If you have spent hours creating the perfect resume that you targeted to the company and job you were applying for only to receive a standard rejection letter, you may have neglected the importance of cover letters for resumes.

Cover letters for resumes provide the first impression of you to a prospective employer. If the employer doesnt like your cover letter, the resume may not even get a look.

So how do you write cover letters for resumes that grab the attention of readers and maintain their interest? First, your cover letter needs to be concise, short, have an easy to read layout and be error free.

The goal of cover letters for resumes is to create enough interest in the reader that your resume will be read and hopefully short-listed. A good cover letter addresses the job requirements outlined in both the advertisement and any selection criteria provided. This makes the job of the employer or human resource department a lot easier and makes it less likely that you will be culled.

Since the purpose of your cover letter is to support your application by providing evidence that you are qualified for the position and would fit in well with the organization, it is essential that you understand all the requirements of the position and learn as much as possible about the culture and circumstances of the company.

This needs to be broadly conveyed in the first paragraph of your covering letter. You also need to identify the position you are applying for in your opening paragraph as there may be a number of positions being simultaneously advertised.

You can be more specific in the following paragraph, outlining your qualifications for the position. In this paragraph, you need to explain how your work experiences, skills, education and training not only meet the requirements of the job, but make you the best person for the job.

Only include relevant details that will be of interest to the reader. If you have extensive experience and skills that meet the requirements of the company for the position, you may need another paragraph to detail them.

Once you have specifically addressed the requirements of the job, spend a paragraph discussing why you want to work for this particular organization. Show you have researched them and explain how you would fit well into their culture, contributing to the organization on a number of levels.

Finally, proofread and edit your cover letter a few times before sending it. If necessary, have someone else read it to make sure it is free of errors. Having grammatical or typographical errors in a cover letter is likely to totally ruin your chances of getting an interview.

Cover letters for resumes can make or break your job application, so it is essential to treat them seriously and make every effort to create an excellent first impression.

Author: Freddie Johnson3

• January 18, 2010 — Sales Cover Letters Dont Sell Yourself Short
• January 3, 2010 — Cover Letters – The Five Essentials to Writing a Knock ‘Em Dead Cover Letter
• December 31, 2009 — Jobs & Career Employment After You Have Graduated From University

In many countries around the globe, people are born into their station in life and hence their professions. It is unnecessary for them to plan a career as they are expected to perform one specific job their entire lives. These cultures do not consider personal growth or the possibility of choosing ones profession.

America, on the other hand, was built on self-reinvention, and todays economy demands it. Those born before 1946 are less likely to have changed careers or even worked for more than one employer during their lifetimes.

Today, many employees outlive the lifespan of the companies they work for, and the average worker can now expect to have at least three or more careers, with up to six different positions within each of those careers.

Hardly a week goes by without hearing of corporate takeovers, mergers and corporate downsizing. As a result, thousands of seasoned employees are facing burnout from increased responsibilities or being laid-off and replaced with younger, lower-paid employees. Many are looking for a different means of earning a livelihood.

For the first time in history, employees must learn to manage themselves and take responsibility for their own employment. Even the word career is taking on new meaning, as a new generation of employees is moving in and out of multiple careers during their lifetimes.

Keep in mind that a career change is not the same as job advancement within a specific career. Most are either lateral or a step down in income until you gain experience and expertise in your new career. Be prepared to downsize your lifestyle.

Think of choosing a new career as an opportunity to bring a fresh outlook and revitalization to your life, as new experiences will stimulate your thought processes.

The most importance part of selecting a new career is also the most obvious, . . . deciding on what you want to do. Often this is a natural offshoot of a previous occupation(s). Reinventing yourself often involves a unique merging of your old talents with your new skill set.

Begin by making an honest assessment of your skills, interests and experiences and ask yourself:

- What would I do if money were no object?

- What did I love to do as a child?

- What activity do I do so intently that I don’t notice time passing?

- What do I feel passionately about?

- What do I value the most?

- What are my strengths?

- What are my transferable skills?

- What kind and how much education will I need to make this change?

Most people find fulfillment by doing what theyre good at. By evaluating your skills, interests, strengths and desires you will be able to see a connection between what it is that you value and what you excel at. These are the building blocks that you can turn into a new career.

While your new career is still in the planning stages, you can gain valuable information by:

- Attending professional meetings and informal gatherings.

- Networking.

- Joining an online career discussion group.

- Asking questions.

You are likely to need some additional education in order to begin a successful new career, start by improving the skills you already have. Sometimes, learning a few new software programs is simply all it will require. Should you choose to return to college, learning new skills is much easier when you are motivated to begin a new life.

Once you have chosen the kind of work you wish to pursue and acquired the necessary education, be sure to edit your resume to reflect your strengths and skills in this area.

Dont be surprised if your job search lasts a little longer than usual. Concentrate on companies that are seeking people with your reworked skill set and eventually youll find an employer who will value the knowledge and experience you gained from your previous career(s).

