9 Things to Double-Check on a Cover Letter

9 Things to Double-Check on a Cover Letter You can wipe the sweat from your brow. Finally, you’ve completed the excruciating yet exciting task of crafting your cover letter. The only fear that remains to be conquered on your quest to apply for this job is hitting “submit” â€" but what if you find glaring grammatical errors and more afterward? Give yourself a break as a reward for writing your cover letter. Make yourself a cup of coffee and sit down, because you need to give it one last once over. Double-check these nine crucial things before you hit submit: 1. Name of the Hiring Manager Remember in school how you sometimes received one bonus point for writing your name on the test? Getting the hiring manager’s name right is just as vital to making sure your application doesn’t get scrapped all together. “To Whom it May Concern” is dated. While “Dear Hiring Manager,” is a safe bet, it’s also generic, and your cover letter and skill set are anything but that. Make your best effort to track down the name of the hiring manager, and take the time to spell it correctly. If you’re in doubt about how to address the hiring manager, don’t use a title. Skip the “Ms./Mrs.” and “Mr.” and opt for the complete name. 2. Your Name and Contact Info You may have passed the test of writing down your name, but did you spell it correctly? Writing a cover letter can be nerve-wracking, and the easiest mistakes are understandably made. How often do you double-check your name and address? Did you adjust any name change on your application materials, resulting from a marriage or divorce? Did you just move? Don’t forget to make these important changes and updates to your cover letter. Don’t forget the best phone number and email address to reach you. If your email address includes your name, it’s more professional and easier for the hiring manager. 3. The Correct Name of the Company Corporations often have many subsidiaries and go through mergers. What company are you specifically applying to? This is very important to get correct, down to the “Inc.” on the end of the name. The company’s name is a reflection of their reputation, and the proper use of their name shows you respect and understand that reputation. It also helps to make a completely separate document for each application so you don’t risk forgetting to swap out the company name from your last application. You may even want to include the company name in the title when saving so you don’t accidentally upload the wrong document. 4. Are the Dates Correct? Incorrect or inconsistent dates happen when you use the same cover letter and resume repeatedly and try to switch out the information. As the years go by, dates get fuzzy when the application materials require an exact date of employment. For your cover letter, double-check the date of post for the letter â€" when it was written â€" and the language you’ve used in the body of the cover letter. If your letter is over two years old, would you have worked in a prior position since then? 5. Spelling and Grammar May the curse of autocorrect and spellcheck not affect your cover letter. Avoid this feared debacle by buckling down on your spelling and grammar. You’ve probably read over the file on the computer so much that it feels burned into your brain. So, print the cover letter out. Why? Fingers can slip and type incompressible phrases and add letters in places. Your tired screen-glazed eyes miss errors more easily. Prove to the employer you have those “good communication skills” listed in the job description. Get your highlighter or red pen ready. Print out an initial, double-spaced copy in a larger font so you can make notes between the lines and your eyes won’t blur the words together. Look for commonly misspelled and misused words, such as “affect” vs. “effect,” “its” vs. “it’s” and “your” vs. “you’re.” Skimming through the cover letter backwards will also help shake your brain out of its tired state and catch errors quickly. I also love using Grammarly to double-check spelling and grammar, although it’s not always 100% reliable so make sure you still do your own check. 6. Does It Read Well? Seriously, read it out loud. You’re not a slam poet, but it could be fun to read it that way. Is it dry? Is it boring? The tone of your cover letter is important. Just as you should avoid word choices that aren’t specific or clear in your resume, the same should be done in your cover letter. Does your cover letter reflect your personality and what you bring to this position? Have someone read the cover letter to you. If no one is around, use the computer voice in your program. Hearing it will help you make adjustments, and in an interview, a hiring manager may quote something from your resume as they discuss your candidacy. 7. Fix Formatting Issues While you were checking spelling, grammar and usage, you may have noticed some paragraphs were bigger than others or the body text was too close together. Break up big paragraphs and leave enough white space so your cover letter is easy to read. Remember, hiring managers see many cover letters every day. Don’t unnecessarily shrink your font to make your cover letter fit on one page. Sure, lengthy cover letters are one thing that hiring managers despise, but don’t go about it the wrong way. You don’t want to make the hiring manager squint. 8. Character Length In certain cases, you’ll have to input your cover letter in an application box that has a character length restriction. If your cover letter risks getting cut short, the hiring manager never gets the full story about your amazing professional experience. Copy and paste your cover letter into a word-count site to double-check. Then, you’ll be prepared to pare it down or create a shorter version. 9. Avoid Conversion Nightmares If only every computer and software program opened every file successfully and as beautifully as it was designed on the original computer. If only. When the hiring manager opens your file, there’s the potential that it converts your carefully crafted cover letter into a strange alien language or formats it nightmarishly. Place your resume and cover letter into its own time capsule. Freeze it into place by saving your file as a PDF. Double-check how your cover letter looks across different computers or platforms. It always helps to double-check your cover letter one final time before hitting submit. What are some glaring errors you’ve noticed when sending your cover letter too soon? What advice do you have for others when it comes to giving your cover letter the once over? Continue the conversation by commenting, and subscribe to Punched Clocks for great career advice and assistance! Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.

