Job search help

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Youâve always been told college is the best time of your life, and everything changes once youâve graduated and set foot into the âreal world.â The âreal worldâ has always had this scary, negative connotation to it. But why?

Around 53% of recent college graduates are unemployed or underemployed.
The average federal student loan debt is $37,338 per borrower.
54% of people aged 18 to 25 (âGen Zersâ) are living at home with their parents.

The Happy Grad Project will unite recent grads, encourage them to get excited about their next step, and prepare them for their life and career.

Live Webinars

Each week, we're featuring a LIVE webinar that's specifically for recent grads. We also have weekly LinkedIn classes for you, too!

Click here to meet our contributors.

Inspiration

Stop listening to the "You Can'ts" and start saying "Yes, I CAN!" Check out our Inspiration Wall (we created it just for you!).

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Introducing The Happy Grad Project

The job interviewâthis is where it all really begins! While your resume may have impressed the hiring manager and helped you get your foot in the door, now you really have to bring home those points on the resume in person. Failing to convey the right message in the job interview means it is game over!

Don't expect a callback from the employer if you fall short of conveying key messages. There's a lot that can be done to prepare for the job interview so that you go into it confidently. However, it's one thing to be prepared and it's another thing to perform well in the job interview.

Along with proper preparation, here are three things you must convey in the job interview...

You're A Go-Getter!

Employers desire employees who have a real passion for the work. During the job interview, demonstrate that desire, passion, and excitement for the challenges that lie ahead with the position.

Make the interviewer believe you'll be able to hit the ground running on the job by demonstrating you have the experiences and skills to succeed on the job. Ask what the biggest challenge is and present examples of previous relevant work where you've been in a similar situation and what you accomplished and achieved.

The research you've done ahead of time should also allow you to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the company, its business, and more.

You Fit Right In!

Fitting right in is not so much about being agreeable but being likable. Come off as friendly and share your understanding of working in a workplace like the employer's. Ask questions during the interview to further understand the type of work environment that exists and then make an effort to demonstrate you have similar experience working in such an environment.

Another way to create the feel that you'll fit right in is by building rapport with those you speak with. The interview should not take on a model of a Q&A session; you want to turn it into a dynamic conversation. Find ways to build rapport that will help show how well you understand the ins and outs of the business and working in a workplace like theirs.

You're A Character With Great Personality!

Hiring managers understand that job candidates may come into a job interview nervous, but those who are able to overcome their nerves and show some personality are more memorable and attractive as a candidate for the job opening.

When you present your personality, it's easier for employers to see how you stand out from other job candidates. Presented the right way, you can also come off even more likable.

When there's the opportunity for it, don't be afraid to add to the conversation by talking about your personal quirks or likes. It's what makes you you! When there is a lack of personality in a character, the individual can come off as boring and dry. It also doesn't hurt to show how you differentiate from the next candidate with similar experience and skills.

Find opportunities throughout your job interview to weave into the conversation these three things above. In the end, you'll come off as a more memorable and desirable candidate for the job!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Things To Convey In Your Job …

How “Unproductive Discomfort” Is Slowing Down Your Job Search

Do you have "unproductive discomfort"? As a career coach, I work with a lot of people who sit in unproductive discomfort, meaning they have a lot of anxiety, stress, anger, and frustration around their situation, but they're spending more time worrying about it and thinking about it than doing something about it.

Now, that's not to say that you're not trying. I know that you are. I know that you're trying different things, but nothing is working. And every time you try something and you don't get results, it eats away at your confidence and gets you into this really uncomfortable spaceâunproductive discomfort.

How To Overcome "Unproductive Discomfort"

The only way to fix this is to not assume that a fairy godmother is going to come along or you're going to get a magic pill that's going to solve your problems. Yet human nature is always searching for that quick fix, that thing that will take us out of our discomfort. And it doesn't work.

In 20 years of being a career coach, the fastest way I know how to get you out of unproductive discomfort is to have you basically trade up pain, trade up discomfort, and take it from a lower level to a slightly higher level temporarily. We call it highly productive discomfort.

Imagine if, in just 15 minutes a day, I could teach you something new. I could take you through exercises that help you improve your skills and your attitude, make you feel more positive, and dispel some beliefs or assumptions you have that are holding you back. Because those three things are what are keeping you in this unproductive state. But if I can, for 15 minutes a day, put you in this temporary but productive discomfort of learning and growing, you're going to make big leaps in your progress.

