Analysing Adverts for the Creative Response
The fundamental rule is: if you are going to apply for advertised jobs then only apply for the right ones. Don't waste time by applying for the ones you've no chance of getting; not only is your time lost but your morale will suffer if you keep getting rejections. Analysing adverts thoughtfully saves you more than just time. When you are looking for a new job, particularly if you don't currently have one, it's too easy to be 'busy' by spending your time on the wrong things. For example one day, I observed one of my students reading a well known Daily Newspaper which on this particular Thursday had around 40 pages of display adverts. As he read through, it became clear to me that although there were so many ads, there really wasn't anything suitable for him. However when he reached the end of the jobs section without marking or copying any of the vacancies, he went right back to the beginning and re-read the whole section until he found something he could apply for. Then he sat back with a look of satisfaction because he could now say he'd found something to apply for and get on with an application. In fact he'd wasted all that time, the job wasn't suitable but he felt as though he'd been busy and had something to show for it. When the "no thanks" letter arrived it just deepened his desperation. So what should you do? Look very carefully at each advert that is of interest and read it several times until you get the feel of what's being said. When you have that feel, try to read between the lines to deduce if there is one 'crucial' need or if there is anything else you could infer from their words. It's also useful to read it critically and ask "have they missed anything out" that could affect your suitability. Now you've worked out what it's all about, take a highlighter pen and mark every clause or phrase where they state what their actual requirement is. You should read carefully to see if these needs are 'essential' or merely 'desirable'. I'll show you the difference below. The essential requirements form the backbone of the job and you should be able to meet more than 60% if you are to be considered. The desirables are nice-to-haves and the more of these you meet the better, but they are not the main issue. If you still see a good match, go ahead and draft your response letter. You should try to follow their style of writing by using similar phrases and words but don't just regurgitate their ad back to them. When you look at the advert some phrases will stand out: "it is essential that you?" is a bit of a giveaway, or "you must have?" or "you will have?" all shout 'essential' at you so look for similar phrases to match yourself against. Others are not so firm and may say: "you should have?" or "some knowledge of?" or "ideally?". These are all saying 'desirable' but not essential. Now I mentioned that you should look for the 'crucial' need ? if there is one and you don't have it, then don't proceed, this one is the killer and will knock you straight out. If you do have it? Make sure it's the first thing you mention in your response. That says "this candidate understands what we need". Now you're ready to write your letter you must make sure you can grab their attention. See my website for how to write
compelling cover letters that demand attention, show how you meet their needs with an enthusiastic, positive and reassuring letter that expects action. You will quickly find that analysing adverts becomes second nature, and you will know exactly how to demonstrate the match. But don't ignore the other things ? please make sure you follow all the instructions i.e. reference number, closing date, enclose CV, give salary details. If you don't do this you still might find yourself knocked out just for being careless. Analysing adverts is more art than science but if you approach it honestly you'll find more time to do other productive things such as networking with the time you've saved. Analysing adverts is made so much easier when you fully know yourself and what you can do. Peter Fisher
With his background of over 25 years running businesses, and as a Career Coach and Consultant in many sectors, Peter Fisher is well placed to guide job seekers through the steps needed in order to achieve that all important new position. He has personally coached thousands of individuals to career success. He writes a distillation of these years of experience with all the essential facts and actions you must complete in order to achieve your own success. He is very clear that you shouldn't be misled by others into thinking of "acing interviews"
or "finessing" your way into a business; the most sustainable and fulfilling roles are gained through understanding your own specific needs and creating your strategy accordingly. For specific guidance and how you can learn to analyse adverts and write compelling cover letters go to http://www.your-career-change.com/cover-letters.html You can learn more about his dynamic and comprehensive approach to career change, with every page dedicated to helping serious career changers if you go to http://www.your-career-change.com/index.html
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Counteroffers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
If "resignation" is the word that strikes fear into all employers, then "counteroffer" is the one that strikes fear into an employee's heart. "What should I do? They've matched my offer?"
Career Change Success Is Yours If you Follow The Formula
Recent surveys suggest that, given the chance, about four out of 10 people would change career tomorrow and a further two might. The most popular reason given would be to earn more. But others want a new challenge, to do something more fulfilling, or to have a better quality of life. If you are one of these who might, what's stopping you?
Why You Should Never Complain About Former Bosses
You're at a job interview. You're doing great, answering questions left and right. You're enthusiastic, upbeat, confident. Then they ask, "Why did you leave your last job?"
Skilled Mechanic Wage Study Review
Well what is a good mechanic worth these days? You cannot place a value on them simply as labor units as they teach in management school, they are worth more than money. So why not treat them with respect and dignity and pay them what they are worth, we believe that the national averages are too low. There is a partial report on the Automotive and Trucking Sector from the Fed's Beige Book, June 2002.
