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July 24, 2023

4 Reasons You Haven’t Landed a Job Yet (and How to Fix Them)

Are you a job seeker who is feeling frustrated about not getting job offers? If so, you’re not alone. Many job seekers struggle to get their foot in the door and land their dream job. The good news is, there are a few common reasons why you may not have had success yet, and there are strategies you can use to fix them.

1) Customize Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is your first opportunity to impress a potential employer. If it’s not up to par, your chances of getting called in for an interview significantly decrease. If your cover letter sounds like a template that you copied and pasted, the hiring manager is likely to toss it aside. Instead, tailor your cover letter to the company and position you’re applying for. Show that you’ve done your research and understand the job duties and mission of the company.

A cover letter should be concise and to the point, highlighting your relevant skills and experience. Aim for a cover letter that is one page or less. Take the time to proofread your letter multiple times and have someone else review it as well. It’s important to present yourself as a detail-oriented candidate. And while it’s important to showcase your skills and experience, your cover letter should also address the needs and interests of the company. Highlight how your experience and abilities can benefit the organization and its goals.

2) Clean Up Your Resume

Your resume is essentially your ticket to securing a job interview. If you’re not getting any calls or email responses after sending out your applications, it may be time to take a closer look at your resume. One common mistake job seekers make is submitting a generic resume for all job applications. Your resume should highlight relevant experience and skills specific to the jobs you are applying for. This may mean that you spend some time customizing your resume to address the specific experience and skills requested in the job post. It may take some extra effort but will definitely increase your chances of being considered for the position.

However, don’t just list your responsibilities – provide quantifiable examples of how you added value to your previous roles. This could include increased sales, improved efficiency, or successful project outcomes. Showcasing your achievements gives hiring managers a clear understanding of the positive impact you can have on their organization. Ensure your resume is easy to read, with clear headings and bullet points.

3) Brush Up On Your Interview Skills

You might have a fantastic cover letter and an impressive resume, but if your interview skills are poor, it could be the reason why you haven’t landed a job yet. An interview is your chance to make a good impression on the hiring manager, show your enthusiasm for the role, and prove that you are the right candidate for the job. Going to an interview without researching the company and the role can be a deal breaker. It shows that you are not serious about the job, and you have not put in the effort to understand the company’s values, culture, and expectations. 

Communication is key in any job, and it is essential during an interview. You should be able to articulate your thoughts clearly, listen attentively, and respond appropriately. If you struggle to communicate effectively during an interview, practice with a friend or family member beforehand, or consider taking a public speaking or communication class. An interview is also an opportunity to show your passion for the job and the company. If you appear disinterested or unenthusiastic, the interviewer will assume that you are not excited about the role. Show your enthusiasm by asking questions, sharing your ideas, and highlighting your skills and experience.

4) Giving Up Too Quickly

It’s important to keep in mind that the job search process can take time, and rejection is often a part of the process. It can be discouraging to not hear back from employers or to receive rejection after rejection, but it’s important to remember that every “no” brings you one step closer to a “yes.” Instead of giving up, job seekers should use each rejection as an opportunity to reflect on what they can do differently in their job search.

One common mistake that job seekers make is not following up with employers after an interview. Sending a thank you email or note can not only show your appreciation for their time, but it can also remind them of your interest in the position. Also, don’t just limit your job search to only one or two companies or job titles. Expanding your job search to other companies or job titles that align with your skills and experience can increase your chances of finding the right job.

It’s important to remember that the job search process is not easy, but persistence and patience are key. Don’t give up too quickly – keep applying, following up, and expanding your job search until you land your dream job.

If you have reviewed your information and practiced for interviews but still find yourself struggling, then we are here to help! Work with our HR experts to review all of your application materials and coach you through some common interview questions in our job seeker training.

