 |
Cover Letter Warning: Watch Out For the BIG BAD WORD!
Dear Job-Seeker:
Just as Goldilocks was suspicious of the big bad wolf, be wary of the big bad word! You know the kind. Pursuant. Heretofore. Credence and all their contagious cousins! Unless you keep your guard up, these little pests will infest your cover letters like termites in a wood pile! Don't let them.
Remember, employers are regular folks--just like you and me. They don't want to carry around a ten-pound dictionary in order to get through what should be a clear and concise cover letter. Decide today that you will communicate with your potential employer as though you were two friends sitting over a cup of coffee. Everyday language, a touch of humor, and specific details about what you can do for the company and why you're the one for the job will take you further than any five-dollar word you heard on a national spelling bee!
Not only is such writing a waste of your time, the result is totally ineffective. The hiring manager is likely to read one sentence, then toss the letter into the trash--your hopes and dreams with it.
Don't let that be your fate. Take charge of your cover letter now. Choose words anyone can recognize and understand and write in a friendly manner that will bring your unique personality to the page.
Try this:
I am so impressed with your company. After visiting your web site and 'meeting' you and other employees through your profiles, I thought to myself, this is the company for me. I am a hard worker and I take pride in paying attention to details. Please give me an opportunity to talk with you about what I can bring to (company name) for the position of (name the job). I already have a list of ideas I'm eager to share with you. I look forward to hearing from you, and then meeting you in person.
Toss this:
"Pursuant to said resume attached, I have compiled and codified a list of attributes, and carefully analyzed the characteristics necessary to extrapolate my purpose and penchant for the kind of work you articulated with extreme verbosity on your web site under the item, "Available Positions." That said, I ask your kind
permission to garner a private conference with you so I might bring to your attention...
At this point, if he gets that far, the employer will shred the letter as well as any thought of contacting you for an interview.
HOW TO COMBAT BIG BAD WORD-ITIS: Read your cover letter aloud. The moment you hear, feel, or say a word or phrase that twists your tongue and fogs your brain, take it out. Rewrite until the words and sentences roll off your tongue and you feel yourself smiling. Hey this sounds good! Display your passion for the position and clearly ASK for the job interview.
I'm rooting for you! Clear concise language is so rare in the business world today, that those who can master it will land the interview of their dreams--and the job that's behind it.
Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the new, "Amazing Cover Letter Creator." Jimmy has written several career-related books and his unique, "think-outside-the-job-search-box" approach, make his articles a job-seeker favorite. Jimmy is regularly published on some of the Internet's largest career web sites.
Who else wants their phone ringing off the hook with more quality job interviews? Visit Jimmy on the web right now at http://www.Amazing-Cover-Letters.com for your 'instant' cover letter today.
|
|
|
|
CAREER TOPICS
How to Become a Real Estate Agent
If you're wondering how to become a real estate agent, the basic process is fairly simple, although it does vary a lot from state to state..
Personality Testing; Myth and Realities
It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can measure your personality and predict your future behaviors. The pre-employment testing mechanism has been following this creed without any solid evidence.
How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Do you think that there is a big sign that reads, "Freelance Writing Jobs, Apply Within"? There just is not. In fact, you may have a hard time finding writing jobs of any type advertised in any employment magazine or newspaper either.
Making Sure You Get a Good Reference
You've had 3 interviews with a potential employer and they've asked you for references from your prior job. The problem is that you didn't leave on the best of terms and now you're a bit worried about the kind of reference they'll give.
Power Resumes - Writing Your Objectives
A powerful resume starts with a good statement of objective. This is the headline of your advertisement promoting yourself.
Telecommuting Cover Letters
Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar cover letter and resume.Okay, so let's get into the meat of this.
The Night Worker
In the process of musing about our perennially awake world for my Social Psych blog, I started to think about our present work world and how its operations have changed the lives of millions of workers.I manage a 24/7 emergency crew (mental health).
Work In Dubai
Dubai is home to an exciting, diverse, multi-cultural blend of young, dynamic and professional people all enjoying the unrivalled quality of life the Emirate has to offer. It is of absolutely no surprise therefore that Dubai has the fastest growing population in the world.
How to Make More Job Contacts Faster, through Viral Marketing
Are you in the job market? Sick of every blog-byte cramming down your throat that you have to get out there and network? Feel like your traditional networking efforts have turned into a self-destructive waste of time? Online Social Networking (OSN), a form of viral marketing, is a better way to hook up to opportunity. Done right, it'll do wonders for your self-esteem and warp-speed your contact development.
Change Your Career, Change Your Life
Change Your Career,Change your Life!Lots of times I see and talk to people who
are tired, bored and burnt out of their current
jobs. I'm not sure what causes this dis-
satisfaction.
Resumes Arent Important - They are Everything When it Comes to Getting an Interview
Employers and recruiters receive hundreds of resumes for every position they are trying to fill. To select their shortlist of candidates to interview, they look for the most common resume mistakes most applicants make and eliminate them first.
Job Interviews -- The Four Worst Objections You'll Face and How to Deal with Them
Dealing with tough questions and objections is an essential part of job interviews. Here are four common ones that derail many candidates.
Building Your Army of Supporters: How to Build Strategic Relationships in the Work Place!
Once you have accomplished your task of getting in the door and getting the job the real job of career advancement begins!You will soon learn (if you haven't already elsewhere) that corporate politics are ALWAYS surrounding you. If it is not your boss who is fearful of you taking his job it is your co-worker who wants to ensure that they are seen "better" than you when promotion time comes calling.
Success at Work : People Skills : Networking
Getting along with your co-workers is critical to yourhappiness and success at work. You may find yourselfspending more time with your co-workers than with yourspouse and family.
Is Your Resume Doing ITS Job?
Is it opening doors to new opportunities? Does it compel the reader to think, "Hey! This applicant can ?put that one on top of the 'call in for an interview' pile!" Does it showcase what you have accomplished for past employers as well as what you can accomplish for the potential employer?Your resume is your personal marketing tool that must immediately convey to the reader that you CAN and WILL be a positive driving force to further their organization's mission. They have a need to QUICKLY get thru all the resumes received in response to their job posting so you've got to QUICKLY grab their attention.
How To Prepare For A Telephone Interview
It is important to prepare thoroughly for your telephone interview.Begin by studying the job description and the candidate profile.
Independent RN Contractors Are Taking The Nursing Profession
Nurses wake up and take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity. Are you tired of having no input in your career, little money in the bank, lack of respect for your profession and little compensation for the long hours and years of dedication? Independent RN Contractor is a great way to renew your interest and rejuvenate your nursing career.
Resume Writing - Importance of a Professional Summary
The Summary is the preview of your entire resume. This may be be the only part that an interviewer or employer might read for shortlisting your resume.
Death By Workers Compensation
Excerpt of Death By Workers' Compensation"The Bleeding Rose"In this Excerpt the time that has lapsed is over an hour after the accident. What you are about to read will sicken you and make you wonder why no charges were ever pressed and why this man was not arrested for his part in destroying another person's life, let alone possibly destroying a unborn child's.
How to Write a Resume That Stands Out From The Crowd
Today's job market is competitive. Many companies receive hundreds of resumes a year, making it difficult for yours to stand out from the crowd.
|
