Who Else Should You Include in Your Thank-You Notes?
Posted by Melissa on | September 1, 2010 | 2 Comments
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~William Arthur Ward
When people think of thank-you notes and the job search, usually they just consider showing their appreciation to the companies that have given them an interview.
Unfortunately, that leaves out a whole host of great folks who you are undoubtedly thankful to, but they are not often shown gratitude by job hunters. A successful job search is rarely done alone, so I would encourage you to also send either electronic or hard copy thank-yous to the following people:
- Folks who have provided emotional support during this trying time (friends, family, clergy, etc.)
- Individuals who have reviewed your résumé and cover letter
- People who are serving as references
- Leaders of any job clubs that you belong to
- Anyone who has thought enough of you to forward a solid job lead (regardless of the outcome)
- Those who have made key introductions
- Mentors who provide guidance in navigating the field you are trying to find success in
- People who help you practice your interview skills
Showing your appreciation to these individuals continues the deepening of ties to your network, which is always important. They will feel more comfortable coming to you in their time of need. As well, you never know when you may need them again, so you want to be sure to stay connected in a positive manner.
Is there anyone else you would include in this list that I have missed?
Image courtesy of vistamommy
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Are You a Tool?
Posted by Melissa Cooley on | August 30, 2010 | 2 Comments
Just so everyone is clear — I’m not talking about the slang use of “tool”.
I’m referring to one of the more traditional usages of tool as defined in Dictionary.com:
“anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose”
In your job search and career, you want to be considered a tool — someone who can be counted on to help the company or department reach important goals. A means to a desired end.
While it sounds like you would be a mere cog in a wheel, I see a good tool as doing so much more. To be a really useful tool, you need to be like those Leatherman tools — you know, the ones that can cut, saw, drive screws, file, etc. and then open your adult beverage when you’re all done with your tasks!
All kidding aside, the analogy is not a bad one. When applying for a position, demonstrate how you are a useful tool with your:
- array of direct experiences,
- industry/company knowledge,
- transferable skills sets,
- problem-solving examples,
- soft skills applications (conflict management, etc.),
- positive attitude, and
- enthusiasm for the company mission and goals.
And once you get the job? Put it all into action!
Don’t be a cheap imitation — really come through with your promises to be the multi-purpose tool they need!
How else can you be a good tool?
Image courtesy of brian.ch
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Embracing the Uneasiness of Change
Posted by Melissa Cooley on | August 25, 2010 | 10 Comments
Today was a big change for a member of the Cooley household: it was my daughter’s first day of school.
She has been eagerly anticipating this day ever since we went to the initial registration way back in February. And then it proceeded to be a long spring and summer as my dear girl would regularly ask me when she would get to go to school. The month of August made everything real as my husband and I went to meetings related to school, rounded up the necessary supplies, and purchased additional items for her wardrobe.
But Tuesday morning, after she did a dry run of waking up to her new alarm clock, she crawled into my arms and sobbed. When I asked her what was the matter, she replied, “I don’t want to go to school. I want to stay with you, Mommy!”
Such a familiar feeling, isn’t it? To be excitedly waiting for some momentous event to happen, and then when it is about to occur, we want to shrink away from it and stay in our comfort zones.
Maybe the change is switching careers, or finally getting that promotion you’ve been working toward, or getting a job with your dream company, or starting your own business.
None of it is 100% comfortable at the onset because this represents a change in the normal routine. It requires a movement out of the known into the unknown. In these new situations, we have to risk making mistakes and being vulnerable because we don’t know what will happen. We have to learn on the fly and hope that we catch on without embarrassing ourselves too badly.
And yet, it’s rather funny that we would be so resistant to change. Really, the presence of change is the one thing that is a constant in our lives. As much as we try to keep things the same, change still has a way of happening (or we get so bored/frustrated with the sameness of life that we actively usher in change).
Instead of fighting the change, why not welcome it with open arms? It’s going to happen regardless, so try using a new approach as changes come. Invite it in!
As for my daughter? Well, she still wasn’t sure about school at the end of her three and a half hours there today, but after a soothing bath and a nap, life looked a bit differently. She’s game to give it a go again tomorrow.
What about you? Are you up for welcoming change into your life?
Six Reasons to Use Caution When Telling Stories in Your Application Materials
Posted by Melissa Cooley on | August 24, 2010 | No Comments
Are your cover letters and résumés peppered with phrases such as “outside-the-box thinker,” “results-oriented,” and “team player?”
