Be the next to follow.
The last time you applied to a company did you also make sure to include a cover letter?
A well-written cover letter gives you a chance to sell yourself to the employer in a conversational style manner and most importantly explains why you are the ideal candidate!
Plus, by writing a cover letter you will make it clear that you truly want the job because you took the extra steps than just submitting a resume.
Now let’s help you write one!
-1- Address the beginning of the letter to a name and include a "Mr." or "Ms" before it. Avoid the bland "Dear Hiring Manager" or "To Whom It May Concern." Make it personal! Do a little searching and find the name of the person you will be sending this to.
-2- In the first paragraph provide a brief idea of who you are and tell the employer how you have learned about the opportunity. The opening paragraph should answer the following questions:
-Who are you? -Where does your expertise lie? -How did you learn about the position? -Why do you want to apply?
-3- The second paragraph is about what you bring to the table and why they should they choose you. Tell them why he/she should be interested in you! Do this by highlighting a few valuable points from your resume that match the job description. Ask yourself, what is it about your previous job experience skills and abilities that will meet the company's needs and make you a good fit? Make it unique to that company so do your research!
-4- Wrap it up with a call to action. What would you like to happen next? For example, you could say, "I have attached my resume for your consideration. I look forward to an opportunity to meet with you in person and discuss how my skills could contribute to the company's success."
-5- Close with a simple thank you at the end and then add your name.
Thank you,
(Your name)
-6- Be sure your contact information is on the cover letter as well. This should be at the top right of the page and include your name, email, and phone number. Essentially it is the same contact info that is on your resume!
Avoid sending the same cover letter to every company. They will know and your application won't be taken seriously. Always put your best foot forward.
If YOU are worth their time then make them worth yours!
Questions? Comment for some help! : )
Check out these tips to help you feel prepared, confident, and land the job after your next interview!
1- Are you dressed to impress? Check out this [great post] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/60d77b2f-6640-5331-8816-dca310ec58bf?from=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.jobcase.com%252Fcommunity) on what to wear during your next interview! Make sure to lay your clean clothes out the night before and check for wrinkles.
2- What to bring? Write down 3-5 questions you want to ask the employer during the interview in a notebook and pack it with your things, along with a few copies of your resume (just in case). Not sure what to ask? Check [these] (https://www.themuse.com/advice/51-interview-questions-you-should-be-asking) 50 questions out! Want to know more about the job’s culture? Then [these] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/d98a6946-b042-5278-8899-45b1326fd186) are the questions for you!
3- What will you say? Use these [conversation starters tricks] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6d46f61d-c53b-5ec5-9d7c-69cc61713f6a) to help you break the ice and fight those potentially awkward silent moments.
4- Did you do your research? Make sure you spend a little time going on the company’s website. Find the specifics of the position you are applying to. Make a list of the skills, knowledge, and professional and personal qualities that are required by the employer and those that are critical for success in the job. Then make another and list all of YOUR qualifications. Draw a line connecting the two that match up. Make it a point to casually highlight these things during the interview. Prove that you are a great fit for them! Also, be sure to check out the company’s mission and anything important about them make a note of it. This will help you prepare to answer interview questions about the company should they come up.
5- Did you practice? A few days before, make sure to practice answering some interview questions [such as these] (https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-answer-the-31-most-common-interview-questions). This will help give you a chance to prepare and practice answering, and will also help boost your confidence.
What helps you prep for an interview?
The Cincinnati job fair is COMING up on Tuesday, September 17th from 1-4!
OPEN TO ALL JOB SEEKERS : ) stop by and meet with over 50 local employers!
Hosted at the Cintas Center 1624 Herald Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45207
If you haven’t already, be sure to [register HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/cw-job-fair) so you have the chance to meet and interview with some GREAT companies like Amazon, Coca Cola, Kroger and more.
Here are some tips to help you begin preparing for the fair:
Start thinking about clothing Check out some tips on what to wear [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/60d77b2f-6640-5331-8816-dca310ec58bf?from=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.jobcase.com%252Fcommunity).
