How To Write a Cover Letter

1. Keep to only one page
   • The cover letter should not be longer than one page, otherwise the interviewer will lose interest.
   • Maximum five paragraphs only.
   • Use simple words.
   
   
2. Address the letter to the Human Resource Manager by name, if possible, followed by company name and address
   • Do not write Dear Sir/Madam, Gentlemen, Sirs, Mr President, or To Whom It May Concern.
   • If you do not know, find out beforehand. Do not spell the person’s name wrongly.
   
   
3. Layout
   1. The Opening – Include your full name, address, date, employer’s designation and company address, correct salutation and subject.
   2. Introduction – Indicate position applied for, branch/state position available (if applicable), source and date of job information. Briefly mention your qualifications.
   3. Sales Pitch – Highlight to what extent you match the job requirements. Summarize your education, experience, capabilities and skills. Mention your interest in the company and the reason you are applying for that particular position.
   4. Request for further action – Write that you look forward to receive their call for an interview. State your availability to attend interviews. End by thanking the person for his/her time and consideration.

Job Seekers: Why You Should Include Your LinkedIn Profile Link in Your Email Signature

A reader recently asked if it was really beneficial to include her LinkedIn profile public profile link in her email signature. I responded that I have found it very beneficial in two measurable ways:

1) I click the "Who's viewed my profile" link on my LinkedIn home page to determine if someone from a target company has viewed my profile. Since I've included it in my email signature, I definitely get more LinkedIn profile views (although LinkedIn does not allow you to view them all unless you pay to upgrade your account).

2) I added my resume (without my home address for security reasons) and list of recommendations to my profile using the free Box.net application and presentations to my profile using the SlideShare application ... so every time someone downloads these documents from my profile ... I get an email notice. This notice doesn't always tell me who downloaded the document, but by reviewing "Who's viewed my profile" during that time frame, I can usually narrow down which company accessed this information about me. Having that foreknowledge is sort of exciting because if your profile is good and your support materials are solid ... you'll probably get a call soon after from that company!

Most importantly, showing that you are on LinkedIn and that you know how to include your public profile link on your email signature shows people you "get" social networking ... and that knowledge is a necessity in this day and age.

How to add your LinkedIn profile hyperlink to your email signature:

1) In your email program, open the email signature editor window (it can usually be found within Options, then Email or Mail Options). Type the words My LinkedIn profile in the signature editor box under your name, phone number, and email address.

2) Open LinkedIn, and then click on your profile.

3) Click the url from the middle of your profile box where it says "Public Profile". When your public profile comes up, highlight and then copy the url from the browser window. (Control c)

4) Highlight My LinkedIn profile in your email signature. Click the hyperlink button. When the hyperlink box pops up, paste your profile link (url) into the box (Control v). Click save. You may have to temporarily allow pop-ups (by right clicking the yellow box at the top of your web browser) to complete this process.

5) Save your email signature changes. Your my Linked profile link should now appear in your email signature whenever you send a message.

How to ask a LinkedIn connection to introduce you to a hiring company. Tip #1: DON’T just send an introduction request

The LinkedIn introduction feature is a great weapon in your job search arsenal, but like any weapon, it should be handled carefully lest it backfire.

How LinkedIn introductions work
Through the LinkedIn introduction feature, you can send a request to a LinkedIn friend (connection) to ask him or her to introduce you to one of his/her LinkedIn friends (a 2nd degree connection from you), or even to be introduced to a friend of that person’s friend (a 3rd degree connection from you). This can be a great way to make contact with a person within a target company where you want to work, but should be done strategically and diplomatically.

First, do your homework
1) Look through all of your LinkedIn connections. Click on their connections link and scan their connections. Observe if they are connected to people who work in companies where you would like to work. While you are doing this research, invite connections of theirs (who are mutual friends of yours) to connect on LinkedIn to build your network.

2) Type the name of the company in the “Search People” box to learn of people who either work at the company now or who used to work for the company. Note what degree connection they are to you and/or whether they are members of the same LinkedIn group as you.

3) Determine which people have titles that could be most relevant to the position you seek. For example, you may want to be introduced to the person who is the likely hiring manager for the position, or to a recruiter or HR professional. Frankly, I had better luck connecting with executives or hiring managers than to recruiters (who are often jaded to all job seeker tricks), but you may have a different experience.

