Ace the Phone Interview!

You have successfully managed selling yourself to the point you got the phone call from your potential employer.  Now comes the initial telephone interview.
Do NOT make the mistake of failing to prepare for your telephone interview!  Here are six important things to consider to ACE that phone interview.

1. Study up a bit on the company that you're seeking employment with.  Be familiar with their history.  It will show them that you're as interested in them as they may be in you!
2. Schedule the interview at a time when you will have no distractions. If you appear distracted over the phone, it may send the message that you really don't want the job.
3. If the interview will be to a cell phone, make SURE that you are in an area when the cell signal will be strong.  The LAST thing you want is to be dropping this call!
4. Stand.  And better yet, stand in front of a mirror.  You will conduct yourself more professionally if you can see yourself as you answer questions being asked. If you aren't acting confidently, you will see it and can tweak your behavior as you go.
5. Don't interrupt!  Allow the person conducting the telephone interview to do the talking.  Make sure they are finished talking before you answer their question. Then ask them..."Did I answer your question?"
6. Jot out a hand-written note after the interview is completed.  And also send a follow-up email.  One is fast and one few people ever do...doing both will make you stand out from your competition.

P.S.  For more tips like this check out http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

Job Interview Etiquette? sure...go sloppy = go home.

Blame!  Don't do it.  Therefore...prepare!  Here's what I'm talking about.

Let's say you are scheduled for an interview with ABC Company at 1:00pm.  Let's assume then that this is the hiring manager's first interview scheduled after lunch.  Which means...you're going in for an interview when he/she is fresh.  Fresh off a break.

But whatever you do, DON'T go into the interview without first taking note of your personal presentation...of your personal appearance.  Beware of lunch splooge on your shirt or blouse!

Nope.  You cannot blame this on the burger.  Blame yourself if you don't get the job because you didn't care enough to truly prepare for this interview and paid no attention to the big stain on your shirt.  Hiring managers are looking for REASONS to hire you.  Don't give them such a simple reason not to hire you as you didn't pay attention to detail and were wearing your lunch into your interview.

Be strong!  You can DO this!

P.S.  For more tips like this check out http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

Preparing for Job Interview

It's face time you're really after, because if you can get in front of the person doing the hiring that's HALF the battle!  But first you have to write a resume that will get you an interview to give you that chance.  You have to sell yourself enough to cause the hiring manager to give you a call.  And THEN don't forget that you have to sell yourself on that first phone call too!  And THEN you have to sell yourself in the interview.
Sure, sure your work experience many times will do much of the selling for you.  But in today's job market it helps to have as much of as edge as you can get!
Click on this link to download a FREE 25 page pdf packed FULL of helpful tips on how to prepare for and ace that job interview!

P.S.  For more tips like this check out http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

What Really Matters When Writing a Resume

Details, details, details!  Pay attention to the details!

The very last thing you want is to overlook the spelling of a simple word.  Hiring managers will be quick to toss your resume when it comes to these details because they know that if you don't take your own resume seriously, why should they?

According to Jimmy Sweeney's Top Ten Secrets of an Amazing Resume, "You can be assured a well-written resume—that goes to the heart of what the hiring manager is seeking in a candidate—will attract attention and result in that special phone call or e-mail that says, “I liked your clear and precise resume. Let’s meet for an interview.”

To learn more about what really matters when writing a resume check out this 25 page pdf that spells it all out for you.  Save yourself the agony of having to discover this information by haphazardly sending off a resume that gets tossed in the trash.

P.S. see also http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

Put pep in your step!

Let's face something.  First impressions are EVERYTHING!  And if you have been without work for any length of time...fear may have start to set in...followed by a whole list of negative emotions.
But never EVER let your interview reflect this!

Here's a few simple steps to put you in the right state-of-mind before your next interview:

1. On the drive to your interview...listen to music that will put that PEP in your step!  (Why do you think that during any sporting events warm-up period there's peppy music playing?)
2. Dress the part!  Business attire means YOU mean business!
3. From the MOMENT you step into the presence of the person who is conducting your interview, make eye contact with them.  Shake their hand firmly and thank them for their time.  Confidence is a very attractive trait.
4. SMILE!  ...and maintain good posture.  Exude confidence with your body language.  ACT like you WANT the job!

Now get out there and go DO it!  These four things will get you on your way to turning a corner in 2012.

Welcome to your new career!

P.S.  For more tips like this check out http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

Light at the end of the Struggle and the 10 minute Cover Letter.

