Cover Letter Logic - Does a Single Mom Re-Entering the Workforce Need a Cover Letter?

In this day when it's so easy to attach and send your resume to the next employer where you're applying for a job, you'd think a quick email would do it. And to be honest, it could. If your quick email message makes a statement, an email could be considered to be a cover letter, and I've accepted many messages as cover letters. But, if you're really wanting the job, and you know how important that job is to your future, you're going to make the extra effort to write a high-impact, quality cover letter that impacts the reader, invokes emotion and drives the hiring agent to the telephone to schedule an appointment to interview you.

Yes, your cover letter can have that much impact.

A Single Mom Re-Entering the Workforce -

She's got a full plate, raising her children, living a life that matters, and finding purpose and direction for her professional career. She's got it. She understands the power of having a career, working for a living and raising children in a world where she isn't the accepted norm. So, what difference can it make whether or not she writes a cover letter to the reader of her resume?

The person reading her resume may not know that she understands the value of having a well-paid career, if she doesn't tell him.

Dear Prospective Employer:

It is an honor to know that you're looking for an employee such as myself to fill this position. I understand the importance such an employee holds in your company and I realize the care you're taking to select the right person.

My life experience tells me, I'm that person. You see, I felt becoming a parent was so important to my life that I took a little time away from my developing career to have my children, because they deserved my undivided attention. Now that my children have started pre-school, I'm ready to step back into the work force and give my job 100% of me. Because this position is well paid, I'm able to afford great child care, so I won't be worried about my children while I'm working, and I'll be even more willing to do what is required while I'm working.

I've taken a few classes recently, in expectation of my return to the professional field, and I'm so excited to let you know that I am reading and willing to learn whatever is required to fill this position.

Thank you for your consideration.

New Employee

A new mom, re-entering the work force not only NEEDS a cover letter, but her cover letter should tell a prospective employer the strengths she brings to position. It should appeal to the professional and grab the emotional attention of the hiring agent, by letting him or her know the value she brings to the business.

J. D. Verhoeff presents knowledge, know how, and action for your job search. Nothing in your life more strongly affects your life as a whole than your successful career choices. Learning the importance of each step you take and how to apply those steps to your career success is what J. D. does best. Take the first step toward success and click this link to http://denverprofessionalsnetwork.org/ so you can learn how to be a better employee, find a better position and network appropriately for a better career.

Copyright 2012 - J. D. Verhoeff

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College Students: Easy Steps to Building Your Basic LinkedIn Profile

1. Get your custom URL. Put this URL on your resume and online profiles, it's part of your professional identity.

Go to Settings (a drop down item at the arrow to the left of your name, in the upper right hand corner) and click "Edit your public profile."In the "Your public profile URL" box on the right, click the "Customize your public profile URL" link.Type the last part of your new custom URL in the text box.Click "Set Custom URL."

2. Upload professional looking head shot. This photo should be close in and of just you. Do not use a group or whole body shot.

3. Input educational history. This is an easy one because you already have it.

4. Input your job history. Include entrepreneurial business, sports, volunteer work, community work, etc. You already have that as well.

5. Write your summary paragraph. What is it that you offer a potential employer? What's your desired career direction? Take a cut and then ask others to review. Keep tweaking it as you go.

6. Be sure to Include any bilingual capabilities in your summary section.

7. Include your contact info right on your profile, this makes it easy for recruiters to reach you without going through the LinkedIn email system. Put a phone number as well. Use a Google Voice number and forward to your phone, if you don't have to disclose your phone number publicly.

8. Determine your keywords in "Skills and Expertise." Use this based on your strengths, and also ask others what they see as your strongest assets. Look at jobs that are interesting and include these keywords if they apply to you.

9. Connect to people you already know! This includes parent, parents of friends, neighbors, university staff and faculty, etc. You'll be surprised how many people you already know.

This will give you a great basic profile. For additional enhancements:

10. Ask for recommendations. When you request a recommendation, tell people what you'd like them to say or what attributes you'd like them to highlight. Recommendations from managers or supervisors are the most highly valued.

11. "Follow" companies that you have targeted in your job search.

12. Install the LinkedIn JobsInsider toolbar. See the apps section to download this. This will highlight your LinkedIn contacts when you click on jobs posted at Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, Craigslist, SimplyHired, Dice, and Vault.