4) After you determine what person you want to reach, consider who your first degree contact is who can introduce you to the person. For example, if you want to be introduced to a 2nd degree connection, say, Becky Barnes, HR Manager at Mega Corp., consider if your 1st person connection, Lester Milktoast, is the right person to make the introduction. Is he a reputable, respected person? Is he someone who will follow through with such a request? Does he believe in your abilities enough to recommend you as he passes on your introduction?

5) If you are in a LinkedIn group with the person to whom you want to be introduced, you don’t have to go through a first degree connection to make his or her acquaintance. Just click on 'Send a message' from their profile and contact them directly.

Prepare your first degree connection
If you have many first degree connections like I do, you may not know them well enough to feel comfortable asking them to introduce you to another complete stranger. In this instance, don’t give up, but do think smart. Before you send the introduction request, send a LinkedIn message to prepare your first degree connection and/or to get his/her valuable insight.

Write something like, Lester, I notice you are a first degree connection to Becky Barnes at Mega Corp. I really want to work there. Would you be comfortable if I were to send you a request to be introduced to her? Any information you can pass along about Becky or Mega Corp., or any good word you can put in for me to Becky or other people who might be hiring, would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for a position as a (TITLE). If you know of any leads in my field, I’d be so thankful! If you’d like, I can email you my resume so you can speak knowledgeably about me to Becky. Let me know your email address so I can send it to you. Thanks for your help. 

Don’t abuse your relationship with your first degree connections by sending them too many introduction requests. Rather establish a relationship with them where you can be of help to them in some way. Let them know how their help benefitted you and thank them for their assistance.

Third degree might be a degree too far
If the person you want to reach is a 2nd degree connection from your LinkedIn friend (your 3rd degree connection), realize that your friend likely does not know that person any better than you do (the person is their friend’s friend, not his/hers). So while it’s possible to do a 3rd degree introduction, it may not be an effective interaction. In this scenario, it might be better to reach out to the targeted person directly through a LinkedIn group or by trying to find their email address on Google and sending them a direct message.

Get introduced
Once you have established that it is all right to send an introduction request to a connection, follow LinkedIn’s instructions to send an introduction.

While it pays to be cautious about sending LinkedIn introductions, it can be a great way to become acquainted with a hiring company … and that can help you Get a Job! 

Making Impression : First Rule

Important rule of job interviews: you’ll never be given a second chance to make a first impression. The first interview with a company is all-important, for it will make or break your opportunity to progress to a second interview or get a job offer. Here are some tips to help you score at your first meeting and increase your chances for a next one.

• Dress good. No flamboyant dressing! Go conservative. For example, white long sleeve shirts with a tie for men. For ladies, wear minimal jewelry. Make-up should be restrained, fingernails nails clean, neat and not brightly polished.
• Smell good. Watch what you eat before the interview and keep a breath mint on hand. Never chew gum during an interview. Also, have a good bath before you go, and wear light perfume or cologne.
• Time it well. Don’t plan an interview before work or during lunch if your time does not permit it. Allow more time for the interview than you think you need to avoid feeling rushed.
• Be conscious of your body language. Look the interviewer in the eye. Remain professional in posture and demeanour. Sit up straight and control your nervous habits.
• Speak clearly and enthusiastically about your skills, knowledge, and abilities. Answer all questions to the point, and don't reveal more information than necessary.
• Be pleasant, but not overly friendly. You are interviewing for a job, so remain professional.
• Listen carefully. Don't interrupt the speaker. If you need to take notes, ask for permission. Sometimes, there may be long pauses during the interview. Don’t let it make you feel uncomfortable.
• Always be positive. Never run down your previous employer. Be prepared for questions that can make you look bad, like "Tell me about a weakness."
• <Do your homework. There’s always the Internet. Learn as much about the company as possible. If possible, brush up on the industry by reading the newspapers or industry publications.
• >Don’t be late. If you're not familiar with the location of the company, get a map. Try to look over the area to find the location a few days before the interview.
• Etiquette. Know what to do if lunch or dinner is part of the interview.
• Write a thank you note. Be professional until the end. Give them a “thank you” note once the interview is over. Ask for the interviewer’s business cards so that you know how to spell their names and addresses properly.

Two important lessons for the jobseeker

A senior human resource manager recounts some of his most unforgettable experiences in the year just past, and draws two valuable lessons for the jobseeker.

No matter how long one has been in the recruitment business, one can still come across a few surprises every now and then.