I sat down yesterday to write my own cover letter.  And with the help of THIS resource (Top 10 secrets to an Amazing Cover Letter) I was well on my way! 
It can be a daunting task to write a cover letter if you've never written one before or to individually customize each one for the companies that you are seeking an interview with.
But I wanted to see for myself just how the above resource really helped in the process and OH MY GOODNESS!  It made quick work for me.
Here's what I did:
First I used the web to find out the name of the person I was going to be sending my cover letter and resume to.  Monster.com listed only an email address to whom I was to send my information so I just did a google search using that email address.  Low-and-behold I found a directory with that same email address included listing company information and the name of the person to whom I needed to send this info.
Secondly, I created my cover letter headline. (centered of course just above the greeting in the letter)
Thirdly, I wrote the content of the letter keeping it to three paragraphs.
Fourthly, I asked for an interview similar to this, "I am excited about the possibility of a personal interview at your earliest convenience to further discuss my credentials with you. I can be reached at 555-555-5555."And then finally, I added a P.S. (postscript) at the end reiterating the "CALL ME for an Interview".  Just like this one, "P.S. I realize all I can ask for is the opportunity to be interviewed for the {insert job opening title here}. I would love that chance. Again, I can be reached directly at 555-555-5555 to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you!"

You gotta try this method!  It's so very simple even a caveman could do it! 

Want more 9 more cover letter writing, time saving tips?
visit www.whatisacoverletter-help.com and enter your email address to receive the entire 25 page .pdf that includes 9 more tips just as powerful as the one above!

...so I went to the source...8 FAB tips for WOWING!

If you're like me...you want to know what an employer is looking for...straight from the horses mouth.  I was thinking about this the other day and decided to put a phone call in to a friend of mine, Kathryn Payne, who is the Middle Tennessee Market Recruiter for the nation's largest Verizon Wireless premium retailer, Cellular Sales. With over 475 stores and 3,500 sales associates in only 18 years, Cellular Sales continues to impress with its company growth.  So naturally they conduct interviews with potential sales associates every day!

Here's a little Q&A with Kathryn about what will get someone's foot in the door at Cellular Sales versus what will cause her to deep-6 a resume.  (These principles apply to nearly ANY potential employer because the process is exactly the same!)

Q: "Are cover letters something you look for to accompany a resume?"

Kathryn: "I LOVE cover letters!  And I especially LOVE cover letters when it reveals something that I don't see on the resume."

Q: "Does who the cover letter is addressed to make any difference to you?"

Kathryn: "No, not really.  But what does make a VERY big impression with me is spelling and grammar.  Spelling and grammatical errors says to me that they don't take this seriously, that they don't care enough to pay attention to detail.  If they don't take the simple things like spelling seriously, then they aren't going to take this job seriously either."

Q: "What tips do you have regarding what to include in a resume?"

Kathryn: "(Longevity) I look for longevity with past employers.  Be sure to include how long you worked for your past employers and explain any gaps.  If there are big gaps I want to know why?  Maternity leave?  Relocation?. (Layout/Format) Make it easy to read.  Less is more.  Space between lines.  Format each category the same way.  Ask someone to proof read it for you before you submit it.  (Company Research) Nearly every company today has a website.  Research a little bit before you apply.  Don't just blindly submit a resume and not know anything about the company.  It's just too easy to not do these things."

Q: "In today's job market many people are switching careers.  How do you look at resumes for potential wireless associates who have no previous wireless experience?"

Kathryn: "People aren't always experienced in the job they are seeking to be employed.  That's totally ok with me, but I want you to tell me what you ARE good at.  Include bullet points that describe what your duties were, what you accomplished in areas you have worked."

Q: "What are some do's and don't do's regarding a potential associates first interview?"

Kathryn: "Be on time!  Dress like you're interviewing for a CEO position. Shirt, tie, pant-suit, skirt, jacket.  That's HUGE!  No wrinkled shirts, close shaven, etc.  And the greeting handshake is very important.  Shake my hand like you mean it.  Greet me!  Thank me for my time."

All of the above are simple little steps that pack a punch with any potential employer!  So let's recap some of these:

• Proof your cover letter and resume for spelling and grammatical errors.  If you know this is a weakness of yours then find a friend to help you.
• Explain employment gaps on your resume. 
• Put your resume in a format that's easy to read, quick to look at and consistently written.
• Research the company you're applying to work for.  Nearly every company has a website with an "about us" page.  Read it!
• If you have little or no experience for what you are applying, be sure to include what you ARE good at.
• Got an interview appointment? BE ON TIME!!!
• Dress for success!  Dress like you WANT to work for this company.  Appearance is everything!
• Use a firm handshake upon the initial introduction to your interviewer and thank them for their time!

Now get out there and WOW em!

Want more 9 more cover letter writing, time saving tips?
visit www.whatisacoverletter-help.com and enter your email address to receive the entire 25 page .pdf that includes 10 more tips just as powerful as those listed above!