Want to Learn How to Write a Resume Free?

Want to Learn How to Write a Resume Free?If you are searching for a free resume writing software for your own personal use, then you should not worry about the time and effort it will require you to spend on the writing process. Because most software available for free will offer you the ease of using this tool in less than thirty minutes and the entire process can be done within a simple thirty-minute budget.Resume writing software helps you make your resume stand out among the list of applicants as your resume will have the ability to rewrite your old and outdated resume to make it more appealing and interesting to employers. You do not have to worry about your resume to only consist of your skills and education because most software can use all the different resume formats that you will be provided with to edit your resume and convert it into something that you will be more attractive and practical for the employers.One of the best things about using resume writing software is tha t you will be able to create a resume and use the same resume on all websites and even share it with your friends and family members as long as you have the software to edit and improve the look of your resume. This will help you give your resume some style by using your resume to attach your resume to several business websites and even social networking sites.Because the entire package will consist of writing programs that are built in a basic meaning, your resume writing will be much more efficient and will look more professional as the whole package will be comprehensive. This package will definitely help you and the hiring manager to see you as a professional and the professionalism that you will bring to the job position that you are applying for.Of course if you do not have any experience in this field and do not have any sense of style and styles of writing then there are different resume writing programs that can be used by you to create a professional resume that is updated regularly and properly. If you do not have any experience with using the software, then you should be provided the software with some lessons. Learning how to edit the resume can be very difficult and there is no sense in you wasting your time if you can not get used to editing the resume on your own.One of the benefits of using the software is that you will be provided the ability to customize your resume to create a unique resume that can be used in different environments and situations where you might not be included in any of the job positions you apply for. The personalization of your resume will also create a much more attractive resume that is more relevant and appealing to employers.There are some resume writing software applications that will be able to make use of a variety of content formats such as electronic mail, online presentations, PDF documents, Microsoft Word files, and Microsoft Excel files. You can even use the personal writing programs that you already have to make your resume as long as you get the most out of it. This will make the job much easier for you as you will be able to bring the most out of your resume by using the tools that are already at your disposal.

The Resume Writing Services Boston Game

The Resume Writing Services Boston Game If you see a service we haven't evaluated, don't hesitate to drop us a message and we are going to take a look whenever possible. If you wish to acquire your resume written by an actual professional, you must be really careful with the service you employ. Maybe, it's what happens when you take service from a business who offer versatile services. Therefore, it's important to seek the services of an expert company, and that's when you are able to trust CareersBooster.com. Other folks note the way that it shortened their job search since they started getting interviews at once. If you're open to several forms of jobs, let us know. You don't have to incorporate every job that you have had since college. Our job here is to supply you with an in depth description of what a provider is about. The more you look around, the greater your odds of locating a dependable company that delivers the high-quality services and product that you deserv e. Yes, resume builders are absolutely helpful in regards to creating a resume in a jiffy, but could never supply you with the satisfaction of true resume where you are able to make thing personalized. Don't just look at the very first couple of organizations you run into. Historically, companies aren't going to pour in millions and millions of dollars into advertising should they believe just having the ideal product is enough to generate sales. How to Get Started with Resume Writing Services Boston? It's important to employ a service which provides you a great price for top quality. It's also important to review what sorts of services are provided by the organization. The service of Resumarea is offered to clients at a sensible price that matches the significance of your self-presentation. As a consequence, you may pick among the best services at a price that's realistic to you and get invited to all the interviews you wished to enter. What's Truly Happening with Resume Wr iting Services Boston With our custom made essay offer, you can be guaranteed to get any kind of essay help you are searching for. Basically, writing skills really make a difference in the way you run into. Resume writing is the most crucial step in presenting your abilities and receiving the job that you desire. Simply enumerating your abilities and experiences isn't enough. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Resume Writing Services Boston Obviously, the best method to discover such assistance is if you have a look into the top rated professional resume writing services reviews. The writer is likely to make contact and start to work with you straight away! It is very important to point out that we also offer resume editing services to aid you in finding your favourite job without difficulty. Whether you are a newcomer to writing resumes and cover letters or your written resume doesn't appear to secure you invited on several interviews, we're right here to assist you. A History of Resume Writing Services Boston Refuted When you employ a professional writer to assist you with the application documents, the results will differ. The service utilizes an individual approach for writing all sorts of personalized documents, including cover letters and other sorts of employment-related correspondence. Where information is easily available. When using our site to order resume writing service on the internet, you have to supply relevant info about your education, expertise, training and career experience.