Just this year, for example, I have recruited over a dozen managers and executives. Here are some personal tales of recruitment woes and lows.

One of my more unforgettable experiences this year involved a middle manager that I had chosen for the marketing department. A friend, who assured me he was a good performer, referred this guy to me.

After having him go through a series of interviews, everyone concerned was satisfied with him and decided to make him a job offer. I then prepared the job offer sheet and called the manager to my office.

After giving the manager the job offer sheet, I explained to him the compensation package, which would allow him to earn as much as 16 months’ worth of salary in a year.

He read the offer sheet and pointed out that only 13 months were guaranteed and that there was no mention of the bonus. I told him that it was not the company’s practice to put everything in the offer sheet, because some things were deemed confidential. The arrangement, therefore, would have to be based on trust. I also told him that the average was about 15 months pay per year, depending on performance. When he asked me if I could write it down in the offer sheet, I said no.

Too Sorry
As we went through the offer sheet item by item, he insisted on going into the minutest details of each, no matter how trivial. I have never seen any applicant as finicky as he.

Finally, we came to the vacation leave. Our practice is that on the first year, the employee should first earn his vacation leave. It is only in the second year when the employee could avail himself of his earned leave credits. He complained that it was too long to wait. Thereupon we got into a long discussion. To appease him, I told him that the company does allow some managers to go on leave in advance on a case-by-case basis. He asked me if I could also include such exceptions in the offer sheet.

On hearing this, I got so fed up that I took the offer sheet and tore it in front of him. I then told him that our relationship should be based on trust and if he could not trust our company, then he should not work for us. End of discussion.

A couple of months later, I met the friend who recommended him to me. He told me that the applicant was very sorry to have lost the opportunity of working for us. It turned out that he had moved to another company for a much lesser package than what we had offered him.

Two-faced
Sometimes being too cunning could also work against you.

During the middle of the year, I was searching for a high-level executive for our controllership division. Finally, we settled on a very good candidate. However, since it was a senior management position, the candidate had to be interviewed by the company president before we could make him a job offer. The president was out of the country at the time and would not be back until after a couple of weeks. Since the candidate was in a hurry to move, I called him up and explained to him the situation. I then asked him to wait.

When our president came back, we immediately called the candidate for an interview. The president was likewise impressed with him after the interview. He then instructed me to make him a job offer, which the candidate accepted. A couple of days later, I received a call from a friend, who was also an HR executive in another company. Imagine my surprise when he told me that the same candidate had already accepted their job offer the previous week and had, in fact, signed an employment contract. Only he came back and said he wanted to withdraw it because he would be joining our company. My friend asked me if that was true. I told him yes but that I didn’t know the guy had already signed up with his company.

We then thought of a plan to teach the guy a lesson. My friend sent me a copy of the contract signed by the candidate, and I did the same. My friend then called the candidate for a meeting and pretended to ask him to reconsider his withdrawal. But the candidate stood fast on his decision. So my friend asked him to put his withdrawal in writing, which the candidate did.

A day later, I met with the candidate and asked him if there was anything he would like to disclose to me. When he asked me what it was about, I told him about his having accepted an offer in another company before he did ours. The candidate denied it until I showed him the signed contract. He became very apologetic. I then told him that our company was withdrawing its job offer. If he could afford to be dishonest with us this early in our relationship, I said, then we had no assurance that he would not do the same once he was employed with us. He asked for reconsideration, but I was firm with my decision.

That applicant should have learned several lessons from this experience. First, he should have learned that haste makes waste. If he had only waited a bit longer for our offer before making a decision, then things would have turned out differently. Second, he should have fulfilled his commitment instead of reneging on it when a better offer came along. Third, he should have learned that one couldn’t always get away with everything all the time. If only he had been honest with me about his having accepted the other company’s offer, I would have told him to first talk to my friend and ask that he be allowed to withdraw his commitment. In that way, I would have withheld the offer until he had properly informed the other company. I’m sure my friend would have understood and allowed him to go without a fuss.

These stories impart some important lessons for jobseekers like you, specifically on ethical issues pertaining to job offers. Imbibe them and you will not suffer the same fate that befell these individuals.

Social networking sites: a boon and bane of job seekers

Are you a member of any social networking website like Facebook or Friendster? We have seen them undergo unprecedented growth in recent years as they provide web users with an avenue for self-expression and social interaction.