13. Upload any work product you are proud of or link to any websites/portfolio work you have.

14. Join groups such as professional associations in your field of study, alumni, special interest, young professional. Look at the comments, "like" comments, and post your own comments.

15. Comment on and "like" updates you see from your connections.

16. Be a consistent visitor, commenter, content deliverer.

Generally speaking your updates will be broadcast to your contacts. If you want to suppress this function while you are getting your profile set up and may be making lots of changes go to:

Settings (a drop down item at the arrow to the left of your name, in the upper right hand corner).Under "Privacy Controls" select "Turn on/off your activity broadcasts."Uncheck the box, and save.

We help young professionals find the confidence and stamina they need to excel in any workplace. Join us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/degreesoftransition

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College Students and Recent Grads: Include Complete Contact Info On Your Resume

College students and recent grads: Is your resume working as hard for you as it could (and should)?

In this article let's take a look at essential contact information you need on every resume. Recently I've seen some that didn't include phone numbers, even though they did include email addresses.

Here three points of contact you should have -at minimum- on every resume, and why they're important.

1. Phone number

Your resume should always have a phone contact number. Your email isn't enough. Give a potential employer or recruiter every possible way to contact you possible. Be sure to include area code.

On your voicemail be sure to leave a professional message acknowledging the caller, and indicating a time frame by which you'll return the call. Do not leave the generic mobile phone service-provided voice mail. It doesn't confirm to the caller that they've reached the person they are looking for.

"Hi, this is Jeremy Smith. I'm not available to take your call right now, but please leave a brief message and a phone number where I can contact you. I'll return your call as quickly as possible."

Note if you are working on cross border job search:

If your number is a non-US number, be sure to include the specific country code dialing information.If you're in the US working with recruiters outside the country, be sure to include the (+1) country code in front of your US phone number.

2. Email address

Be sure to also include your professional email address. Using a school-provided email may lead employers to question how they'll get a hold of you once you leave school. Plus, as you launch your career you want to present your new professional identify with an equally professional email identity.

Get a Gmail, Yahoo, me.com or other ISP address that presents you in a professional light. Use a first name.lastname@provider.com so employers know exactly whom they're corresponding with.

Once you've got it set up, be sure to put a professional signature block that reflects your new young professional identity. Here's a suggested example for a college student in the job search. Customize for your needs.

Jackson Martin

Oregon Statue University, Class of 2012

Major in Accountancy, with Minor in Finance - 3.5 Core GPA

Voice (+1) 123-345-6789

www.linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname

3. Your LinkedIn URL

When you build a LinkedIn profile, you can generate a URL link that allows you to tell people exactly how to find you on LinkedIn. You can see how it's clear who the profile owner is.

To create your own LinkedIn Profile URL:

Log in to your account.In the upper right hand corner to the left of your name, click the drop down arrow. Select "Settings."Under Helpful Links, click "Edit your public profile."Under Your public profile URL, click "Customize Your Public Profile URL". Select your URL name and LinkedIn will advise if it's available. If your intact name is not available, use some version of your first, middle and last name.

Once you've got your LinkedIn URL, use that as an additional contact point on your resume. Because LinkedIn allows potential employers to send you messages, it provides another option for them to do so.

If you have your email and phone clearly delineated in your LinkedIn profile as well (use a Google Voice number and forward it to your phone if you don't want to publish your personal number) you won't miss any potential connections.

Find the entire video series for college students and recent grads entitled "Should You Fire Your Resume?" You can find it on our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/DegreesOfTransition. See you there!

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Changing Your Resume for Each Company

A recruiter once gave me an excellent tip when she said to change my resume every time I applied for a job. Why I asked? She told me that company recruiters will often use a keyword search to select the candidates that they feel matches the position. This keeps them from having to sort through the hundreds of resumes they receive. She said that if the resume does not have the keywords that they look for, then they typically go into the rejected pile.

Depending on the position you're applying for, you should use words that will notify HR managers about your qualifications. For example, if you're looking for a position as the Vice President of an accounting company you might want to include words such as:

- Tax Accounting

- Reconciliations

- Profit and Loss Statements

It can be very difficult to find a job in today's economic climate, and looking for high level or executive work requires a keen eye, and often, knowing someone whose already in the organization. After updating your resume, send it to your friends in the industry and see if they are able to direct it to the appropriate HR managers.

