Cover Letters That WIN In 2016

As we settle into the New Year, it is once again, time to set priorities. How about putting "Write a brand new cover letter" at the top of your list?

Decorate Your Cover Letter With Sincerity

What does it take to create cover letters that sparkle with warm words and practical information? Four simple (and sincere) ingredients that you can master with a little time and thought.

1.      A friendly greeting. 

Dear Ms. Manager:

I was excited to read your ad for a qualified person to fill the position of sales executive at the XYZ Corporation. I felt you were writing to me personally, since I've had seven years of product sales experience and have directed… which resulted in increased revenue for my previous employer…

2.      A specific point.

In fact, all of the tasks I performed as product sales manager of ABC Company have prepared me for what I consider the next level--sales executive. I am ready and eager to assume the full responsibilities of this position. I'm known for my ability to pull team members together, to lead and accomplish goals with them, and to intervene in a crisis with a level head.

     3.   A practical goal.

My objective for the next year is to encourage my peers and subordinates and to increase the company revenue through cost cutting and savings. Customer service and harmonious employee relations are also among my top goals day-to-day.

4.       A future plan.

May we meet to discuss this job? I'd welcome the opportunity to hear your expectations for the man or woman you hire and to provide you with examples of why I believe I'm the person to fill the position. Please call me at 111-123-4567 at your earliest convenience.

Raise Your Glass To A Great New Year And A Great New Job

Complete your cover letter and then take an honest look at it. Does it include the four elements listed above? Does it sound friendly yet professional? Does it reflect you at your best? If your answer to any of these questions is 'no' then go back and rework that section until it feels just right. Keep in mind the most important action to take is to be yourself.

Then raise your glass to the New Year--the year that will lead you to new employment and new opportunities--the result of a great cover letter that presents your unique self.

Happy New Year and happy job hunting!

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Author: Jimmy Sweeney - President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator.

6 "KEYS" To Job Interview Success In The New Year

A new job in the New Year. Wouldn't that be wonderful? You may be nodding your head. Read on to find out how to ring in 2016 with a first class interview. The keys below will help you unlock the door to your next job interview.

Key #1:  Turn off negative thoughts. Look at yourself in a mirror and affirm what you see and know. You are a capable and experienced person who can talk clearly and with confidence.

Key #2:  Practice with a friend what you want to say and do during the interview. Such an exercise is a good way to shake off worries and to make changes before the big day.

Key #3:  Remember that fear is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real. Some apprehension is perfectly normal. It means you are eager to do your best and you're taking the interview seriously.

Key #4: Avoid drinking or smoking before your appointment. Raising a glass or two during the holiday season may be fun at a party but not before an interview.

Key #5: Put off vigorous exercise for another day or when the interview is over. You'll want to be alert and attentive as you listen to the interviewer's questions and to your own responses.

Key #6: Stick to the point. Talk about what is relevant to the interview––your work experience, job qualifications, and your goals for supporting the company and increasing revenue and so on. Avoid talking about their family and friends, hobbies and health. If you are asked questions about such matters, of course answer honestly, but briefly. Too much unrelated information can ruin your chances.

Before the interview, slip these 'keys' onto your keychain, review them, and use them. Watch how they will unlock the door to a first class interview for the job you desire.

Happy New Year!

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Author: Jimmy Sweeney is president of CareerJimmy and creator of the brand new, "Job Interview Secret Document." 

7 Things You Should Never Say in Your Cover Letter

1.   "I’m a hard worker."

2.  Personal life stories.

3.  Salary expectations.

4.  Why you’re looking to leave your current employer.

5.  "I really need this job"

6.  "I don’t have any experience"

7.  "I’ll accept any job with your company."

Show RESULTS in Your Resume!

Hiring managers whip through most resumes that land on their desks. Why do they process them so quickly? Because much of what they see is so boring. Same old thing day after day. Job seekers jump on the Internet, pick a sample that seems good enough and then they swap out their information for what they've read.

That is one way to write a resume. But it's totally ineffective. In today's highly competitive job market it takes more than 'good enough.' It takes extraordinary. It takes that extra step that will separate you from the pack.

One way to do that is to draw the employer's attention to the results you've accomplished and produced during your work life. Avoid generalizations like this:

• ·         encouraged team players
• ·         took responsibilities seriously
• ·         led sales team to victory
• ·         met all assigned deadlines

Those attributes deserve a pat on the back but that's about all. Hiring managers want to know what they mean. So you must be specific in your use of language. Compare the list above to the one below and decide which one you'd be interested in if you were the employer trying to fill an opening at your company.

• ·         taught and modeled efficiency and effective work habits during a team training
• ·         took responsibility for cutting production costs by 10% beyond the stated monthly budget and achieved that goal
• ·         rallied sales team to increase department revenue by 20% in the first quarter
• ·         exceeded all assigned deadlines by two weeks, providing time for corrections and revisions

Now imagine yourself as the corporate rep who has been told to interview and hire someone who can join the company and assume immediate responsibility for putting the sales department on solid footing within six months. You know that if you don't pull this off your head will roll!

Meanwhile, you have hundreds of resumes piling up on your desk and you have to read them all if you're going to find the right person for the job. So you tackle the first 25, hoping to find a jewel in the stack before the day is over. Suddenly there it is--the resume that shouts "Read me and be surprised."

What attracts you? The clear, direct, and specific statements that have to do with results achieved, instead of a bland list of nice qualities about the job seeker.

So when you are ready to create a resume that will 'sell,' think about results--the actions you took that led to something concrete that benefitted the company in a real way, that increased revenue, breakthroughs in the industry, cost-cutting, and techniques and ideas that made a real difference. Then show how you can transfer those skills to the new job you hope to win.
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Author: Jimmy Sweeney - originator of the brand new, Amazing Resume Creator