Three Attention-Getting Tactics for Cover Letters

By Charles Purdy, Monster Senior Editor

Hiring managers and recruiters can receive hundreds -- or even thousands -- of applications for each open job. Typically, they can spend only a few seconds scanning a candidate's cover letter before moving on to somebody else's. So if you're looking for a job, your cover letter has to capture a reader's attention right away.

According to career coach Evelyn Salvador, author of Step-by-Step Cover Letters, one way to get an employer to really notice your cover letter is to infuse it with personal-branding elements, such as a slogan, testimonials or a mission statement. “Each of these elements is optional, but it might just be the thing that makes your cover letter stand out from those of other candidates," she says.

Salvador has specific tips for using one (or all) of these elements:

A Slogan
This brief sentence or phrase can be placed under your name at the top of your letter, in the far-left margin or in italics at the bottom of your cover letter. A slogan should succinctly encapsulate the value you bring to an employer -- if you need help crafting a slogan, look to language in the job posting or on the employer's Web site for inspiration.

Salvador's examples include:

• For an elementary school teacher: "Helping students take positive steps toward their future"
• For a sales manager: "Meeting challenges, overcoming obstacles and closing sales"

Testimonials
Stating what others have said about your performance adds credibility to the information you provide in a cover letter. Testimonials can include excerpts from letters of recommendation, customer thank-you letters, vendor satisfaction letters, performance reviews, internship summaries, staff memos and other commendations.

A Mission Statement
This element should be succinct and clearly state what your mission is, specific to your career goal -- it could describe what you plan to do or have done, what you believe in or why your profession is important to you -- or another statement that demonstrates the value you'll bring to the employer. Salvador's examples for a teacher and sales manager include:

• "Each step a child takes in his life has an effect on his future. I would like to help students take positive steps by creating an educational experience conducive to learning."
• “If the customer is happy and you are making a sale, it's a win/win. I believe in making customers happy."

Are you ready for a career switch?

Given the recovering economy, emerging jobs and pure human nature, career switches are common. What may have been a great job 10 years ago can be obsolete now, or you may simply be ready for your own life change. But how can you prepare yourself for a career switch? The overwhelming advice from career coaches and human-resources consultants is to do your homework and play to your strengths. These experts share the following advice for planning your next career steps.

Understand the work involved in switching careers
Before you quit your job, know what you’re getting yourself into. “When people change careers in this market, the No. 1 thing they must be aware of is that they need to develop the new industry or role experience and knowledge,” says Megan Fox, career coach and résumé writer. “A lot of people think they can tweak a few transferrable skills and land their dream job, when in fact it takes strategic planning and re-education to make a successful career change. These kinds of activities not only make you more qualified for the new role, but they display a sincere passion for the switch. I also encourage my clients to pick either an industry change or a functional role change, one at a time, as it is much easier to do than trying to completely change your job and industry type at the same time. Take baby steps and you’ll be able to make the change without sacrificing too much in salary.”

Use transferable skills to your advantage
You may think you’re ready for a career switch, but how can you convince hiring managers that you’ll be a valuable employee? “For job seekers dealing with career changes, we find it advantageous to conduct an assessment of the transferable knowledge and skills that were developed in the individual’s previous career and how that may apply to the new career path they intend on following,” says Lynda Zugec, managing director for The Workforce Consultants, a human resources consultation company with offices in Toronto, Ontario and New York. “Interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability and project management are all examples of knowledge and skills that can be applied in differing context and careers. We try to focus on these transferable skills to understand the benefits and applicability to our business. Some of the skills we focus on include the following:

• Communication: This entails the ability to communicate at all levels of an organization and across different generations.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to determine and envision where an organization is going. This will help align work efforts with company goals and objectives.
• Partnership building: Work rarely occurs in a vacuum, and the better their skills in deciding who they can best partner with to achieve desired results, based on their skills and knowledge, the better off we will be.
• Conscientiousness: Time and time again, conscientiousness proves itself to be among the No. 1 predictor of job performance. We hire individuals that pay attention to the details. Spelling and grammatical errors, lost and misplaced files or general disorganization can have major implications.
• Technical skills: We look for individuals with up-to-date and relevant technical skills. They are among the most desirable.”

