Bring LIFE into the strategic planning processFace it - you didn't go into business for yourself to give up all semblance of the life of your dreams! You had a great idea and/ or wanted to be your own boss. But you quickly found that you were sacrificing many things in your life - your workouts, your family, your yard, your health! Yes, you need to work very hard to jump start that business, but with thoughtful planning, it doesn't have to run...more
Any good job hunter needs a resume package. The cover letter and resume always go together and do the same basic thing in slightly different ways. A job hunter without both of them will probably not get very far in the search for a good career position. With that in mind, let's take a look at what these crucial documents should do for you. The first part, the cover letter, is a short one page letter consisting of three or four paragraphs. It...more
Here's a tip for cover letters to get more interviews. Use a bulleted format cover letter rather than a standard letter in paragraphs. The bulleted format is more eye catching, and is more likely to be glanced at by the hiring manager or other person assigned to sort through resumes. This format will help you get your resume seen by more people and as a result get more interviews and more job offers.If you follow this advice and decide to use the bulleted format, make sure that each bullet point specifies a reason for the hiring manager to talk with you. This reason can be your number of years experience, your education, a personality trait that you have, or an accomplishment.Examples of bulleted points would be:- Over 20 years experience in Human Resource Management.Or - Outstanding work ethic. Lead by example.Or - Master of Science in Education. Currently enrolled in Doctorate program.Or - Saved last employer $30,000 in revenue through modernization of accounting system.Or - Increased sales by 25% last quarter.This bulleted format allows you to toot your own horn, but in a way that does not seem egotistical because it is obviously part of a resume package. Another tip...more
A thank you letter after you accept a job offer shows good taste, gratitude, and in general shows a new employer that they made a wise decision in hiring you. Most new hires do not write one, so if you are one of the smart few people who do, your relationship with your new employer will get off to a great start.When you write this type of letter,...more
The exit interview is not a time to burn bridges with your old company. It has become a very common ritual throughout corporate America, and the idea behind it is to find out from departing staff members, when they no longer have to worry about protecting jobs, exactly what things at the company can be improved upon. The interview is deigned to...more
What are good questions to ask during an interview is a good question in itself, and one that always comes up when a conscientious person is preparing for a big job interview. The fact that a person even wonders that sets them apart from the crowd of applicants and means that he or she is a proactive individual, intent on making a good impression and proper presentation of skills and experience.The best question to ask, according to many human resource management professionals, is "what can I do to benefit the company?" This question shows a good, positive attitude and will lead the HR manager to think of you as a go getter and team player and the type of individual the company needs.The worst question to ask would be anything that makes you, as an applicant, appear to be selfish or self centered. A bad interview question would be a question related to vacation, pay or raises too early in the interview. It is best to first establish that there could be a good ongoing professional relationship between you as an employee and the company as an employer before getting into the details. Of course vacation, raises and starting pay are important to you, and the answers will come in...more
Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a mental exercise, and something that is easy to prepare for. It is the second impression that you will make on a hiring decision maker - the first impression was obviously made for you by your...more
A sample letter to use as a guide when preparing your follow up letters can assist your job search, save you time, and make you look very professional. Take a look at the following, and use it as a guide when preparing your own follow up...more
A sample thank you letter that you use after an interview, as a guideline or template, will save you a lot of time when preparing this type of correspondence. Since you'll prepare it before the job interview when you are not nervous and have a clear...more
A sample job acceptance letter should be kept on the computer of job seekers to be customized for a new situation and used when it is needed. A job seeker should also know how to use it, and when to use it. With that in mind, a sample letter...more
The thank you letter for a second interview is a must for serious job seekers. If you've made it as far as a second interview, then you are right on the edge and are one of the serious candidates ready to be offered the position. When you're in...more
Every word that comes from your company -- whether it is on a piece of paper, on a computer screen or written across the sky, for that matter -- carries with it your reputation and your customers' (or potential customers') perception of who you are...more