A great place to start looking for your job is the classifieds in the local newspaper or online on any of the numerous job boards. I have heard people say you just can’t get hired by answering blind ads like you find in newspapers and online. While it is true that there are statistically better ways to land that dream job, you have to try every avenue available to you. Not everyone has a network or a headhunter. So sit down with your cup of coffee and your highlighter and keep these things in mind.
1. Read each posting carefully – Don’t just skim it or focus on the attractive things about it. Read the whole ad more than once to make sure you get the gist of what the job is, and what the requirements are, so you are not wasting your time.
2. Always send a cover letter – Whether you are responding online or with paper, you need to include a cover letter. You should address your letter to an individual so if the ad does not provide one, you may need to call the company and get a specific person you can send it to. Here are some great formatting tips for cover letters.
3. Reference the ad in the beginning of your letter – Mention the newspaper, web site or job board where you found the position and provide any available reference number. Then be sure to add the complete job title.
4. Describe your qualifications in your cover letter – It may seem redundant to your resume, but often times your cover letter is all that will get read. You need to sell yourself right off the bat. Don’t mention any qualifications they requested that you may lack and include any other information that applies to this job. If you have volunteer experience, schooling or professional affiliations that are appropriate, mention them.
5. End the letter with a promise – You should close the letter by stating what you plan to do next. You have to be proactive when answering an open advertisement. Explain that you will call to follow up.
6. Call to follow up – May seem obvious, but you have to do what you said you would and call on each job you applied for. Have the job ad, your resume and cover letter in front of you when you call. Be prepared to talk to a hiring manager, just in case!
By: Becky Papp, Elance.com
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