Be prepared before you leave your current job
You can start making your career switch before you leave your current role. Krista Mazzuca, director of human resources at Community Renewal Team, a nonprofit human-service agency in Hartford, CT, offers these suggestions:

• Think carefully about the field you want to switch into and what it will take to land a job in that field. Don’t assume that going back to school will guarantee that you’ll obtain your desired position — often you need both the credential and experience. Find out as much as you can before enrolling in a school program.
• While you’re still employed at your first job, get as much experience as possible that moves you in your desired direction. How can you volunteer in the community, change assignments at your company or find synergies between what you’re currently doing and what you hope to be doing?
• If you’re a manager, be prepared for a change in status. You may have to start near the bottom in your new career, which may mean that you’re working a defined shift, in a cubicle and taking direction from someone younger than yourself. You might also have to take a substantial pay cut. The person interviewing you for the position will want to see that you have thought about this and have acclimated yourself to the possibility. Prepare a good answer as to why you’re changing fields. Be candid, but frame your argument around the hiring manager’s point of view.

What to expect from the job market in 2013

By Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder
Employers are heading into the new year with cautious optimism. The economy has been growing at a gradual but steady pace and is poised to stay on this path in 2013 barring any major disruptions. More employers are expecting to hire than in recent years, but the modest recovery, along with the weakened global market, means that companies will continue to play it safe.

This guarded approach to hiring was apparent in the results of CareerBuilder’s 2013 U.S. job forecast*, which polled more than 2,600 hiring managers and human-resources professionals and more than 3,900 workers across industries and company sizes. According to the report, more than 60 percent of employers say they are in a better financial position than last year. Twenty-six percent plan to add full-time, permanent employees, up three percentage points over 2012. However, due to mixed expectations for the coming year, the number of employers planning to reduce headcount is trending up as well. Nine percent of employers say they plan to decrease headcount, up from 7 percent last year. The fiscal cliff is likely on employers’ minds; whether or not the U.S. goes over it may impact actual hiring behavior.

Temporary and contract hiring on the rise
When companies are cautious about making major hiring commitments, they often turn to staffing and recruiting companies and temporary workers to help meet increased market demands. The study found that 40 percent of employers plan to hire temporary and contract workers in 2013, up from 36 percent last year. Among these employers, 42 percent plan to transition some temporary workers into full-time, permanent employees over the next 12 months, perhaps as they see how various economic factors play out over the course of the year.

Where the jobs will be
It may not be surprising that the top two positions companies plan to hire for in 2013 are sales (29 percent) and information technology (27 percent), two fields that have continued to experience healthy growth. Other roles employers will hire for include customer service (23 percent), engineering (22 percent) and production (22 percent).

Location-wise, the West and the South will again lead other regions in hiring plans as they have in past forecasts. Twenty-eight percent of employers in the West plan to add full-time, permanent workers in 2013, up from 24 percent in 2012; 9 percent plan to reduce headcount, the same as last year. In the South, 27 percent of hiring managers anticipate adding full-time, permanent employees in 2013, up from 23 percent in 2012. Nine percent will likely reduce headcount, up from 7 percent last year. Both the Midwest and the Northeast will hire more than last year, but headcount reduction will tick up as well.

Small businesses show confidence
Small business hiring will rise, but likely so will headcount reduction, as companies remain unsure about financial stability and market demand. Hiring plans increased at least three percentage points over the year across small business segments, while plans to downsize trended up the same amount. Nineteen percent of businesses with 50 or fewer employees plan to add full-time, permanent staff in 2013, up from 16 percent in 2012, while 6 percent plan to reduce headcount, up from 3 percent last year. Of the companies with 500 or fewer workers, 24 percent plan to add full-time, permanent headcount, up from 21 percent in 2012; 7 percent plan to make cuts, up from 4 percent last year.

Companies fight to close the skills gap
The demand for skilled positions has continued to grow at a much faster pace than the supply. However, companies are finding solutions to narrow the skills gap, which they’ll continue to implement in 2013. Workers looking to fill highly skilled roles should pay close attention to the following three trends in the new year:

1. Employers scouting workers from other companies: Employers will be more aggressive about approaching workers with the right skills, whether or not it’s solicited. Nineteen percent of workers say they’ve been asked to work for another company in the last year without applying for the position. Sales workers have been courted the most, at 33 percent, followed by professional and business services workers at 31 percent and IT workers at 26 percent.

2. Employers will pay more for qualified candidates: In an effort to keep and attract the best workers for skilled positions, employers expect to provide higher compensation for both current and potential employees. Seventy-two percent of employers plan to increase compensation for existing workers — up from 62 percent last year — while 47 percent will offer higher starting salaries for new employees — up significantly from 32 percent last year. Most increases will be 3 percent or less.