Master Responding to Selection Criteria and Win Your Next Job!
As a human resources specialist for many years, I've seen it all when it comes to job applications. Most disheartening were those applications in which applicants had not addressed the specified selection criteria ... they went straight into the 'no' pile. In many cases, it was obvious from accompanying documents like the cover letter and resume, that the applicants were intelligent, experienced people who may have been good hires. However, as they hadn't addressed the selection criteria, they had disqualified themselves from further processing. In fact, an applicant has only to miss one selection criterion to be disqualified from a recruitment process.
Taking a Survival Type Job Is Good For You.
Ugh! Arg! How can a survivor type job be good for me?
I'm barely hanging on to what I found and at minimum
wage. (I have been promised a ten cent an hour increase
in one month).
Common Resume Myths & Misconceptions
For the person crafting their first résumé the task can seem a little bit daunting, even a bit frightening. Human Resources [HR] specialists, résumé writing professionals, school advisors, and even friends and family members all have their say. When it comes down to it you must have a résumé you feel comfortable with especially since you will be the one to read it the most. Let's take a look at some common résumé myths and misconceptions you need to be aware of before writing your first résumé.
The Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Career
Many people in the last decade have experienced either a layoff or termination in their lives or the lives of somebody they know. While many of these people affected have experienced outplacement-consulting services, some have not and they may be in for a rude awakening - corporations no longer "take care of you". Managing your career in these times require you to have a game plan and an understanding of yourself and human behavior. That is why outplacement consulting and career coaches have become so popular and are being sought out by individuals, not just corporations. A career coach can help you manage more than just your career, they can help you communicate better and get along with others better.
Why Use a Resume Writer or Resume-writing Service?
Here are some of the questions we have been asked by our clients or potential clients in the past, together with our answers to them. We hope you find them useful, and that they help you to make an informed decision.
So You Want A Promotion - What Do You Need To Do To Get the Champagne Corks Popping?
The champagne corks have been popping to celebrate your promotion.
You have a well paid job you love ? its really interesting. You are using your talents to the full and your boss really values your contribution!
Dynamic Pre-Hiring Practices
The pre-hiring process can be a challenge. Much time and energy can
be invested and in the end, wasted, if your approach is not focused,
deliberate, and specific. The following approaches have resulted in
meeting candidates that not only meet our specifications, but also
regularly exceed our expectations!
Sample Resume Objectives: Good, But Summaries Are Smokin!
Since college I've been told that a resume ought to have an "objective statement" at the top. Maybe you've been told the same.
Dont Forget to Say, Thank You
One of the biggest mistake for job seeks is to not follow up an important interview with a thank you note to the people who interviewed them. Human Resources experts note that as few as 10% of interviewees take the time to say, "thank you." Let's take a look as why writing a thank you is the right thing to do and list some tips on how to write one.
Overcoming the 7 Roadblocks Women with Families Face Making Career Changes
Family is the driving force of our lives. You need family to support you and in most homes you need money to support your family. You work to support your family but you usually end up spending little time with them because of your 9-5 job. According to a Gallop poll 70% of Americans hate their jobs.
The Right Way To Send Your Resume
Having a great resume is the first critical step in a successful job search. Unfortunately, most people don't know the best ways to get that resume noticed. In today's job market, where you are competing with hundreds of other resumes, knowing the right way to distribute your resume can make all the difference.
Evaluating Job Offers -- Eleven Warning Signs You Must Watch Out For
Moving into a new job always involves some degree of uncertainty. You should do your best to find out all you can about a prospective employer, starting right from the pre-interview stage.
Resume Writing and Preparation is Free Online
Creating a strong resume is a very important part of applying for a job, either online or off line. There are many resume writing services that will help you build an impressive resume for job interviews.
The Hidden Job Market: Real or Imagined?
The hidden job market has been touted as the place to go if you want to find the best jobs. It's been said that this sector of the job market accounts for seventy-five percent of all the job openings out there. If that is true, then what we see in the classifieds and on the Internet job sites account for only twenty-five percent of all job openings. So the question becomes, is the hidden job market a myth or does it truly exist?
Creating a Feng Shui Power Office: 6 Easy Tips to More Successful Surroundings
More and more people are looking to gain an edge in their working environments. One method that business people are increasingly turning to is feng shui. Feng shui promises that by arranging your office environment correctly, it is possible to create a better energy in your office, and that energy can promote further opportunity and advancement.
How To Write A Job Winning Resume That Puts Yours On Top
Many people would love to get a better job. And most of these same people have the proper training and skills to achieve this goal. Unfortunately, so many job hunters have very poor communication skills. They are unable to clearly tell potential employers about their job qualifications. In short, they do not have good job seeking skills. In many cases, this prevents them from getting a high paying job that they could easily do. Often, the job will go to someone who is less skilled but who has written a eye-catching resume.
|
