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#1 Thing You MUST Say In Your Cover Letter

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Is there one thing you can say in a cover letter that will guarantee it accomplishes its purpose? Absolutely!

A cover letter serves as an introduction to your resume and to yourself as a candidate for employment. It's the place to show your interest in the position, and make a personal connection between who you are and why you're a great fit for the opportunity.

Showing your interest and passion for the company is important in the cover letter. However, saying this ONE thing is almost an ultimate guarantee you'll get the interview.

Ask For It


Woman writes a cover letter that asks for the job interview

You know that old saying, "Ask and you shall receive"? It's true. It may sound like common sense and obvious advice, but how many times have you sent a cover letter with your resume and not asked for the interview? It's easy to do!

In the closing paragraph of your cover letter, all you need to do is ask the employer for the interview. Statistics have indicated job seekers who ASK for the interview in their cover letters are twice as likely to GET the interview.

Below, we give you several examples that you can modify and use in your own cover letter.

How To Ask For A Job Interview In Your Cover Letter


Job seeker writes a cover letter

Ending #1

I'm excited about the Director of Sales position with XYZ Widgets and would love the opportunity to meet in person to further discuss my experience and the value I can offer you as your next Director of Sales. Please call me at 555.555.5555 to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience.

Ending #2

I would love a personal interview at your earliest convenience to further discuss my credentials with you. I can be reached at 555.555.5555 and will follow up as well to make sure you've received my information.

Ending #3

Thank you for your time reviewing my resume. I welcome the opportunity to discuss in a personal interview my qualifications and fit for the position. Feel free to reach me at 555.555.5555 at your earliest convenience.

Ending #4

Thank you for your time and consideration. I'd love the opportunity to further discuss the position and my experience with you. Please reach out to me at 555.555.5555 to schedule an interview.

Remember: you can ask for the interview with any wording you're comfortable with, whether that's with more direct language or not. The key thing is to close your cover letter by asking for the interview.

A cover letter is your chance to connect with an employer and explain your passion for what they do and how you believe you can help them achieve their goals as a company. If you do all that and ask for the job interview at the end of your cover letter, you'll be much more likely to get a call from the hiring manager.

We know how difficult it can be to write a cover letter, especially when there's so much conflicting advice out there. If you need more help writing cover letters in your job search, we're here for you.

We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It''s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you write a cover letter'”the right way.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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4 Myths About Job Hunting During A Recession
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4 Myths About Job Hunting During A Recession

The COVID-19 crisis has sent the economy into a recession and impacted numerous careers. Although people are naturally on edge right now, it’s important to know that while searching for a job during a recession isn’t easy, it’s not impossible.

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, millions of people quit their jobs or were laid off by their employers, and many are still struggling to find a job. There are record levels of competition for open positions. If you want to stand out to employers, you need to be prepared for the job search process.

Here are four common myths about the job search process during a recession, and what you should do to land a job in hard times.

Myth #1: No One Hires During A Recession

Businesses are always hiring!

There are some businesses that are greatly impacted by recessions that will reduce staff and implement hiring freezes, and others that will slow their hiring, but in general there’s always some need to hire people as a result of vacancies and retirements. In addition, there are some industries that continue to do well in a recession.

However, while businesses are still hiring during a recession, the job competition will be greater and you’ll need to work harder to market yourself as an employee worth hiring. There are multiple ways you can make yourself a better candidate. This includes finding ways to upskill, networking, improving your resume, and writing a disruptive cover letter.

Myth #2: No One Will Hire You After Getting Laid Off

Business woman takes a minute to compose herself after being laid off during the recession.

Layoffs are a fact of life and businesses realize that.

But from a competition standpoint being laid off puts you at an initial disadvantage. Layoffs are common during a recession. This increases competition because of the number of people in the job market in need of work.

If you’re laid off, you have to work even harder to market yourself to potential employees. But at the same time, you don’t want to come across as too desperate. Like with any job search, do your research and leverage your professional network whenever you can.

You may also want to consider which industries are still hiring during the recession and taking a job in one of those industries to hold you over. There’s no shame in working outside of your desired industry. There may even be benefits to it.

Given the circumstances of COVID-19 and the recession, future employers will understand the career detour.

Myth #3: If You’re Over 50, You Won’t Get Hired

Woman on laptop looks for a job during a recession

Age discrimination is a topic that comes up from time to time but in reality it’s actually called experience discrimination.

People over the age of 50 are staying in the workforce a lot longer but have to compete with millennials and Gen Z that make up more than half of the workforce. These younger generations are highly skilled, tech savvy, and a lot cheaper to employ.

This means that anyone over 50 looking to get hired needs to work even harder to get noticed. You need to clearly understand and sell what it is that you do well (your specialty). You also need to invest in yourself and be willing to upskill whenever you can.

Myth #4: You’ll Have To Take Less Money

Man writes something down while working

Finding a job during a recession doesn’t mean an automatic pay cut!

Recession or not, you should prepare for a typical salary negotiation process. Do your research and have an idea of the competitive rate for the position you’re pursuing.

