Cover Letters: A Lost Art?

Posted by Kevin Kermes on October 9, 2009 · 10 Comments

In the age of the fast and highly impersonal on-line application process, it seems the art of writing a cover letter has gone by the wayside for many. But, like so many other things in this challenging economy, now more than ever is the time to perfect the cover letter – not neglect it. Here are a few reasons to consider:

· Reflection of Your Interest – the ease with which you can apply to jobs on-line is the exact reason that a cover letter is paramount. It is a strong indicator that you are serious about your candidacy, not just slinging your resume out there to see where it sticks.

· Template versus Boilerplate – Having a standard cover letter is a starting point, not something to arbitrarily cut-and-paste each time you apply. Make sure the document reads like it is written for the reader and only the reader. Ask yourself this – aren’t you more apt to take the time to read a letter you can tell was written just for you versus one that is clearly generic? I know I am.

· It’s All About Standing Apart from the Crowd – as unemployment continues to increase, so does your pool of competition. Differentiating is the name of the game now more than ever. Your cover letter is the perfect platform to do just that.

· The Interview Before the Interview – Every C level executive I work with says the same thing. They use the cover letter as a barometer to gauge a candidate’s ability to effectively communicate. This is an ideal time to showcase your written communication skills.

· Recruiters Don’t Read Them – Yes and no. The good ones do and the others should. For all the reasons listed here plus it gives them pre-packaged selling points for their clients, should they consider you a candidate. They, after all, are another example of an interview before the interview.

Are cover letters sometimes overlooked? Yes. On the other hand, they are quite often a deciding factor as to whether or not you will get an interview. So, take the time to put together a document that reflects you and why you should be considered over the other hundreds of applicants. This attention to detail could be the first step towards getting you the interview you want and the job you deserve.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com

Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with build the career you deserve, cover letter, hidden job market, how to get the job you want, interview, job search, kevin kermes, resume

Thursday, July 23 – 5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search (Free Webinar)

Posted by Kevin Kermes on July 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Free Webinar – 5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search

Thursday, July 23rd – 3:00pmEST

Reserve Your Spot by Going to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075

**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**

My call last month had 1497 registered and the lines maxed out at 1000, so I am holding one more on Thursday. On this call I will share about the “hidden job market” and also cover:

· the biggest block that’s likely keeping you and your search in low-gear right now and wasting precious time (and how to bust out of your rut)

· 5 things recruiters have begged me not to share with you that can keep you from having your job search sabotaged without you even knowing it.

· why your resume is not as critical a factor in getting the interviews (or the job) as you think

· 3 immediate ways you can make your job search lean-and-mean right now! (These are so simple and yet so effective.)

· how you can start working a new plan immediately to find the job you want and cut your job search time in as much as half.

Reserve Your Spot by Going to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075

**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**

We have some great information focused on getting your job search on track. But, don’t take my word for it. Here is what some previous listeners had to say about the webinar:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075

“Kevin Kermes offers a straightforward and comprehensive approach to develop new networks and expand career or business horizons. I was impressed with his expertise and believe you will be too.”– Katherine Eago

“I recently listened to Kevin’s “Avoiding the 10 Biggest Job Search Mistakes” webinar and was most impressed. The content of the presentation and the insight he provided was very helpful. Because of Kevin’s professional background, he was able to provide me with a better understanding of how the recruitment business works from an insider’s perspective. In addition, I found the topic of job boards to be very informative. Overall, I think it is great information for the current job seeker or anyone who wants to be better prepared for their next job search.”– Brian Heckler

“I recently had the pleasure to attend Kevin’s webinar “Avoiding the 10 Biggest Job Search Mistakes.” I am usually a little suspicious of free webinars, but Kevin’s discussion provided a lot of valuable information for the job seeker and prompted me to purchase his additional materials which also look worthwhile. I am going to recommend to everyone in our WIND group (Boston networking group) that they should also attend Kevin’s webinars.”– Ted Powell

“I listened in on Kevin’s Webinar today on the “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search” and found it a very worthwhile use of my time. His insight into what to focus on to be most productive was very helpful. Some points were new and others a timely reinforcement. If you get the opportunity to tune in for one of Kevin’s webinars, I highly recommend you do so.” – Becky Vogt