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July 3, 2023

Get Hired: Mastering the Art of Writing a Virtual Assistant Cover Letter

If you’re looking for a job as a Virtual Assistant, the cover letter you write can make or break your application. Crafting an effective cover letter that conveys your experience and skills while demonstrating your enthusiasm and commitment to the position is essential in standing out from other candidates. Explore the key components of a successful Virtual Assistant cover letter and provide tips on how to make yours stand out below:

Outline Your Skills and Experience

As a mom looking to enter the virtual assistant job market, you already have an abundance of skills that will be highly valued by potential employers. Here are a few key skills and experiences you should highlight in your cover letter:

  1. Time Management: As a mom, you’ve likely honed your ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities. Employers will be impressed by your ability to efficiently manage your time and prioritize tasks.
  2. Organizational Skills: Being organized is crucial for any virtual assistant role. Make sure to highlight your skills in maintaining schedules, tracking important dates, and managing digital files.
  3. Communication: Clear and effective communication is essential when working remotely. Emphasize your excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as your experience in collaborating with others.
  4. Technical Savvy: With technology at the forefront of the virtual assistant world, make sure to showcase your proficiency with various software programs and tools. Be specific in your cover letter about the types of software you’ve used in the past.
  5. Flexibility: Employers need someone who is adaptable and willing to take on new tasks as needed. Share examples of how you’ve been able to pivot and adjust to new situations in the past.

By highlighting these skills and experiences in your cover letter, you’ll show potential employers that you have what it takes to succeed as a virtual assistant. Just remember, while you have lots of skills to share, keep it short so that hiring managers can easily read your cover letter quickly.

Use Keywords from the Job Posting

To truly stand out among other applicants, it’s important to use keywords from the job posting in your virtual assistant cover letter. This means analyzing the job description and taking note of the key skills and responsibilities listed. Including these keywords shows that you have carefully read the job posting and understand the requirements of the position. Additionally, many employers use automated systems to sort through resumes and cover letters, and using the right keywords can increase your chances of being seen by a hiring manager.

For example, if the job posting emphasizes proficiency in Microsoft Office, make sure to mention your experience with Excel and Word in your cover letter. If the job requires scheduling and organization skills, mention specific tools or software you’ve used in the past to manage tasks and appointments. However, don’t just throw in random keywords for the sake of it. Make sure they are relevant to your skills and experience, and use them in a natural, contextual way. Finding online cover letter templates can help show you how to do this.

Explain What You Can Do for the Company

Now that you’ve outlined your skills and experience and used relevant keywords from the job posting, it’s time to explain what you can do for the company. This is the heart of your cover letter – you need to convince the employer that you’re the perfect fit for the position.

Start by researching the company and understanding what they do. Then, explain how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate to help them achieve their goals. For example, if the company is looking for a virtual assistant to help with social media management, you could say:

“I am confident that my skills in social media marketing, content creation, and scheduling would make me an asset to your team. With my experience working for a variety of clients in different industries, I am comfortable with creating engaging and effective content across multiple platforms. Additionally, I am skilled in using scheduling tools such as Hootsuite and Buffer to ensure that posts are published at optimal times for maximum reach. I am excited at the opportunity to help your company grow and reach new audiences through social media.”

Notice how this paragraph not only highlights the applicant’s skills and experience, but also connects them directly to the needs of the company. By explaining how they can help the company achieve its goals, the applicant is demonstrating their value as an employee and making a compelling case for why they should be hired. You can also take this a step further and include a tip or two on how you would change their current practices to make their company better.

Close with a Call to Action

After explaining what you can bring to the table and highlighting your skills and experience, it’s important to end your cover letter with a call to action. This shows the employer that you’re confident in your abilities and are excited about the possibility of working with them. A call to action is a statement that invites the reader to take a specific action. In this case, you want the employer to invite you for an interview or to contact you with any further questions they may have. Here are some examples of strong calls to action for a cover letter:

  • I look forward to hearing from you to discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your company. Thank you for your consideration.
  • If you’re interested in learning more about my qualifications, I’d love to speak with you in more detail. Please feel free to contact me at [insert your contact information].
  • Thank you for considering my application. I believe that I could be an asset to your team and would love the opportunity to discuss this further in an interview. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Remember, a call to action is a chance for you to leave a lasting impression on the employer. Be confident, courteous, and professional, and you’re sure to catch their attention.

