How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter for Any Job

Most job seekers seem to take for granted the impact of a well-written cover letter, thinking they are better off copying templates from websites. But the fact of the matter remains that a cover letter is not a mere “blanket” document, and a well-crafted one makes a great deal of difference to the outcome of your job search.

The cover letter’s main purpose is to catch an employer’s interest and entice him to read through your resume and call you for an interview. In fact, some employers even decide to hire a person only because they liked the cover letter. Here are tried and tested tips on how you could write the perfect cover letter for any job:

1) Make the opening line memorable

The problem with most job seekers is that their opening sentences are cliché. Statements like–“Please accept my application to the job you posted” or “This is a reply to the position you advertised” are just common. They won’t catch the employer’s attention. The point is, your cover letter must stand out. It is your sales pitch sans the pushy or needy tone.

Take this for example: “With 6 years of goal-oriented experience in providing quality nursing care in a medical-surgical ward setting, I am offering…” The thing about this opening line is that it already addresses the need of the employer. It goes straight to the point and goes clear with its purpose: you are applying for the position.

2) Don’t make the letter a narrative of your resume

If you do, it would just become your resume in the form of prose. Since the information is already redundant, the employer would skip reading your letter and proceed with the resume, since it presents your credentials more clearly. A very long cover letter would be harder to read and time-wasting. What you should include in the letter is information that could provide additional insight on your application.

3) Express genuine interest

Aside from giving the employer an idea of who you are and the skills that you possess, the cover letter must also express your genuine interest in their business and the particular role you’re trying to take. Expressing your interest also helps in making you stand out among other candidates, thus you must have a clear understanding of the operations of the business of your employer, and how you could contribute to it. However, you should also not overdo how you express your interest. Avoid flowery phrases and too much superlatives; some employers get turned off by them.

4) State the skills that you have for the position

Although it’s not necessary to mention all of your credentials, you have to put forward the skills that make you the perfect fit for the job. State how your capabilities could meet the company’s needs and expectations. It would also help if you could describe how the skills made a difference to the previous companies you have worked with.

Here’s an example: “As current media buyer in this advertising agency, I was responsible for communicating with TV and radio networks in all 31 designated market areas and purchasing primetime TV and radio advertising inventory for our clients. Due to my expert handling of media buys, I was able to…” This example not only provides detail on how the applicant utilizes specific skills for the job, but it also shows the result of her tasks. Letting the employer know about some details of your previous job will give him enough insight and will interest him to look at your application more thoroughly.

5) Don’t use bullet points when you state your credentials

Bullets can shorten your resume, but a paragraph can help your employer gain insight on how you understand the job. Take a look at this nursing job application:

“Here are the skills that make me a perfect match to your job:

• Excellent and comprehensive assessment of client needs
• Setting SMART goals and objectives
• Evidence-based implementation of nursing care
• Evaluation of goal-based outcomes”

Instead of bulleting them, it could be expressed in a way that the skills are interconnected to a process:

“My key strength for the job is my expert application of the nursing process through excellent and comprehensive assessment of various needs of my clients. The data gathered allows me to formulate specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound goal outcomes and implement the nursing care plan through evidence-based practice. The set goal outcomes also serve as a basis for me to evaluate the care I rendered.”

6) State something positive about the company you’re applying to

You can express why you want to be part of their prestigious organization. You can state the company’s management philosophy, reputation, sales record, size, product, or any other factors that make the company impressive. This will let them know that you have high regard for them. A little flattery can work for you.

7) Keep it short and concise

A short cover letter works beautifully as long as the necessary elements are there. As previously mentioned, don’t make your letter a narrative of your resume. Keep in mind that the cover letter is not intended to explain everything about you; it just needs to attract the employer and let him take a close look at your application.

8) Close your letter in a professional manner

Although you express your interest in applying for the job, you don’t want the employer to get the impression that you’re desperate for the job. A great opening is required, but the right closing is equally important. In some cases, it’s the bad closing that defeats the applicant:

“Thank you very much for considering my application. I promise that you will only have the best from me once I get accepted for the job.”

“Thank you very much for considering me for the job. This application is very important to me, and it will definitely contribute to my personal development.”

Here’s an example of a good closing:

“I have attached my resume for your review. Thank you very much and I hope this merits your favorable response.”

