Top Tips On Writing A Cover Letter

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shutterstock_150806027A cover letter usually becomes your ticket to a job interview if you prepare it the right way. It works as a summary of sorts that hiring managers look into first before delving into your job resume. The cover letter can help create the type of impression that you wish to convey to hiring managers about yourself. Here are some of the more important tips that you should know about when writing a cover letter.

Do not misspell the company name or contact name.

One common mistake that people make when writing a cover letter is proofreading it properly. Although at rare times, certain grammatical errors may be forgiven, misspelling the company name on your cover letter may be the biggest spelling error you can ever make on your cover letter. The same goes when you do not spell the name of the person or hiring manager it is addressed to. People reviewing your cover letter may easily see this. It can be an injustice to your future employer by spelling their company name wrong on your cover letter. Try to proofread what you have written several times to avoid this simple but costly mistake.

Avoid exaggerated or unfounded compliments.

While you might think that it will help you heaping praises on a future employer on your cover letter, think again. Certain praises that are exaggerated and do not really paint a real picture of the company you are applying for can work against you. Heaping compliments that are not really true will sometimes tell the hiring manager that you do not know what you are talking about. It is like telling your date that she has beautiful blond hair when in fact she has black hair. The next time you try to insert praises or compliments on your cover letter, make sure that it is true and factual.

Use simple words to describe your qualifications.

Some applicants tend to impress employers by using complicated words on their cover letter especially when it comes to describing their qualifications. But sometimes, using impressive sounding words can sometimes cause more confusion than clarity. Try to be more exact and simple when you are trying to describe your qualifications on your cover letter. Try to avoid using bigger words when you can say the same thing with a simpler one.

Do not highlight skills unrelated to the job.

Another mistake that many job seekers make when preparing a cover letter is by listing all their skills and qualifications on it, even those that do not really relate to the job they are applying for. The reason why employers read the cover letter is to determine if you are the right person with the right qualifications for the job. Adding in qualifications totally useless in a job being applied for will only cause confusion in the minds of the hiring manager as to who or what you really are. So remember this tip- if a skill or qualification is not what the job looks for, try not to include it on your cover letter.

Proofread your cover letter very carefully.

This is perhaps the most overlooked tip when it comes to preparing a cover letter. Some people are just that confident with their writing skills that they pass up on reviewing what they wrote. Many things can go wrong in a cover letter that you never proofread. Aside from spelling and grammar mistakes, people can overlook updating contact information such as a phone number, address or other necessary personal information. Proofreading is not meant to be a burden. It is meant to help you come up with the best cover letter you can make. So try not to avoid doing it several times just because you find it a bit of a chore.
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Elements of a Viral Video

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Many companies nowadays are harnessing the social media to promote its products and services. Job vacancies have been opened to people who are keen on developing effective social marketing campaigns. Responsibilities of a social marketer includes (but not limited to) updating the company’s social networking profiles, creating contests using social media, and developing viral videos.

Some of the most successful viral videos that directly promote a product or service include the Old Spice commercials, which were shared many times on social networking sites because of the catchy copy and the off-the-field “I’m on a horse” scene that made people wonder how did that happen. Old Spice brought the viral popularity of this campaign further with its actor, Isaiah Mustafa, posting videos in response to questions asked by fans on Twitter.

The “Old Spice Guy” campaign continues a year later, with the actor giving one super fan an exclusive peek on his latest commercial as well as two tickets to the Super Bowl.

Almost every company would want to create a viral video that creates buzz swiftly and effectively. However, such videos cannot be considered viral until these are spread extensively within the social media, then it gets picked up by mainstream media. Otherwise, videos that are intended to be viral but only get a few hundred hits simply languish in obscurity along with other videos that attempted to go viral but failed.

So what makes a successful viral video? We need to take a look on its common elements.

Low in budget – Although the Old Spice Guy commercials appear to be highly budgeted, its creators claim it is not. Many viral videos do not rely on fancy special effects, A-list actors, and exotic locations. They can be recorded using a cell phone camera or other inexpensive recording device. What is most important is its content.

Humor – The most effective viral videos are humorous, whether intentional or not. It can be a parody of something current, a hilarious commentary, or something serious that went horribly wrong. Of course, there are those touching, emotional viral videos, but the funny ones tend to spread quicker.