3. Companies will take matters into their own hands: Oftentimes workers possess a base level of skills that, with the right training, can be built upon to meet an employer’s needs. So instead of waiting for applicants with the right résumé to come to them, employers are taking the initiative to “re-skill” workers to fill positions. Thirty-nine percent of employers plan to train people who don’t have experience in their particular industry or field and hire them for positions within their organizations, up from 38 percent last year.
*Totals may not equal 100 percent due to rounding or respondents being able to choose more than one answer.
Matt Ferguson is the CEO of CareerBuilder.

Your 2013 Job-Search Guide

Now that the holidays are over, the nonstop party hopping has ended and the New Year’s ball has dropped, it’s time to get serious about your job search. Yet the thought of job searching can be overwhelming — where do you start? How do you avoid missing any steps?
We’re here to take some of that anxiety away by breaking down the job-search actions to take throughout the year. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to job hunting, this should serve as a guide to ensure you’re setting yourself up for a successful search.
We’ve put together a brief quarter-by-quarter overview to help frame your job-search plan for the year. Each job seeker should go at his own pace, but we think this timeline can help you stay on track.

• Q1 (January – March): Devote the first few months of the year to getting organized — organize your thoughts, organize your application materials and organize your contacts. 
• Q2 (April – June): A few months in, you should be going full-steam ahead with your job search. Your days should be filled with applying, following up, networking and (hopefully) going to interviews. If you’re a college student, get a head start in your professional job search by tapping alumni, using your school’s career resources and making initial contact with companies of interest.
• Q3 (July – September): At around the mid-year mark, take a step back to review what’s working and what’s not in your job search. It’s not too late to course-correct to ensure that you reach your goals during the back half of the year.  
• Q4 (October – December): During the last few months of the year, take advantage of the season. Network at holiday parties, consider seasonal job opportunities and take the time to thank those who have helped you professionally throughout the year.

Q1: Get organized
Here’s a closer look at what to get started on right now:

• Put your goals in writing: Before diving into your job search, take a step back and organize your thoughts. Do you know what you want to do next? Have you researched the positions that fit your interests and expertise? Do you have the skills needed to get the job you want or do you need additional education? Once you’ve thought all of this through, write down your goals and how you’re going to achieve them. Doing this will help focus your search.
• Conduct an audit on your application materials: Have your application materials gone untouched since the last time you applied for a job? Do you even have everything you need? To find out, conduct an audit: Do you have a recent résumé and cover letter? When was the last time these documents were updated? Do you a have any supporting materials that might be needed for applications, such as client work, writing samples or news clips? Also look at your online presence: Are your profiles on professional social networks up to date and do they match with the content of your application materials? Would creating a personal website to house your portfolio potentially give you an edge in your search? After you’ve determined what you have and where the holes are, get to work. Remember, you want to create personalized résumés and cover letters for each position to which you’re applying, so keep that in mind when making changes. Check out this infographic for a guide on how to refresh your résumé.
• Reconnect with contacts made during the holidays: Did you meet potential professional contacts during your holiday party-hopping? Now that the season is over, it’s time to follow up. Don’t wait too long — as more time passes, it’s more likely that your new contacts will forget your meeting and won’t think of you for job opportunities. If you’re squeamish about cold calling semi-strangers, start by writing emails. Remind them who you are, how you met and how much you enjoyed the conversation. Ask them if they have time to speak again on the phone or in person. Once that initial connection is made, you can talk more specifically about your career goals and how they may potentially help you achieve them.

By Debra Auerbach

6 ways to kill your chances in the interview

From applicant tracking systems to appropriate résumés, there are more than enough hurdles to overcome before making it to the interview in a job search. However, this may feel like the greatest challenge for some job seekers, as many have come out of interviews without the slightest clue how it went.

CareerBuilder surveyed hiring managers to find out what’s going on in job interviews and why a promising candidate for a job may not get picked. Six major factors were a part of why interviews go badly for some, and while these mistakes may not seem substantial on their own, the job market is still too competitive to allow these simple errors. Learn from these six ways to kill your chances in the interview and how to avoid certain death.

When asked to identify the top detrimental mistakes in job interviews, hiring managers reported:

Mistake No. 1: Appearing disinterested is a top turnoff, according to 62 percentof employers.
Tip: Body language and how you respond to the interviewer’s questions may be sending a different message than what you mean. Be attentive during the interview, sit up straight and make eye contact with your interviewer. Also take your time responding to give thoughtful answers that will make it clear you’re interested.