If you’ve settled on a salary range, be ready to prove to the company why you would be worth the investment. You can do this by demonstrating why you’d be a valuable asset to the company and how your unique skills/experiences will make you the best fit for the role.

It always comes back to marketing yourself.

Recessions come and go and we will get through this one! Recession or not, one thing about the job search process remains true—you have to work hard and be your own best advocate.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

10 Ways To Fight Attraction In The Workplace
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10 Ways To Fight Attraction In The Workplace

What should you do when you and another co-worker like each other? Worse yet, what happens if you have a crush on your boss, or that most terrible of taboos, on your secretary?

Rather than ignore the problem or act on your instincts, you should learn how to stop being attracted to someone at work. Here are 10 tips for handling the lust genie and putting her back in the bottle where she belongs:

1. Acknowledge The Problem

The first step in dealing with attraction at work is to acknowledge the problem. In all likelihood, you have pushed these feelings to the side of your mind. Unfortunately, they are sitting there fermenting and probably deepening.

Bringing your feelings to the top of your to-do list will help you logically deal with them. In cases of workplace attraction, you are going to need every ounce of Dr. Spock you can muster.

2. Talk To A Friend About Your Love Dilemma

Woman confiding in a friend about her work crush

You should absolutely talk to a friend about your work crush, preferably to someone who is not employed by the same company, your spouse, or the target of your attraction.

Talking about your feelings is another way of acknowledging the problem. In addition, you will acquire an ally who will help you cope with the issue.

3. Get A Copy Of Your Company’s Rules And Regulations From HR

Man reads his company policy about office romances

Reading the black and white company policy about what can happen if you act on your attraction is sometimes enough to change those feelings of amore into slight sickness whenever you see the person.

4. Realize You Might Be The Target Of Manipulation

Two co-workers flirting at work

In the world of business, there are many ways to get ahead. Some people have learned that ignoring office etiquette and company rules about relationships is a quick way to gain a competitive edge. It’s very difficult, but try to realistically evaluate the skills of the other person.

Have they earned their position through brilliance, dedication, and hard work? Or did they just sort of miraculously appear?

5. Acknowledge: “The Grass Is Always Greener”

Man has a crush on his co-worker

Maybe your home life isn’t as blissful as it could be. This doesn’t mean that acting on your instincts with the person at work is going to be the dream relationship.

That possible relationship might be better, but in all likelihood you will be exchanging one set of problems for another.

6. Realize Your Brain Can Play Tricks On You

Two co-workers flirt while working on a project

In love with your boss? Have you ever heard of Stockholm syndrome? People in positions of power are often attractive even if they are absolutely horrible.

7. Understand The Consequences

Two colleagues have a romantic fling at work

Romance at work (even between consenting single adults) often translates into negative repercussions. It can create sordid rumors and much worse.

If you truly have found the love of your life, get proactive about moving jobs or changing departments so you can continue your romance without worry.

Not willing to do that? Maybe this isn’t the “one.”

8. Set Clear And Safe Boundaries For Yourself

Two professionals flirt while waiting for the elevator

This will make coping much easier. Social decorum dictates that most intimacy doesn’t occur in the presence of others. Design strategies that remove direct and private contact with the person.

Whenever possible, interact with the person only when there are other people around. This will prevent intimacy and, with luck, the workplace crush will fade.

9. Improve Your Home Life And/Or Add Extracurricular Activities

Man and woman flirt while at work

So many of us get absolutely absorbed in work. It is our lives. When this is the case, it is perfectly natural to look for affection and intimacy at work. Make your social life outside of work a priority.

Once other people enter your life, the attraction for that colleague often disappears.

10. Don’t Try To Deal With The Issue With The Object Of Your Affection

Two co-workers flirt while on a coffee break

This approach rarely leads to a happy ending.

First, if the attraction is mutual, the crush will likely escalate into a full-blown affair. Second, if the attraction is not mutual, you face rejection and possibly a sexual harassment lawsuit.

We are all human and human interaction is sexual. Having a crush or being attracted to a co-worker is natural. But natural doesn’t necessarily make it good for you!

Use these 10 tips to fight attraction in the workplace, because most of the time it isn’t worth the risk.

Need more help navigating workplace issues?

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, it’s a place where you can get all of your career questions answered.

It’s about time you got the career help and support you deserve. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Summary Sunday: Issue #525
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The basics of job search haven’t changed. But the tools and tech to help you secure a new one have. When it comes to looking for a new job, you’ll want to efficiently use your time, ensure you are qualified, and present those qualifications in writing and during the job interview. These are the basics. […]

The post Summary Sunday: Issue #525 appeared first on Career Sherpa.

“What Does Leadership Mean To You?” Answers & Tips
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“What does leadership mean to you?” is an interview question that makes many applicants stumble. It can feel like a trick question, especially if you’re not even applying for a leadership position! This guide will teach you how to answer this question effectively and make a great impression. Table of contents The Reason Interviewers Ask […]

The post “What Does Leadership Mean To You?” Answers & Tips appeared first on Career Sherpa.