It is vital today, more than ever, to remain versatile to stay employed. A successful career will evolve over a lifetime if you are continuously open to new possibilities. You must constantly seek opportunities for self-improvement and professional growth in order to be prepared for your next reinvention.

Author: Mary Carroll3

• January 20, 2010 — Key to Success – Passion
• February 3, 2010 — Career Advice For Job Seekers
• December 31, 2009 — Jobs & Career Employment After You Have Graduated From University

Simply like working with your family – that is what Home Depot is all about. Home Depot was established several years ago. It is considered a recently established retailer with about $73 billion income since it started. At this time there are about 370,000 workers at Home Depot. You can be one of them and look into the different Home Depot employment opportunities.

There are five major categories in the said company where you can choose Home Depot employment opportunities.

1. Management jobs.

If you have what it takes to be a manager then consider yourself under this Home Depot employment opportunities category. Most testimonials from managers consider management jobs an arduous task. Yet with apt preparedness, organization, and ingenuity, you will be able to surpass any difficulties. Most importantly, to be successful in a manager’s job, you need to work out on your people skills.

2. Jobs in Information Technology.

If information technologist (IT) is your choice for Home Depot employment opportunities you are required to handle programming, management of database, engineering, internet and other IT tasks. Most individuals who handle IT jobs find the work stimulating since it concerns problem solving and being able to handle up-to-date computer gadgets.

3. Jobs in the retail department.

Home Depot employment opportunities under this category have sales assistants, store managers, store operators, and at times personal shopper. If you will be in the retail department, you will be directly dealing with the customers. Hence, it is needed that you portray a pleasant and accommodating attitude.

4. Sales Job.

Sales can make or break your business. For sales to go higher, you must be able to meet what the customer’s needs. This is your job in the sales department. You are to come up with strategies in order for your customers to attain satisfaction and later on develop loyalty to your products and/or services.

5. Jobs in the marketing department.

The main duty of the marketing personnel is to evaluate how the recent and predictable market conditions for the products and/or services affect the goals of the company. Such duty requires you to have an analytical way of thinking.

Your opportunity to advance your career is high when you possess the qualities of a good working individual. On top of that, there are specific educational standards you must meet if you want to go up higher. Most managerial positions require a degree higher than the undergraduate. Some, on the other hand, gives out relevant trainings to boost your performance. It’s up to you to find the most suitable of Home Depot employment opportunities [http://employment2u.com/opportunities] to fulfill your potential.

Author: David Yui
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News3

• November 2, 2009 — Preparing For Your Job Interview: What You Need To Know To Be Successful

Are you searching for a career field that is challenging, interesting, and needs qualified workers? Before you decide which path to choose, take a few minutes to consider five of the most in-demand careers areas. These areas are, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), going to experience high growth and demand for workers over the next ten years.

1. Education and health services

The BLS estimates that between now and the year 2014, fully 30% of all jobs created in the U.S. will come from the healthcare and educational services arena. Examples of specific careers that are included in this employment sector are:

* Registered nurse

* Medical assistant

* Radiology technician

* Medical imaging

* Social services

* Childcare

* Teaching

* Educational support

Healthcare in particular is already experiencing an extreme shortage of qualified workers, and the problem will only get worse as time goes by. Anyone who chooses a career in healthcare is likely to have excellent employment opportunities well into the future.

2. Professional and business services

This area encompasses many career choices that cover a wide range of professional and business functions. Among the careers that fall into this category are:

* Business administration

* Employment services

* Computer systems design

* System administration

* Cyber security

* Management consulting

* Technical consulting

The main driver for this sector is the increasing complexity of doing business in the modern world. The integration of business and technology will continue to explode, creating many opportunities for people who want to manage or support such integration efforts.

3. Information

We live in the age of information, and the demand is increasing for workers who can develop, run and support the information economy. Careers in this category include:

* Software publishing

* Internet publishing

* Internet broadcasting

* Internet service providers

* Web search portals

* Data processing and analysis

* Telecommunications technicians

* Wireless services

* Broadband internet services

The information sector is not about to shrink, as our world becomes increasingly information-dependent. A good option to consider is any career that contributes to the development, operation and innovation of information technology and services.

4. Leisure and hospitality

The combination of population growth and increasing affluence means U.S. demand for leisure and hospitality services will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. A wide variety of careers fit into this category, including:

* Recreation planning

* Fitness training

* Gambling and other amusement-related positions

* Food services

* Hotel management

* Travel planning

Leisure and hospitality is one category that holds a great deal of promise for anyone who chooses to pursue career options in its many fields and disciplines.

5. Trade, transportation and utilities

This category as a whole will show strong growth over the next ten years, but it is a bit of a mixed bag when you take a closer look. Some specific segments within this category are projected to decline in demand over time, so it is important to understand which careers hold the most promise. Careers that are projected to increase in demand include:

* Truck transportation services

* Warehousing services

* On-demand transport

* Retail services

* Water engineers

* Water and sewage operations

* Waste remediation management

As business continues to focus on improving efficiency through better management of inventory and transportation activities, the role of the trucking industry and inventory control/storage management will increase. The emphasis will continue to be on just in time manufacture, transportation and delivery of goods.