Remember, the cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression and stand out from other applicants. So take the time to craft a well-written and personalized cover letter, and you may just land your dream virtual assistant position. Good luck!

If you need help writing a cover letter or would like a professional to review your current cover letter, check out our Cover Letter Services!

 

 

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April 22, 2020

How Important Is Your Cover Letter?

Guest Contributor: McLean Mills

Job applicants across all industries and level of employment are typically asked for two key documents when applying for a position: a resume and a cover letter. In most of our eyes, it’s the resume that dominates the stage. We think it’s what hiring managers really care about and what will ultimately make or break our chances of being given an interview. The cover letter, on the other hand, is seen as something that compliments the resume. It provides a little intro that leads up to the main act performed by the resume.

However, before you simply dismiss the importance of cover letters and just treat it as a mindless chore to complete within the application process, you should be informed of new research that challenges our preconceptions of its worth. In a recent study conducted by resume writing service, ResumeGo, the majority of hiring managers and recruiters indicated that a well-written cover letter that highlights the candidate’s qualifications was, in-fact, very important. So let’s go into the details of it a little:

 

Applications With Tailored Cover Letters Get More Callbacks

In the study, it was found that including a tailored cover letter increases a candidate’s odds of getting an interview by 50% compared to those without a cover letter at all. That is a staggeringly high number to throw out there, but one backed by hard evidence and a large sample size.

As part of the study, 7,287 fictitious applications were submitted either with no cover letter, a generic cover letter, or a customized cover letter. These applications were tracked during a 6-month period between July 2019 and January 2020. 

Applicants in the study who did not submit a cover letter with their applications had a callback rate of 10.7% in the 30 days following the submission. So about 1 in 10 applicants with no cover letter were extended an interview.

Comparatively, applicants with a generic cover letter received a 12.5% callback rate and those with a tailored cover letter that perfectly matched the position hung at 16.4%. The results were undeniable, a cover letter resulted in a better chance of getting a callback. But more specifically, applicants with a customized cover letter tailored to the specific job application ended up receiving the highest callback rates of all. 

 

What do Hiring Managers Think of Cover Letters?

The two-part study by ResumeGo also surveyed 236 recruiters and hiring managers to find out how they view cover letters. Through a series of questions, they found that the vast majority of recruiters and hiring managers do appreciate a cover letter in the applications they read and report that it does positively influence their perception of the applicants.

87% of hiring managers will read cover letters. If you always assumed hiring managers just skipped over cover letters, think again!

More than half of hiring managers report that cover letters can influence their hiring decisions. To be exact, 65% of recruiters and hiring managers say that content contained in a cover letter has directly influenced their decision to pursue a candidate. So not only do hiring managers read cover letters, they also find them important.

76% of recruiters will not reject an applicant due to a poorly written cover letter. Interestingly enough, recruiters aren’t just throwing away applications just because they see a poor cover letter. While it certainly doesn’t help, submitting a poor cover letter doesn’t necessarily mean you’re entirely out of luck.

81% of hiring managers prefer a tailored cover letter. This reiterates the main takeaway from the study – tailored cover letters lead to more interviews! Remember that hiring professionals are likely reviewing hundreds and hundreds of applications for every job opening. They don’t have time to read through template cover letters so give them something valuable or nothing at all.

78% of hiring managers find it easy to tell if it’s a template. Even if you have found a good template that you are happy with, you are probably not fooling the hiring manager. Most of them report that it is easy to tell if a candidate has used a generic cover letter or if they have taken the time to craft a unique one. 

74% of hiring managers do not punish candidates that do not provide a cover letter. Interestingly enough, although the field experiment found that candidates with a tailored cover letter are more likely to get interviews, most hiring managers insist that they do not “punish candidates” if they don’t submit a cover letter at all.

 

Bottom Line

I get it, tailoring your cover letter for every job submission is tedious stuff – and perhaps even impractical if your strategy is to mass apply for jobs. You may only be able to tailor your cover letter for the job openings you truly have your eye out for. However, the data is mounting, and it’s important to be aware of just how potentially impactful a tailored cover letter is in the job submission process.

