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Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

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A perfect CV and cover letter is what distinguishes a successful job applicant from others. In today's competitive job market, it is the best way to sell your potential to the possible employer. You may have more potential than other candidates so it is important that you demonstrate your suitability to the job vacancy in an appropriate and efficient manner. A perfect CV with an equally complimenting cover letter can do this for you.

The cover letter accompanies each CV or resume that you send to an employer. It is usually the first contact that you make with an employer and thus it is essential in determining a good first impression on the potential employer. You should devote sufficient time and effort towards writing the cover letter with CV. You can take the help of cover letter templates widely available on net to create one for your cover letter. Your job application letter should complement the CV rather than duplicating it. On the basis of purpose for which the letter is being send, cover letters can be broadly categorized into three types:

Application Letter:

When letter is sent in response to a job vacancy.

Prospecting Letter:

When letter is sent in order to enquire about a possible position.

Networking Letter:

When letter is sent to request information and assistance in job search.

While writing your cover letter it is important that you organize it into three parts:

Why you are writing?

This section describes your intention towards writing the letter. In case of an application letter it is important that you specify the mode through which you came to know about the job like some mutual contact. Also mention the job for which you are applying.

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Writing a Redundancy Appeal Letter

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Most of the potential employers use redundancy as a means of dismissing employees from their position. The reasons for redundancy include: attempt by an employer to reduce the workforce, the services or role of an employee has become irrelevant for the organization. If an employee believes that his dismissal procedure has been unfair then he can always write a redundancy appeal letter.

Writing a redundancy appeal letter is one of the preliminary steps to begin with an appeal procedure. An employee should write a letter in such a way that it shows the growth he has made in the company. Moreover an employee should also make a mention about the contributions which he has made to the company and how his dismissal would affect the success of the company.

An employer is then notified by sending a redundancy appeal letter. A request for appointment is made to discuss all the grievances and issues raised within it. If redundancy appeal letter offers no help in changing the mindset of the employer then further strict action should be adopted.

Here are simple steps that can help an employee to protect against redundancy:

- Firstly make sure that you adopt the correct legal procedure pertaining to your situation. Check with the relevant government department for employment to know about proper procedures and statutory requirements relating to pay and notice periods.

- You should give your grievances and reasons for the dismissal in writing and reasonable period for a response from the employer.

- Have a meet-up with the employer to discuss the grievances and give him an opportunity to explain its decision-whether the redundancy decision was correct or if some alternative could be worked out.

- Furthermore this employer's decision is given in writing and the employee has a right to appeal and attend further meeting.

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Interview Questions and Answers

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People generally consider interviews nerve-racking even if they have undergone interviews before. The best way to have a rewarding experience is to follow job interview tips, review the common interview questions and prepare your answers.

There are dozens of questions that are asked during the interview. Some of these questions are common while others depend upon the profile or CV of the interviewee. It is recommended that you go prepared with your personal profile so that while presenting it you don't muddle there. Here's a list of some sample interview questions and answers:

How would you describe yourself?
This is the most common question asked during interviews. The answer to this question should be a brief statement related to the achievements you've earned and jobs you have apprehended that relate to the position you are interviewing for. It is very essential to stay focused as the interviewer doesn't want to listen to anything that is not related to the job.

Why are you looking to leave your current job?
The answer to this question should not convey the problems you have had with your previous organization, supervisors or colleagues. Talk about positive aspects that you are looking to go up the career hierarchy. This would present you as an inspired and determined candidate in front of the interviewer.

What do you know about our organization?
To answer this question find out all the things related to the company like its foundation, recent projects, services, products, branches across the world etc. A well framed answer would show your awareness and willingness to work for the company.

What is your greatest strength?
Talk about your constructive attributes related to the job. Some examples include-good fit with corporate culture, your problem-solving skills, your ability to work under pressure, your professional expertise, your positive attitude etc. In order to frame the best answer it is essential that you match your skills to the role being advertised.