Putting it all together

Choosing a career field that will be in demand in the years to come is an important process. There are many sources of information on projected demand for different industries and career fields, so you should do some research and consult multiple resources. Be cautious, though, about the resources that you select because some are reputable and others are not. In general, projections and information from government and business organizations are more likely to be accurate than projections and information from a job search engine or a web site promoting the sale of its career building products and services.

When it comes to selecting a career, it is well worth the time and effort it takes to research, gather information and talk to career experts across a variety of industries.

Copyright by LOCALJOBS.COM

Author: Brian Bowman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• October 26, 2009 — Top Career Advice – More Choices and A Better Way of Life
• October 30, 2009 — Three Ways to Transition to a New Career

In our work with senior executives, it is not uncommon to hear the following:

I cannot afford to retire at age 65. My Business School roommate was able to retire at 45. I must be a failure.

I cant find a full-time job. I can only make money doing interim work or consulting work. I must be a failure.

Welcome to the world of short job tenure and long middle age.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SHORT JOB TENURE AND LONG MIDDLE AGE.

These individual complaints are but symptoms of two larger social trends impacting all developed countries. The first trend is a shortening of traditional job tenure in line with the collapsing time frame for product life cycles, and corporate life cycles. Technology has been a driver behind the speeding up of our lives, including the speeding of what economists call creative destruction.

At the same time job tenure is getting shorter, life span is increasing. You can thank the same technological thinking that has also contributed to the lowering of your job tenure. The average life span within industrial societies has increase 12 years since social security was adopted. It is important, however, to remember that this additional 12 years is not an additional 12 years of old age. It is an elongation of middle age. Thriving in a world of short job tenure/long middle age requires career and strategic maneuverability. As an individual and as a business leader, the symbol for this maneuverability is Lou Gerstner:

Lew Gerstner was a partner at a leading LBO firm. He joined IBM as its CEO at a time when it had one hundred days of cash left and had just lost $8.1 Billion. People were writing-off IBM as a has been organization. In an engineering driven company, he admitted that he was technically incompetent. And yet, he moved IBM from a hardware-oriented company to a maneuverable global player focusing on IP and professional services.

SURVEY OBJECTIVES.

We interviewed 50 executives who have been successful in managing their careers in a world of short job tenure and long middle age. Most of them were CEOs or reported directly to CEOs. Success was defined as financial and emotional satisfaction with both consulting and employment phases of their professional lives. What have we learned?

FREE AGENCY IS BOTH TRUE AND MISLEADING.

In the last ten years of the 20th century, Economists like Robert Reich and popular business magazines like BUSINESS 2.0 began to write about Free Agent Nation: Under a free agent model, executives have careers that resemble professional sports stars. Free agents smoothly shifting from one major league team to another major league team through the work of third parties. In the sports and entertainment sectors, these third parties are called Agents. In the world of business, these people are called retained search executives.

Professional sports players represent an elite segment of the general population. And even within this elite group, only the top 10-15% of this elite can count on the Free Agent model to work in their favor.

What happens to the other 85 percent?

When their contracts with one major league team are not renewed, it is the beginning of the end of their professional sports career. It may also mean the start of a new profession. Even for the elite within the sports elite, Free Agency is true for only a limited time.

The concept is similar in business but it is not openly discussed.

Free Agency says that winners smoothly move from full time job to full time job with the help of recruiters. Senior Executives are an elite group within the business world. But within this world, Executive Recruiters prefer to work with what they call A Players. This is the elite within the elite. A Players have a performance record, a public reputation, and a chronological age that is desired by company clients. Even A Players will find recruiters will stop working for them when they reach a certain age.

What happens to the vast majority of executives, who are elite but are not A Players or are former A Players?

The notion of moving from a good corporate job to Temporary Help as a consultant or an interim executive can feel humiliating if you adopt a Free Agency Model of career management.

The career reality we see within elite executives is a constant traversing from full-time assignments or W-2 relationships to project assignments or 1099 relationships. And then back again. Failure to grasp the realities of the marketplace can make life even more painful. Consider the case of Jack:

Jack was CFO of a company in a declining industry. A larger player acquired Jacks company and he received a one-year severance agreement as part of his exit package.

Jack spent the first nine months aggressively networking for a full-time CFO job in his geographic area, while making it clear that a full-time CFO position requiring relocation would be a second choice. By month ten, Jack became concerned about his family cash flow situation, and began looking for interim CFO assignments or project consulting assignments.

Jack found hi network unresponsive and the reason was obvious. Jack had clearly signaled early in his job search that Project Assignments were not on his original career agenda. Jacks network reasonably concluded that he had failed to achieve his goals and was now desperate.

Jack is now approaching month 24 without either employment assignments or project assignments.