By planning ahead and prioritizing which job openings to spend more time on, you can hopefully muster up a job application strategy that includes having personalized cover letters that get the job done.

 

McLean Mills is a career coach and blogger. He was also a career counselor for the University of Florida. When not on the work grind, you can catch him rereading Harry Potter for the billionth time.
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January 20, 2020 0 Comments

5 Tips For a Winning Cover Letter to Get You Hired

Ah, the cover letter – the sister document of your resume! It’s an important but often overlooked part of the job searching process, and one that demands more attention.  Whether cover letters come across as an afterthought, are too lengthy, or simply lack any depth, there can be a number of errors avoided by taking a second look.

Grab their Attention

Realize the hiring person may get 30-50 resumes (or more on mega job sites). And the resumes that get read are the ones with something that GRABS their ATTENTION!  Something like, “Let Me Take More Off Your Plate!”  Or, “I thrive on being proactive in ways to make your life easier! Hire Me!”

Don’t be afraid to add some personality to your cover letter and show your “go-getter” attitude. No one wants to hire a bump on a log. Also, the P.S. is the most read part of ANY email or letter.  P.S. Your “Go Getter Attitude” so that you stand out

Be Diligent

You want your first impression to be a good one! Be sure that your grammar is perfect, your spelling is correct, and your sentences well-structured. Don’t rush through this because it tells the hiring person you aren’t paying attention to details and aren’t putting 100% effort in.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t inject some personality into your letter, but proper writing rules remain a required element of the job application documents.

Focus on the Company

The number one goal of your cover letter is to show why you would be a great fit for the job!  Your letter shouldn’t go on and on about your accomplishments, but rather convey them in a way that shows relevance to the employer.

You should always look up the company to show that you’ve done your homework and took the time to learn about them. (Hint: Read their “About Us” page and a few blogs to get a feel for the person and company).

Bullets are Key

Begin your cover letter with a brief paragraph or two, then consider using bullet points to highlight key selling points on why you think you’re the best candidate.  This breaks up large chunks of text, allows the employer to see your points quickly and easily, and makes you appear considerate and well prepared.

Show Why You’re a Fit

What do you bring to the table?  List specific character traits, past experiences, and job roles that are a direct fit to this specific position. Have a testimonial from a past client? You may want to consider adding it to your cover letter.

You may have had 10 jobs that you’re proud of, but which jobs, and more importantly, which qualities from those jobs, will allow you to shine in this new role?

By focusing on the company and job position, you’re focusing on the employer’s needs, not your own.  Be sure to include succinct, relevant information that will allow the employer to see what they would get from you immediately.

Lastly, make it easy for them to read, add some personality, and show them your “go-getter attitude”!

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February 20, 2017 0 Comments

6 Tips for a Stand Out Job Application

We all know what’s needed to apply to a job – a strong cover letter, resume, and great references.  Unfortunately, this isn’t enough to secure an interview or the job!  Those hiring today are truly looking for quality applicants, and that doesn’t just include your experience.

Quality applicants take the time to truly invest themselves in the hiring process, and in turn, receive much more response from these applications.  Check out our top tips for a job application that stands out!

Read the description

First and foremost, take the time to really learn about the position for which you are applying.  When you really want a job, it’s best to focus on those positions that excite you while playing to your professional strengths.

To stand out on your application, include words and skills that you have that match the job description.  This presents your qualifications in the best light, while showing that you paid attention and took the time to apply specifically for that position.

Learn about the company

If you want to be a stellar applicant, you must take some time to learn about the company.  Read their website, visit social media profiles, read press releases, news articles, and so on.  It’s also helpful to read about the industry, especially if there isn’t too much information available from a specific company.

This helps you to prepare for the interview, but it also allows you to be more connected to the application process.  This exercise might also help you realize, one way or another, if you’re the best fit for this particular company.  In speaking with a hiring manager, you may have to answer questions that include a bit about the company and why it’s a fit, so take the time in the beginning to really get to know them.

