Archive for the ‘Job Search’ Category

Three Simple Job Interview Tips That Work!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new, Job Interview “Secret”

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Today it’s more challenging than ever to land a great job. It’s possible you’ll have to go through several interviews before you find the position you’re looking for. You might feel a knot in your stomach, your pulse rate jump, and your hands suddenly perspire as you anticipate the interview. In fact, if you’re prone to sweaty palms…

Job Interview Tip #1: Sprinkle some talcum powder in your pocket ahead of time and massage a little onto your palms before shaking hands with those you meet.

Job Interview Tip #2: Break the Barrier with a Sincere Smile

Jonathan, a professional sales and marketing consultant shared with a friend recently that in this job-search climate he’s always on the lookout for such useful tips. Besides a warm, dry hand he claims a sincere and optimistic attitude, a smile, and looking the person in the eye, go a long way to break down initial barriers. Being friendly and forthright helps one relax and puts the hiring managers on your side.

You may even want to go a step further. Find out at least one unique detail about the person who will be interviewing you. For example, one job seeker learned that a woman hiring manager was crazy about cats. He mentioned his own cat in the discussion about the job. Her eyes lit up. They had something in common besides the opening in the company. Another job seeker discovered the man who contacted him for an interview was an opera buff. During a question and answer session, the job seeker mentioned how he liked to relax on a Friday night after work by attending the opera and even suggested the company purchase a block of tickets and sell to employees at a discount. This idea sparked an interesting discussion of how to provide cultural experiences for employees.

Job Interview Tip #3: You Can Be Personal AND Professional

Looking to add some sort of personal touch to each interview is bound to engage at least one or two hiring managers and could make the difference between being overlooked and being hired. Here’s an example of how to move the conversation in this direction. Take the lead. “I noticed in your company brochure that you take good care of your employees and as a result they have a high level of loyalty to your organization. In my last job I was in charge of the annual sales meeting one summer at a resort with an Olympic-sized swimming pool. I suggested we hold our session poolside. We then invited attendees to stay afterward for a swim and drinks on the company. We even provided bathing suits in assorted sizes for those who didn’t bring theirs. Employees talked about this event for months afterward.”

A conversation-starter such as this will provide so much more information and insight about you, your creativity, personality, and client relations than stock answers to typical interview questions. So make a plan now to be friendly, be confident, be creative, and spark the discussion with personal details that draw in the hiring manager.

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BONUS Job Interview Tip #4: Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new “Secret Career Document” job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

Visit our friends at Job Interview “Secret” and discover Jimmy Sweeney’s breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair… DURING your next job interview.

“Season” Your Cover Letter With A Great Quote!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

Author of the brand new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator

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Have you ever heard or read a quotation you just had to share with someone? How about one of these?

“Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” Norman Vincent Peale

“Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.” David McCullough

“Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone.” Unknown Author

Each one provides good advice as well as inspiration. Consider including an appropriate quotation in your cover letter.
It will pack a punch, give the hiring manager something fresh and motivating to read, and elevate you in his or her mind. Cover letters that offer more than simply a list of job skills, will rise to the top of the pile. Managers will notice such a person and want to call you in for an interview.

How to weave a great quotation into your letter.

Suppose you are applying for a position as a sales manager
for a book publishing firm. You thank the hiring manager for the opportunity to introduce yourself, let him or her know where you found out about the opening and the good things you read or heard about the company, why you believe you’re a good fit for the position, and of course something about your previous employment. Add a sentence that asks the employer to look at your enclosed resume for further details. Next, start a new paragraph with a snappy, insightful quotation.

Example: “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.” (Albert Einstein)

Then add a sentence showing how you will do just that—set an example for the people you manage. Example: You can count on me to live these inspiring words. I know the importance of influencing people for good and that is what I want to be known for. I’d welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person so you can judge for yourself.

When it comes to cover letters, it is essential to make a strong, first impression. You can do that with a great quote from someone known and respected in the field you are aspiring to.

Imagine the results you’ll experience in your job search when your cover letter includes not only details about your abilities but also insight into who you are as a person? A prospective employer will actually be excited to meet you, to discuss the job, and to hand it over to you!  Potential employees who show creativity and color in their communication are a gift to any company.

