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5 Cover Letter Mistakes That’ll Hurt Your Chances Of Getting The Job

The premise is simple. Your Cover Letter (CL) is meant to complement and highlight the content of your Curriculum Vitae (CV). You probably written several job applications, so you will have an idea of how a CL should be structured. However, you may make the same mistakes over and over again.

CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY

As a newbie in the workforce, you may think that sending as many job applications as you can will boost your chances of landing an interview. There is just one problem! You forgot to alter the “company’s name”. This may be an obvious thing, but it happens to the best of us.

Putting the wrong company name instantly sends poor impression. Avoid this mistake by asking a trusted friend or family member to proofread your Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae.

IN THE SEA OF EXCUSES

Tackling the excuses of a co-worker who regularly takes time off work is irritating! Imagine if you applied the same tone to your CL. As CLs generally have a maximum length of one page, you do not have to expand on the reasons why you hop to different occupations, why you left the previous companies, or why you missed some opportunities.

Rationalizing your actions may take away the attention from your valuable assets and transfer it to the things that weigh you down.

PAGES OF A LENGTHY NOVEL

When the interviewer looks at your CL, he or she scans for the keywords. This is why you must keep your document concise and straightforward. Who likes reading a mountain of text, anyway? Not me!

Writing more content does not necessarily mean that your CL is better. As I said above, a single page is enough. Describe how your experience and qualifications fulfill the requirements of the position that you are applying for. Then, wrap things up.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

The issue of money is somewhat of a grey area. You shall not reveal your expected salary right away in a CL, unless you are specifically asked to do so. It is not the right place or time to negotiate your salary.

As Lisa Benson, the President and CEO of Mary Kraft Staffing & HR Solutions, once said: “No prospective employer wants to hire someone who is only about the money.”

GENERIC IS THE BRAND

Shy away from cliché phrases, if you want to show your enthusiasm towards the job. The interviewer or the recruiter receives countless applications that merely enumerates their skills (e.g., team player or hardworking). Shine above the rest by backing your unique skills with facts and results.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

One of the issues that recruiter’s encounter is reading endless generic statements. So, be unique!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Boost Your Global Employability With These 3 Major Skills

Increasing your employability by honing your skills is always a good idea, if you are trying to earn more. Having the following skills could improve your chances in the international market…

PROGRAMMING (CODING AND SCRIPTING)

Whether you refer to it as programming or coding, this skill plays an important part in our modern lives. This skill is in demand worldwide with a foreseeable rise of 5% each year. Equipping yourself with this digital age skill will give you an opportunity to branch out in any sector such as finance, healthcare, and entertainment (e.g., music recording company).

Our government noticed the clamor for this skills, which is why they integrated Information and Communications Technology (ICT) program in the Singapore Budget 2016. This initiative helps people adapt to the evolving job demands.

MARKETING (NEGOTIATING AND INFLUENCING)

Skills that fall under marketing incorporates in-depth human interactions. Marketing requires cultural sensitivity and social perceptiveness when establishing a working relationship with the clients. Furthermore, it includes negotiating and convincing skills in its umbrella.

As Singaporeans are perpetually glued to their devices, you can see how digital marketing influences the target audience. Observe how Facebook or Instagram ads get noticed globally. It can be measured by the amount of “likes”.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Despite these contemporary tactics, I believe that no amount of artificial intelligence can replace a skilled individual when resolving complaints and closing deals.

COMMUNICATING (ORAL AND WRITTEN)

One of the major skills that employers are looking for is the ability to communicate orally and in writing, to different kinds of people. It is not enough to include that you are a good communicator in your C.V. You must provide evidence by starting a blog, heading clubs, or writing on a publication.

Improve your communicating ability by watching this empowering TED Talk by Business Sound Expert Julian Treasure:

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Energizing Breakfast Meals For Busy Singaporeans

When it comes to preparing breakfast meals, the options are endless. Adding pressure in time and health in the mix can narrow things down. So stay alert and sharp with these four meals:

FOR A COVETED JOB INTERVIEW

To ace a job interview, it is crucial to leave a lasting impression. Exude enthusiasm while answering the interviewer’s questions by eating a protein-packed breakfast. Egg has about five grams of protein along with other vitamins and minerals. It also contains choline, which may delay your fatigue.

If you are feeling a bit fancy, you may add some smoked salmon in your omelet. The Omega-3 in salmon will help you sharpen your concentration. Save some time by purchasing the marinated salmon at the nearby grocery.

FOR AN EARLY MEETING

Put a healthy spin on the classic peanut butter toast by adding chopped bananas and a dash of chia seeds. The fusion of banana and peanut butter spread will make your stomach feel easily satisfied. Furthermore, chia seeds are rich in dietary fiber and protein! Your body needs all these to keep your mind pumping as you start an early meeting with the board members.

Worry not about the accessibility of organic chia seed as you can get a S$19-bag at FairPrice.

FOR BEATING A STRESSFUL DEADLINE

In Singapore, it is common to encounter a co-worker or a friend who juggles a full-time and a part-time job. Having overlapping deadlines can be stressful for these people. The keep to keeping your mind calm under stress is consuming folate. Folate and vitamin K are present in avocado.