9) Make your letter readable

Make sure you use readable fonts (fancy fonts such as freestyle won’t do you any good). Use clean, white, A4 sized paper. Leave adequate space around the edges of the page and between each section and paragraph. Don’t submit photocopied or marked letters– always keep it neat. Remember– even the physical appearance of the letter speaks for you.

While there’s no single template that can give a perfect cover letter, practicing would definitely help you in creating a cover letter that works perfectly for you. Make rough drafts first, so that you can have your thoughts organized. Have another person read your letter, and take note of comments. Finally, keep copies of all the cover letters you sent; they can be used as basis for improving your next cover letter.

reference:Ziprecruiter 

How to Keep Your Spirits Up During a Job Search

If you're having a difficult time finding a job, and it seems like it's taking forever, don't despair. Here are some suggestions for keeping your spirit positive:

Think Up
The mind is a powerful vessel. How we think and what we think can control our spirits. We literally can think ourselves up or down. To keep out the negative thoughts and self-doubt:

• Wake up thinking or saying positive statements.
• Avoid negative media, news, emails, and downer movies and television.
• End the day thinking or saying positive statements.
• Think about the positives a new job brings: new skills, new relationships, and a new chance to show your skills and talents.

Positive Reminders
Surround yourself with quotes or statements of hope and encouragement. Write your favorites on sticky notes on the refrigerator or computer -- somewhere you can easily see them. Two of my favorites are from Winston Churchill:

• "The pessimist sees problems in every opportunity...whereas the optimist sees opportunity in every problem."
• "Never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up..."

Take Steps
Literally. Move. Being a couch potato shows. Leave the house at least once a day. Exercise, jogging or walking will:

• Reenergize you.
• Help to clear the mental cobwebs.
• Prepare you to look your best for interviews.

Pamper Yourself with Kind Acts
How you treat yourself can impact your spirit.

• Play your favorite music softly in the background while you "work."
• Eat healthy without hugging the refrigerator. Now is not the time to bulk up.
• Sing -- regardless of quality. Singing happy songs will actually will help to stretch and relax your vocal chords while refreshing your spirit.
• Avoid being sloppy. Dress and groom yourself with respect -- for you.
• Treat yourself with affordable goodies such as a favorite food or beverage, an afternoon movie with popcorn, doing something touristy, or a mindless novel.

See Spirited People
Make sure you spend some time, preferably in person, with positive and supportive people every day.

• Surround yourself with yea-sayers and avoid the naysayers.
• Work your network.
• Call people rather than email or texting them -- it's more personal and supportive.
• If you're single and live alone, go to the library or a coffee shop to be around others.
• Help others in need. Get out of yourself from time to time.
• Spend quality time with your family and friends.

Keep at the Top of Your Game
Keeping your spirit up has a lot to do with how you feel about yourself. Don't let your skill set and knowledge slide.

• Keep up on industry news.
• Read trade journals and business magazines and newspapers.
• If possible, practice to improve your career skill set.

Now's the Time
Enjoy the positives of your job search, like having spare time. Remember all those times you said, "If I only had time, I'd..."

• Read those books.
• Clean that closet.
• Take that class.
• Get in better shape.

Do Your Best Work to Find Work
Knowing you're taking all the right steps to find a job will help improve your spirits.

• Write a perfect resume and cover letter for each job.
• Send X amount of resumes out each workday without fail.
• Keep up-to-date records of results.
• Keep accurate contact information on companies, executives and hiring agents.
• Have your interview clothes clean and ready to wear.
• Work at finding work every day.

Reference:

Article by  Pat Mayfield

How to Handle Voicemail for a Resume Follow-Up

When you phone a potential employer to follow up on your resume, you may be diverted to the manager's voicemail. If leaving a voicemail message becomes your only option, you should make the message count. This will help ensure that you'll get a chance at actually speaking to the contact.

Tips for dealing with voicemail

When you can’t break through voicemail, leave a short message showing upbeat interest, not desperation — and a time when you will call back.

My name is Maureen Fisher, and I’m calling you because I'm very interested in your Clinical Manager position, I have the skill set and clinical expertise to get the job done. I think you have my resume. If you like what you see, can we talk? I’ll call you tomorrow morning at 11:30 to set a convenient time.

