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Your #Career : How to Figure Out Who the #HiringManager is When it’s not Listed in the Job Post … You’ll Always want to Direct your #CoverLetter to a Specific Individual (unless the posting is anonymous). Otherwise, you Might give the Impression that you Didn’t Put any Effort into your Application or you Don’t Pay Attention to Detail.

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Just because a job posting omits the name of the person in charge of the hiring process doesn’t mean you should address your cover letter “To Whom It May Concern.”

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According to Amanda Augustine,career advice expert forTopResume, you’ll always want to direct your cover letter to a specific individual (unless the posting is anonymous). Otherwise, you might give the impression that you didn’t put any effort into your application or you don’t pay attention to detail.

So how do you figure out who’s doing the hiring? Augustine shares her top strategies:

1. Reread the job description.

Before you panic and conclude that there’s no name listed, go back and reread the job postingvery carefully. There might be a name and email address lurking at the bottom of the posting that you missed the first time.

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2. Use the email address provided to search for a name.

Sometimes companies will direct candidates to send their applications to a specific email address, without providing a name to go along with it.

That’s a big clue. There’s a good chance the email address is the person’s first initial and last name (for example, mine is slebowitz@businessinsider.com), or maybe just their first name. Once you have that information, you can run a Google search for “S Lebowitz Business Insider” or “Shana Business Insider” and see what you come up with.

3. Look for the person who created the posting.

If you found the job posting on LinkedIn, oftentimes you’ll see it was created by a specific recruiter or hiring manager, depending on the size of the company.

In that case, you should address your cover letter to him or her because that person is obviously directly involved in the hiring process.

4. Look for information about who you’d be reporting to.

Maybe the job posting says you’d be reporting to the director of marketing analytics, but doesn’t give that persons’ name. Run an advanced search on LinkedIn for any current directors of marketing analytics at the company and see who comes up.

linkedin advanced search screenshot

LinkedInRun an advanced search on LinkedIn with the title of the person you’d be reporting to.

If that doesn’t work, you can run a standard Google search for “director of marketing analytics” and the company name. You might even find that person’s spoken at a recent conference, for example, which would give you some insight into what interests her and what kinds of information you should include in your cover letter.

5. Search the recruiting agency’s website.

If the job posting was created by a specific recruiting agency, go to that agency’s website and look at the bios of all the recruiters who work there. See which one works primarily with the company you’re applying to.

6. Google part of the job posting.

It’s possible that the website where you spotted the job opening isn’t where it was originally posted.

To find out, take a portion of the job description that describes the specific role or requirements, put it in quotation marks, and hit search. You might find the original posting, which includes the name and/or email address of the person in charge of the hiring process.

7. Leverage your network.

Here’s where a large professional network comes in handy.

Run an advanced search on LinkedIn to see if you have any connections who currently work at the company you’re applying to. Ask that person if he or she a) knows who you should address your cover letter to and b) would be willing to pass your application onto the appropriate person.

You can use the same strategy if there’s a company employee you met once at a networking event. Simply email that person: “I don’t know if you’ll remember me, but…” Express your interest in the position and ask if he or she can direct you to the appropriate person.

This tactic is especially effective, since studies suggest that applicants with someone to vouch for them are more likely to land the job.

Make sure you submit your application through the standard method as well as through your mutual connection. The company may want to track each application that comes in for their records.

Businessinsider.com | December 11, 2015 | 

Your #Career: 7 Secrets to Writing a Standout Cover Letter…Here’s what Hiring Managers are Looking for in a Cover Letter That will Set you Apart from the Rest

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While it’s Important to work on your Résumé and ensure it sparkles, a Cover Letter can be just as Important. This Often Overlooked Tool can Make all the Difference.

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                                                                                                    Address red flags, highlight achievements and state your availability.

Here’s what hiring managers are looking for in a cover letter that will set you apart from the rest:

1. Give your credentials

What do you want people to know about you first and foremost during your elevator pitch? This is exactly what you should include in the first paragraph of your cover letter.

While your résumé outlines your work experience and credentials in short sentences, the next section of a cover letter should highlight your biggest accomplishments with some detail. This is an opportunity to showcase what you want to stand out on your résumé.

 

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2. Prove you’re the best fit for the role by showing how you can help solve the employer’s problem

The whole premise of getting past “gatekeepers” to be considered for an interview involves convincing them you’re right for the job. Instead of showcasing why you should be considered, let your succinct accomplishments speak for themselves while showing how you can meet the company’s needs.

3. Highlight distinct accomplishments

Since the purpose of a cover letter is to express your interest in the role and briefly mention why you’re a fit, instead of rewriting your résumé, take this opportunity to highlight an award or achievement. For example, point out recognition within your group for exceeding sales quotas on an annual basis or jumping in to manage a team in your department in addition to your own daily responsibilities.

It doesn’t have to be long; in two sentences, succinctly reference the accolade so you stand out from other cover letters in queue.

4. Address any potential red flags

If you think something may immediately catch the recruiter’s eye in a negative light, politely address it. For instance, if the position you’re applying to is in New York, and your résumé address reflects Chicago, a recruiter may automatically disqualify your candidacy thinking: “We won’t pay for relocation, so this candidate is not a fit.”

Recruiters typically appreciate when candidates are up front and address concerns before assumptions are made. This also demonstrates a sense of maturity. Say something like: “While I realize my address reflects Chicago, I intend to move to New York within the next several months at my own cost.”