These are the breakthrough moments that the people we work with at Work It DAILY have every single day because inside our program we have courses, coaching, and community all designed to address your discomfort and get you out of it as quickly as possible by giving you the things that you need.

So, if you're willing to go back to school a little bit and throw out any outdated beliefs and negative mindsets to get the results you're looking for, then I hope you become a Work It DAILY member and sign up for a free trial today.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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How “Unproductive Discomfort” Is Slowing Down Your …

The first challenge with your resume is getting it into the hands of an actual person. Over the past decade, getting through applicant tracking systems (ATS) by including the right keywords has become the holy grail of job seekers. The palace guards were put in place so that overloaded hiring managers could keep out the riffraff.

And it was necessary.

Surveys report that more than half of the resumes submitted for any job posting are from completely unqualified candidates.

The ATS is meant to boil down the deluge to an actual candidate pool. As a job seeker, you should be concerned with and aware of how your resume will make it past the guards. As a serious professional, you need to take your resume further. Make sure that when it makes it to the hands of an actual person, it will impress and get you to the next step.

Here are four resume tips for accomplishing this goal:

1. Lead With The Results

Look at your resume as if YOU are the hiring manager. Does this resume help solve the problem that needs solving with this position? Not just the "because Henry quit" problem. The thing that makes this position valuable to the company.

Your resume must show how you are the solution because you've done it before. Structure your experience so that each sentence is front-loaded with results. Instead of, "Evaluated current processes and led efforts that restructured operations, leading to a reduction in costs and an increase in revenue," try "Slashed overhead costs by 20% while simultaneously increasing revenue by 45% by completely overhauling sales processes and operations for optimal efficiency."

If you think like management, you can pick out what management most cares about, and make sure you highlight that in your resume.

2. Quantify Your Accomplishments

In other words, use numbers. By adding figures to your accomplishments, you provide measurable, credible proof of your performance.

For example, "Added $4 million to the bottom line..."

Beyond showing revenue, numbers can help provide context for your results through comparisons.

"Ranked #1 out of 45 sales reps for top sales performance."
"Achieved 95% customer referral rate, a figure 2 times higher than the company average."
"Conducted company-wide training for 500 employees."

This is one of the things a lot of people struggle with, but it is vital. Quantifying your accomplishments solidifies them in the mind of the reader. It turns an abstract statement into a hard fact.

3. Use Active Words

Businesswoman works to customize her resume

Fill your resume with verbs that convey energy and action. Carefully selected verbs also help you create concrete statements that create a visual for the reader. Instead of, "Put in processes that led to a significant reduction in costs," try "Decreased costs by devising efficient sales process."

But be careful. Don't use the same verbs over and over. Do the work and find powerful synonyms.

4. Trim The Fat From Your Resume

This may be the most important tip for creating a powerful resume that will get read and noticed. The hiring manager or recruiter may have dozens of resumes to review, so make sure yours is easy to get through. Write succinctly, be specific, edit out filler words, and trim the unnecessary detail that doesn't add to your qualifications for the position.

Review and edit. Then review and edit again.

The digital age has brought challenges to the job seeker, but they can be overcome. Spend the time to create a powerful resume. Make sure it gets the attention that it deserves.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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4 Tips For Writing A Powerful Resume

A common question I get from job seekers on LinkedIn is, "What is the best way for employers to notice your LinkedIn profile and how should it be set up?"

Well, the answer is pretty simple.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile So It Matches Recruiters Search Criteria

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile so it matches the search criteria of recruiters is the most important first step for beginners. Here's why...

Recruiters search for candidates on LinkedIn by conducting keyword searches based on skill sets. They choose and use the skill set definitions you find in the "Skills" section of your LinkedIn profile.

Their initial searches are pretty basic. They put in a couple of the key skill sets the hiring manager said are must-haves for the job, add a location, and then LinkedIn's search technology goes through and finds all people who have the most amount of keywords in their profiles with those skill sets in that location and ranks them.

Now, LinkedIn's search algorithm takes in a few other things like how much traffic your profile gets (aka how many people are already visiting your profile) and how many followers or connections you have. There are other factors, but the overriding one is your skill set because it's your relevance to the job.