Social networking websites work by asking you to create a profile by filling in basic information (gender, location, etc.) and personality indicators (favorite movies, favorite books, interests, etc.) and adding people you know to your “Friends" list. These profiles are generally quite open and it's possible for anyone to view your profile and that of the people in your extended network.

However, as with other public spaces on the Internet, there is no way to guarantee that the persons viewing your profile are the persons you want to see it.

Job seeker Marie shares her experience: “I was looking forward to working with this company. I reached the second interview – the one with the hiring manager – and everything seemed fine. Then, I didn't receive any call to come back for the final interview. My friend in the company said it might be because the hiring manager saw some stuff on my online profile and it turned her off. Should companies spy on future employees on social networking sites? Isn't that supposed to be just for social networking and not to be mixed with our professional lives?”

Apparently, not so. According to HR managers, you should think seriously about what you have in your social networking account.

Bong Austero of PNB says: “You have to remove the stuff that you don't want your parents to see or those that imply you consider work as evil. It's not called "spying" because they are public spaces. Anyone can have access to them and use the data for their own purposes. There is no such thing as separation between personal and professional anymore.”

“It is still the prerogative of the hiring manager to conduct reference and background checks on the applicant in whatever means or ways that is available and accessible,” adds Beth Miranda of Sandstone Technology. “Browsing through a job applicant's online profile is okay as long as it matches the preliminary attitudinal evaluation on the applicant’s character because I think anyone reading those profiles should not automatically believe what he or she was reading unless he or she has personally met the person."

So job seekers should always remember that the impression your social networking profile generates depends on the context of the viewer’s relationship with you. A picture of you looking intoxicated in a party may seem cool to a friend but irresponsible to a potential employer. Minimize the chances of that happening by removing content which you would not want any potential employer from accessing.

Some tips from Job seekers for Job seekers

Nurul Azra Qutubuddin 
Always remember that the employer likes an individual who is knowledgeable and able to persuade the employer that you can multi-task and work independently though you are a fresh graduate..

Paul Ng 
Think of job hunting as looking for your "career" rather than just a plain "job".

Ooi Nee Nee
Always remember that real working experiences are worth much more than your academic transcript. I owned a master degree without any working experience but I was willing to start from the bottom at a helpdesk. No matter what, don't feel embarassed to start from the bottom because you will get more from that.

Shanti Nellan
Letter-writing skills are essential to your job search. An excellent cover letter and a Thank You letter often make a difference in whether or not you are considered for a position. Networking is a job search technique that involves purposefully seeking out and interacting with selected individuals who can assist you in getting job interviews and offers.

Yew Gee
The most critical question to ask oneself is: "Do I have the passion for this field of work?" If the answer is Yes, then the job becomes your passion and can be developed further into a hobby. With this attitude, your work becomes a passion and a hobby. This is the ultimate successful job hunting path to pursue.

Ramlee Bin Sulaiman
During job hunting, candidates should go for the position that matches closely to their qualifications.

Sabrina Yeo
When hunting for a job, I look for the right one and will not waste my or anyone else's precious time. I once received two job offers from JobStreet.com but I had to turn them down because of the distance and pay. Also, I already had a job. But being a naturally responsible person, I took the time to actually help find someone to replace my position. Of course, I tried to find someone who is in the same line and has the basic requirements that the company needs. It gives people a good image of me and who knows, I might be doing business with them in the future.

Farlina Waslie
When searching for jobs in JobStreet.com, try to choose by location. Not only you can find a job that is near your place, it is convenient and you can save money!!!

Shafie Buang
Unemployed graduates must change their mind-set. Especially the Malay candidates. They cannot always be looking for nice jobs or that the job must match their qualification or that it must be a five-day working week or they must have a lot of benefits, etc. From my experience, every employer is hungry to hire multi-tasking employees as well as good learners. If you are looking for experience, please do not care about your salary. A good salary and a good position will come if we can prove to our employer that we are good in all aspects. So, please change your orthodox mind-set.

Ramlee Bin Sulaiman
Most important during job hunting is to provide your full contact details in order for the employer to reach you soonest possible. Make sure there are no mistakes in your contact number/s

Rena Leong
Some items to take note during job hunting: know the company’s location, the job requirements and responsibilities. Besides, survey the company; learn its history, industry, products and stability to avoid joining a company where you will be unhappy later. Information from friends and company websites will help us make better judgement and decisions before we apply.