**

We work with executives like Jack every day. His story is both unhappy and common. It need not have ended this way. Jack needed to understand and accept that his career may have begun as an employee but it would most certainly end as a consultant. Nor did he understand that a lifetime of work does not involve managing a single career comprised of a series of corporate jobs.

Think of your clients as managing two distinct careers. One career focuses on employment assignments and the other focuses on project assignments.

Our mission as career consultants is to teach leaders what we know about managing these two careers so that they will be successful at both.

CLIMBING CORPORATE LADDERS

A second dysfunctional model links career advancement with the analogy of climbing ladders. This analogy may be viable for large companies with a sophisticated approach to management development. But most companies we work with adopt a Just in Time approach to leadership:

When we need a new leader we will find the person best qualified as quickly as possible. We will take this to retained search and ask for the best qualified candidates within the company or outside the company.

Most in-house executives correctly assume a recruiting bias for hiring outside the company rather than promoting from within. Few companies groom executives for higher-level positions, thus promoting an in-house person is sometimes as much a leap of faith hiring an outside person. The in-house person, however, may come with a track record of faults and political enemies. Rakesh Khurana has written about the tendency of Boards to hire outsiders rather than select insiders.

The successful people we interviewed do not think in terms of ladders. They think in terms of traversing the careers of their professional lives. The skiing term of traversing means moving from a straight line to a zigzag pattern along different terrain. During your Alpine ski run you may traverse over ice patches, powder snow, or come up against moguls.

Moving up a ladder requires steady discipline and persistence in the face of obstacles.

Traversing requires also requires discipline combined with maneuverability.

Ladder climbing was a great metaphor for career management for industrial-based economies of the mid 20th Century. Traversing careers is a more appropriate metaphor for the first quarter of the 21st century.

Lets get back to the example of Jack.

Jack needed to understand and accept that his career may have begun as an employee but it would most certainly end as a consultant.

Jacks career would not be a single career comprised of a series of corporate jobs. It is more like managing two criss-cross careers one focusing on employment assignments and the other focusing on project assignments.

This is what we call traversing careers as opposed to managing A career.

Here are three lessons we have learned from these careers masters: traverse with your edge, master affiliation needs, and traverse between provincial/cosmopolitan knowledge:

LESSON #1: TRAVERSE WITH YOUR EDGE:

In traversing on skis, you lead with your ski edge. Your edge gives you maneuverability. In career traversing you lead with your skills edge. Your edge gives you maneuverability through different terrain. James is an example of one of our 50 executives:

After receiving his MBA from Columbia University, James went into banking. Various assignments at Mellon Bank and Bank of America eventually led to James being hired as President/CEO of an Oregon bank. In 1990, James bank was acquired and he was without employment, so James created a one-person consulting firm, whose initial focus was on what James called credit dependent companies. Using his personal relationships with West Coast bank presidents, James was able to negotiate settlements so that both sides could have something of value.

By 1994, the recession had lifted, and one of James clients came to him for consulting assistance. One consulting opportunity led to an offer to become Chief Operating Officer. His assignment was to double the size of this medical products distribution company and then sell the company to a national player in the industry during a time when rollups were attractive IPOs.

This assignment was completed within eighteen months. Once again James opened his consulting practice. One of his clients was a nonprofit organization. This consulting assignment brought him exposure to new areas like fund raising and working with agencies in Washington, DC. This assignment was completed after two years. The contacts James developed brought him to the notice of a Board member of a non-profit company in his town. James was offered the position of Chief Executive Officer for an Oregon human services organization with a budget of $265 Million and its impact is felt state wide.

James has been a bank president, a distribution company COO, and a nonprofit CEO. Between these Employment Assignments, there has been a constant theme of Project Assignment work that leads him to the next Employment Assignment.

James has had many job titles and in many different industries. But he always leads with his edge. What is James edge?

Here is what James says:

I have centered my professional life on one strong theme: I solve financial/organizational problems from a perspective of a banker. Had I identified myself as a banker, my goose would have been cooked as the banking industry continued its consolidation. Instead I have worked with medical products, retail companies, construction companies, a giftware company, and health care products.

It has been fun, a real learning experience. But my core identity remains the same. That never changes.

Again, the concept is in career traversing you lead with your edge and that gives you maneuverability to move over different terrains. Notice how he does not define his edge as a functional or industry expertise?

—

Ted is another career traversing executive who has defined his professional edge.

Ted began his IT career working with a variety of large corporations, beginning with EDS, the global IT outsourcing firm and Honeywell. Five years later, he moved to Monchik Weber, a consulting firm. His success as a consultant in an assignment involving ocean cargo issues led to an opportunity to become CIO for a company in the ocean freight transportation industry. Five years later, he was once again consulting. But the consulting assignment helped him gain credibility in the financial services sector. Ted is now CIO for a global financial services company.

In commenting on his professional life, Ted finds himself a solid constant in a series of ever-changing Employment Assignments and Project Assignments:

My skills are coaching and developing people in technical environments. Internal or external, I use the same tools. I just apply those tools in different way.