So, include a strong, inspirational quotation to your next cover letter and then get ready for the phone to ring!

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Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of
the brand new, “Amazing Cover Letter Creator.” Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

Visit our friends at Amazing Cover Letters for your “instant” cover letter today. “In just 3½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!”

Resume Gaps: Your “Bridge” to Nowhere?

Friday, February 27th, 2009

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

Author of the brand new, Amazing Resume Creator

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If you have one or more gaps in your resume, it’s a good idea to build a bridge from one experience to the next-not with fibs or lies but with the truth.

For example, suppose you worked as an administrative assistant from 2002-2008.

But from 1999 till 2002 you were unemployed because you were ill or had a baby or took time off to help your spouse launch a business. Whatever your reason, you may wonder what to put on the resume so the gap won’t work against you.

Here’s what you can do:

List the actions you took during your ‘employment break’ right along with your work experiences. This approach will actually work in your favor because it will show you as a well-rounded person who uses your time productively and in some cases unselfishly-especially if you helped a family member or volunteered for a needy cause. By speaking honestly, you also show your integrity. You’ll build a trustworthy image and assure the hiring manager you’re someone who is balanced and compassionate.

Here’s an example of some bridge builders:

1998-2001

Real Estate Office Manager, ABC Real Estate Company, Oakbrook, IL

2001-2005

Stayed home to take care of aging parent. Did some free-lance real estate work, as time permitted.

OR

1998-2001

Executive Assistant, Liberty Manufacturing, Inc., Austin, TX

2001-2002

Volunteered for Senator Paul Gladstone’s re-election campaign and finished work on Master’s Degree in Business Management.

When it comes to your resume, bridge the work gap with the truth and watch it take you over to the other side-back into the work force.

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Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, “Amazing Resume Creator.” Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

Visit our friends at Amazing Resume Creator for your “instant” resume today. In just 10 minutes flat you can UPDATE or CREATE a resume guaranteed to land you more hot job interviews next week.

Cover Letter Tip: “Thank You” Magic

Friday, February 27th, 2009

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new,

Amazing Cover Letter Creator

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The holiday decorations are down. The carolers have put away their songbooks. A new calendar page awaits your comments and appointments and to-do list. It’s also time to say thank you to everyone who sent you a gift or a card or a cheery e-mail.

It’s also an ideal time to spread your appreciation to your business pursuits and contacts. As you write your cover letter to prospective employers, be sure to tuck in a few words of gratitude for the opportunity to introduce yourself and your skills, even as you ask for an interview for the job you want.

“Gratitude is the rosemary of the heart,”

according to 19th century American writer, Minna Antrim.

Keep in mind that the hiring manager has no obligation to respond to your cover letter. But if you sprinkle your letter with a bit of ‘rosemary’ he or she won’t be able to resist contacting you. Why? Because you will be among the very few who are more concerned with gratitude than greed. You will display your good heart and your interest in others, not just yourself. This small addition to any cover letter will put you in a class by yourself and it will be a signal that you are someone who would be a welcome addition to the company staff.

Some Ways to Say ‘Thank you’ Within Your Cover Letter

Use clear and simple language in your cover letter to convey your appreciation while at the same time displaying your talent and skills for the job you are interested in.

1. Thank you for taking a moment to consider my cover letter and resume. I appreciate how busy you are.

2. I appreciate the time you give to prospective employees such as me. I do not take it for granted.

3. I welcome a chance to talk with you about my skills and your expectations. Thank you for this opportunity to hear about your company and to share how I might fit into your plans.

4. I appreciate the job application guidelines you provided online. I’d like very much the opportunity to express my thanks in person for making it easy to introduce myself and my background and to find out how I can contribute to your company.

Avoid gushing or being sentimental. Focus on clarity and sincerity. You have what it takes to land the job you want. Make gratitude a high priority and you will succeed.

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Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator. Jimmy is also the author of several career-related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job-Search Secrets.”

Visit Jimmy on the web at Amazing Cover Letters.com for your ‘instant’ cover letter today. In just 3 ½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!