What is your greatest weakness?
Avoid telling your personal weaknesses like ‘I am a weird depressive.' Try to disguise your strength as a weakness for example- ‘I sometimes drive my people too hard.' A weakness doesn't remain a weakness if it's being handled in a positive manner.

Why should I hire you?
The answer to this question requires you to prove yourself extraordinary than others. Talk about your positive features related to the job, the best job you have done in the past, compliments you have received from management etc. Make use of sentences like ‘I am confident I would be a great addition to your team.' It is very essential to be fervent and confident when answering interview questions. A good method is to write out your answers to the questions you expect and then revise them to make them brief.

How to Write a Personal Statement

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Writing a good personal statement is probably the most intricate task while applying for a job. The reason that writing a personal statement is difficult is because it compels you to describe yourself, think about why you are interested in becoming a part of the organization you are applying for and the goals you want to achieve. A personal statement is something that is just about you; your experiences, goals, plans, thoughts, priorities etc. It is the personal statement only that can set you apart from other candidates and getting it wrong can negatively affect your chances of getting the interview call. There are different views about what to write and how to structure the personal statement. You can choose any format but make sure that your personal statement is not your CV in paragraph form. If you are not sure about how to structure a personal statement then you can search online personal statement samples and adjust the form to your content. It is suggested to embrace the core of a personal statement in the form of a cover letter of your CV and its word length should not surpass 500 words. Read the instructions below for personal statement help.

Customize the Personal Statement: It is recommended to customize your personal statement to the position and organization you are applying for. Integrate the information that is pertinent to the employer that reflects your intellect, interest and understanding of the position's outlook.

Outline Your Strengths: It is essential to outline your strengths assertively and concisely in order to distinct yourself from others. You can arouse the reader's interest by including information about your education and qualification, work and personal skills that can contribute to the organization's goals.

Include your Work Experiences: Many of the other applicants are likely to have similar academic qualifications but none has your particular experience or background. Include your relevant work experiences to explain the employer your desire for the job. It is recommended to not to reiterate the experiences that are stated in your CV or cover letter.

Include Eternal Goals of Your Field: It is advisable to include relative lasting goals of your ground in your personal statement. The good representation of your goals can convince the employer that you deserve the job. Make an effort to include everything that explains to your employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

Use Complete and Brief Sentences: Make sure that your sentences are complete and at the same time short and meaningful. Sentences should be grammatically correct. Also, avoid using jargon and abbreviations as personal statements or CV's are screened by people from the HR department who may be unaware of the abbreviations and jargon used in different industries.

Things to be Included in a CV

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CV writing is not a simple task as it requires to be written in a perfect layout to prompt an interview call. It is a document that markets your functional skills, expertise and achievements. CV should be presented professionally, clearly, briefly and in a way that signifies you are the perfect applicant for the job. For presenting yourself within the CV in an optimistic luminosity CV advice or guidance is very crucial. You can search online CV templates, CV examples, CV samples or hire a professional CV writer. This article would provide you the information about the things to be included in the CV and some important CV writing tips.

Name and Contact Details
Present this information at the commencement of your CV. Contact details should encompass your e-mail address, postal address and mobile number.

Career Statement
It should noticeably state the type of position you are applying for, skills or qualifications you possess that make you the right person for the job.

Skill Set
If you are a fresher then your skill set should include the skills that are relevant to the job applied but if you are an experienced candidate then your skill set should include all your experiences under the different subheadings.

Employment History
It is recommended to start with the most recent employment. Include successes and achievements especially if it saved the company money. Briefly explain the employment gap if any.

Education and Qualifications
This segment of CV templates plays a critical role in the enrolment of freshers. Put the highest qualification first with year achieved.

Interests
Mention the activities that show your leadership qualities or present you as a responsible person. If you have been involved in any type of volunteer work, do give details.

CV Style

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Your Curriculum Vitae is just as important as the clothes you wear at interviews as your personality will be presented and perceived. Actually, your CV is the first thing a potential employer will see and therefore this is when you must make that vital first impression. This applies to variations of the CV document such as the executive biography or the resume, and of course the covering or supporting letter.