Mistake No. 2: Answering a cell phone or texting – 60 percent
Tip: As soon as you enter the company’s building or the site for your interview, turn your phone off and put it away. While it may be tempting to use your phone while you’re waiting or leave it on silent, don’t risk your chances of getting the job because you wanted to check your phone. Give your attention to the interview and focus.

Mistake No. 3: Dressing inappropriately – 60 percent
Tip: While what you wear on the job will vary by industry and company, the standard and most appropriate look for a job interview is a business suit or a version of “business casual,” a collared shirt and dress pants. You should look and feel professional so both you and the interviewer can focus on your answers and not your clothing.

Mistake No. 4: Talking negatively about a current or previous employer – 58 percent
Tip: Interview answers walk a fine line between appreciating your past employers and making it clear that this job opportunity is preferable. Stay positive during your interview and concentrate on how your past roles and employers have prepared you for this current role, and if you do have a negative experience, keep your answer short and end on a positive, like what you learned and have done better since.

Mistake No. 5: Failure to make eye contact (72 percent) or smile (42 percent), bad posture (38 percent) and a weak handshake (28 percent)
Tip: While a certain amount of stress is understandable for an interview, do your best to appear confident and friendly by preparing for your interview and practicing your answers ahead of time. When you feel adequately prepared, your confidence and smart answers will wow the hiring manager.

Mistake No. 6: Not providing specific examples – 34 percent
Tip: When answering your interviewer’s questions, remember that they’re trying to make a smart business decision about who to hire. While you may feel that you’re the most creative, capable and task-oriented candidate, it’s better to provide quantifiable proof of your worth, like how much new business you brought in or the top ways you saved your company money.

What else can job seekers do to prepare for interviews? “A job interview can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences out there, so it’s important to plan and practice,” says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “Have a friend run through a mock interview with you, asking questions you think will come up and some curve balls you’re not expecting.  Thoroughly research the company ahead of time and draft responses that incorporate your accomplishments.  The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to run into mishaps.”

By Susan Ricker

Networking Tips for the Holidays

By Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert

Ah, the holidays -- a time to rejoice, be merry and enjoy a well-earned break until the new year. But if you're job searching, it's also a great time to kick your job search into high gear.
Believe it or not, the holiday season can be a promising time to secure a new position. "Companies...want to start the new year with the right talent on board before the first week of January," says Kim Batson, a career-management coach with more than 10 years of career coaching experience. She adds that because so many people believe it's better to postpone job searching until January, there's less competition during the holidays. So if you're wondering how to get a jump on the competition as well as get your resume noticed during the holidays, consider these tips.

Network at Holiday Events

Whether you're attending an employer-sponsored party or some other holiday event, make the most of social gatherings by planning in advance. "Set a goal to meet, connect with and learn from three to five people at an event," advises Andrea Nierenberg, a New York City-based speaker and trainer and author of Million Dollar Networking. "Do your research before going so you know something about those you might meet."

Beverly Harvey, president of Beverly Harvey Resume & Career Service, stresses the importance of quality versus quantity when networking at holiday events. "Develop several good, solid relationships instead of trying to develop many relationships that won't be valuable," she says.

Conversations should be focused on the person you're speaking with, not you and your job search -- that can come later, after trust has been built. "When first introduced to the contact you want to speak with, show genuine interest in their lives, interests and careers," Batson says.

This is also not the time to whip out your resume. "Do not bring resumes to holiday functions," cautions Nierenberg. The goal is to start building rapport and setting the stage for future follow up.
You can, however, give out business cards that relay your career field and areas of expertise. "Job seekers might want to use a business card that states their personal brand, i.e., 'Sally Smith, Human Resource Director, Specialist in Diversity Issues' or 'Tom Taylor, Operations Manager, Global Supply Chain Efficiency Expert,'" says Batson.

Follow Up with Contacts

After the event, Nierenberg recommends sending a handwritten, personalized thank-you note to each contact. Batson recommends including a copy of your resume, if appropriate. "Also, because it's a season of gift-giving, it's a nice gesture to send a small gift with your thank-you letter to the most important networking contacts, if it's within your budget," she says.

