Job Searches

Introduction

See that ad? Want that job? Your first step in getting that job is to get them to notice you, through a cover letter and resume. Their ad caught your attention, now you want to get theirs.

This course will start with the resume; that hated piece of paper that everyone doesn’t want to write, but has to have.

A common misunderstanding about the function of the resume is that it will get you that dream job. A resume won’t and CAN’T get you a job. All it is designed to do is get potential employers to notice you. In other words, to get an interview.

At the interview, the company wants to know if you really ARE the person you say you are on your resume. That’s why it is imperative that your resume is your own, in your words and style.

This is not a “sit back, relax, we’ll do the work for you” type of course. A good, solid resume takes good, solid, work. The more you put into it, the more you'll get back.

You’re going to have to be brutally honest with yourself – not about the “bad points” – anyone can do that! You’re going to have to realize your self worth by analyzing your accomplishments.

What? You think you have no accomplishments? Impossible. No matter what job you've worked at, you've gained marketable skills:

The junior office clerk has learned priority management by learning whose work has to be finished first;
The stay-at-home mom has learned time management and budgetary skills (how to make one income fit a full family; how to make one mom fit the family requirements);
The driver has learned what routes to take to make more deliveries.

All have learned to be more productive. All have valuable skills and accomplishments. Now you have to put that on paper.

Once you’ve created a great resume or two that really shows what you’ve done, you’re ready to apply to that great looking ad you saw in the paper, on the internet or that Joe told you about. So, just send your resume? NO. Unless you are specifically told to ONLY send a resume, your chances of even being noticed are about nil if you don’t send a cover letter.

Hey, no problem, just type up a quick letter saying I’m your person, see my resume. NO. You’ve spent the time on your resume, now you have to show the world how YOU match the specific position you’re applying for – through a properly set up cover letter.

This means you can’t just give ‘em back verbatum what they've asked for – but show them How you can do what it is they've asked for – in 10 words or less.

They don’t need a re-run of your resume nor one of their ad. They need to see how you fit in with their needs – and that’s where the cover letter comes into play.

This course will show you how to properly set up your letter, match your resume, what to say, and more importantly, what NOT to say. This course will help you respond to any job opportunity and create your cover letter to suit both you AND the position offered.

PANIC TIME….they called! You have an interview with them in two days! What do you do? First of all, you need to be prepared before they call. This course will help you prepare – you will learn to create a skill statement and learn to actually use it. You’ll learn the various interview techniques, games and tests often used by employers. You’ll learn what questions you can ask, and should! And what the employer should NOT ask. You’ll also learn how to turn that embarrassing gap or perceived demotion in your work experience to your advantage.

Now that you’ve got it, how do you keep it? You must remember that keeping your dream job is also an effort and requires time and attention. Work performance is not enough anymore. And don’t let anyone tell you longer hours is what it’s all about. What it is about is paying attention, keeping ahead in the game, and networking, and this does not mean kowtowing to the boss.

Remember, the cover letter and resume is your ad to the company – designed to get you that elusive interview, and hopefully, that dream career. It’s all in your hands.

Introduction

Lessons