You may hear that the CV is just a document that outlines your achievements, education, and employment history, however, your CV should be more than just a faceless document, it should be designed to speak to a potential employer in your absence. You could say it is trying to communicate who you are and would be as a valuable employee, what benefits you could bring to the company, and of course prove how you would be asset to employ.

Your first impression is a vital aspect of finding your desired employment in a field of your choice. As you look at the various CV styles and formats that can now be researched online, you should also think about how you wish the employer to perceive you along with providing all the necessary CV information. Of course, each person and job opportunity can be very different and this should also be a major factor to consider when styling your CV.

CVs should outline your education, employment, awards and achievements. However, the way they are presented is the key to delivering a perfect CV. You can compile the CV in such a way that it can be in chronological order while adding career functions and targeted with a career statement and or personal profile, namely a Universal CV that communicates the required information. Therefore, by creating a best Universal CV the potential employer will be able to read about you as a person, your aspirations, skills, education and professional experience on a maximum of two pages.

For whatever reason you may have had a gap or two within your employment history. You can de-emphasise this be writing career functions within your Universal CV or make it more targeted. This will look better than just listing jobs within a Chronological CV format.

The Best CV Templates

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Whether it's your first interview or you are searching for a new job, an efficiently written CV is a must. A good CV template can invite you for an interview, and help you land the job which you have dreamt of. CV templates serve as an effective tool for CV writing when an applicant is unsure of which CV format or layout to choose. Also, it saves a person's time and effort involved to write a good CV. A professional CV template can provide a rigid guideline on what to include and what not to include in a CV. The best professional CV templates are of high quality and are professionally strong in communication career skills and achievements. They are rich in content and style and offer better opportunities and jobs.

Good CV templates should always follow a particular standard. These are properly organized with different sections that take into account proper white spacing, margins, font as well as font size. Moreover professional CV templates also ensure correctness. With a CV template you don't need to worry about the grammar and spelling mistakes. Some of the best CV templates fit in your requisite information in at most two pages. This is quite beneficial in job screening process as an HR manager or a potential employer can quickly go through all the details.

Today a large number of CV templates are available over the internet in different formats and styles and you have a number of choices to choose from. There are mainly four formats available online that includes universal, chronological, functional, and targeted. Always choose the best CV template for you as per your requirement. For example some CV templates may emphasize on education while others may highlight more on employment experience. Also remember to select a CV template that is designed for the specific job you are seeking.

Another advantage of using a CV template is that they can be customized according to person's skills and qualifications. A person can type in some extra information as well as delete the unnecessary information. You can also move a section, change a font or alter some other features as per your requirements. While personalizing your CV pay more attention to the Objective Statement and the Work Experience section. Try to be more creative and never copy each and every word from the template. Also remember to tailor your CV in such a way that it emphasizes on your strengths and disguises your weaknesses.

Using CV Templates to Write your CV

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A CV provides important information about a person's qualifications, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations and other details. It is an important job seeking tool and therefore it becomes mandatory to have an effectively written CV. It should be clear, concise, complete, and up-to-date with necessary and adequate information. A CV template can help you in writing your own CV without much time and effort. CV templates provide the appropriate layout and format that can help an applicant to get a positive response from an employer.

A CV template is an important source of information which can be used as a model by an applicant for CV writing. A good CV template works as a guideline for job applicants and gives them the idea of what to include in their own CV. Since these templates contain already designed and formatted CV information they serve the applicant with an easy writing tool. With the right CV template a job applicant can never miss on important details that are essential for job seeking. They provide the proper format that focuses on the skills and experiences. Also professional CV templates further reduce the chances of committing grammar and spelling mistakes.