This will put the recruiter’s mind at ease and allow him or her to consider your candidacy based on just that — your candidacy — and not location.

5. State your availability

Make sure your preferred start date is clearly stated in your cover letter. Is it immediately? Is it after giving two weeks notice? Is it within four months? Stating you’re not available for four months may hinder your chances of getting the job, because hiring managers will likely want to fill the role as soon as possible.

However, keep in mind that they may be building a pipeline for an expanding department. By stating your availability up front and being clear in the beginning of the interview process, you won’t waste anyone’s time — including your own.

6. Be clear and accurate

During an interview, how you say things is just as important as what you’re saying. The same applies to a one-dimensional piece of paper. Your cover letter should be clear, concise and free of grammatical errors!

Make sure you spell check your résumé and cover letter and give them an extra copy edit to make sure nothing was missed. In fact, have another person give them a read-through for errors.

It often takes only a few seconds for recruiters to review a cover letter. Two things always stand out: the length and grammatical or spelling errors. Take the extra time to review your cover letter and make it easy for a recruiter or hiring manager to say “yes” to your candidacy.

7. Include your contact information

This may seem basic, but there are plenty of cover letters out there with nothing more than a candidate’s name. Keep all your information readily available to make it easier for the recruiter to find and get in touch with you. Include both your email address and phone number on each page of your résumé and cover letter. This shows you’re detail-oriented and look forward to being contacted.

Read the original article on AOL Jobs. Copyright 2015. Follow AOL Jobs on Twitter.

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Your #Career: The 8 Most Common Cover Letter Mistakes that could Cost you the #Job…As Easily as an Impressive Cover Letter can Land you an #Interview, a Generic & Rushed One can Send your Application Straight to the “No” Pile.

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As easily as an impressive cover letter can land you an interview, a generic and rushed one can send your application straight to the “no” pile.

cover letter

Recruiters cherish brevity — keep you cover letter to one page.

We turned to Amanda Augustine, career management expert and spokesperson at TheLadders, an online job-matching service for professionals, and asked about the most common cover letter pitfalls.

Here are eight costly errors to avoid:

1. Not having one at all

TheLadders found that 50% of recruiters believe a cover letter is essential, while the other half admitted to never reading them. “Since you don’t know which type of recruiter will read your application, it’s better to play it safe and include a cover letter,” recommends Augustine. 

However, if you’re applying to a position online and are asked to upload your materials to an electronic system, make sure they provide a spot to include your cover letter, she advises. “There’s no point of taking the time to carefully craft the document if the application won’t accept it.”

2. Using a generic template

“Sending a general cover letter with every job application is just as bad as not sending any cover letter at all,” says Augustine. “If you are using the exact same cover letter for every job application and simply swapping out the company name, you’re wasting your time. Your cover letter shouldn’t be an afterthought.”

Customize each cover letter you write, she says. Use it as opportunity to detail why you would be a great fit for the specific position, and don’t be afraid to infuse some personality to stand out from the crowd.

3. Opening with “Dear sir” or “Dear madam”

Figure out exactly who you’re sending your cover letter to and address them by name. “Do a little online snooping and check with your network to see if you can determine the name of the hiring manager or the recruiter in charge of the job opening,” she suggests.

However, this is easier said than done in some instances. You may have to use to a generic “Dear Recruiter” opening, she admits, but only resort to this after you’ve put in all the research you possibly could. 

4. Not carefully proofreading 

According to a social recruiting survey, 66% of recruiters reconsidered a candidate whose social media profiles contained spelling and grammatical errors. If they don’t take well to typos on Facebook or Twitter, they likely will toss your application if your cover letter is plagued with mistakes.

cool office working laptops couchFlickr / Dev BootcampTwo sets of eyes is better than one.

You should have multiple sets of eyes making edits. “Carefully proofread your cover letter. Then read it again. Then have a friend proofread it,” Augustine says.

5. It’s all about you

While it can be beneficial to show some personality in your cover letter, be wary of going overboard or delving into irrelevant information. “Recruiters don’t care that you’ve always dreamed of working in fashion,” explains Augustine. “They want to understand why you’re interested in this position and more importantly, why you’re qualified for the role.” 

Your cover letter is prime real estate. Use the bulk of it to focus on explaining how your experience and skillset will meet the employer’s needs.

6. Worshiping the company

It can be tempting, but resist the urge to shower the hiring manager with compliments in your cover letter. “Don’t tell them you love their company; instead, specifically mention something about their brand, company mission or strategic direction that you strongly support,” Augustine says. “In other words, prove that you’ve done your homework and know something about the company or industry.”

7. It’s too long

Recruiters spend an average of six seconds scanning your résumé. They cherish brevity. 

“A good cover letter should be no longer than one page,” says Augustine. “Remember, the recruiter already has your résumé. There’s no need to rehash your entire work history all over again. Instead, use this opportunity to highlight your qualifications that matter most for this role.”

8. There’s no ‘call to action’

You want to end your cover letter with a bang by reiterating your enthusiasm and creating a “call to action.” Rather than just thanking the employer for their consideration, take a more proactive approach; let them know that you will follow up within a week and encourage them to reach out with any questions that may arise. 

“Don’t leave the ball in the recruiter’s court,” says Augustine. “Create the next step in the process so you have the opportunity to follow up.”

 

Businessinsider.com | May 6, 2015 |