Take the pain out of applying

• Finding a job
• Resume preparation
• Writing your cover letter

Finding a job

Job hunting is a lot like climbing Mt Everest: The effort is in the journey but the pay off when you reach the top is fantastic! If you prepare, you can rest assured that the view will be amazing. Whether you’re just entering the job hunt, or a seasoned professional, it pays to plan.

• Have a strategy – You simply can’t fly blind when it comes to your career. Decide the job you want using a targeted search of industries and professions that best suit your interests and personality
• Look good on paper – It’s the person (i.e., the recruiter or hiring manager) who gets you the job, but it’s your application that gets you the interview. Prepare a professional looking resume and cover letter that can be emailed, printed and faxed, or mailed
• Practice makes perfect – Great actors don’t appear nervous on stage or film because they rehearse. Practice for the interview with a friend or family member to help you get comfortable answering questions about yourself. Don’t memorise answers as it can sound pre-planned in the interview
• Stand out in the crowd – collect business cards as you meet people, thank each person you meet individually or even send thank you letters, and don’t forget to proof read each and every communication you send, as typos even at this stage can cost you a job

Why hire me?
Recruiters and hiring managers get hundreds of e-mails from job seekers every day. When you’re looking for a job, no matter what form of communication you use, you only have 30 to 60 seconds to really grab someone’s attention. You need to get to the point: Why should they hire you?

• Old Fashioned approach – so much time is spent sending countless resumes via email. The old-fashioned personal call is the new way to go these days. Be sure to follow up each resume you have sent with a phone call to the hiring contact
• Be Confident – You need to feel confident that what you have to offer someone is important. Attitude is the key: Everything you say, and how you say it, should convey self-confidence. Make a list of things that you’ve done that set you apart from others and then be prepared to talk about them
• Be Persistent – Are you going to sit around and wait for a company to call you back?  Never give up too soon. The best time to call a potential contact is before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. – when assistants have gone home and hiring managers answer their phones

Where do I look?
There are many tips for finding out about job vacancies online and offline. Some you’ll already know, but there may be others you’ve not thought of.

• Newspapers – Many newspapers both local and national have job vacancy adverts, usually near the back under the classifieds section. The local paper that lands on your front lawn is a great source for jobs around your area
• Employment agencies - they recruit and fill vacancies on behalf of employers. Employers use agencies to save time and resources
• Contact employers directly – Use yellow pages or other business directories to get names and contact details for suitable employers
• Word of mouth – Networking is all about making the most of contacts. These could be work contacts of friends and family. Let everyone know what you’re looking for and watch the leads roll in.

Resume preparation

Any employer wants to know: “How can you solve my problem”? Your resume should sell your strengths and qualifications, and answer this question. A resume is your marketing tool, communicating your career objective and value to a hiring company. A strong resume is carefully planned and developed in an appropriate format designed to showcase your experience and accomplishments in direct relation to the job you are applying for.

You resume is the first contact with a prospective employer and you do not want it to be your last. Here are some tips for writing an effective resume:

• Don’t list your life history, employers are not interested. Be concise as they will not spend time reading reams of paper
• Accuracy counts : Get spelling, names and phone numbers right
• Be honest in order to build trust. There is no chance of a job interview without it
• First impressions count! Have a polished, professional look to your resume
• Review your work carefully. Have others review it. Does it say what you want to do?
• Emphasise achievements and relatable skills. They are more meaningful then a long list of job responsibilities

Basic formatting rules:

• Enlarge and bold your name at the top
• Use an Arial or Times New Roman font (or similar)
• Font size no smaller then 11pt or larger then 12pt, except for names and headings
• Avoid using “I, He, She, His, Her” in any sentence, and never list salaries
• Use pictures and graphics sparingly unless you are in the creative field
• Leave out personal data, photos, and unrelated hobbies
• Use volunteer and community activity if you have limited work experience
• Review, Review, and review again!

Writing your cover letter

Writing a cover letter may seem an unnecessary task at times however your cover letter may make the difference between obtaining a job interview and having your resume ignored. It should grab the employer’s attention and point out why you, above all applicants, should be contacted and called in for an interview.

The cover letter should:

• Be to the point and link your experience to the vacancy
• Be no more then two to three paragraphs long
• Compliment not duplicate your resume
• Be something you should send with all resumes

Here is an example of how to structure your cover letter:

First Paragraph: Usually 2 – 3 sentences which immediately inform the employer of the position you are applying for, how you heard about it, and why you are interested.

Second Paragraph:  This is the “why I am suited” paragraph. Choose 2 – 3 points you want to make about specific experiences, accomplishments, and personal qualities you have exhibited, and provide examples to back up your claims.

Final Paragraph: In 2 - 3 sentences, refer to the attached resume, request an interview, mention you will follow up on your application with a phone call, and thank the reader for their time and consideration.  Remember to follow up with a phone call.