Cover letters can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a company that you want to work for.  A cover letter is usually sent in the body of your email with an attached resume when applying for a job.  They tend to be of great importance in this stage of your job search because it highlights your qualifications, skills, and why you would be an asset for the company.  Career Columnist Eve Tahmincioglu, says that cover letters are even more important for social media and tech job seekers. “Today companies want tech employees who are critical thinkers, well-rounded and do more than just tech speak, these things are hard to convey in a résumé.” 

Hiring managers prefer a customized cover letter for a position, because it shows that you are actually applying for thatposition.  Often, job seekers blindly send their resumes out , so taking the time to write a cover letter specific to the job you are applying for shows that you are truly interested in that position!  Also, a lot of times, the first person to see your application is a human resources manager, who may not know much about the computer programs and technical projects on your résumé.  The cover letter can be an opportunity to draw them in with a personal touch.

Cover letters are more important now than ever before because of all the social media platforms out there.  A study shows that 45% of employers are screening social media profiles, and another 11% plan to do the same in the near future.  According to this study, roughly 35% of candidates have not been hired due to content found on their social networking sites.  Due to these statistics, many career experts think sending a cover letter is a crucial step in landing a job these days. 

Mark O’Connor, staffing manager at oil company Tesoro, says he doesn’t read much into cover letters, particularly for tech jobs — but adds that it doesn’t mean applicants shouldn’t bother to send them. “They should be short functional summaries of their relevant experience,” he says.  O’Connor’s team of recruiters focuses on developing relationships with candidates via social networks.  From there, they’re more concerned about the details that lie within the résumé and try to learn more about their past experience.

Here are a few cover letter tips:

• Make sure it’s brief and to the point
• Tell all about your accomplishments
• Be creative and don’t just summarize your resume
• Your letter should serve as an introduction to your resume

In my opinion for all you job seekers, whether you are looking to get a job doing Social Media, IT, or in any other industry, it is important to set yourself apart from everyone else.  Although it’s not necessary to send a cover letter, I do think that is important that you sell yourself by sending a cover letter and tailor it to the specific job you are applying for.  A cover letter is still valuable and can help you by setting you apart from everyone else trying to get an interview for the same position.  Make sure you take the time to research writing a cover letter and do it the right way! 

 If you are interested in career opportunities, make sure to check out our website.

Sources:  http://mashable.com/2011/02/05/cover-letter-tech-jobs/#

                  http://mashable.com/2009/01/05/job-search-secrets/#

You shined in your interviews and landed a new job!  The interviews you went on were your first and only time to make a great first impression on important people at the company.  Since you were offered the job, they clearly had a great first impression of you!  Now it’s important that you maintain that.

Here are some tips for a successful first day:

-Get a good night’s sleep!  You want to have a clear mind because you are going to be learning a lot of new things and meeting a lot of new people.  You will want to be well rested!

-Make sure you leave your house with plenty of time to spare in case there is heavy traffic or an accident.  Nothing looks worse than showing up late on your very first day.  Here is good piece of advice to live by about being on time: Being early is on time, being on time is late, and being late is unacceptable.  Try to stick to this, not only your first day, but every day.

- Dress professionally and if you are not sure what to wear…ask!  There is nothing worse than walking in on your first day underdressed.  You want to make sure you fit in.  Take that first week or two to notice what everyone else wears and what is acceptable.

-Ask questions and ask for help!  It’s your first day; you’re not going to know how to do everything!  It might seem a bit overwhelming, which is understandable.  Make sure to be patient and take notes on everything.  Your trainer will understand what you are going through and how you feel, they have been in your shoes before.

-Smile, be polite, and make eye contact when you introduce yourself to your co-workers.  Try to remember their names.

-Learn as much as you can and more.  Read up on the industry and topics relating to your position.  It is important to stay on top and gain as much knowledge as much as you can.  There might be something new you learn that you can bring to the table.

The first day of work can be intimidating.  Each day will get easier and hopefully these tips will help you feel more relaxed and prepared for your first day!

Age is nothing but another number in the job seeking game!

It seems older job seekers are in limbo during the current economic and hiring landscape. Recent reports from the U.S. Labor Department earlier this month show that unemployment rates are lower for older workers than other age groups. However, that being said, the same report shows that it actually takes these individuals longer to find a new job than any other age group. What does it all mean for the older job seeker in today’s employment landscape?

Older, mature professionals are now job seekers for a number of reasons. Some older job seekers may get discouraged and lose confidence because of their age. However, if you are an older job seeker, stay positive! In today’s evolving job market, not only have the types of jobs out there changed, but so have the individuals who make up the current workforce. Remember that as seasoned professionals, older job seekers are great resources for any company, filled with loads of information and experience!

There are several steps an older job seeker can take to make the most of their job search. First and foremost, take a career inventory. Make a list of all the positions previously held. What tasks were completed? What accomplishments were made? One of the biggest obstacles for older workers is that they may be overqualified for jobs they’re applying to, so try to narrow down experience to what’s really important. Completing this exercise will help get your job search in gear by identifying potential opportunities and serving as a reminder of accomplishments achieved over the years.

As an older job seeker, keep in mind that resume writing may be slightly different. The résumé is a vital tool in the job search and can help any worker articulate the qualifications and experience they can bring to a potential position. Career consultants and advisors suggest that resumes for more mature job seekers tell a story and not just the last job title. What does that mean? Instead of simply listing the last role within the organization, list the promotions along the way. Another consideration to take into account is making the résumé skill-driven and results-oriented, instead of merely providing dates, titles and responsibilities from past positions.

