Questions about Careers and Job Searches
How can career counseling be useful to me? Print E-mail
Our career consultants work with you to examine your career focus or direction. Your skills, knowledge and career preferences are evaluated. We connect you with professionals in positions of interest to you, which helps to provide real insight into careers you may be considering. We guide you through major decisions regarding actions to take and establish a personal career plan to keep you on track. We offer several affordable program options and hourly services to meet your needs.
 
When a classified ad states "…please include salary requirements." What does that mean and what is the difference between salary requirements and salary history? Print E-mail
A company is inquiring about your salary requirements to see if it’s a range comparable to the company standards.

The difference between the two is: salary requirements is a pay range acceptable to you. This information can be stated in the cover letter. A salary history is a separate sheet listing the name of previous employers, your title and your rate of pay at that position.
 
What are employment search services? Print E-mail
Individuals like yourself use our private services to help tap the hidden job market or re-focus career direction. We help job seekers with interviewing skills, identifying job leads, and learn how to find the hidden jobs through professional networking! Individuals seeking career assistance get personal guidance and structure by working with a career consultant to assess skills, strengths, interests and career choices! We offer several affordable program options and hourly services to meet your needs.
 
Should I put an objective on my resume? Print E-mail
No. An objective is no longer necessary. It is better to address the specifics of the position within the cover letter. That way you can directly target the position rather than writing a vague or too narrow objective. You can also consider putting a summary of your qualifications and strengths at the top of your resume.
 
I read in an interviewing article "…research the potential companies you’re interested in being employed by." What’s the reasoning behind this? Print E-mail
Knowing the company’s specialty, its work ethics, philosophy/vision, sales volume, etc. will assist you in determining if this organization matches your qualifications, work-style and career path before applying for a specific position. You can use this information to create a stronger cover letter and relate the newly obtained company knowledge to your own background. It is also very useful to integrate the information you have learned about the company into your interview.
 
Do I really have to include a cover letter with every resume? Print E-mail
The answer is unequivocally, YES, YES, and YES! The cover letter is often your first opportunity to represent yourself to a potential employer in reference to their specific needs – it allows you to bridge the gap so the employer does not have to. It is vitally important that your first written impression is a positive and lasting one. To achieve this goal, a cover letter merits some dedicated time and energy. Attaching a cover letter shows you are taking the time and care employers expect.
 
Can I write a general cover letter and use it every time I send a resume? Print E-mail
You can, but it will not be very effective. When you use the same letter for all positions and employers, it reads like a form letter and it is not very convincing. It says: "I am looking for any position with any company." Employers want to hire people who are excited about working for their company and who will love fulfilling their requirements. Form letters can rarely communicate your interest or excitement as it pertains to a specific situation. The extra effort will reap more interviews. 

The goal of the cover letter is to highlight your attributes and orient an employer to your resume. The content of your letter needs to be specifically tailored to the needs of the company and the position. You need to stand out from the crowd. The best way to do that is with a personal touch.
 
What do I say in a cover letter? Print E-mail
A cover letter needs to answer a basic question: Why are YOU the BEST person for this SPECIFIC position with this SPECIFIC company? Anything that does not provide such insight does not belong in your cover letter.

Imagine receiving a multitude of resumes for a specific position and trying to discern the seeds from the chaff. The biggest question on an employer's mind as he or she reads each letter is SO WHAT?! By answering these questions effectively — Why do you want to work here? Why should I hire you? What can you do for me, for the company, and for the rest of the staff? — your chances of getting an interview dramatically improves.

A resume can answer these questions, but not without some searching and assumptions on the reader's part. Connect the dots between your experience and skills, and what you think the employer is seeking. If you don't draw the lines, the reader will have to complete the picture for you.
 
What should I do when I do not get a response to my letter and resume? Print E-mail
Simply follow-up! This is just as important as your letter. A quick call to verify the arrival of your materials keeps you in control of your job search and provides an opportunity to learn more about the position and hiring process. Allow three to five business days after mailing the materials before calling. This is long enough to ensure they received and reviewed your materials, yet short enough so that they haven't totally forgotten about you. 

Unfortunately, many employers do not respond to every person who submits a resume and letter — try not to take it personally.
 
How do I write a "custom letter" in response to an anonymous ad? Print E-mail
Do the best you can. Occasionally you will encounter classified advertisements that only provide a PO Box address, with no company name and/or limited information about the company. While this makes it more difficult to tailor a cover letter, use the few clues they provide and give it your best attempt. Some pointers: Address the letter to "Dear Human Resource Director (or Manager)" instead of "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern". Make some basic assumptions about the company and use your picture to address the position. If you think you know what company it is, call and ask if they are hiring for the position.
 
How do I use a cover letter for an Informational Interview? Print E-mail
Use the same basic format, but instead of naming a specific position, state what information you are seeking. When you describe your background, stay general and tell a story that makes a connection between your background and the information you are seeking. If you know the person to whom you are writing, you can be more informal. The more people you approach in this manner, the easier it gets.