If you don't know how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to make sure the right skill sets are in the right place, and if you haven't figured out what the five or 10 key skill sets are that recruiters are constantly using to search for the type of position you want, then you are getting bypassed by recruiters because they aren't seeing your profile. It's not being included in their search results!

How Can You Tell If Your LinkedIn Profile Is Working?

You'll know when you've properly optimized your LinkedIn profile for keywords because you will see a lot more views on your profile. And the more views you get on your profile, the higher up you land in a recruiter's search results.

It's just like internet searching and SEO. That's how you get employers to find your LinkedIn profile.

The takeaway? Optimizing your profile with the right keywords is the secret to getting noticed by recruiters. If you want to be found, you've got to give them the right data in your profile!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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LinkedIn For Beginners: The #1 Thing Job …

Most people donât properly prepare for job interviews. As a result, they usually make one of these two common mistakes in their job interviews, and it costs them the job.

You might think you can get away with doing minimal interview prep in your job search, but hiring managers can tell if you haven't done your research and are struggling to answer questions.

If you're not doing enough interview prep in your job search, you've probably run into one of these two problems during your job interviews...

Lack Of Interview Prep = Saying Too Much Or Too Little

In job interviews, people often make two major mistakes related to the Goldilocks principle: either they provide too little information and clam up or they talk excessively, sounding self-absorbed. To succeed, it's crucial to strike the right balance by following the "Experience + Learn = Grow" approach, which ensures well-structured answers.

Itâs very important that you structure your interview answers in a logical format so that you give hiring managers the right amount of information. Behavioral interview questions require more than a simple "yes" or "no" answer. By following the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model for answering behavioral interview questions, you'll effectively answer any question the hiring manager throws your way.

This takes practice, though. And practice is a huge part of proper interview prep. So, do your research on the company, review your resume, and practice your interview answers in a mock interview with a trusted friend or colleague. You'll never fail a job interview by talking too much or too little again.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

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2 Ways People Fail In Job Interviews

If you're wondering why your job search isn't working, or why it's suddenly slowed down after a few good leads, then you've come to the right place.

One of the biggest concerns we hear from our members is how long the job search seems to take nowadays. When all other aspects of our lives seem to have sped up, the instant gratification we crave from our careers just isn't there. How can we successfully change jobs or move up in our careers without spending six, seven, eight, sometimes even nine months on a job search?

As it turns out, most job seekers are actually making some critical job search mistakes. Here are three ways you're slowing down your job search, and some tips for how to fix them:

1. You're Applying For As Many Jobs As You Can

Young woman / recent college grad on laptop applies for jobs

Here at Work It DAILY, we call this job search strategy the "spray and pray" method. When it comes to a successful job search, your mindset shouldn't be "the more the merrier." Rather, it should always, always be "quality over quantity."

A lack of strategy in your job search will only cost you time and money, and it won't yield many viable employment opportunitiesâif any at all.

2. You've Never Written A Disruptive Cover Letter

Man looks at his cover letter while on his laptop

Many job seekers also underestimate the importance of a cover letter, and how great of an opportunity it is to demonstrate how you connect with the company and why you would be a good cultural fit.

A cover letter shouldn't be a summary of your resume. It's not the place to brag about your accomplishments. It's the perfect place to tell a story, one that will instantly make you stand out from other job applicants.

3. Your Resume Isn't Streamlined

The reality is that outdated resume templates aren't read by recruiters or hiring managers. You only have six seconds to show a potential employer you're qualified for a position and have what they need in a job candidate.

Employers are looking for keywords and numbers on a resume. There's a good chance that if your resume isn't streamlined, it isn't even getting past the ATS. That means if your resume isn't a 90-100% match, it most likely will never be seen by a hiring manager.

At the end of the day, if you avoid doing the three things above, you'll see a significant difference in your job search. It's all about finding where you can improve and taking charge of your careerâonce and for all.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Ways You’re Slowing Down Your Job …

If Youâve Been Looking For A New Job For More Than A Month, You May Need To Hear THIS!

In today's competitive job market, it's taking job seekers longer to find and secure jobs. A long job search can be frustrating, but there's an easy way to shorten your job search and stand out to employers in the hiring process.