If you don’t have some facts and stories that demonstrate why that is true, your résumé is likely to hit the circular file.
It’s not enough to say that you are the next best thing since sliced bread; you have to show why. Without giving specific examples of how you embody whatever descriptors you use, they end up being nothing but trite platitudes.
That’s not to say that you have to replace every phrase with a fact or story. There are good reasons why too many stories can be just as detrimental to your application materials:
- You don’t have the physical space to include all the anecdotes that will extol each virtue. Cover letters are one page max (some hiring managers say that they prefer only a half-page) and résumés are no more than two pages. If you go beyond those maximum page limits to include every speck of relevancy, you won’t find many folks who will bother wading through it all.
- Too many stories can make you appear too good to be true. I realize that many of you reading this have really done all the wonderful things that you have put on your cover letters and résumés. The problem is that HR and hiring managers have to contend with the fact that 53% of the population lies on their application materials. How are they supposed to know who is telling the truth and who isn’t? If you make yourself sound too great (even if it’s all true), you’re less likely to be believed. Tone it down a little.
- It can be harder to write a good cover letter. You want to kick things off with a bang so the person reviewing your materials has sufficient motivation to move on to your résumé. Wowing them with lots of accomplishments seems like a good way to go. Unfortunately, if you have to work your cover letter around all the stories you want to include, the flow can be very stilted and hurt your writing style.
- You seem like you have a raging ego. Yes, you need to talk about your wonderfulness, but including too many stories can have the same effect as someone who is waving his/her hands and screaming, “Look at me! I’m so great!” No one wants to work with that guy/gal.
- The company focus can be lost. When you are targeting a potential employer during your job search, you need to remember that it’s not all about you! It’s about the company, their needs, their pain. You need to submit materials that show off your skills, yes, but it needs to be done in a way that the reader can readily see how your experiences can help them solve their problems. If you get too “Me, me, me!” sounding, the assumption will be made that you will bring that kind of focus to your work. That doesn’t help them.
- You want to save some stories back for the interview. The résumé and cover letter are supposed to be used to give a representational view of who you are. They are designed to pique the interest of the reader, to get them wanting more. If you get a call for an interview, you want to have something different that is as impressive as what you had to say in your cover letter and résumé. If the company learns nothing new about you in the interview, it’s anti-climactic. They can’t get more excited about you because there’s nothing new to be excited about.
How do you find a good balance of promoting yourself in your cover letter and résumé without going overboard?
Image courtesy of extranoise
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Tags: "That Guy" > Accomplishments > Balance > Company-Centered > Ego > Lying > Power Phrases > Promoting Oneself
Now on YouTube
Posted by Melissa Cooley on | August 20, 2010 | 4 Comments
Well, it was something that I figured should happen at some point, and Heather Coleman of the Ferndale Career Center (FCC) got me off my rear gave me the project I needed to get on YouTube.
She had sent a message to a number of us earlier in the week asking for videos to support Detroit area job seekers during today’s Self-Enhancement Day at FCC. Given that I don’t have a video camera, I thought, ‘Ah, there will be lots of people who want to do it. She doesn’t need me.’ Well, she messaged some of us again on Wednesday, asking sweetly if we would please consider doing something.
After writing up something and then spending a little time learning about a nifty free tool called Screenr, I created an audio recording of something I had been thinking about writing as a blog post. It’s entitled, “Taking the Lead in Your Job Search.” It’s with great nervousness that I share it with you all…
(Here’s a PDF of the audio if you would rather read it!)
So there you have it. My first attempt on YouTube. I know it’s far from pretty, but I also know that I can be my worst critic. So I am leaving it up to you all to give me some much-needed feedback on what works and what doesn’t. You can either leave comments on this post, anonymously register your opinion on the poll to the right that I’ve set up, or you can email me at melissa at melissacooley dot com. I only ask that you be gentle 
Thanks, and I look forward to continuing the conversations!
Does your job search feel like it’s stuck in neutral? Hit a road block with your career? Get the customized help you need to get on the path to success! Learn how Melissa can help you achieve your goals!
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Recent Comments
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Who Else Should You Include in Your Thank-You Notes? Jake, the first part of your comment made me laugh :) The thing about award shows is that the...
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Who Else Should You Include in Your Thank-You Notes? Your post reminds me of award shows, when the winner gets up on stage and says, "I'd like to than...
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Embracing the Uneasiness of Change I love that photo. So cute. And her sweet little outfit!
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