Prepare a quick meal by mashing an avocado and spreading it across a whole grain bread. Add two “sunny-side up” eggs for a well-rounded breakfast. Then, finish it off by sprinkling some salt and pepper.

FOR YOUR PROPOSAL JITTERS

Congratulations! Your boss finally entrusted you with presenting a proposal to your important clients. Speaking in front of a “demanding” panel can make your stomach growl with extreme nervousness. What must you do?

Make a cup of plain yogurt your morning staple. Yogurt helps in boosting your energy and digestion. Look for a brand with no added sugar or flavors to avoid stomach irritation. You may add fresh fruits if you want.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

One serving can cost you about S$4 or less!

Sources: 1 & 2

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Sharing Your Salary Information

Conversations about money in our deeply rooted Asian culture needs to be handled delicately. You must discuss your earnings in a strategic manner. It does not matter if you are sharing your salary information to your closest friends or trusted parents!

Do take note of these advantages and disadvantages:

PROS

1. IT MAY AIDS IN EMPLOYEE RETENTION.

Whether you want to believe it or not, salary transparency is a valuable tool to have in the workplace dynamics. Employers are highly encouraged to open up about how the compensation and benefits are determined. This will make the employees feel that they are being paid fairly. Moreover, it boosts job satisfaction and aids in employee retention.

Salary is the most common reason why individuals leave their positions. However, you may feel underpaid when you are actually not! Employers can avoid this scenario by increasing the transparency when it comes to compensation practices.

2. IT MAY IGNITE USEFUL ADVICE.

Sharing your salary information to the people whom you trust the most (e.g., your spouse or parents) may be beneficial to your finances. More often than not, the conversation does not stop at sharing your monthly salary. Your family members or friends may grill you about your savings, negotiating skills, and the organization’s salary transparency. Thus, you must carefully select the people whom you will disclose these information to.

Your trusted confidant may point out the loopholes in your contract or the company’s wrongful practices. You can learn so much from the people who are genuinely concerned about your wellbeing. Make the necessary improvements afterwards.

CONS

1. IT MAY RESULT TO RESENTMENT.

When it comes to disclosing your salary information, you need to be wary about your co-workers. Imagine how uncomfortable your co-worker (i.e., who holds the same position) will feel if you make more than them! You may come across as boastful and arrogant. Remember that anything you say may be used against you.

2. IT MAY RESULT TO UNRELIABLE COMPARISONS.

The main reason why some Human Resource professionals suggest to keep your salary confidential is because of the inevitable diversity in the marketplace despite possessing similar descriptions. That is the reality! The varying salaries depend on the individuals’ set of skills and experiences.

You might be a teacher earning an average salary, but my salary could be different from yours due to a cluster of reasons.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Just because you shared how much you earn does not mean that the other person will do the same! Although being open about your salary information may be beneficial at times, it is a personal choice that you have to carefully consider.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

How To Prepare For The CEO’s Nerve-wrecking Questions

Shifts in the workplace have occurred, along with the screening methods for position placement. It is no secret that preparing for any job interview takes effort and dedication. Moreover, it comes with a considerable amount of stress. Its final phase, the interview with the company’s CEO or President, may heighten the tension. This is the coveted peak of the candidate’s journey.

What shall you do to ace your final interview?

Well, researching on the company’s background is an obvious priority. Familiarize yourself with the company’s offerings (i.e., products or services) and history (i.e., including hierarchy) as well as the mission and vision. Knowing more information about the company enables you to prepare better.

Your next task is to uncover your own self. Understand how your journey was like before you decided to apply for the position. Were you a fresh graduate who stayed with the same company for 3 years? Or, were you not afraid to hop between jobs? The CEO or President will have so much insight based on the decisions that you made along the way.

Aside from these two elements, you must make your way around the tricky interview questions. Know how you will answer the following:

1. Can you describe your learning process?

My background in Psychology and education highlights the fact that everyone learns in a different manner. This is why I am a devoted advocate of individualized instructions. That being said, your answer to this question will show how you will perform given the demands of the available position.

As Stephen Baker (CEO of Attivio) once said: “Having a candidate articulate how they would learn a new topic or skill is a great sign of discipline, organizational skills, and intellectual curiosity.”

2. Why are you here today?

It may sound simple, but the answer entails profound introspection. Be specific when it comes to discussing your career motivations. Ensure that these motivations are in lined with your long-term goals.

This question will help the interviewer judge whether you are there for purely personal reasons or whether you desire to flourish the company’s current state. Gordon Wilson, the CEO of a UK-based software firm, urges that you must find a split between the personal benefits and that of the company’s. He was quoted saying: “if you benefit the enterprise the personal thing will come.”

3. Would you rather be feared or be respected?

If you are applying for a higher position, it is likely that you will be asked about your leadership style. This particular question never fails to catch individuals off-guard, according to Michael Gregoire. Michael is the CEO of an IT management software company called CA Technologies.

There is no distinct “correct” answer for this question. However, you must lean towards the answer that is best suited for the role. For example, it will be better if you are respected than feared in a collaborative workplace environment.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Consider these tips while you are preparing for your upcoming interview. May the odds be in your favor!

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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