Sticking to what’s current – Viral videos should be relevant by the moment it is spread. It would be easy to perform a parody of the current viral video, but once that video becomes a has-been, so is your parody video. One effective viral

It provokes you – Whether it is thought-provoking or downright inflammatory, effective viral videos catch the people’s attention and elicit reaction. The most common reaction to viral videos would be “Oh my God,” either in the good or bad way.

It surprises you – Whether it is a “planned” or unintentional private video, viral videos have an element of surprise. Who can forget Susan Boyle’s audition for Britain’s Got Talent? No one expected her to sing that good, which is a shame on our part yet definitely taught us a lesson or two.

Source: About.com
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The Good Stuff of Being a Manager

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You have worked hard for your company for so long and one day your employer told you that you deserve a promotion. You were suggested to become a supervisor or manager and you wonder whether a high position is for you. Here are some encouraging upsides of being a manager.

The money – Obviously, managers get paid higher than rank and file employees. There are companies, however, that pay workers based on their value to the organization rather than their title or position.

The power – Managers have more power than ordinary employees, even those who are deemed more valuable than the managers. A manager’s responsibility is to delegate tasks to his group members, but the most important task a manager can perform is to make sure his group performs successfully.

The status – In a society that values titles, being called a manager is worth something. Taking managerial work jazzes up your resume and generally impresses potential employers.

The sense of achievement – Being promoted as a manager sends a sense of validation and personal achievement. It brings proof that you are doing the right thing. Big-time CEOs began as managers themselves, so consider this promotion as a first step to get there.

Source: About.com
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Developing A Successful Career Plan

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Every successful professional follows a career plan. The career plan provides the map that a professional follows that will eventually help him or her accomplish some established goals at certain periods of one’s career. Developing a career plan may take some time and preparation. Here are also some things that many people seem to overlook when developing their own career plan.

Be true to yourself.

A career plan can only be accomplished successfully if one has developed it with all sincerity. This would include that the professional is in the right career path. By saying the right career path, this means that the professional is following a career that he or she loves and enjoys.

Before ever trying to develop a career plan, one should first try to be true to oneself, especially in choosing the right career. It should be a career that one would be happy with and enjoy doing. This alone would help provide the necessary motivation for one to stay the course and get to the finish line. Following a career not after one’s own heart can usually result in a failed or, if not, an unhappy and unfulfilled career path.

Develop patience and slow down a bit.

The world is now going by so fast. Everything seems to work at fast forward, now that technology and those devices make everything readily available at the speed of thought, so to speak. And because of this, people have increasingly been living a fast-paced life. They want everything now and fast. The same seems to happen to one’s career path.

Many people make the mistake of trying to take the faster route to their career path. Although this may seem ideal, it is not always possible. Some people jump from one job to another, thinking that the next job would help them go up the career ladder faster. But what happens is that people lose having that long-term vision and take short-term goals that lead to nowhere. Some people may need to slow down a bit and try to develop a career path over time instead of trying to steamroll through it without regard of what may happen next.

Develop some focus.

A career plan is composed of different goals that one should achieve at certain periods. Trying to achieve them all takes great focus. This is an important trait that those people who wish to be successful in their careers should develop. Applying the proper focus can help one find and then hit the right target. This is also the same when trying to follow a career plan towards its end.
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Best Careers To Follow For 2011

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With the recent economic downturn just recently ending this year, it may be more important than ever for people to choose the best career path to take advantage of what the current job market needs in terms of availability, salary and job satisfaction they offer. According to US. News, here are the best careers to follow for 2011.

Business Related Occupations

There are various jobs related to business that made the list. Those jobs that made it include accountants, actuaries, financial advisers, financial analysts, sales managers, meeting planners, logisticians, PR specialists and training specialists. Of this group, the sales managers make the highest median annual salary, which is pegged at around US$ 97,000.

Technology Occupations

Tech jobs seem to remain in consistent demand that have made them one areas to follow a good career path for this year. Among those tech jobs that are listed include, computer software engineers, computer systems analysts, computer support specialists, network architects, biomedical engineers, civil engineers, environmental engineering technician, environmental science technicians, hydrologists, and meteorologists.

Creative And Service Occupations

There were also several creative jobs and those in the services industry that made it to the list. Among them are curators, commercial pilots, film/video editors, interpreters, gaming managers, multimedia artists, technical writers, and HVAC technicians.

Healthcare Occupations

There were also a number of jobs in the healthcare industry that were included in the best careers to take in 2011.Among them are dental hygienists, lab technicians, massage therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and physical therapists. Also included in the list are optometrists, doctor’s assistants, physical therapist assistants, radiologic technologists, registered nurses, school psychologists and veterinarians.