If you're looking for a job as an administrative assistant you should use the following words when updating your resume:

- Ability to type 80 wpm

- Microsoft Office

- Mac office

- Reception

- Phone support

No matter the type of work you're looking for make sure you ask past colleagues or friends if they know of any open positions within their companies. It's always an excellent decision to put your feelers out and see what kind of work is available. And always change-up your resume to meet the requirements of the job. It may be a entry-level position, but as long as you can turn it into something down the road, it may be worth looking into.

Tips for Working with Keyword Search Software

Many companies will use a type of software that identifies keywords in resumes. But what can you do to beat these machines?

Revise your resume so it includes keywords included in the job description during your opening. Take for example, if the job description says, "Coordinate and develop websites and blogs," your resume must include keywords such as "websites" and "blogs". But only if you have the experience, of course...

Update your multipurpose resume with frequently used keywords so that you do not have to revise it every time you have another job interview. One idea is to revise it every six months in order to stay current. Newer keywords may be used in the future, so stay current with them.

Add the most important keywords to your cover letter. Don't over do it though. You just want to have a few of the choice words that HR managers are looking for.

Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional & Executive Resume Writer/Career Consultant and President of Professional Resume Services, Inc. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 12 best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations and wins of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for executives and professionals.

As a proud member of CDI, NRWA, PARW, and AORCP, Erin also sits on CDI's Credentialing Committee for new certification candidates and serves as a Mentor for CDI's Member Mentoring Committee. She also is a featured blogger on several well-known career sites. Reuse of this article is encouraged but must include a link to http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com/.

Want to know more about Erin Kennedy, CPRW? Read her LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/erinkennedycprw

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Changing Dynamics of Jobs Today

As a career counselor, career guidance professional, and HR professional who has hired or placed 1,340+ professionals, my source for many articles come from clients.

This article is generated by personal observation in the marketplace. It shouldn't surprise you that one of my focuses is staffing and placement. From both a corporate and professional services acumen, I've observed the market and changing trends.

In a corporate environment, I directed hiring for departments with specific titles and specific responsibilities. For example, a Financial Analyst II did specific tasks, performed specific functions, and had defined outputs. A Financial Analyst III had other tasks at a higher level and functioned within specific job functions. To be hired in a specific position meant the individual functioned in the specific position.

This scenario was evident in technology, engineering, and most other fields: Employees with the same title performed specific area of tasks.

With the down-turn in the economy, departments lost budget and lost personnel, but still the department had to maintain a certain level of output.

The solution that firms are utilizing today is combining several positions into one job. If the company can fill two positions with one hire, this is a bottom-line improvement.

Today, several firms will combine three functions into one new hire and new hire consideration will only be given if all three requirements are met.

This makes a job search more difficult that ever before. It's doubtful this "combining of positions" will change in the future. In fact, research indicates this trend will only intensify. No one will go back to old-hiring practices

How should you combat this trend? If you are still employed and your department is using this scenario, request training for the new technology / demands are offered. You also may go to a job board and see if other companies are doing the same with job requirements. You must be pro-active and you need to update your background.

If you are seeking employment and are not getting any traction in your area of specialization, go to job boards, ask recruiting firms, find people in the industry and determine if job-dynamics and "piling on responsibilities" is keeping you out of a job.

If this is the case, show your defined expertise, take an introductory class or training, modify your resume and get on with your job search. Then be able to share your knowledge with the correct hiring manager in a target company.

If two things stand out in job searching today, they are tenacity and adaptability. Tenacity will be defined for not being discouraged, and adaptability for taking the needed training to fit the new requirement.

If you need further assistance please call (248) 630 - 5555 or visit www.careers-in-transition.com

Jim Carlson
Senior Consultant
Careers-In-Transition
(248) 630 - 5555

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Career Reset

Are you looking to re-enter the professional world or make a transition into a new career path? Maybe, you are satisfied with your career, but how can you advance in the company or improve your performance? No matter where you are in your professional life, career pathing is the perfect tool to help you evaluate your current position, develop a strategy, and make plans to assure you have a successful and fulfilling future.