Notice how both executives define themselves more broadly than their industry or functional labels of the moment. In a world of short job tenure/long middle age, industry or function can change. Think of Lou Gerstner. But there needs to be a solid core self-definition for stability in a professional world that constantly changes.

LESSON #2: MASTER AFFILIATION NEEDS

Affiliation is the desire to be part of a group that is larger than you. Beyond the pain not having a regular income, lack of colleagues or not being part of a team is the most difficult issue our clients deal with during the external phase of the executive assignments..

Moderate needs for affiliation are ideal for senior executives in the employment assignment phase. You should enjoy being part of a team.

When traversing into the project assignment phase of your career, even moderate affiliation needs can be dysfunctional: your value to your client is objectivity. Constant angling to figure out ways of remaining as a permanent guest detracts from that value.

Where can you get those affiliation needs met if they are not going to be met by your next employer?

Guilds or professional associations are work-related reference groups outside the corporation. These reference groups focus on functions, industry, or specific problems/opportunities. For example:

Functional: Financial Executives International, Young Presidents Organization, The Executive Committee, Society for Human Resource Management, Turnaround Management Association, California Association of Radiologists, Society for Information Management, American Marketing Association.

Industry: Massachusetts Hospital Association, California Biotech Council, National Association of Manufacturers, Florida Orange Growers Association, Georgia Medical Association, Institute for Management Consulting, Society for Professional Consulting.

Problem/Opportunity: SENG, Association for Corporate Growth, MIT Enterprise Forum, Senior Executive Networking Group, Harvard Business School Alumni Association, American Chamber of Commerce in Berlin.

LESSON #3 TRAVERSE BETWEEN PROVINCIAL AND COSMOPOLITAN KNOWLEDGE

In the Employment Assignment trajectory, leaders are hired to manage the work of others. Moving up the corporate career ladder often means leaving behind technical mastery in favor of leadership mastery that could apply in any organization. We call these skills cosmopolitan skills. Lou Gerstner took over IBM without skills as an electronics engineer or appropriate background in IBMs technology foundation. George Marshall moved from being a soldier to running the Department of Defense to being Secretary of State to being the President of the American Red Cross. He was a master of the cosmopolitan skills of management and this allowed him to maneuver. On the other hand, Project Assignment professionals are often hired because of their specific substantive content knowledge. This specific type of specific knowledge is called provincial knowledge. Ted is a careers master and knows how to manage the interplay between cosmopolitan and provincial knowledge:

I am already thinking ahead to the next move in my career. And that will probably be a consulting position. It is important to keep my technical skills sharp. I am planning to take a course in a technical area. Youve got to stay sharp. Taking the courses also helps shape the external perception others have of me. I want to be flexible. I am 54. It is important to build a perception that I am not stuck in a mold. Taking courses is one way to do that. Right now I am taking a course on a specific applications program at a local community college. But two years ago I was in the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School talking Big Company Strategy. Its important to do both.

Note that Ted understands that his current Employment Assignment will set the stage for his next Project Assignment.

EXHILARATION AND TERROR

You may have begun your career as an employee. You most certainly will end it as a consultant. In between, you will criss-cross the Employment and Assignment trajectories. This criss-cross is what we call careers management. Each trajectory has different rules. Fail to master these rules at your peril.

The cases of James and Ted illustrate a combination of flexibility with discipline. That mixture of flexibility and discipline is not unlike skiing down a mountain in a criss-cross mode, as you navigate through different types of snow and different terrain.

The payoff of skiing with flexibility and discipline are the simultaneous emotions of exhilaration and terror. Careers management also provides those same emotions. As James says:

If you only focus on what is expected of you in your job, your ability is restricted to the next run in the ladder. The trick is to learn how to rapidly change ladders!

The upside of this exhilaration and terror is the closest thing to job security most executives will know in the 21st Century: the security of knowing you know how to sell successful generate income as a consultant. Consider the case of Larry Gibson:

Larry Gibson was Chief HR Officer with Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan. Prior to that he was head of HR for a division of Motorola. For the past three years he has been earning an income in Project Assignments:

My life as a consultant has broadened my professional perspective and given me a broader industry expertise. This makes me more marketable. I enjoy consulting. I know how to make a living at it. If a full-time job opportunity came, Id certainly look at the opportunity. But it would have to go over a higher hurdle before I would sign on.

###
REFERENCES

Laurence J. Stybel & Maryanne Peabody. The Right Way to Be Fired. HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW, July-August, 2001,pp. 87-95.

John J. Davis & Associates. Quoted in EXECUTIVE RECRUITER NEWS. 24,4,2002, p.1.

Adecco. Adecco Survey Exposes Perceptions and Misperceptions About Temporary Employment. Melville, N.Y.Adecco, 2002

Author: Larry Stybel
Article Source: EzineArticles.comRandom Posts

• October 22, 2009 — Prepare Yourself to Conquer Your Interview Fears
• November 8, 2009 — Don’t Want The Job? Do This!
• October 9, 2009 — Sales/Advertising CV – Sherley Joseph

The current minimum wage in the United States of America is $5.15 per hour and some believe it should be much higher. In fact the city of Chicago wanted to mandate that the employment wages could not go less than $10 per hour and some agreed. Recently the United States Congress and the United States Senate voted on a minimum-wage bill, which they did not pass.