Social Service Occupations

In the social services field, there are also a number of jobs that may be a good career path to pursue for this year. The list include, education administrators, court reporters, the clergy, marriage and family therapists, mediators, medical and public health social workers, special ed teachers, urban planners and firefighters.
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Understanding Job Descriptions

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When it comes to looking for a job, knowing what is to be expected may be as important as landing the job itself. Looking at wanted job ads may contain the information needed by job applicants by way of the job descriptions provided by the employers. But such job descriptions are not always down to the point and may require some bit of understanding. Here are some of the common job descriptions job hunters may usually encounter on job ads and what they usually mean.

Flexible Working Hours

This job description is usually seen in job ads put up by start up companies. At first look, it might seem that the employers might be offering a wonderful option of working under flexible hours according to the job applicant’s schedule. But what it might really mean is that the schedule to be followed is that of the company.

When reading this job description, one should expect that the job might require some days where burning the midnight oil might be necessary. Some employees might be required by the company to stay for extended hours in order to finish certain important tasks. Sometimes, Saturdays might just become working days for some of the employees. This situation may be closer to what the stated job description might mean.

Lots Of Growth Opportunities

This is another common job description that many start up companies are known to use. What it might really mean is that the job applicant should expect working hard in exchange for minimal pay since it might be a company that dreams big but may have limited capital. But it is not all bad. There might really be many opportunities to grow in the said company. But job hunters should make sure that it is a company that they are willing to work for a long period of time since there might be a number of initial struggles to face.

Willing To Work With Minimal Supervision

This job description might offer a little independence to employees which many will find welcome. But it can also mean another thing. The company may lack some cohesive leadership. Employees might need to fend off for themselves most of the time and it is not always a good thing. One way to determine the level of cohesive leadership in the company is by trying to see if the employer or interviewer has an idea of the day to day tasks that the job in question takes. If not, then it may be a good indication that the job hunter may need to discover what the job entails if he or she is hired for it.

Ability to Identify And Resolve Problems

It might seem that this job description looks into the problem solving abilities of the job applicant. But what it might also mean is that the company might not have an idea on the certain problems that it is facing and may need you to look for them and find ways to solve them. The employee might be expected to turn things around. The job might require certain challenges that need to be faced.
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Factors To Consider When Choosing Online Degrees

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There are now many options available for people who are considering a change of careers. One of the most convenient options would be taking online degrees to further advance their skills and career options. Taking an online degree will enable a person to continue pursuing some advanced career education without having to stop working.

Since online degrees may have a more flexible schedule, it may be a more feasible option for those who have a job. But then choosing an online school where to get an online degree may be more of a challenge. Here are some of the things to consider when

Career Relevance

Since your goal is to further your career by taking an online degree, make sure that you choose an online degree program that is as closely relevant to your career goals. Make sure that the courses that you take is also ideal for classes in an online environment. There are certain classes that might be more effective in a face-to-face class setting while others may be more ideal online.

Online School Accreditation

One of the more important things to consider when looking for an online degree is if the online programs that the schools offer is properly accredited. People should be aware that there are also so-called diploma mills that may offer fake accreditation credentials in order to entice more interested students. Make sure that you research an online school’s accreditation from the Department of Education to determine genuine online schools.

Quality Of the Faculty

Having good quality instructors can mean the difference between getting a good online degree and just an ordinary online diploma. This may eventually affect your career opportunities along the way. You can check out with online schools and try to inquire about their faculty and the credentials that they hold. Try to make sure that you deal with an online school that includes having a veritable line-up of instructors from whom you may be able to learn and acquire skills.
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Tips To Avoid Putting Your Job At Risk

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Having a job and keeping it is important for those people who are trying to establish a very successful career. But there are also times when people may put their own jobs at risk with their own actions and mistakes. Here are some tips that might help you avoid sabotaging your own job and career.

Be Careful Of What You Share Online

In this age of social networks and real-time online sharing, it can be easier for people to sabotage their careers through this route. With people sharing almost anything via their online social networks, they can easily make the mistake of sharing something about their jobs that they shouldnt have to. It may also be through social networks that some may send negative messages about job related matters, sometimes out of a burst of emotion. These shares made online can sometimes lead to some putting their own jobs at risk. To be on the safe side, one should try to limit job-related matters that are being shared among online social networks in order to avoid making mistakes that could sabotage a career.