Update and print those resumes Update your resume with all of your most relevant work experiences and skills. Then be sure to print and get ready to pack at least 50 copies and place them in a folder, or notebook and then tuck them away in a bag. Place them somewhere your resumes will be easily accessible the day of the fair when an employer requests a copy. This way you don't have to go digging for it! Don’t have a printer? No problem, check out some great advice [HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/4d3535bd-34ee-5eb3-9d7e-fc2f066d82a6).
Write out and practice your pitch Whether it’s in the shower, to friends or family or even your pet rehearse it out loud so you build up that confidence! What will you say in 20-30 seconds to grab that employer’s attention? Need some help? Check out [THIS post] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/d11f70ef-0d6e-5730-8610-36528b33a832).
Know how to break the ice Practice a few of these [conversation starters] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6d46f61d-c53b-5ec5-9d7c-69cc61713f6a) to get things rolling when you approach an employer. No one likes those awkward silences.
More tips coming soon ; ) and we hope to see you in a few weeks at the [Cincinnati job fair] (https://www.jobcase.com/cw-job-fair)!
Please comment below with any questions. I am happy to help!
My younger sister has been working at Lowe's for over a year and loved her job but then they laid her off. Is there anyone else that has been laid off? I am not sure what advice to give her. I am a truck driver and we never seem to run out of work. I know she is feeling down and I wish I could help her more. Any ideas???
Your resume showcases all the things an employer is looking for and it's important to know that each has certain expectations that they would like you to fulfill. Be sure to keep it current and update it as often as possible!
Check out these tips on how to make your resume stronger and more desirable to employers!
1- Possess the qualifications for the job Increase your chances of being hired by tailoring your resume specifically to jobs that you are qualified for. You don’t necessarily need to meet all of the requirements that job postings ask for, but do make sure that you have at least 75% of the qualifications. Present them in easy-to-read sentences and bullet points. Highlight your past accomplishments to show how you can excel at the job.
2- Make it easy for them to contact you Place your contact info right up at the top of your resume. Be sure your email sounds professional. If it begins with cutiepie107 or a bunch of random letters and numbers create a new one with your last name and first initial, such as Jsmith for example. Remember, keep it professional! List your phone number as well and make sure that once you put your resume out there that you are checking your messages and responding!
3-Show that you want the job The first thing an employer is going to notice is if your resume is relevant to the job that they are hiring for. Do you live close enough to the job to reasonably commute to it? Does your title closely match the job you’re applying to? Be sure your experience and accomplishments demonstrate how they benefit the employer. Remember, it is about THEM, not you. Employers don’t want to guess how your credentials apply to the role they are looking to fill.
4- Be a spelling and grammar whiz Typically over 75% of employers noted that they wanted a stronger focus on written communication skills. Your resume is their very FIRST impression of you, so if it is riddled with spelling mistakes, type-o's, or grammatical errors you will likely not be considered for the role. Avoid this by ALWAYS making sure to have a friend or family member read over your resume. It’s tough to catch your own mistakes sometimes, they are sneaky! Be sure to use spell check and you can even download Grammarly for free to check things out.
5- Survive the Applicant Tracking System If a company uses what’s called an applicant tracking system or ATS, your resume will go through a screening process. If it’s missing certain elements it will be pushed aside and not viewed by that particular company. Check out some tips [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/a955e9d2-7bd1-5a74-9b24-60ae3d0a9193) on how to use keywords to update your resume and beat the ATS!
Wishing you the best of luck with your resume!
Need some help?
Please comment below!
Whether you’ve been laid off from your job or perhaps are just having a tough week at work or even looking for a job, here are 6 ways to help you stay positive and get back on your feet!
Take a step back Sometimes it’s important to briefly back away from the things that are stressing you so that you can refocus and get a clearer picture of what's going on and what to do next. Take this time to breathe and re-boot. What are your goals moving forward and what would make you the happiest at this time?
Don’t go it alone Whether if it's asking for advice, having someone to vent to (professionally or a family/friend), or just being around someone who's upbeat, having a strong and positive support system is one of the best ways to get your positivity back on track. Surrounding yourself with those that are motivated and positive themselves will surely rub off on you.
Share your goals Writing your goals down and sharing them with others is a great way to keep you on track and make the goals real. A study conducted at Dominican University found that over 70 percent of participants who sent weekly goal updates to a friend were more likely to report successful goal achievements.