Have you been looking for a new job for more than a month? Are you frustrated by the lack of progress in your job search? Can you count on one hand how many times you've heard back from an employer? We know just what you need to hear to get your job search on the right track...

What You Need To Hear As A Job Seeker

If you've been job hunting without success for a while, it's likely because you skipped some crucial steps in the job search process. Many people start by hastily creating a resume and then tweaking it when they face rejection. However, the key to success lies in understanding your unique value proposition to employers and building a clear job search strategy. You can begin by using this free job search checklist to help you get on track.

Our free job search checklist will change how you look for work. It's a step-by-step guide to getting the job offer you want AND deserve. By following our job search checklist, you'll speed up your job search and find a job that's aligned with your career goals.

Remember, you're not alone in this, and with the right approach, you can find the job you're looking for.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

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If Youâve Been Looking For A New …

3 Things To Convey In Your Job Interview

Whether you were fired, laid off, let go, want to make a career change, or just quit your job, it's important to find activities that will make you more employable when you're out of work. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time keeping up with qualified job candidates who aren't desperate for a job.

Also, you'll have a lot of explaining to do when it comes to addressing employment gaps on your resume. Your goal is to fill those employment gaps with productive activities that are relevant to your field.

So, when you're unemployed, don't waste valuable time just sitting around applying for jobs online. Instead, make yourself more employable by doing one (or more!) of these resume boosters:

Upskilling

Upskilling is one of the best ways to give your resume a boost. Think about skill sets that would give you an edge in your industry or target job. Then, determine how you can get those skill sets.

Consider certificate programs, online courses, workshops, free webinars and video tutorials, or professional clubs. Even though you're not currently working, you're proactively finding ways to stay relevant in your industry. That fact alone can give you a huge leg up in your job search.

Temp Work

Happy young man working on his laptop at work while he pets his cat on his lap

Working with temp agencies (or staffing agencies) is a great in-between-jobs option for professionals.

These agencies will match you with companies and place you in temporary jobs. This type of work can lead job seekers to some great opportunities because it allows them to get paid for their work (although minimal), network with different companies, figure out which companies could be a good fit, and potentially receive a full-time job at one of the companies.

Part-Time Work

Young woman works a part-time job while seeking a full-time position

If you can find a part-time job that allows you to hone your current skill sets or build new ones, this is another great way to get a paycheck as well as fill those pesky resume gaps.

Remember, while it would be ideal to find something in your industry, you don't always have to do that. Think about what transferable skills you can gain from a part-time opportunity. How will the skills you use in this part-time job transfer to your target job?

Volunteering

Unemployed professionals take advantage of volunteer opportunities

While it doesn't pay, volunteering is a great way to keep yourself busy, sharpen your skill sets, and network with like-minded people. Find organizations in your area that relate to your field or interests and start making a difference in your community!

Blogging

Happy young woman on her laptop writes for a blog while looking for a job

When blogging first came on the scene, people used it as a way to share their diaries, opinions, and useless knowledge with the world. While some still use blogging as a tool to share their personal lives with the world, others use it more strategicallyâand you should, too! Think about your industry. What advice, insight, ideas, or issues can you write about?

Writing about things that matter in your field can help you establish yourself as an expert in your industry. When recruiters Google you and they see that you've been actively writing about your industry, you'll score brownie points because you're taking steps to be a thought leader in your field (and most employers dig thought leaders).

Instead of spending all of your time sitting on your couch simultaneously searching for jobs while watching reruns of Friends, find ways to stay active in your field. It can really pay off!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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5 Things That Will INSTANTLY Make You …

The job interview is an essential part of the screening process for employers. It helps employers dig deep beyond the resume to find out about 1) your experience and skills for the job, 2) whether you're a good fit for its workplace culture, and 3) your career goals and outlook to determine how dedicated and loyal you'll be to the job and continued employment with the company.

Asking questions is essential to helping employers make the right decision on which job applicant to select for the job. So, let's break down some of the typical interview questions you may be asked and what employers are really trying to find out so that you can provide the best response.

1. "Talk About One Of Your Greatest Achievements At Work."

When employers ask this question, they are trying to see what you consider important on the job and are also trying to understand your key skill set. The best response is an example that can directly relate back to the job you're applying for.

2. "Talk About A Time You Faced A Major Challenge At Work."