Pronounce your name clearly and say your telephone number at a moderate pace. Give the hiring manager a chance to write it down without replaying the message.

How often should you call? Some job search experts suggest calling every five to ten days. But busy employers insist that — unless you’re in sales or another field requiring a demonstration of persistence — after you’re certain your resume was received, call one to two weeks later, and then no more than once every three to four weeks.

Following up by phone is your most effective tool, but you should, from time to time, substitute contacts by sending notes or e-mail with additional facts about your qualifications, ideas to solve a problem you know the company is facing, a news clipping of mutual interest, or just an expression of our continuing interest in working for the company and the manager. I would also recommend that you attempt to connect with a potential employer on Linkedin

Avoid asking the employer to call you back

Avoid asking that employers call you back. Even if you leave your contact information, the chances of your getting a return call are slim to none. Instead, leave a very brief message indicating that you'll call again at a specific time. You may have to make a dozen calls before connecting, each time again giving a time frame for your next call. The trick is to

·  Set a specific time and keep your word, which makes you look like a reliable person.

·  Use phrases that prevent the target from feeling “guilty” for missing your call after call. (“Please don’t feel bad about missing my call. Afternoons may be better for you”)

Find a hook (an enticing bit of information about your accomplishments) for each time you call back. In the following examples, the hook is in italics:

• Monday ( week 1): Sorry I missed you; I'll try again Wednesday afternoon. I'm hoping to meet and go into detail about my sales channel strategy, which could work very well for you.
• Wednesday ( week 2): Too bad we missed connecting today. I'll get back to you tomorrow to explain how I worked the lost-customer database and reclaimed 38 percent of them as paying customers. Until tomorrow, then . . .
• Thursday (week 3): You undoubtedly have your plate full, which is why you need to meet with me — I’m persistent and I follow through. I'll get back with you next week. I want to help

Tips:

•  Make sure you customize your messages specifically using key words that are related to the job you are interested in.
• Write your script out prior to dialing the number.

Related article: Professional Email Address and Voicemail Message 

Professional Email Address and Voicemail Message

Does your email address and voicemail message give the right impression to potential employers?

When applying to jobs, it's important to have a professional and appropriate email address and voicemail message for business use. It seems basic, but too often does the following occur: a job seeker applies to a job with an email address like babyguurrrl3548@wxyz.com or flyking@wxyz.com. Definitely a turn-off for potential employers.

Same goes for your voicemail message. If an employer calls you up and hears the message, "Reynolds Pizza, what's your order? KIDDING! It's Brett, leave it after the beep," chances are they'll hang up without leaving a message. An employer will consider a voicemail message like this unprofessional.

Instead, follow these rules for professional email addresses and voicemail messages:

Email address

• Create a new email address specifically for your job search. This is a good step regardless, so you don't mix up your personal and job search emails.
• If possible, include your name in your email address like firstname.lastname@xyz.com so the employer can find email correspondence from you easily.
• It’s acceptable to create an email address that corresponds to your industry or profession, such as SallySalesManager@xyz.com.
• Avoid unnecessarily complicated email addresses, especially those with long strings of numbers. Mistakes could easily be made while entering your email address, making it difficult for potential employers to contact you.

Voicemail message

• Include your name or phone number in the message, mention you’re unavailable to answer the phone. Then ask them to leave their name, number and message, and say you will get back to them as soon as possible.

Example: "Hi, this is Rachel. I’m unable to take your call now, but please leave your name, number and message after the tone and I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Thank you.”

• Speak clearly, and sound professional and polite when recording your greeting.
• Avoid background noise, musical or other “cute” messages, religious messages, joke messages, and profanity.

I highly recommend using  Google Voice or Youmail to simplify the way you use phones, make using voicemail as easy as email, customize your callers' experience, and more. My favorite part is that you can have your voicemail transcribed to your email or text message.

When you begin your job search, make sure your email address and voicemail message are simple and professional, rather than off the wall, inappropriate or bizarre. By doing so, you can ensure they will not harm your chances of being contacted by an employer. Paying attention to these small details can greatly improve your prospects of being hired.

Are you a recruiter or hiring manager who has come across an unprofessional email address or voicemail message? Do you have other tips for job seekers? Share in the comments below!

Reference: http://blog.simplyhired.com/