A great way to keep an edge and stay fresh and vibrant in today’s fast paced job hunt is to take advantage of any learning opportunities that are available. Join professional associations, subscribe to trade journals and keep up with innovations and developments in your field as much as possible. Hone your skills or learn new ones. One of the biggest employment obstacles older workers may face is the concern that their skills are outdated and they aren’t willing to learn new ones. So, stress your willingness to learn. If you’ve taken courses and attended workshops, seminars, conferences and other professional development events throughout your career, be sure to tell your prospective employer.

Using these simple tips in your job hunt will not only help you get a better idea of what you want as an older, more mature job seeker but it will also help you better understand what employers are looking for as well. If you would like additional resume tips for more experienced job seekers, along with other advice for your entire job search from start to finish, check out our free Job Seeker’s Guide. Click here to get your copy.

Sources:

SecondAct.com

CNNMoney.com

Syracuse.com

Msnbc.msn.com

So, you’ve got an interview coming up. You’re strapped for cash, and you’ve searched through every hanger and drawer in your closet but don’t know what to wear. Not to worry! You can still build an ideal interview outfit right from your very own wardrobe. Here are a few tips for picking the perfect interview attire on a budget.

The bare necessities checklist – no job seeker should be without these!

Suit: One of the pricier pieces of your interview wardrobe can be a well-fitted suit.

Affordable Women's Suit from JCPenney

Designer suits can be pretty expensive, but I found a versatile, four-piece women’s set at JCPenney which comes out to less than $100 and several men’s seperates at JCPenney as well.

If a suit still isn’t in your budget, consider a classic white button down shirt with dark slacks. A white top or dress shirt with long sleeves can be a conservative and fail-proof approach at a professional look. Fitted white shirts can be modestly-priced at most stores, like this Merona men’s fitted shirt or women’s button down top from Target. Some department stores even offer shirt-and-tie sets at a cheaper price than separates.

Accessories: Accessories can put a final touch on any outfit but they don’t have to be expensive! You can save money on some of the expendable accessories in your wardrobe, such as pantyhose and dress socks, which can be purchased at wholesale prices.

Hair and hygiene: Sleek and sophisticated looks always make a statement for both men and women. Gentlemen, remember to shave! It is also recommended to skip on the perfumes and colognes altogether to avoid stirring up any allergies.

Dry cleaning: If you have some extra cash to play around with, you’ll definitely want to consider dry cleaning your outfit a few days before your interview. While this is an extra cost, it will create a crisp, clean finish to your look.

Integrating these tips into your wardrobe selection will save you time and money when deciding what to wear for that next big interview. While interviewing for a job can be nerve-racking, choosing an outfit doesn’t have to be!

Do you have any tips for interview attire? What has worked for you in the past and what hasn’t?

Thanks to our fellow Tweeters @CareerBuilder and @CBforJobSeekers I came across an article that reveals almost 25 percent of job seekers plan to use a recruiter in the next quarter, according to CareerBuilder’s quarterly Staffing Supply and Demand Outlook.

Other relevant information from the study reveals (as taken from CareerBuilder):

• Of those not currently using a staffing firm, more than half indicate they would if they were still searching three months from now.
• 34 percent of job candidates in the technical, IT and scientific sector continue to be most open to utilizing a staffing firm in their job search.
• 13 percent of hiring managers say they expect to use a staffing firm over the next three months.
• Of those managers, nearly one-in-10 expect to utilize a staffing firm to help in their search for full-time employees in the upcoming months.
• Six percent of hiring managers expect to utilize a staffing firm to help fill temporary or contract positions in the upcoming quarter.

StormStaff can help in your job search. We work with our professional candidates in the administrative, clerical and financial fields. If you are interested in searching our job postings, visit our website. You’ll also find more information about our services to help get your job search off to a successful start!

For more information on the survey results, visit The Work Buzz: the CareerBuilder.com Job Seeker Blog.

On Wednesday, Staffing Industry Analysts released survey results asking staffing companies how often candidates decline an assignment. According to the results, the median candidate decline rate is 11 to 15 percent. Those representing the healthcare industry reported the highest decline rate with a median in the 21 to 25 percent range. Meanwhile, business services ranked low on the spectrum, reporting a rate of decline at only 6 to 10 percent.

According to the report:

“Staffing firms primarily serving the business services… report the lowest rates of candidate decline.”

Another article in BusinessWeek reported that the business and professional services industry currently holds the second highest number of available jobs employers can’t fill. It seems companies are actively seeking qualified candidates but can’t seem to recruit the qualified talent or fit for their organizations.

So, what could all of this mean for staffing companies specializing in business services and the clients they serve? Well, it certainly means that both sides stand with much to gain.

First off, research shows that candidates specializing in business services aren’t likely to decline a position offered to them. Using a staffing company with a high level of expertise, resources, commitment and personal approach will certainly achieve favorable results.

Secondly, companies say they are facing trouble filling positions and claim they are “actively recruiting but so far have been unable to fill.” If these organizations use expert staffing companies, they will receive assistance from recruiters who know exactly what they are looking for and are true experts in finding the right fit for the right position. Recruiters find the high-quality, top talent candidates that companies want and need. Organizations that use staffing companies can save valuable time and money in meeting these demands.