or 'Technical Resume Sample', etc. However, you must remember here that free items can not be as worthy as you actually need. So is true with free online resume. If you are sincerely looking for a professional resume that gives you enough hits, then free samples may not be those items that can make you happy.
In such case, you may need to depend on paid online resume template or paid online resume builder. This template or builder is software that comes in the price range between $19.95 and $75.95 or even more. Here you will get an extensive number of quality resume samples, cover letters, step-by-step resume making wizard, tips for interview and many more essential features that are a must-need for any job applicants. Although you have to pay a price for this software, they are certainly worthy of the price.
Professional Resume Writer
This option is certainly even better option if you can hire an expert and professional resume writer with years of extensive experiences. A professional resume writer not only helps you to improve your resume, but also aids in having an enhanced format with utmost customization. All you need to give your hired professional writer the required personal and professional details and wait till the writer produces an effective and stunning resume in front of you. He may even help you to guide with the essential tips for appearing in an interview and how to crack it. If you have already created your resume, then like a professional guide, he may help you to find out the flaws from it and suggest you about the essential techniques how to recover it.
However, before counting on a professional resume writer, you must be aware of some downside facts of hiring professional resume writer, such as, risk of identity theft or stalking can be an issue. So, before hiring a professional you must research enough to ensure his credibility and professional experiences. It is better to look through testimonials. Don’t compromise if someone asks for a lesser price, while being unable to show you relevant credibility details.
Although you can prepare your resume by yourself only, but if your resume is not getting enough hits, it is the time to reconsider. While reconsidering for crafting a professional resume, you can think of two major segments – one is online resume template or resume builder and the second one is professional resume writers. Let us know about each of these segments.
Online Resume Templates / Builders
In the first place, when you are counting on online resume templates or builders, you may browse different websites that offer plenty of free online resume samples. All you need to insert keywords like 'Graphic Designer Resume Sample' or 'Technical Resume Sample', etc. However, you must remember here that free items can not be as worthy as you actually need. So is true with free online resume. If you are sincerely looking for a professional resume that gives you enough hits, then free samples may not be those items that can make you happy.
In such case, you may need to depend on paid online resume template or paid online resume builder. This template or builder is software that comes in the price range between $19.95 and $75.95 or even more. Here you will get an extensive number of quality resume samples, cover letters, step-by-step resume making wizard, tips for interview and many more essential features that are a must-need for any job applicants. Although you have to pay a price for this software, they are certainly worthy of the price.
Professional Resume Writer
This option is certainly even better option if you can hire an expert and professional resume writer with years of extensive experiences. A professional resume writer not only helps you to improve your resume, but also aids in having an enhanced format with utmost customization. All you need to give your hired professional writer the required personal and professional details and wait till the writer produces an effective and stunning resume in front of you. He may even help you to guide with the essential tips for appearing in an interview and how to crack it. If you have already created your resume, then like a professional guide, he may help you to find out the flaws from it and suggest you about the essential techniques how to recover it.
However, before counting on a professional resume writer, you must be aware of some downside facts of hiring professional resume writer, such as, risk of identity theft or stalking can be an issue. So, before hiring a professional you must research enough to ensure his credibility and professional experiences. It is better to look through testimonials. Don’t compromise if someone asks for a lesser price, while being unable to show you relevant credibility details.
Do You Have It All In Your Resume That Recruiters Are Looking For?
Many people become very anxious when they have to face an interview. This is why they even take the professional courses that help them in improving their skills required for appearing in an interview in an effective fashion. Unfortunately sometimes even these serious individuals do not take much care about preparing their professional resume, which is not only crucial for an effective interview session, but also an essential tool for their professional appearance.
However, since earlier days resume plays a crucial role in getting a job. It has an incredible potential and thus it needs to be crafted in an exceptionally eloquent manner. Resume lists up your education, expertise, skills and experiences, which are the most essential factors needed at the time you are about to sell your talents to your prospective employers. So, you need to know the best strategies to put these essential factors in an effective sellable format so that your employers take a serious interest in you.
Career Objective Must Be Short and Snappy
Starting with a career objective, you must put relevant keywords while writing your career objective. Do not insert any vague phrase such as "I would like to employ my talents in an extremely successful company". To the recruiters, these types of phrases do not bring any meaning. In fact, they simply decode these phrases useless and irrelevant. You have to mention specific job title with specific job industry in your career objective. Your skills are expertise should get the relevant emphasis so that recruiters can easily understand what you have in you.
Be Precise and Analytical While Stating Work Experiences
In an ideal applicant, the recruiter always looks for future growth in relation to business prospect. In simple words, recruiters always take interest in recruiting such people who can bring business to the company. Only by analyzing your resume and your past contributions to the previous companies, recruiters make their mind to offer you an employment in a respective company. If you can prepare an analytical resume reflecting your career growth, it will work like a mirror for your prospective contribution in the forthcoming companies you are applying for. So give enough emphasis on every single word that you are using while crafting your resume. Every single word should be as expressive as it should be, so that your prospective employers can easily get an essence out of it.
Be Honest and Confident
No matter how much experience you have, no matter how far you have studied, the ultimate story depends largely on your honesty and many experienced and professional recruiters can easily understand whether you are describing the truth or you are simply boasting the story at least to some extent. If you are honest, then you will never feel hesitated at the time of submitting your credentials. So always be honest and confident about describing your career profile while formatting your resume. After all, this is the most essential criteria that impress people even today.
However, since earlier days resume plays a crucial role in getting a job. It has an incredible potential and thus it needs to be crafted in an exceptionally eloquent manner. Resume lists up your education, expertise, skills and experiences, which are the most essential factors needed at the time you are about to sell your talents to your prospective employers. So, you need to know the best strategies to put these essential factors in an effective sellable format so that your employers take a serious interest in you.
Career Objective Must Be Short and Snappy
Starting with a career objective, you must put relevant keywords while writing your career objective. Do not insert any vague phrase such as "I would like to employ my talents in an extremely successful company". To the recruiters, these types of phrases do not bring any meaning. In fact, they simply decode these phrases useless and irrelevant. You have to mention specific job title with specific job industry in your career objective. Your skills are expertise should get the relevant emphasis so that recruiters can easily understand what you have in you.
Be Precise and Analytical While Stating Work Experiences
In an ideal applicant, the recruiter always looks for future growth in relation to business prospect. In simple words, recruiters always take interest in recruiting such people who can bring business to the company. Only by analyzing your resume and your past contributions to the previous companies, recruiters make their mind to offer you an employment in a respective company. If you can prepare an analytical resume reflecting your career growth, it will work like a mirror for your prospective contribution in the forthcoming companies you are applying for. So give enough emphasis on every single word that you are using while crafting your resume. Every single word should be as expressive as it should be, so that your prospective employers can easily get an essence out of it.
Be Honest and Confident
No matter how much experience you have, no matter how far you have studied, the ultimate story depends largely on your honesty and many experienced and professional recruiters can easily understand whether you are describing the truth or you are simply boasting the story at least to some extent. If you are honest, then you will never feel hesitated at the time of submitting your credentials. So always be honest and confident about describing your career profile while formatting your resume. After all, this is the most essential criteria that impress people even today.
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