Should You Start Your Job Hunt in the Summer

Should You abflug Your Job Hunt in the SummerAlthough the long days of summer often mean the hiring process can be slower than usual, that doesnt mean you should put your job search on hold until the leaves start to change color. Summer is as good a time as any to sharpen your resume and put yourself out on the job market. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Even if you are a seasoned employee and not interested in an entry-level position, you can ride the wave of positions opening up for newly graduated seniors. Companies account for an influx of grads when they plan out their year, so take advantage of new job openings, especially if you are making a lateral move or a career change.The season is also often a time of turnover. People have already received their bonuses, and with the end of a school year often comes changes for many families.Since most office-based jobs are slower-paced due to vacations and long weekends, current employees h ave mora time to job hunt, which ideally will leave open positions for new hires.Dont use the excuse of lazy summer days to take a break in your job quest Summer is a fine to to begin your hunt as long as you realize response times from recruiters will be a bit slower than usual. Use the extra time to perfect your resume, hunt for open positions, and make job searching your priority.

Feeling Unmotivated Check Out These 9 Creative Jobs

Feeling Unmotivated Check Out These 9 Creative Jobs With the holidays around the corner, its getting prettyhard to focuson work. Or maybe youre already out of the office for a much-needed break, lounging on the couch with a book (AKA stalking your ex-boyfriends brothers new girlfriend on Instagram). Either way, youre probably somewhat checked out at this point -- so why not get creative?Browsing for jobsrequires pretty much no effort, especially when we lay them out for you. If youre sick of spreadsheets, these 9 positions - open now - just might make you feel like there are some pretty good options out there1) Dow JonesArt Director, DJ Media Group -Work within the inhouse plan and UX team to define interactive experiences within Dow Jones Media Group and its network of online properties. New York, NY.2) AccentureCorporate Communications and Media Relations Manager -Raise the profile of Accentures Corporate Communications initiatives and increase media share-of-voice across markets w hile supporting on the management of key communications issues. New York, NY or Washington, D.C.3) ApplePlatform Architecture, multiple roles -Apple is hiring for specific positions in various areas of expertise, including Video, Displays, Imaging, Camera, Wireless, and connectivity. Santa Clara, CA.4) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterCommunity Outreach Coordinator - Arab Initiative -Ensure the success of programming focused on improving the health of Arab communities by addressing priorities and concerns of the community, supporting community outreach within the Arab population, and executing numerous program activities. New York, NY.5)SalesforceSenior User Experience Designer -Create concepts and designs for the Salesforce Marketing Cloud product line (e.g., email, social, mobile, marketing automation, analytics, predictive intelligence), working alongside other UX disciplines, development, and product management. New York, NY San Francisco, CA Indianapolis, IN.6) GESenior Co mmunications Manager - Media Relations -Help plan and direct multinational media, thought leadership and other public relations activities. Help to identify compelling stories and craft a thoughtful and innovative strategy on how best to share them. Location flexible.7) SquareProduct Designer -Work closely with product editors and engineers to create amazing experiences for Square customers. New York, NY.8) ZyngaSenior UI/UX Designer - Mobile -Create user-centered design solutions that feature ease of use, employ best-in-class interaction design, and optimize user experience. Toronto, Canada.9) OnDeckGraphic Designer -Collaborate with designers, marketing leads, and cross-functional teams to create on-brand marketing and product materials and experiences. New York, NY.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