Network Purposefully

The holidays are a perfect time to reach out to people in your network and potential employers. "It all starts with relationships -- don't do a mass mailing to everyone," advises Nierenberg. "Take the time to call some people, attend events and parties, and connect with people to discuss job opportunities."
Harvey's advice: "Try to target the decision makers -- it's a very sociable time of the year, and managers are more likely to be receptive to job seekers than at other times of the year."

Harvey suggests creating a new resume version for networking contacts who don't necessarily have a job opening. "Create a one-page resume that highlights your most important skills, qualifications and career history, as well as industries or companies of interest," says Harvey. While this type of resume isn't as targeted as a traditional resume, it allows networking contacts to understand your career field. In addition, listing desired employers and industries may spark your contacts' memories about a related job opportunity or networking lead.

Keep Your Network Going

Nierenberg is a strong proponent of staying in touch with and strengthening your network over time. "Find creative ways to stay on someone's radar screen," she advises. "Set a search engine alert -- research your contacts and their interests, and stay in touch that way."

Harvey encourages job seekers to continue communicating with their network into the new year. "If there's been some change in your status, send an updated resume with a note about your new accomplishment," she says.

You can also implement a method to manage contacts. "It doesn't matter if you're using contact-management software, a spreadsheet, a handwritten chart or an old Rolodex -- do what works for you and keeps you on track with your networking," says Harvey.

'Tis the Season for Your Job Search

By Charles Purdy, Monster Senior Editor

Many job seekers are tempted to slow down the search (or pause it altogether) during the winter holiday season. But career experts say that taking a break from your job search during the holidays is a mistake -- because hiring doesn't stop.       

At the end of the year, some companies rush to fill job openings that might otherwise be removed from next year's budget. Still other companies will be looking ahead. "Jobs that might have been on hold until budgets are in place will become available in January," says career expert Kimberly Bishop, author of Get Down to Business and You'll Get the Job.

Roy Cohen, an executive coach and author of The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide, agrees. "There's a belief that recruiting shuts down during the holidays,” he says. “That's a myth -- so when other people take off from their job searching during the holidays, you're at an advantage should an opportunity surface. It's all about numbers and odds."

In fact, the holidays provide some distinct advantages and special opportunities for proactive job seekers. Here's how to make the most of your holiday-season job search:

Be Flexible
Judi Perkins of FindthePerfectJob.com says, "When I was a recruiter, the holidays were one of my busiest times, and I was often on the phone either side of Christmas day." This means that you should be prepared to interview at unusual times, to allow for a recruiter's or hiring manager's busy holiday schedule.

Do Volunteer Work
All sorts of philanthropic organizations ramp up activities during the holidays -- and volunteering can be a great way to network, gain skills and fill the gap that unemployment might otherwise leave on your resume.

"You'll meet other volunteers -- great people who, by nature, will want to help,” Cohen adds. “You'll feel good, too."

Look into Temporary Positions
Many companies have end-of-year crunches -- at the same time that many workers want to take time off -- so they look to staffing agencies to fill gaps. A temporary job can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a new company.

Seek Seasonal Jobs
"The most obvious opportunities are in retail sales or retail-related positions, Bishop says. “There are a variety of part-time and temporary jobs that range from sales and customer service to merchandising, stocking, greeting, gift-wrapping and playing a role in special in-store events.

The hospitality industry also offers opportunities. “Hotels, restaurants and caterers have more events and parties, so they need to staff up,” she says.

Use Holiday Social Events to Network
You don't want to make every conversation about your job search -- but letting people know how they can help you is crucial. "Have your pitch -- who you are, what you want and why -- ready and perfect," Cohen advises.

And try to keep things positive. For instance, when you tell people you're looking for work, also tell them how you've been productive with your time off.

Reach Out to Your Contacts
The holidays are a great reason to reach out to friends and acquaintances as well as to reconnect with people you may have fallen out of contact with. "Send out a holiday greeting, but add a little extra in your message,” Cohen suggests. “Email or snail mail the card to everyone in your job search universe. It should be upbeat -- that you continue and are committed to search for a great job and know that it is only a matter of time and timing.” And be sure to express your gratitude to all those who have reached out to you during your search, he adds.

(If you don't know which holidays a contact celebrates, "Happy New Year" is a safe sentiment.)

And remember that the holidays are a time for giving. Find ways to help the people in your network, and they'll be likelier to help you in the future.

Recommit to Your Job Search
Start the year off right: Make an appointment with yourself to determine your goals for the coming year. Then schedule some time to update your resume, practice your interview skills and polish up your personal brand.