Employer/hiring manager asks a potential job candidate a hard interview question

Employers are always trying to see how you face obstacles at work and your approach to dealing with them. Regardless of the challenge you present, the key is to demonstrate that you were able to overcome it and bring results of success.

3. "What's Your Greatest Weakness?"

Employers want to see how honest you are, and the way you answer can also shed light on if you're able to overcome obstacles. Everyone has a weakness, so provide an honest answer but finish off your response with how you've worked to improve on it so it actually isn't a weakness anymore.

4. "Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?"

Employer/hiring manager wants to find out where the job candidate sees herself in five years during an interview

Employers want to find out your long-term goals and how they may fit into their plans. Your response should inform the employer that you're dedicated to the profession and you have a confident outlook to move up in your career with even more experience and skills to succeed on the job. Do not give an answer that indicates you may not stay with the company.

5. "Describe To Me The Type Of Work Environment You Desire."

Job candidate waits to answer an interview question from the hiring manager

It's important that employers ensure you can fit in culturally and they want to understand the type of worker-boss management relationship desired. Say the person supervising is a micromanager, but you are one who has self-drive and desires empowerment. In such a case, conflict is highly likely.

Do your research ahead of time to understand the employer's workplace culture so you respond accordingly. But it's also important in helping decide whether you should even apply for a job because you want to work in an environment where you'll be happy.

6. "Why Do You Want To Work With Us?"

A hiring manager asks a job candidate, "Why do you want to work with us?"

Employers need to find out if you're a serious candidate for the job and if you have a true desire to work for the company and in the specific field you're applying to. If you do your research beforehand, you will have an idea of things you can call out about the employer that impress you. It'll also inform the employer that you're not just randomly applying to any job, but that you have a true desire to work for them.

7. "Why Are You Leaving Your Employer?"

A job candidate answers the hard interview question, "Why are you leaving your employer?"

Employers will ask this question to try to better understand your long-term goals. It's also to ensure that the reason you're leaving is not one that may present itself again on the new job.

If you were fired from your job, the employer wants to ensure the problem or concerns about being fired do not carry over to the new job. Focus on a response that speaks to your desire for more challenge and that will allow you to utilize your experience and skills, and help you to continue to grow them.

When you understand what employers are really trying to find out with the questions they ask, you can tailor your responses so that you come off as the best candidate for the job.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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7 Things Employers Want To Find Out …

How To Answer Salary Questions On Job Applications

You may be asked salary information on an application form, or be faced with a âcurrent salary" or âdesired salary" field on an online application. Or you may be asked the same question by a legal recruiter. The answer you provide may be used in the screening processâanswer too high and you may not be considered for the position at all.

This number will also likely come into play at the interview/offer stage. It can establish the range for the offer the employer makes. And if you're underpaid and undervalued at your current employer, then there's the risk that your low level of pay will follow you when you move on.

On a paper application formâor if the online form allows you to type in whatever you wantâyou can write âNegotiable." This gives you the opportunity to discuss your salary history and expectations later on.

How To Answer Salary Questions On Job Applications

If it's not a required field on an online form, leave it blank. If the "desired salary" field requires you to enter a figure, however, you have a couple of options. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks:

Enter $0, $1, or $10 (the minimum number you can). It will be clear you're not answering the questions (most employers will know you aren't offering to work for free).
Enter $999,999 (or the highest number you can). Like answering $0, this shows you are purposely avoiding the question.
You can enter your desired salary, based on not only your personal needs and wants but also on your market research of your value and salaries. But know that it may lead to you being screened out (if it's too high) or being offered a lower salary in the interview.
If you can, enter a range. Some online forms will allow you to enter two numbers. Entering a salary range is often the best option because it reduces the chances of you being screened out, allows room for negotiation, and recognizes that some of the most valuable compensation (vacation time, signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, insurance, company cars, travel, child care, insurance, and more) isn't included in the salary.

How you answer the salary question on a job application will depend on your situation and what format is allowed on the online form. But if you can, entering a salary range is always the best option.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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How To Answer Salary Questions On Job …

You've polished your resume to no end, especially after finding a job posting that precisely fits your skills. But did your cover letter merit the same attention?

Many hiring managers use your cover letter to gauge your interest in the company, as well as your aptitude for the job. Therefore, when you resort to "Dear Sir, I'm interested in your open job, here's my resume," you're missing out on a critical chance to persuade employers to take you seriously.