Now each side of the aisle is blaming the other side for not allowing the minimum-wage law to pass. However from a free market standpoint the minimum wage should be zero dollars per hour. Yes, you heard me right the minimum wage should be zero. In other words there should be no minimum-wage law and that is the truth about minimum wage. With unemployment rates hovering between 4.6% and 5% we simply do not need a minimum-wage law.

If an employer does not pay the minimum wage in those employees will find work elsewhere and therefore competition will dictate price. Those employers who pay more dollars per hour will end up with the best workers and those that don’t will get the worst workers. Smart companies will want the best workers and therefore pay the most money and that solves that problem we do not need any more laws. Makes sense right? Now then consider all this in 2006 when discussing minimum wage theory.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• December 22, 2009 — Job Searching Techniques – Truck Driver Shortage Continues
• February 3, 2010 — Career Advice For Job Seekers
• February 1, 2010 — Resume Writing Services

The economy is rough nowadays, and with mass lay-offs and plenty of discouragement, its a good idea to look for career advice to change your focus to something you can be passionate about. The difference between a job and a career is that the first option is labor oriented and usually does not have much advancement involved, and the second option is passion oriented, allowing you to advance and grow using skills that you have learned through some kind of formal or technical education. If you do not know what direction to go into, seeking an advice is an excellent first step to organizing your goals while helping you head down a path that will encourage and motivate you to succeed.

As you begin your quest for a career, you may not have an idea about what kind you should be pursuing. An easy way to determine what direction to take, and the first bit of advice to edge you forward, is to think about what you have always loved to do with your time. There are activities that you take part in because you enjoy them as hobbies, and activities that you take part in because you could see yourself doing them to make money seriously. Those activities that you could see yourself turning into a career should be your first stepping stone to paving the road to success for yourself.

The second point of advice for is to consider going back to school or taking some kind of training to help enhance your skills. You may not be equipped with the necessary skills and education to begin your future plans right away, and finding a job without the right skills will be nearly impossible. It is best to research what colleges and institutions you can attend that will allow you to get a degree, certification or license in the field that you are interested in. Choose a college or program that you will enjoy going to in a location that makes you excited to be there. This will help to motivate you to continue on with your studies.

The final point of career advice is to learn how to negotiate your salary so that you can live a lifestyle that is enjoyable. Research the high, average and low incomes for your career so that you know what kind of base salary to expect with your experience and skill set. The skills you have obtained my be high end skills that allow you to select a salary that compliments what you have learned. Be confident when you negotiate your salary, but not cocky. It is always better to be humble than to come off as obnoxious or snobby, so keep your attitude in check and enjoy making the money that reflects what you are worth.

Author: Uma A Ilango
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• November 6, 2009 — Job and Career Advice: Your #1 Job Responsibility
• October 26, 2009 — Top Career Advice – More Choices and A Better Way of Life
• March 7, 2010 — Reinventing Yourself for Multiple Careers

The idea of a resume is a, seemingly, simple one; we all understand the purpose. The problem doesn’t appear until you actually start writing it. Then, the purpose seems to fade away in a series of clichs and odd phrases. Few people can write a good resume. Most can craft a serviceable one and some… They cannot craft anything. For those unable to create anything remotely resembling a resume, the best hope for success is to use a resume writing service.

A resume writing service can provide anything form helpful tips to actually forming your resume. They offer professional staff members, ones accustomed to catching the attention of employers. These men and women understand how difficult it is to stand out amongst the mass of applicants, so they help you create a resume that is the ideal showcase for your talents.

Of course, there are two disadvantages to using resume writing services. One is obvious: it is a service and, therefore, costs money. Some can be expensive, especially if you have them create your resume. The other is less obvious: you set yourself up to be scammed. Yes, even resume writing services have their problems. You must be certain that a deal that sounds too good to be true…. isn’t. This requires research. Be sure that, before you commit to any site or business, you understand what you are getting for the charge.

A resume writing service can be a helpful thing; it can also be an expensive one. Rates vary and cost changes from service to service, but the basic principle remains: you are not going to get something worthwhile for a little price. This is business, something you–as one looking to enter the business world–should appreciate.

The resume is an essential part of the interview process. No matter how wonderful you may sound, when the employer asks for a resume and you don’t have it, your appeal diminishes. It’s just that simple. So, you have to be ready with the best resume you can give. And, if you are like many who lack a flair for words, then you need to turn to other options to get that
resume.

A writing service is a practical alternative to continually writing and rewriting. They are done quickly (often within one business day of contact) and are able to catch the attention of employers. If you do not have the time, or ability, to keep reworking and rearranging your resume, then this could be the best option for you.

Just remember to be wary of easy deals and never agree to a service before fully researching it. If you do, then you should have no problem finding a writing service that will provide you with useful suggestions and professional work.