It’s also helpful to ask yourself, “How can I best contribute?”  Learning about the company will also show you where they shine and where they struggle, allowing you an opening to show where you would best fit in.

Be precise

Make sure your grammar and and spelling is impeccable! Your application should truly have zero mistakes and put your best foot forward.

To avoid any errors, run all spell check and grammatical checks in your word processing program, but also send your resume to friend and/or family members who may be willing to help.  Having a few extra sets of eyes look over your work can truly be the difference between a stellar and mediocre application.

Be prepared

When you decide to embark on your job search, gather all of your information into one place.  In addition, create a checklist that ensures that you have everything you need to be successful.  Create or edit your resume, draft a brief (but bulleted) cover letter, contact your references, and be specific to the position in all of this.  With all of these materials ready to go, you’ll be set to go when the right position presents itself.

It’s much easier to set aside time before your job search, and it avoids procrastination in applying, as well as forgetting anything when you come across an ideal opportunity.

Be specific

Create each cover letter and resume for each job position.  You shouldn’t have to change your resume too much, but you can still spend some time focusing on specific sought-after skills and experience to highlight.   Focus on the best attributes for this particular position, not simply which results or experienced that you liked best.

Also, ensure that your cover letter is specific to the job position.  Hiring managers and employers don’t want to feel like you aren’t a good fit, nor do they want to feel like you’ve just sent your information in a mass spree to dozens of other jobs.  Show that you took the time to highlight what they’re seeking, and your response should be much greater!

Put in your best effort

The ultimate hiring decision is up to the company or hiring manager, but you can send the time to put forth your best self.  It’s very apparent when an applicant takes the time to do their best, which will reflect in you receiving more calls and interviews.

It can seem daunting to create separate documents and edits for each position, but that’s why you should truly pick positions for which you’re qualified for and very interested in.  Invest the time and care in those applications that will be a great fit for you, and you’ll find that you might be the ideal match for your future employer!

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July 6, 2015 0 Comments

4 Steps to a Great Cover Letter

Part of the job process is the application process, which can be daunting. Between the resume, cover letter and interview, there’s a lot to consider.

The first place to start is always the cover letter, which is the lead-in to your resume and hopefully, everything else that follows until you’re interviewing for the job.

Creating a successful, well thought out cover letter is important, as it’s really your first impression to your potential employer(s).  Follow these tips to have a resume that stands out and impresses your audience.

Be Unique

The employer will likely receive a number of cover letters and resumes, so it’s important to be one of those that stands out.  You can do this in a number of ways – writing style, the way you highlight your experience, and adding personality.

While you still need to mind your grammar rules, adding some personality to your cover letter is always a plus.  Mention important personality traits that will make you successful in the job position, as well as unique statistics and results from your past job experiences.

Be Correct

Grammar and punctuation is key in creating a successful cover letter.  Be sure that you look up any questionable spelling and grammar questions you may have, and always have your letter proofread by a friend or family member.

Even if the potential job position is not writing-based, utilizing correct grammar and punctuation shows that you’re paying attention to details and care about presenting a quality product – both important skills to have in any position.

Be Succinct

As we mentioned before, your potential employer will likely receive many cover letters and resumes.  Keep it short and simple! State the position you’d like to be considered for, why you’d be a great fit, and a few key, bulleted highlights on your experience and why it is relevant. That’s really all you need!  The best cover letters are succinct, effective, and to the point.

Be Specific

Don’t send general cover letters or resumes to anyone, no matter how many you may be sending. Your employer needs to know why you’re right for their particular job position and company, and it’s your job to make the argument as to why you’re the right fit.  Notice the verbiage they use in their job posting – include some of them in your cover letter and resume, if applicable.

The more you can specializing your cover letter for the particular job position, the better your chances of achieving it.  You need to show the employer that you have exactly the right skills, personality, and job experience that will make you an ideal fit for the job.  Do your absolute best to highlight these qualities in an efficient, brief manner.

 

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