Take some you time I think as a society we do not do this enough. We are always, go, go, go...rush, rush, rush so it's important to make sure to do one nice thing for yourself a day. Whether this is treating yourself to a coffee or even watching a movie that you love that you know will put you in a great mood. Life is short, so be sure to enjoy it even when times are tough.
Speak positively The way you speak to yourself and to others has a HUGE impact on how you feel. If you keep reminding yourself how terrible everything thing is you will be unlikely to push yourself in a positive direction. Remember, you want to inspire yourself! Do this by writing yourself positive notes and placing them somewhere that you're going to see them, such as on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, computer monitor, car, etc. Push away those negative thoughts and fill your brain with good ones instead!
Take action Lastly, once you have created that list of goals, work towards achieving them! Figure out the ways in which you will accomplish this and create a to-do list. For example, if one of your larger goals is to go back to school, you might add “apply to this college or program” to your to-do list. This may not seem like much, but your mood will likely start to improve once you begin crossing off items off your list and over time you will create more challenging goals and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
What are some ways that YOU stay positive when times are tough?
Comment with yours!
Have you spent some time in a career and now you’re ready to move on? Not sure what to do? Don't worry, this is VERY common and you are not alone.
The important thing to remember is you don't ever lose the skills, experience or the education you have gained, you just take those things and transfer them into your next desired role. You may not seem like you are the perfect fit for the role at first, but don't panic!
Here are some things to do:
Check the job description If you’re not sure which skills you should include for a particular role check the job description and see what they are looking for! Add any of the skills you have gained along the way that matches the job description to your resume ASAP. Below are a few examples of skills that you can transfer, but feel free to check out more [here] (https://www.utoledo.edu/success/career/pdfs/transferable_skills_checklist.pdf). -Leadership -Motivation -Time management -Delegation -Communication -Research
Show proof Make sure once you add a skill to your resume that you show how you performed it at your previous job in the experience section. Take a look at the example below: -You have: "Leadership skills." -You prove it: "Excellent leadership skills, demonstrated when I successfully managed a small team of individuals over the course of a three-day event." Don't just tell them what you did but how.
Make a list of your job duties Create a list of your current (if applicable) and recent past job duties that pertain to the new role. Think about what you were responsible for on a daily basis. Which tasks and duties did you perform and also which ones did you fulfill that were outside what you were hired for? Give yourself some time and write it ALL down.
Record your accomplishments Make sure to highlight the results you achieved in your past positions. Particularly when you're changing industries, prospective employers will care more about what you actually accomplished, and less about how you specifically did it. Did your boss recognize you at some point? Did you save a colleague time by helping he or she complete a project? Did you boost sales at your last job? Think of achievements that are both large and small. They ALL matter to your next employer! Bonus points if you have numbers to back it up.
Have questions? Please ask!
Good luck!! : )
You Are Worthy!
Are you struggling to figure out your place in the world? Everyone does at some point in their life. It’s a tricky puzzle to solve, but we’ll help you figure it out. There’s so much you can offer the world, and I can prove it.
Quick Read: There are a million reasons why you matter. You can turn the world into a better place, one small action at a time. You have a unique perspective on life that others can benefit from. There’s so much you can create and improve upon, even if you aren’t filthy rich. I will show you exactly why you matter and how you can better the lives of those around you. Everyone Has Value. Here’s Yours.
You Have Something to Offer to the World
Everyone will make a valuable contribution to society during their life. Maybe you’re lost and don’t believe you’re useful to anyone. Don’t think like that — keep going! It’s only a matter of time before you discover your purpose in life, even if you have no idea what it is right now.
You’re Not Worthless
Certain people feel like they need to bring others down. They feel the need to lash out for a multitude of reasons, but lack of self-respect, malcontent with their life and the desire to see others fail are common. If someone has ever told you “you’re worthless,” don’t listen to them. They’re projecting their faults onto you instead of stating the truth.
You Can Turn a Little Into a Lot
Do you always feel like you need to obtain more to accomplish more? Many people do. It’s easy to believe we need the same resources billionaires have to be successful. You can create more than you may think, even when you have less than others. Effort and creative thinking will enable you to accomplish a great deal.