Thinking About Quitting Ask Yourself These 10 Questions First

Thinking About Quitting Ask Yourself These 10 Questions First While the economy is still suffering, many workers are doing mora than their job merits, creating low morale. If youre reading this youre probably part of that population. While you may have survived the layoffs, youre working twice as hard for the same pay. If youre burned out working in your current position you may be thinking about quitting. You must weigh this option carefully before you do. Ask yourself these 10 questions first1.) What Specifically Annoys You About Your Job?Determine the exact issue with your job. Is it the people you work with? Is it the environment? Your boss? Your workload? Maybe it is the work itself? Once you have pinpointed your problem you might be able to fix it without quitting. However, if you have determined youre in the wrong business you will need to make a plan to change careers.2.) Is Your Current W ork Setting Insufferable?Be honest about how bad your situation is. Are you suffering abuse (verbal, sexual, physical) at your current position? Are you being mistreated (not allowed to take breaks when youre supposed to, working overtime without pay, etc.) in any way? If so, make an appointment with HR and/or leave immediately. If its something minor stick it out with a plan to leave as soon as you have a new job in place.3.) Have You Done Everything Possible to Work it Out?If youre situation is manageable think about how you can work it out. What steps will you have to take to be happy with your job? Maybe you need to change your schedule, clear a task from your workload, take on a positive attitude, or more effectively manage your time. Perhaps a meeting with your employer is in order. Sometimes, all you have to do is ask for what you need.4.) What do You Want?Its unfortunate how many people never get asked this question, or never ponder it. What do you want for your work life? D efine your career priorities. What do you want and how badly do you want it?5.) Do You Have a Realistic Plan for Your Next Job?Many people quit their jobs with no plan or thought, and then simply assume they can land their dream job. You have to be realistic about your goals. Do go for your dreams, but do it right. Make a plan. Think about your skills, experience, education. Do you need to take more classes? Earn a new degree? Develop new skills? You might have to take some classes or volunteer to gain extra experience and skills to be able to quit and go for your dream job.6.) Do You Have Enough Money Saved?If youre going to quit your job you may be job searching for up to a year or more. If you dont have a job lined up already you are going to need some savings to get you by until you land a job. Experts say you should have nine to 12 months of savings set aside so you can pay your bills while seeking a new position.7.) Are You Willing to Give up Your Benefits?If you quit you will lose your health insurance, retirement contributions, and other benefits. Find out how much it would cost to buy health insurance on your own. Plus, without your income you wont be able to contribute to your retirement fund, college fund, or any other savings you have. Research this and really think it through.8.) How Will You Cut Expenses?While you are in between jobs how will you earn some extra money and reduce your expenses? Create a detailed budget of your monthly income and expenses. Are your expenses more than your income? Are there any expenses you can cut such as cable TV, dining out, your cell bill, etc.? Will you be able to find some work in between jobs to keep an income coming in?9.) Do You Have a Support System?Are your friends and family going to support your decision? Quitting your job will affect those around you, especially your kids and spouse. Talk to these people about your plans before you quit and participate in cost-cutting.10.) Is This The Right Time?Are yo u in the middle of a big project or is it really busy at work? Honor your commitments before you quit. Dont leave your team and employer in a bind. Also, if youre going to get a holiday bonus, wait until the holiday is over.

Offices are being torn apart by Yanny and Laurel

Offices are being torn apart by Yanny and LaurelOffices are being torn apart by Yanny and LaurelIf you work in an office with humans and computers there is a good chance that most of you are talking about the latest debate to take hold of the internet. Forget that banal blue/white dress fiasco (and for the record, it was definitely blue), now it is all about Yanny-Laurel. In an audio file shared by a 17-year-old on Instagram on Monday night, Chloe asked whether we heard the word Yanny or Laurel? From Instagram it moved to Reddit and then Twitter and now it has penetrated the deep caverns of the internet as every Tom, Dick and Harry in your office as well as the great minds of our society (Chrissy Teigan, Mindy Kaling) insist what they are hearing is correct and making memes to keep you distracted from your work for hours.But how are people so convinced it is one or the other? Dana Boebinger, a PhD student at Harvard and MIT who is studying neural basis of auditory perception, explain ed to the Twittersphere in seven parts how you are hearing what you are hearing so you can also start to hate your coworkers. She wrote