Here are five of the most crucial mistakes made in cover lettersâthose that can quickly knock you out of the running for a leadership job:

1. The Opening Line In Your Cover Letter Is Boring

"I am an operations director with 18 years of experience" or "In response to your ad for a CEO, I have enclosed my resume" really aren't compelling enough to use as opening statements. Instead, try a hook that makes the hiring manager sit up straight in his or her chair, as in these examples:

"Would a sales vice president who consistently pushes teams past quota (up to 52%) make a difference in your national rankings?"

"As a CIO for global company ABC Consulting, I've increased customer satisfaction to 97% in 3 outsourcing engagementsâpushing our revenue growth to its peak despite the recession. I'm interested in creating the same results for you."

The idea is to speak precisely to the employer's pain points while describing the performance impact you've had in previous roles. Note each of these sentences contains metrics, a targeted job title, and a career-defining achievement that is framed in context and laid out quickly for the reader to absorb.

At Work It DAILY, we advise members to follow our disruptive cover letter format and use storytelling to hook the hiring manager. The key is to show a connection between you and the company. Your opening line should also leverage the research you've done on the company, per the next point.

2. Your Cover Letter Doesn't Tell Employers How You'll Solve Their Problems

Man on laptop fixes his cover letter mistakes

Rattling off a list of competencies isn't strong enough to distinguish you from other candidates, but speaking directly to the company's needs will do the trick.

You have to dig into the company's history, press releases, annual reports, social media accounts, and other news to figure out their pain points. What type of expansion is planned? Were earnings down in previous quarters? What do industry analysts say about the company's future and business strategy?

Armed with this information, you're able to connect your leadership skills to the employer's needs much more succinctly:

"My ability to produce business development results (30% rise in cloud-based solution sales during Q4 2022) can address any struggles you've had in breaking into this market. Can we talk?"

3. Your Cover Letter's Key Points Don't Match (Or Exceed) The Job Requirements

Couple on laptop work together to write a cover letter

Like resumes, cover letters must be precise and direct the reader. It should keep them attentive to the reasons they should hire you and the edge your work can give them.

While you're writing, put the job description in front of you to remind yourself what the employer is seeking. Then, look for ways to point out how you can surpass these expectations. The following paragraph is taken from an IT director's cover letter:

"Your ad noted that you require a leader in service delivery and customer satisfaction. My career includes 3 years of 97% satisfaction ratings, achieved by improving infrastructure and network capacity, and I hold responsive service as my #1 priority."

4. Your Cover Letter Isn't Addressed To An Actual Person

Young professional woman on laptop writing her cover letter and avoiding critical cover letter mistakes

Finding a contact name inside the company has never been easier. First, you can use LinkedIn to search for the employer. Then, navigate to the "People" tab on the company page and find the name of the hiring manager or department head. For example, a business development manager might look for keywords such as "VP Sales" or "COO" to identify the next-level manager contact, while an IT product director can try to find the CIO's name.

If you don't find a name through LinkedIn, be sure to check Zoominfo.com or the company's About Us page. If you have access to Dun & Bradstreet, you can also use that resource to locate company insiders. In addition, Data Axle is a free contact name database available through many public libraries and requires only your library card for access.

Taking the time to locate a name (vs. resorting to "Dear Hiring Manager") will help your letter create more impact at a target employer.

5. You Aren't Assertive In Your Cover Letter

Professional man working at his computer/laptop and learning to avoid critical cover letter mistakes

This is especially important if you're pursuing an executive or senior-level role. Employers like to see a take-charge style (the same one you'll use to deal with vendors or your new team).

If your closing line isn't strong, you run the risk of looking too passive. "Thank you in advance for reviewing my credentials" is certainly polite and professionally stated. However, "I plan to exceed your requirements as your next Vice President of Finance" and "I am confident that I can demonstrate the leadership you look for in your next CIO" are both stronger.

Even more intense, "I will follow up with you next Tuesday" shows definite intent on your part to influence the hiring audience, and gives them advance notice of the proactive steps you'll take to secure the interview.

To summarize, there's no reason to settle for a bland, one-size-fits-all cover letter that blends in with the others. Your job search will fare better when you zero in on the hiring audience with an unforgettable openingâespecially when it draws a parallel between employer needs and your unique value.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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