Avoid Office Romances

Although love may blossom for people at any time, the workplace is usually not the place for it to develop. Try to avoid being part of a developing office romance since it can lead to a number of complications that can also sabotage a career. For example, it would be pretty hard usually for two people in a failed office romance to continue working together and focus on their jobs after the experience. In this case, avoidance would clearly be a better deal than risking sabotaging a career.

Observe Proper Email Etiquette

Emails have become the main source of inter-office communication. Sending one should be handled with care and some added level of responsibility. Sending the wrong email to the wrong recipient can have disastrous consequences career-wise. Be careful of sending those emails, making sure that they are being sent to their intended recipients. Try to also avoid sending office gossips or incendiary messages via email since it might easily be traced out to the source in case it can cause problems in the office. It is always better to observe proper email etiquette than risking a career over a recklessly made email message.
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Common Habits That Ruin A Career

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Many people are quite motivated enough to succeed in their chosen careers. As they go up further in the ladder of success, some may begin to develop certain habits and behaviors that may end up hurting their career path over time. Here are some of those common behaviors that might eventually hurt one’s career.

Too Much Confidence

Over the course of a successful career, some people may begin to feel very proud of their accomplishments. It can slowly get into their minds enough to make them develop too much confidence of themselves. While people might need some dose of self-confidence, too much of it can be poison as it can cause the ego to go beyond where it needs to be. It can be enough to ruin some professional relationships that can put a career at risk.

Poor Communication

A successful career professional usually relies on good communicating skills in order to climb the career ladder. It helps them be understood and for others to understand them. Good communicators know how to put ideas across and make people listen. If one does not develop this skill over time, it can eventually make one miss out on some opportunities for career advancement and possibly hurt one’s career.

Poor Record Keeping

Not having good organizational skills can hurt one’s career in many ways. First off, not having a good record of contacts over the years can mean quite a lot for any career. Poor record keeping in this area can result in some people not taking advantage of their contacts for career advancement. Their underutilized network of peers can mean many missed opportunities along the way.

Short-Sightedness

Some people who have built a career may eventually also develop short-sightedness. When looking at opportunities, they usually begin to look for those instant benefits being offered rather than the long-term benefits that some of them may provide. A certain job may be deemed attractive if it provides many instant perks and benefits. Those that offer possibilities of greater earnings in the future may not have the same effect. Not being able to weigh the longer term benefits may cause people to mix up their priorities that end up hurting their career.

Stalled Learning

Some people forget that learning is a continuous process. Just because they have climb up their career ladder up to a certain level, some people become more complacent when it comes to learning new things. This sometimes leads to having skills and ideas that are no longer applicable in a rapidly changing world. Not being able to adapt by learning new skills or ideas can leave one out of those many career advancing opportunities that will lead to even further success.
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Finding Fulfillment In A Chosen Career

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There are many times where people wonder just where their career went wrong. Some people have chosen a particular career and yet have gone through a string of failures that have left them in a state of doubt over their own capabilities and self-worth. It becomes an area for self-evaluation and recollection. It all boils down to one thing- finding fulfillment in a chosen career.

It may be different for some people to arrive at a decision for their chosen careers. And because of it, they achieve varying success of success or failure. Here are some factors that might have some effect on finding some fulfillment on one’s career choices.

Passion Is Key

One of the important factors of fining fulfillment in a chosen career is passion. Having the right passion to pursue a particular career should actually be the very basis of having a career choice and finding fulfillment in it. If you try to base your chosen career on what you like to do and pursue in life, you always have that better chance of being successful and find fulfillment in what you will eventually be doing.

Set Your Goals

Aside from passion, it is also important for people to set reachable goals in order to climb up the ladder of their chosen careers. It should start from choosing the right course in college. In order for one to start into the right direction, having the right education for the chosen career can help a lot. It is one of those goals that will have a great impact on your career and the fulfillment that you have for it.

Set A Life Plan

Aside from those essential goals, it is also important to have a life plan in place. You should try to set up a plan of what you want to achieve in certain parts of your life. You should try to have some credible achievements that you would want to fulfill or reach by the time you reach a certain age. Just like your goals, this will help give you the drive and motivation that you need to get ahead in life. It can help provide purpose and direction for your whole existence. It can help provide the drive that you need as you go in pursuit of them. With such things in place, it can help you find fulfillment, not just in your chosen careers but also in life in general.
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