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075

**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**

“Last Thursday, I participated in Kevin Kermes webinar on how to avoid the 10 biggest job search mistakes. I am a busy communications consultant who enjoys my work, but given this economy and its impact on freelancers, would (not surprisingly) like to find full-time steady employment. I signed up for his webinar, even though I wasn’t sure it could offer much in the way of good information. After all, I’d never heard of Kevin–and how many different ways can you scour the job boards? Boy oh boy, was I busted! I learned, among other things, that not all job boards are created equal–or even worth the time it takes to sign up–and why I needed to shift the way I was searching for engaging and sustaining work. I was riveted to his presentation–just short enough to keep my attention and just long enough to be interesting. Like so many other smart, savvy, and well-intentioned people in today’s workforce, I’ve been looking in the wrong places and, as a result, missing out on some right opportunities. With Kevin’s insights, I have changed my approach. Thanks for the hour, Kevin. Really appreciate it! Good stuff!”– Jill Murray

“Kevin’s webinar on “Avoiding the 10 biggest Job Search Mistakes” was completely on the mark. He clearly communicated the most important job search tasks and mistakes to avoid in order for one to stand out from the crowd to potential employers. Get an “Exceptional Performance Review” even before you’re hired. Follow Kevin’s rules.” – Carl Sutter

“I had the opportunity to listen to Kevin’s webinar the last week in January. The information he provided was insightful and timely. I was able to identify several areas where my search was lacking and feel more focused towards my goal.”– Susan Kneeshaw

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075

**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**

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Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine (read by over 21,000 professionals worldwide) – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that

Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with 5 secrets to the perfect job search, build the career you deserve, career coaching, hidden job market, how to get the job you want, interview, kevin kermes, resume

5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search – Free Webinar – Thursday, 7/23 – 3pmEST

Posted by Kevin Kermes on July 16, 2009 · 3 Comments

Reserve Your Spot by Going to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075

**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**

Whether you just started your job search or have been at it for awhile now, this call is what you have been waiting for. You owe it to yourself to learn the secrets to cutting significant time off your job search now. I also have some special gifts for joining me on the call, but you must be signed up (if can’t make the call, I will send you the recording afterwards – but you must be signed up).

On this webinar, you’ll learn:

* the biggest block that’s likely keeping you and your search in low-gear right now and wasting precious time (and how to bust out of your rut)

* 5 things recruiters have begged me not to share with you that can keep you from having your job search sabotaged without you even knowing it.

* why your resume is not as critical a factor in getting the interviews (or the job) as you think

* 3 immediate ways you can make your job search lean-and-mean right now! (These are so simple and yet so effective.)

* how you can start working a new plan immediately to find the job you want and cut your job search time in as much as half.

**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**

Reserve Your Spot by Going to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075

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Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with 5 secrets tot he perfect job search, coaching, hidden job market, how to get the job you want, job search, job search 2.0 bootcamp, kevin kermes

Finding the “Open Door” in the Job Market – from the Build the Career You Deserve ezine

Posted by Kevin Kermes on July 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment

In an article earlier this year, we talked about turning rejection into opportunity. Given the current economic climate – unemployment numbers at just over 9.4% and 13.7 million Americans looking for jobs – I thought discussing how the current job market looks opportunity-wise might be timely. My answer is likely going to surprise you. I see a lot of opportunity out there.

The reality is that there are a lot of examples of failure out there right now. The ability to shine when the economy is rolling – to be the king or queen of “low hanging fruit” – is rather easy. But challenging times require a different skill set – more leadership, more resourcefulness and more creativity – to shine. As I work with clients, these are some of the areas we focus on to develop opportunities:

· Leadership, Leadership, Leadership – Poor leadership is what got us into many of these messes and strong leadership is what is needed to correct the course. In the Infantry we used to say, “There are no bad soldiers, only bad leaders.”

· It’s All About ROI – If you have a track record of success and can quantify and qualify those accomplishments (saving money, making money, creating efficiencies), wayward companies who realize they are in bad shape will invest in your expertise and ability to deliver results.

· Highlighting Efficiency – Along those same lines, experience with companies where you had to do more with less is key right now. Every company is aiming to be as efficient as possible. You can highlight your success here with a small company and leverage it into a larger one where they need creative thinking.

· Consulting as Another Prong to Your Approach. Many companies need change agents for the interim while they transition. This can be a very lucrative and rewarding avenue if you are unemployed and a senior executive. Keep your options open here.

No doubt, the economy has presented some unique challenges. But, in keeping with economics, the terms of supply and demand come to mind. And, for those with the skill sets outlined above, the demand is high but the supply (or your competition) is low. I am fond of the saying, “When one door closes, another one opens.” I think that is very fitting here.

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This past week, I spent a little over 30 minutes talking about these points plus a few more. Most important, I shared some free tips and remedies on how you can have a system that works for you. If you weren’t one of the 1000 participants on the webinar, you can listen here to the “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search.”

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