The job hunt is an inescapable bother we all face at multiple points in our lives, but how many of us can say we're truly prepared? Today, I will be going through some important tips to conquer those job hunt scaries.
You thinking about the job hunt.
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The cover letter always seems so daunting part to me, but if I can do it, so can you! When you break it down into sections, it's not so scary. Before jumping into that, let me preface this by reminding you to start with your most relevant information first! It's okay if your letter is not in chronological order. The way to draw an employer in is by including your most relevant achievement or job/internship first. That way, they're inclined to keep reading. Don't make them work for the information they want.
At the very top of your letter, include the name of your interviewer and company address, as well as your contact information. Then below, add a greeting. This should never be a "hello" or "Good Morning" (you don't know when they're reading), rather, a simple "Dear Ms. Blah" will suffice. Try to steer clear of “to whom it may concern” unless absolutely necessary. Do a deep dive online to find someone you can address the letter to before relying on the vague whom.
Start off by discussing why you’re sending your resume. No need for a “I hope this letter finds you well” or “Hope your week is going great,” you can jump right into what you’re applying for and why. Your interviewer is busy, so including the position you’re applying for is not redundant. If someone from the company (or relevant to the company) pushed you to apply for the job, now is the time to mention it. While this may make you stand out, don’t overplay the nature of your relationship. If you don't have a relevant name to mention, that's okay! Instead, mention how you found the job, whatever the method. Be sure to include what kind of applicant you are. Whether it be recent grad or experienced vet, inform your reader on how you fit the experience section of their job posting.
Now you can expand on a related experience (or two) that relates to the position you're applying for. Don’t repeat information that can be read on your resume. The key here is show, don’t tell. Find a way to highlight your abilities without blatantly listing them out. Make sure to include key words from the job description as well. Sometimes cover letters are scanned by a computer program that looks for buzz words before reaching a person within the company, so it's important to include important phrases from the job posting in your cover letter.
Before ending your cover letter, include a course of action and your contact information (yes, again). Do not phrase it as an expectation for your potential employer, rather, something about how you look forward to hearing from them. Then sign off with a simple “sincerely” or “all the best,” and you’re done! (After you edit, of course).
Moving onto the interview itself, the most important thing is to be prepared. Researching the company and job you're applying for is imperative to succeeding throughout this process. Being aware of company scandals or achievements makes you look informed. You should look into your interviewer and other relevant executives prior to the interview. Make sure you know how to pronounce everyone's names; you don't want to embarrass yourself over an avoidable error!
You know the interviewer will ask you questions like “what are your three biggest weaknesses” or “tell me about an obstacle you overcame,” so there is nothing wrong with preparing answers beforehand! Of course, you don’t want to sound robotic, but remaining calm and articulate during the interview will make you look more professional. The key is to knowing how to promote yourself; don’t boast about your abilities, but don’t sell yourself short. Your job here is to convince your interviewer that you are the best person for the job while remaining humble. Position your weaknesses as strengths by picking a quality that is bad when you exhibit too much of it, like ambition. Regardless of the question asked, don’t complain! Even if you think they’ll appreciate your honesty, do not complain. You never know who they know or what they’ve been through. Spinning things in a positive light makes you seem more optimistic, someone who will help boost morale and be a great addition to the company.
Future you at your job after following these tips!
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I hope you found this blog to be helpful and can apply some of these tips to your own job hunt scaries! Remember, you are not a burden. You are not wasting anyone’s time. You are doing the company a favor by offering to fill a position they need. You are qualified for this job and are a good fit for it. You got this! :)
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