Author: George Rogers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• September 17, 2009 — RC E-Resume Service
• February 10, 2010 — RC Resume Services
• February 5, 2010 — Careers, Employment and the Truth About Minimum Wage

If you interview a number of really successful people, you will find a common thread to the reason for their success. That common thread is passion.

Successful people are driven by passion for their career. Notice the choice of the word career, not job. These people do not view their profession as a job, but as a career. To most, the connotation of the word job is a where they have to go a set number of hours each day to make just enough money to survive. A job does not evoke passion.

Conversely, successful people feel a real passion for their professions. They awaken each morning with a sense of excitement about the opportunities that await them. There is not the feeling of drudgery that many people feel as they head off to their job each day. They are living their dream.

Passions are those emotions that lift your spirit and make your heart sing. Passions help to define your purpose in life. Understanding and acting upon those things in life which you are passionate about creates a synergy that is contagious. That synergy attracts other successful people and fuels success. Doors of opportunity are opened to those people with the courage to act on their passions.

Few people ever take the time to really explore their passions. It is all too easy to get caught up in the daily routine of just making a living. Pushed aside is the time to do only those things that truly make you feel passionate. The sad fact is, lack of time or money is not the reason most people do not follow their passions. They are afraid to step outside their comfort zone. They are afraid to take a chance on themselves. Regardless of how unfulfilled their life may be, it is easier to maintain the status quo than to risk following their passions.

What would your life be like if you made the choice to only do those things you are passionate about? Would you welcome each day? Would your achievements mean more? Would your life be enriched? Would your soul sing? Take the time to write down what you think you are passionate about. After you have written them down, spend some time examining them. Once you have explored the validity of your passions, be willing to step outside your comfort zone and follow them. Live your dream!

Author: Dan Chambless
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• March 7, 2010 — Reinventing Yourself for Multiple Careers
• February 3, 2010 — Career Advice For Job Seekers
• December 20, 2009 — Acknowledging Your Destiny

For one, sales cover letters are pretty much identical to business cover letters in their format or rules, but differ crucially in their content. Your cover letter reflects directly on your ability to make the sale.

Sales Cover Letter Basics

So here are the basics of sales cover letters. Sales cover letters must be written on a clean bright white paper and must be delivered to the addressee in an equally decent, stiff envelope. It must have contact information and three paragraphs neatly typed in their designated places. Cover letters are completely devoid of trivial things such as spelling and grammatical errors. So, it goes without saying that the letters must be proofed and edited a couple of times to thrash the trash. So if you think the language or tone of the letter needs drafting and redrafting just go ahead and do it. But at the same time, remember that the cover letter must be limited to less than a page long to ensure complete reading.

Selling Ice Cream To Eskimos

Making the big bang with HR is the fundamental quality of sales people. The fact is, all companies need sales people, all the time the question is why they should hire you. In the body of the sales letter, usually the second paragraph, including a couple of examples of selling under trying, extenuating circumstances to hesitant/unwilling customers and making it the focus point of the entire cover letter will turn the tables in your favor. But this should be done with aplomb without throwing off the balance of the rest of the letter.

Dedicate a few lines to explain how you beat the competition – which eventually becomes the point of discussion among every company executive. Employers will be only too happy to invite you for an interview if you can prove that you can bring in money regardless of the circumstances. Sales cover letters should exhibit the character traits of successful sales people – friendly and pushy in nature and being able to effectively convince others into buying their products. Sales people are some of the most prolific speakers with a good command of language skills and voice modulation. They also get friendly with people easily and love to talk.

The bottom line is that landing a sales position is all about the money. If you can show in your cover letter good sales figures and compare and contrast positive figures before and after your tenure, then you will have a good shot at landing the interview. Balance this with examples of your aggressiveness, determination and ability to outwit the competition, and you will be well on your way to landing your next sales position.

Author: Heather Eagar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• March 9, 2010 — Writing Attention Grabbing Cover Letters for Resumes That Get The Job Interview
• December 5, 2009 — 175 Power Verbs and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews
• January 3, 2010 — Cover Letters – The Five Essentials to Writing a Knock ‘Em Dead Cover Letter

A Resume Cover Letter has only one purpose – to stimulate the recipient of your resume to review your resume. This free resume cover letter tutorial assumes that you will be sending your resume and resume cover letter by email.

In the age of e-mail your Cover Letter should go in the message of the e-mail and not as an attachment. Hiring managers and recruiters receive too many resumes to open and read each and every cover letter that comes as an attachment to an email. The chances are very good that a Cover Letter sent as an attachment will not be opened and read and it fact the email will simply be deleted.

Keep your resume cover letter brief and to the point. Assume that the person receiving your resume is busy – very busy. They are reviewing other resumes – many. Your cover letter is introducing you to the person who could be hiring you.

So be thoughtful – keep it brief and to the point. You are not writing an essay or a novel. You are trying to communicate with someone who is very busy and you are competing for their attention. You need to help them see that opening your resume many lead them to the person – or persons – that they are looking to find.

