I work in a job center and the current job market is the toughest job market we have seen in decades. If you are struggling to get a job, don't beat yourself up. I see so many totally frustrated people who have been out of work for so long, they've almost given up all hope. They come to us after trying everything else and when nothing they've tried seems to work. I help them get back on their feet and I'm about to help you as well.
When I first started in the job center, I was confounded as to why so many highly qualified people would get passed over entirely when someone else who was obviously less qualified would get called in for an interview. This didn't just happen once - it happened all the time and I was perplexed as were my co-workers. After beating my head against the wall for a while, I finally figured out why.
I'm about to reveal to you a tip that if you follow it should almost definitely get you more job interviews - which of course means getting a job since getting the interview is at 90% of the battle.
Instead of spending all your energy into making your resume picture perfect, put some quality energy into making sure your cover letter really stands out and grabs the attention of the hiring manager. Now, go back and re-read that last sentence and let it really sink in.
Let me explain why.
I do lots of follow up interviews with hiring managers, hiring committee members, and head hunters. What I've learned is that they are receiving so many applications for every job opening they simply can not go through them all and read the every application carefully and in its entirety. So, what they end up doing is the "next best thing" (these are the exact words they use to describe it).
Instead of attempting to carefully study the entire contents of every application package which would take more hours than they have in a day, they first read through all the cover letters. Then they basically make two stacks. The reject pile is way bigger than the pile they reserve for further study and for calling people in for an interview.
What this means is that most of the resumes, letters of recommendation, etc never even get a quick glance - if the cover letter doesn't capture their attention that is.
Now, let me ask you an important question. Did you create your cover letter by modifying an existing one - did you use some sort of cover letter template?
Put yourself in the shoes of these extremely busy people. How many of these things do they have to read in a year? LOTS!! Pretty soon, most every cover letter begins to sound like every other one - this is because most of them err on the side of caution and take the form of a conservative "professional template" that someone found on the internet or in a book.
On the happy occasion that they actually see one that is REALLY unique, they WILL pause and take the time to read it carefully and look at that person more carefully. The cover letter makes a big big difference in how many interviews you'll get called for.
The cover letter is the KEY to whether or not you'll get noticed and whether or not you'll get called in for an interview. Take the following two job candidates for example. Candidate A is exceptionally qualified, has a dynamite resume, and includes a dull yet "professional" cover letter. Candidate B is a little less qualified, has an above average but not exceptional resume, and has a dynamite STAND OUT cover letter.
Who do you think has more chance of getting the job interview?
Yes, i think you probably guessed it right: Candidate B has a much better chance because the hiring manager will stop and take a closer look when they see their unique cover letter, and more importantly, Candidate A's dynamite resume and superior qualifications won't even be seen by the hiring manager.
I know this may seem unfair to some but that's the reality of our extremely tough job market.
The best thing you can do to dramatically improve your odds of getting more job interviews is work on creating the most amazing cover letter possible - one that will really stand out and is totally unique.
I have discovered a very effective tool that helps people easily write a really unique and very effective cover letter -- one that really pulls in the interviews!
It is amazing cover letter software and it was created by one of the marketing industry's GO TO GUYS when it comes to writing sales copy. The software is designed so you simply answer a few questions and then hit a button, i.e. it only takes a few minutes. It will then spit out a CUSTOM -- and VERY UNIQUE -- cover letter that will knock the socks off of most hiring managers and inspire them to call you in for the interview. It uses magical marketing language that pushes all the right psychological buttons. Click here for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Baxter
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