When planning your career, you must first establish your current position and how you got to the point you are currently. While reflecting on the past, you should also consider what decisions led to your happiness, where you could have made improvements, and what you could do differently in the future. In addition, the experiences you have encountered and what skills you have learned will be your tools to help you through the path to your goal. The next step to career pathing is to pinpoint your destination. Where do you want your career to be at the end of next year? To do this, you have to consider the changes that have occurred throughout your career and life thus far. Where do your passions lie? What makes you happy? To best answer these questions, make a list of your likes and dislikes and then compare that to your current job.

This will help you understand if your job is currently or if it has the potential to bring you fulfillment, happiness, and lead you to your career goals. If this is not the case, then you should begin exploring other career fields and job positions that are fitting with your goals, needs and wants. Once you have decided where you want to be in your career, you must develop a strategy to achieving that goal. Explore the opportunities that lie beyond your current employer or job field. Throughout your career, you have developed skills that can be transferred to other job positions. There are also several opportunities to learn new skills or continue your education to help you find reach your ultimate career goal. Developing a career path also involves preparation and a solid understanding of the challenges and adjustments that lie ahead of you.

Making a career change or changing your performance in your current position will involve adjustments in your lifestyle. Therefore, it is important that you are able to adjust your spending habits and increase your savings so that you are able to make the choices and decisions to reach your goals. In addition to your finances, your relationships and family must be willing and able to adjust to the changes that will occur. If you are re-entering the professional world, your family must adjust to your new schedule and limitations. In addition to adjusting to your new path, you must also be prepared for disruptions and "speed bumps" that will occur. More than likely, your plan will not unfold exactly as you thought. You might not get the specific position you are looking for or you might not be completely prepared for some of the consequences of your decisions. If you have prepared yourself to be flexible and are focused on your ultimate goal, then you will be able to address these difficulties with confidence and overcome them successfully. If you are confident in your goals, you will be able to respond to difficulties and proceed to your goal destination. Career pathing should be performed annually, as it will help prepare you for the uncertainties and difficulties that you will encounter, and give you a sense of security in your choices.

Consider making it a regular part of your New Year's Resolution process. There is no better time that the beginning of a New Year to create a new career path and reset yourself for a successful career- just as you reset for the New Year!

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Bouncing Back When You're Unemployed

It can be difficult when you've recently lost your job. Whether you've been laid off or quit your job for any particular reason, finding new work while you're unemployed can be a full time job in itself. Losing a job is both financially and emotionally draining to most families. In order to make the task of finding a job easier here are some things to stay focused on to help you get back on your feet quickly.

Take control of the situation

Taking control of your situation is the top priority in your job search. Consider opportunities to try out new skills and make new connections. It's important to plan and strategize yet it's also important to stay 'active' and in motion. If you stay in motion, active and connected you will have a greater chance of finding a new job or breaking into a new profession.

Next, when looking for new jobs make sure to tell all your friends. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, to name a few, have made it very easy to keep your network of friends updated on your search.

Finally, take inventory of you assets. Who do you know? Where have you volunteered? And what skills do you have whether you were paid for them or used them in volunteer services?

Stay busy while you job search

As you seek work, don't be afraid to do in-between jobs such as waiting tables, delivering newspapers or bartending at night. Any of these jobs would be ideal because they allow you to have an income and provide the flexible schedule for you to look for permanent work during the day. If you have skills put them to profitable use. When you are working you are more likely to find a job when someone sees you actively out there. It increases the chances of you finding a solid line of work.

Find help

The next thing you do is ask for help; ask for opportunities to be involved with projects - even if it's for experience. Consider positions in which you are "underemployed" that may lead to greater opportunities. Again, remember when you're employed is the best time to search for the connection and skills to bring your salary back to the level you are seeking.

While doing your own legwork it is important to remember there are services available that can help you find work. The best way to find work is to remain open to various opportunities and interests.

Online classes and webinars can also help you. Many of the webinars are offered at no charge and can help you refine and learn new skills while searching for a job.

Dealing with your unemployment situation all comes down to your ability to stay focused on what needs to be done. Don't dwell on what happened, move onto where you are now, and find a way to get to where you want to be.

Tech Hybrids - A specialized IT consulting and staffing solutions provider, http://techhybrids.com/.

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