The following pages take you step by step through the nine components necessary in a cover letter including a sample cover letter.

Maximizing your e-mail impact

For the most part, as an IT professional, you will be sending your Cover Letter and resume by e-mail. Your e-mail will be one of many in the inbox of a recruiter or employer.

Meeting you for the first time

Your e-mail represents you walking into the office of the recipient. They are meeting you for the first time.

Make it easy to read your e-mail

Remember the goal is to make it as easy as possible for the recipient of your e-mail to decide to open your e-mail, read your e-mail and then open and read your resume.

Your Cover Letter is going into the message or body of the e-mail delivering your IT resume.

Let’s take the example of an employer or recruiter who is looking to fill the position of a “SCO UNIX Support Technician”.

Be clear and concise

Be clear, concise and specific in the Subject Line and use the Job Title found in the advertisement or job posting plus your name:

Subject line :

SCO UNIX Support Technician job application by J. Itguru

Now let’s look at the nine (9) components of a Cover Letter that goes into the Message or Body of the e-mail.

Writing a good Cover Letter requires following some basic steps such as the 9 steps that follow.

The Cover Letter goes into the body or message of the email attached to your resume and uses the following nine(9) components:

1.Your name, telephone number and e-mail address at the top of the Cover Letter.

2. Address the letter to someone in particular, if you can, or use To Whom It May Concern.

3. Name the position that you are applying for unless a file reference number is requested, then use the file reference number.

4. Briefly give an overview of your experience as it relates to the position being applied for.

5. In point form list the 3 or 4 most career highlights that relate directly to the job according to the ad that you are responding to.

6. Tell them that you have attached your resume that provides a detailed overview of your skills, experience, education, training and achievements.

7. Thank the person reading your resume.

8. Sign the e-mail with your name, home telephone number and personal e-mail address.

9. Add a PS to the note telling the recepient that you check your voice mail and email on regular daily basis.

Take action and write a resume cover letter to introduce your IT resume. Just follow the steps in this tutorial and write a cover letter that works for you.

Let’s review the basics so you can get started:

- use the Job Title found in the job advertisement in the Subject of the email;

- the Cover Letter goes into the body or message of the email attached to your resume;

- there are nine (9) components that make up the Cover Letter.

Resume Cover Letter Action Steps

Now print off a copy of the Cover Letter and write your own using Notepad or some other text editor.

When you are finished you can easily cut & paste into any email that you then send.

Author: Richard Ward
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• November 16, 2009 — Resume Do Nots: Avoid Resume Mistakes To Get More Interviews
• September 17, 2009 — RC E-Resume Service
• December 5, 2009 — 175 Power Verbs and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

From time to time, we can all use some good career advice, and new graduates in particular often need some guidance to get them started on the right career path, and to land that all-important first job.

The job market these days is tight, and many Americans are feeling the pinch. New graduates, especially, can feel a bit overwhelmed as they head out into the “real world” looking for that dream job, only to find that there are more closed doors that open these days.

With this in mind, we will present some of the best career advice for both recent graduates and seasoned workers, the goal of which is to help you land a great job.

Tip number 1 — Be your own career coach.

If you’re tired of filling out endless applications and constantly checking the job web sites, one great tip is to look at your situation from the outside. In other words, see yourself as the applicant and be your own career coach. From this outside perspective, give yourself your best advice on how to land a job.

Getting outside yourself in this way will often show you the weak spots in your rsum, credentials or appearance, and provide you with clues on how to accentuate the positive in your situation.

Tip number 2 — Don’t dress for the job you are interviewing for; dress for the job you eventually want to have.

If you are applying for a job in the mailroom of a large corporation, but your actual goal is to be in upper management, don’t show up wearing khakis and a short sleeve shirt. Even after you have secured a job, one of the most important rules of business success is “never dress for the job you have; dress for the job you want.”

This may seem pretentious, or it could even make you feel that you stand out in a way that is uncomfortable, however, the more you stand out, the more likely it is that you will be noticed by higher-ups at the company. Whether we like it or not, the world we live in judges all of us by appearances. Take advantage of this fact by presenting yourself as neatly and professionally as possible, and always — and I mean always — dress above your current position.

Tip number 3 — If you cannot land at your dream job, take a lesser job and turn it into your dream job.

When the job market is really tight, sometimes it may be necessary to take a job that you feel is beneath your qualifications. If this should happen, it is important that you do not get despondent about it, but rather see this job as an important step toward a better career overall.

It is also important to remain flexible, because the career path you outline for yourself at age 20 may not make a whole lot of sense to you at age 26, for example. Some of the best career advice you can get is this — work hard and give your all to any company and any position you find yourself employed in.

Author: Craig Thornburrow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com3

• February 3, 2010 — Career Advice For Job Seekers
• November 6, 2009 — Job and Career Advice: Your #1 Job Responsibility
• October 26, 2009 — Top Career Advice – More Choices and A Better Way of Life