The Small Actions Matter
No one goes to sleep and wakes up as the person they want to be in 10 years. That doesn’t make what you do right now meaningless. The choices you make every day (especially the small ones) have a much more significant impact than you may realize. This is some of the things I have learned to do over the course of learning not to be Angry.
Performing small acts of kindness and little favors will improve anyone’s day, but there’s more to the story. Those actions also have a butterfly effect — a kind word could have prevented someone from making a bad decision or an angry outburst later in their day. You always have the choice to leave the world a better place than you found it; all it takes is a small choice to brighten someone’s day.
You Have Important Lessons to Teach
No one person goes through the same path in life. Your set of circumstances are unique to you, and there’s always something important that you can share with others. Communicate your experience through small tidbits of advice, helping someone through a rough time or through a motivational speech. You always have something to teach.
We’re all trapped in our own minds, and it can be hard to fully understand what we can offer to the world when we’re so caught up in our own inadequacies. You have more to bring to the table than you realize. Other people can see what makes you special — you’re important in your own way.
I believe you have a special talent hidden inside you and want to bring it out? Please stop allowing the Negative hold you back and Let Go of you kind self because I believe in you.
~Here’s to Your Success and Remember God is Good! Happy Friday!
If you attended the Chicago job fair today then this is the post for you!
Now that the fair is over, it's time to follow up.
Doing so lets the employer know you are serious, reminds them of who you are (they met a TON of people), your qualifications, and keeps the hiring process moving along.
So let’s take a look at how following up works...
•When- Send your follow up at least 1-2 business days after the event.
•Who- Reach out to the right person! Whether you jotted down the employer’s email address in a notebook, found it on the website, or have a business card make sure to reach out directly to the person you spoke to or the hiring manager. By sending it to an individual (and make sure to address it to them) you will avoid your follow up being lost in the shuffle.
•How- You can follow up with a call, email, or thank you card. Email is suggested as it’s instant and will give you the proper amount of time to gather your thoughts, however, there is also something wonderfully personal about receiving a handwritten note if you can send it quickly. See what to say in your follow up [HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/3a2695c7-ced7-5bea-af4e-8789f758e97b).
•What- Make sure it’s personal. Remember that employers have likely met and spoken to MANY candidates so it’s unlikely they will automatically remember you. If you had a good conversation during the interview, make note of something you discussed and mention it in your follow up. Perhaps you both went to a certain college or own black labs. It’s all about forging a connection! Be sure to explain how excited you would be to work for them. Mention the main reasons why you would be the right person for the job by emphasizing your strengths and capabilities while demonstrating that you are a great fit. Keep it short and straight to the point.
A follow up is a great way to include those final things you may have neglected to mention at the job fair so make sure not to forget to take the time to do so.
Please comment with any questions!
Also, please make sure to keep us posted on your progress! : )
Make sure to dress to impress!
Here are some quick tips on what to wear for the [Chicago job fair tomorrow, June 18th] (https://www.jobcase.com/chicago-job-fair).
Women -Stick to solid colors and avoid distracting patterns -A suit with a button up shirt worn underneath -Mid-length skirt below or at the knee, paired with a coordinated blouse -Modest shoes -Limited jewelry -Neat, professional hairstyle -Light makeup and very little perfume -Manicured nails
Men -Stick to solid colors -Consider a conservative suit (if you can't wear a suit consider wearing your best dress shirt, tie, and slacks) -Long sleeve button up shirt and coordinating dress pants -Conservative tie in a solid color -Neat, professional hairstyle (grab a hair cut today if you can) Trimmed/well-groomed facial hair Go easy on the aftershave or cologne Neat and clean trimmed nails
Just say no to:
-Jeans, shorts, or ripped clothing -Wrinkled clothes and scuffed or dirty looking shoes -Showing too much skin (no shorts, short skirts, or low cut tops) -Wearing clothes that are too tight/clingy or too baggy -Wearing anything that makes noise (avoid charm bracelets, bangles, jangling keys, or fabrics that make a lot of distracting noise when you walk) -Ringing cell phones, they should be turned off or on vibrate at all times
Still stumped? Check out these interview clothing ideas for men and women.
Remember to lay out those clothes TODAY so you are ready in the morning.
Good luck : )