Pamela Yeoh
In job hunting, do not be choosy. Also, choose the right job you want. Most important for fresh grads is the experience. Do not judge a job by the pay and do not ever expect a very high pay. If you are offered a job though the pay is low, do it first to gain the experience.

Alex Lee
Never put all your eggs in one basket. Always apply for a few jobs and not rely on just one. However, do not apply for too many either until you cannot keep track or take control of the applications. 

How to survive for introvert people

For shy people, the mere thought of having to make small talk with total strangers at a large business event is often enough to bring on heart palpitations. But if you’re really serious about finding referrals, getting job leads or advancing your career goals, you know there’s no way out of attending such gatherings. And while you may never become a social butterfly or the life of the party, you don’t have to be the perennial square peg or wallflower either. What’s more, even if it will always be more chore than cheer for you, the results of working the crowd will definitely make it worth your while. Yes, it’s not mission impossible to acquire networking skills-you may even find yourself starting to enjoy socializing once you finally get the hang of it. Ready to network?

1. Before the event, volunteer to join a committee that will force you to actively deal with people, such as manning the reception desk or ushering conference participants.
2. Practice holding conversations, whether with a friend or before the mirror. When you’re actually there, your rehearsals will make it easier to recall what you had planned to say.
3. Wear your nametag where it can be clearly viewed. People will find it easier to connect with you when they can see who they are talking to.
4. To ease your jitters, see if you can attend a conference or business function with a more outgoing colleague to introduce you around.
5. To maximize your dialog time, give yourself a goal beyond engaging in chitchat. Strive, for instance, to meet five new associates who might be helpful in your job search.
6. Bring along enough business cards to hand out freely. And get business cards in return, asking the owners if you can follow up in the next few days by sending your resume or making a business call.
7. If you recognize some people, stand near their circle, within sight of your acquaintances. This is a common signal to them to introduce you and invite you into the group.
8. Stand near the registration table and exchange pleasantries with the registrants. Start off with friendly chatter such as, "Seems to be a well-attended affair, isn’t it?"
9. Or stand near the buffet table and strike up a conversation with those lining up. For instance, you might comment, "Um, that steak looks delicious!"
10. But don’t cling to your new best pal either. After some time, make your exit using the three B’s of graceful leave-taking: bathroom, bar and buffet excuses: "Would you know where the restrooms are?" "I think I’m going to get more juice." "I'm hungry. Mind if I get something to eat?”
11. If your friend decides to tag along, you can introduce him or her to colleagues who have similar interests. This matchmaking will keep you actively mixing and moving around as planned.
12. Learn the art of asking others feel-good questions such as, "Can you tell me more about your business?" or "What do you enjoy most about what you do?" to draw them out. This way, you won’t need to speak so much if you’re tongue-tied, and you’ll impress others more than if you talked about your lack of job or need to close more sales.

Good habits while searching job

Believe it or not, you can get more mileage from your everyday habits with a little more effort and forethought. For instance, if you like to read the papers, get out of the house, talk to people and log on to the Internet, then focus those seemingly disconnected activities to get more out of them-like finding a job, for one. Here’s how.

• If you love to read the news with your morning coffee, remember to note down announcements about job fairs and recruitment events as well.
• For a change of pace, interrupt your routine of going to malls or vegging in front of the TV to contact an employment or staffing agency about positions that may be suitable for you. Send your well-written resume so they can call you if anything interesting comes up.
• If you spend hours emailing friends or lingering in chat rooms, spare a few moments to post your CV to online job centers or company websites.
• And if you’re a social animal, then don’t waste those face times with friends, relatives, former officemates, neighbors, godparents and acquaintances from clubs and sporting events. It won’t hurt mentioning to everyone you know that you’re on the hunt. Who knows? One or two of them may be able to set you up for an interview or refer you to a prospective employer.
• And while you’re at it, inform your former teachers and classmates at class reunions that you’re on the market. While reminiscing in the hallways, visit the university placement office to see the latest work listings, or check for on-campus recruitment activities scheduled in the near future.

Of course, nothing beats looking for work full time. But no one says you have to limit your search boundaries to formal hunting occasions. By staying sharp always, you’ll find that opportunities lurk even in what seem to be the most mundane situations or unrelated events.

Keep yourself while hunting proficient job

One of the hardest things to swallow while job-hunting is getting rejected, yet rejections are part and parcel of the job search and happen more often than you think. So, what to do when your search has stretched for what seems like an eternity and your confidence has taken a thorough beating? Here, expert suggestions for keeping sunshiny when the going gets rough.