There are numerous CV templates available over the internet in different styles and formats as well as colours and layouts. Some of the popular CV formats available online are Universal CVs, chronological, functional, combination and targeted. Always choose a CV template that best matches up with your job requirements. Look for the one that highlights your strengths and hides your weaknesses. Never copy each and every word from the templates as the templates are only there to help you write your own CV. Always remember that a unique and creative CV will place you in a better job position compared to others.

A CV can be personalized to suit one's needs and can be customized accordingly. One can always download it and modify it as per the job requirements. Only relevant information pertaining to one's job must be provided and unnecessary information should be deleted. Choose a CV template style that clearly depicts all the information with proper bullet points and white space.

How to Write a Job Application Letter

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Getting a job of your choice is quite a difficult task especially in today's job market which is all flooded with new emerging applicants. Having suitable skills or experience is not enough; you need to have right job marketing approach. A perfect job application letter can be as important as a CV for a job seeker because it is your tool that obliges the employer to take notice and review your CV. Submitting just CV for job opening is highly unprofessional and can injure your chances of getting the interview even though you may be the most suitable candidate.

It is essential that you understand the importance of the job application letter. A customized, well structured letter introduces you to the potential employer, and communicates your suitability and skills for the vacancy. It not only introduces you to the employer but also leaves a first impression that is vital for your selection. It also helps you demonstrate and highlight your skills mentioned in your CV and allows a potential employer to have a fair look at your writing and communication skills.

A job application letter can be similar to a cover, when letter is being sent in response to an advertised job vacancy. You may also use cover letter templates that are widely available online to create and customize one for yourself. Writing a suitable job application letter can become much easier and efficient if you follow some basic rules which provide clarity and professionalism to your job application. Here are a few tips you must follow while working on a supporting letter:

- The job application letter must be addressed to the appropriate person by name such as a manager or the recruiter. Using generic lines looks unprofessional.

- Clearly state your application goal. It is important that you outline what you desire and what your strengths are, in order to present yourself as a confident professional.

- Customize your letter according to the position you are applying for. It reflects your suitability towards the position as well as your clarity of mind. Avoid using nonspecific statements.

- State why you should be chosen for the post and what can you contribute to the company. Do not give pompous statements.

- End the application by stating how you will follow up. It is important that you proofread your application before submission to avoid errors.

Writing a job application letter is a daunting job especially for a fresher but adequate practice, time and effort can help you master this skill.

Mike Kelley

How to write a Cover Letter to go with a CV

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Want to get the job of your dreams? A Pay which can help you and your family enjoy the best life style? If yes, then answer lies in a flawless CV. Writing a CV or Resume which is attractive is not just enough. Although it boasts your chances of getting interview invitations but the main challenge is achieved by preparing a best cover letter for your CV.

CV is an essential marketing tool which should be crafted very carefully. For creating a perfect CV you can use widely available CV Template, Resume Template, CV Examples and CV Samples etc or you can take professional help to create a CV that will be specially customized according to your individual needs. A great CV may complete 50% of the task but final success comes with a perfect cover letter that is your first impression on the prospective employer.

The CV / Job Application Cover Letter is a big part of package which you send to your potential employer so that he can reveal about your traits. It is highly important for the job for which you are applying. Cover letter gift wraps your CV in a way that reflects how interested you are in the job. Covering letters are of two types i.e. answer to an advertisement and cold introduction letters in case where no position has been advertised. While preparing an irresistible cover letter that creates an instant impact on the potential hirer, one needs to remember some tips.

It's important that you address the letter by the name of the decision maker. If no name is given on the commercial, try to find it out through phone call or further way because else your CV would be piled up with others. Don't just tailor the same old CV for every job you apply. Use cover to link your statements to the vacancy advertised. Emphasize on your attributes and achievement that matches with job requirements.

Since you have just few seconds to grab the attention, make it clear, crisp, and highlight important information. Try selling yourself in best way you can. Name dropping proves beneficial if you have experience of a good university, industry or project etc. Try to express confidence and avoid boasting. Also, make sure to be grammatically correct. It's important to end your cover letter on high note and actually ask to be invited for the interview.