1. Accept that rejection is a normal part of life. Instead of giving in to defeat, seek out the lessons from your experience (including any mistakes you might have made) and use them to make yourself a stronger, better person.
2. The rejection does not reflect who you are. Even the best candidates have experienced being turned down, sometimes for the most inexplicable or flimsy reasons. If you’ve done your best, there is no need to be ashamed of your job-search scars.
3. Be realistic. Expect that your job search won’t be a walk in the park. On average, job searches can take from four months to one year.
4. Don’t quit. It’s so compelling to give up and slink into some dark corner after a major letdown. But to produce results, it’s better to lose yourself in positive action than wallow in self-pity.
5. Say thanks. No matter how miserable you feel, send a gracious thank-you note to the employer. Who knows? A new opportunity may just come up for you with the same company in the future.
6. Take care of yourself. Fight the urge to punish yourself for your “failure.” Instead, make an effort to look good, to exercise, to eat well and to have adequate rest. You need to be in tip-top shape for what lies ahead.
7. Get a volunteer or part-time job. This will accomplish three things: Keep you busy, sharpen your skills and widen your network. With part-time work, you’ll have some earnings to help tide you over till you find a real job.
8. Be frugal. Don’t go through your savings as though you’re sure to find a job tomorrow. Brace yourself for the possibility of an extended period of unemployment by cutting your expenses, gimiks-even the number of credit cards you have.
9. Avoid negative people. Choose friends who are optimistic, forward-looking and supportive to inspire and encourage you. Negative people will only reinforce and affirm your greatest fears.
10. Count your blessings. Look at the positive side of life. List down all the things you should be grateful for-from good health to a supportive partner. Focus on your blessings and you’re sure to shake those blues away.

How to survive in the job storm

“Been there, done that” may well be your reaction to more advice on how to land a job. In today’s slow economy, you need to think differently to get noticed. Of course, you still have to go the traditional route of applying through classifieds or job sites. But it’s time to beef up your old routine with fresh strategies. Here, some creative ideas to get noticed by employers.

1. Join e-groups. There are groups for engineers, writers, freelancers, interior designers, cooks—just about any occupation you can think of. If you haven’t tapped these online communities, sign up now.
2. Exceed expectations. It never hurts to see things from the employer’s viewpoint. One young writer outdid his experienced competitors by including with his resume not just his work samples, but a comprehensive list of related article suggestions. The editor appreciated his enthusiasm and hired him.
3. Keep connected. A long period of unemployment can make you want to hide. Don’t. Personal referrals and networking are still as effective as ever. Stay in good terms with your friends, peers, colleagues, bosses, church groups, even ex-girlfriends. They can put in a good word or two for you to a potential employer. Go to workshops, trade shows, conferences and other professional events to get industry updates and connections.
4. Consider a side trip. If your expertise isn’t the most in demand at the moment, how about taking a related job? This way, you’ll pick up a couple of new skills as you wait for your career to sizzle again. Your additional knowledge will earn you extra points with the recruiter.
5. Be a volunteer. It may seem a demotion, but working without pay or for a token fee can be a door to better opportunities. Too, you avoid embarrassing questions about work gaps even as you manage to keep your skills sharp.

Self confidence during job search

One of the hardest things you will have to do in your adult life is to find work. Lucky you if you get an offer on your first try; for most us, however, it will take more than one, two, three or more tries before we finally nail that job. Meantime, as your search lingers, something strange starts to happen to you-with each unsuccessful try, you lose a little of that sparkle in your eye, that swing in your arms, that bounce in your step.

Indeed, staying optimistic with job debacle after job debacle can be your greatest challenge-and losing that fight your greatest undoing. Once you lose your self-confidence, you’ll lose the ability to think straight, plan ahead and act with purpose. To ensure you remain upbeat while on the prowl, follow these resilience rules:

1. Have a structured day. Just because you’re jobless doesn’t give you reason to sleep in late, watch TV in your pajamas until lunchtime then go malling the entire afternoon. You’ll feel even more depressed wasting a perfectly great day. Instead, make finding work your full-time job by following a structured routine of productive activities.
2. Set realistic goals. Accomplishment is a great motivator. Conversely, failure can deflate your already fragile ego. So shoot for goals that are realistic and feasible. Take small but steady steps forward so you’ll have the confidence to continue with your search.
3. Be good to yourself. Do something for yourself that’s fun yet inexpensive. Buy a riveting thriller on sale to entertain yourself at day’s end. Play with your dog or tend your garden. Get a new haircut-you’ll not only feel better, you’ll make a good impression with the interviewer. Don’t fall into the trap of punishing yourself for being jobless for so long.
4. Find motivation. It’s so easy to become bleak when you’re on forced work hiatus, so buoy your spirits by finding motivation where you can get it. Listen to some inspiring CDs on marketing yourself as you drive. Meet up with a caring friend who can give you a listening ear and encouraging words. Seek inspiration from the success stories of people who’ve beaten overwhelming odds in their fight against illness, business failure or unemployment. What to avoid like the plague: Naysayers and pessimists who will only drag your spirits down.
5. Have faith. Do everything you can, but remember that everything takes place at its own time. When you feel the blues coming on, calling on a higher power can give you that extra energy you need to get over the setbacks you encounter. When you believe that Someone is watching over you, you will no longer feel so alone and helpless.

How to do job-hunting online

Best tips for job-hunting online

1. Search every day. New positions are uploaded on job sites like JobStreet.com daily, and being the first to respond has its advantages. But don’t ignore old postings, either. Some dated postings may be hard-to-fill jobs that you could be qualified for.
2. Do online research too. Complement your online search by finding out more about the companies you’re applying with. The information you gain can be helpful when you’re called to interview.
3. Make your resume acceptable online. Many companies ask applicants to submit an electronically formatted resume by providing an online form. Be sure to fill in all the required blanks. Without the information he needs, an employer is less likely to take your application seriously.
4. Use key words. Since a single ad can receive numerous applications, some employers activate an automated screening system to weed out unqualified applicants and save time. Be sure to put in relevant key words to raise your chances of getting pass these filters.
5. Use the cut-and-paste format. It’s better to send a resume (in plain text format) as part of the message body. With viruses crawling all over cyberspace, most employers have second thoughts about opening attachments.
6. Focus your search. Don’t submit resumes for different positions with one employer. Worse, don’t blast copies of a general resume to as many firms as possible. Target your job hunting: Be sure you meet the job’s requirements and that you customize resume contents to the particular position.
7. Avoid using office facilities. Remember that employers have the means to track Internet use. You may be violating your employer’s computer and Internet acceptable use policy and revealing to them that you are job hunting. Neither should you job-hunt during office hours, even if it’s lunch break.
8. Protect your privacy. Don’t be so ready to provide your landline, social security number, tax identification number and other sensitive details in your resume. Such information can fall into the hands of unscrupulous persons. Read a job site’s privacy policy to know exactly what it does with applicants’ personal information.
9. Make a good first impression. Be professional: Don’t send a resume that’s hard on the eye or use a cute, weird or funny e-mail address.
10. Don’t just wait. Searching online is undeniably fast and easy, but it doesn’t guarantee you a job. As with traditional job hunting, you still need to work hard to stand above the competition. This means being proactive and following up on your application to catch the employer’s attention.

Do not Put Your Photos on CV

What do you do when you're preparing for job interviews? Surely you wear your best clothes, and make sure the makeup look interesting without sounding redundant. But in England, if you know will be interviewed by a woman, you should not have to try too hard to look beautiful.
Thus the suggestion of Professor Cary Cooper of Lancaster University Management School. Because the study did find that the CV which features photographs of beautiful women only get a response about 25 percent. The reason, perhaps you can guess, is the jealousy between the interviewer and the interviewee. According to him, beautiful women who put pictures on her application less likely to get a chance interview. Female interviewers will actually try to help candidates underestimated.
"They're probably thinking, 'these beautiful women get a chance to get a job somewhere else, so I will interview candidates who are less attractive this'," says Professor Cooper.
The research was conducted on 5300 CV sent to 2650 jobs. Nearly 20 percent of the men who pulled a chance interview, but only 12.8 percent of the beautiful young woman gets the same treatment. Thus it can be said that the handsome man who put his picture on the CV will not experience discrimination as its beautiful women.
"The discovery of this beautiful sentence against women in conflict with psychology and organizational behavior research on beauty, which relates his fascination with nature and positive traits," said the researchers.
The results of this study are considered unreasonable by Carmen Watson, managing director of recruitment at Pertemps Recruitment Partnership. He never even realized that the applicants put their photos on the CV.
"Ultimately, we find the right person for the right job, and the right job for the right person, regardless of gender," says Watson.
How do you think? Have you ever experienced different treatment because of your physical appearance? Should actually displaying a picture of yourself in a cover letter?

How to hunt and search wanted job

Hunting a wanted job

1. Get into the right frame of mind. Know that job hunting is, more than anything else, a mind game. You have to psyche yourself up for the realities of the market. Only by having realistic expectations can you overcome the seemingly endless wait, the nonexistent interview calls and the outright rejection slips that will come your way. Give it your best, but understand that some things are simply beyond your control. Be optimistic.
2. Trade places with the interviewer. If you could switch places with the employer, you’d find yourself faced with hundreds of resumes to process. The only way to trim that mountain of files before the clock strikes five is to work smart: Eliminate the “nuisance candidates” from the list. Your task as job hunter is to make sure your resume survives the “massacre.”
3. Remember the 20-second scan. According to an HR director, he spends about 20 seconds at most reviewing a resume. That tells a lot about how you should handle yours. Here are some suggestions:
   • Pepper your resume with industry buzzwords that highlight your skills.
   • Use active verbs that indicate you make things happen.
   • Tailor your resume to match each position.
   
   
4. Make it easy on yourself. Job-hunting is hard enough; launching a frantic search for missing documents is a killer. Create a career portfolio that contains all you need: resumes, cover letters, thank-you letters, school transcripts, diplomas and degrees, awards, business cards, etc. You may have to make some revisions to suit the position, but using templates rather than working from scratch each time is a great comfort.
5. Get around. Now’s your chance to chat up people and not feel guilty that you’re idling your time away. Networking and getting personal really pay off, so here are ways to let everyone know you’re available:
   • Join industry associations and events. Be sure to bring lots of cards and resumes with you. You’ll never know when an opportunity will come knocking.
   • Practice a brief introductory speech. Be prepared with a short description of your work experience and skills so you don’t grope for words when you’re ask what you do.
   • Make technology your ally. Use the e-mail or cell phone to keep up with friends, relatives and past co-workers. They’ll remember you-and know where to reach you-if a lead does come up. Use job sites and avail of their services like free job alerts to keep you ahead of the pack.

Get your dream job

Job satisfaction is a hot topic at the moment and according to recruiting experts Hays there are many people now actively looking for their dream job.

“Over the years I’ve heard many people talking about finding their dream job. Most candidates however have no idea what their dream job is, let alone how to find it,” says Chris Mead, General Manager of Hays in Singapore.

Chris says there are no quick or easy answers but there are a few things you can do to help you find your way.

List your skills: “You need to think of the big picture and consider not only what professional experience you have, but also your talents and your hobbies. List the things you are good at and highlight those you enjoy doing.”

Describe your personality: “To help you determine what type of career you are best suited for, think about your personality traits. Are you meticulous with an eye for detail or are you strategic with a big picture view? Do you enjoy working in a team or do you prefer to work on your own?”

List your priorities: “List what is most important to you in your career and your values. For example, are you looking for a career that challenges and rewards you? Should it be something you are passionate about and inspired by? Is money more important to you than work/life balance?”

Identify what your dream job isn’t: “Here you should not only think about what type of roles but also what things you are not willing to compromise on, such as hours worked, pay and location. Consider also your values in this context; for example your dream job wouldn’t undermine your values or take you away from the things that are important to you in life.”

Define your dream job: “The next step is to develop a loose description of your dream job.” Chris suggests you start by asking yourself these questions:

1. Who/what would you like to work with?
   
2. Where do you want to work?
   
3. What type of tasks do you want to work on?
   
4. What type of work will make you truly happy? This could be anything from working with animals to working with computers.
   

“Collating this information will provide you with a synopsis of who you are and will help you determine your dream job.”

Plan to snag your dream job: “Once you know what your dream job is, you just need to develop a plan to get it,” says Chris. He suggests you:

• Research the industry as well as the knowledge and skills you will need.
  
• Network and get to know people in the industry. Not only will this help you get a better understanding of the industry and if you like it, but it will put you in contact with potential employers.
  
• Take action. If you don’t already have the skills, how do you get them? Will you need training? Maybe you just need to update your resume to highlight a different skill set you already have.
  

Chris knows the value of snagging your dream job. “At Hays we work with thousands of people every day to connect them with the right job, which can transform their life for the better.”