Ultimate Job Search: Master the Art of Finding Your Ideal Job, Getting an Interview and Networking

Write Well to Sell Big! In the age of e-mail and instant communication, great sales copy is indispensable to closing a deal. But too many sales letters end up in the junk file or the wastebasket. In this new edition of his top-selling book, author Dan Kennedy explains why some sales letters work and most don't. And he shows how to write copy that any business can use. Among other things, he provides: Completely updated text and examples Great headline formulas New exercises to spark creativity The best way to use graphics Kennedy is the most successful, highly paid direct-response copywriter in the country. In this book, he shares his step-by-step formula so everyone can write letters that will nail the sale. Contents 5 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction 11 01 First things first 13 1. Find out what skills, qualities and abilities the job requires 14 2. Match those skills, qualities and abilities with your own 16 3. Prepare examples of how, when and where you have demonstrated them in the past 17 4. Present those skills, qualities and abilities clearly and confidently both in writing and verbally 17 5. Demonstrate in your presentation, appearance and behaviour the personal qualities required 18 02 Making a start 20 Key tasks 21 Skills, abilities and knowledge 22 Qualifications and training 22 Results and achievements 22 Match the skills you’ve got to the skills they want 24 Using an advertisement to improve your CV 24 Reading the advertisement 25 Putting it in your CV 26 03 The skills they want from everyone 29 Teamwork 29 Communicating with others 30 Problem solving 30 Analysing 30 Organizing and planning 31 Flexibility and adaptability 31 Drive and determination 31 04 Your CV 33 Attract attention 33 Create a good impression 34 Present your relevant skills 34 Keep your CV relevant 45 05 CV problems 49 Problem: there are gaps in my career history 49 Problem: my career history isn’t straightforward 50 Problem: my relevant experience is in a voluntary role 50 Problem: I’ve had lots of very different jobs 51 Problem: my CV is more than two pages long 52 Problem: I’m doing more than one job 53 Problem: I’ve only ever had one job 53 Problem: a lot of my jobs have been the same 54 Problem: I’ve been unemployed for over a year 55 Problem: my current job isn’t very impressive or relevant, or it’s a bit of a step backwards 56 Problem: I haven’t got much experience for the job I want 57 Problem: I’m over-qualified 57 Problem: I’m under-qualified 58 Problem: I’m over 50 58 Problem: I’m under 25 59 06 CVs with special considerations 60 CVs for school, college and university leavers 60 CVs after a career break 65 CVs for career changers 67 07 CVs for specific jobs 71 The clerical CV 71 The sales and marketing CV 74 CVs for technical jobs 77 The management CV 79 CVs for creative jobs 82 CVs for practical jobs 85 CVs for customer relations jobs 87 08 Application forms 91 Application forms section by section 92 09 Covering letters 97 Appearance 97 Layout 98 Readability 99 Content 99 What goes into the letter? 99 E-mail 103 10 Telephone calls 109 General points 109 Information calls 110 Speculative calls 111 Follow-up calls 114 Telephone interviews 115 When they call you 115 11 The job search 117 Job search stages 117 Job market research 118 Ways of job hunting 122 Using your skills effectively 125 12 Your online job search 128 What the internet can do for you 128 Online recruitment resources 128 Your online CV 131 Online extras 136 Privacy and safety online 137 13 Job search strategies 139 Answering advertisements for vacancies 139 CV and follow-up call 140 Personal letter 141 Recruitment agencies 142 Networking 144 Job fairs 145 Personal appearances 145 Foot in the door 147 Unconventional approaches 148 14 Interviews: making a great impression 151 Why have an interview? 151 What happens at an interview 152 Preparing for the interview 153 Making a good impression 158 Sounding the part 159 Looking the part 160 Acting the part 162 Overcoming nerves 164 15 Answering interview questions 166 The three rules 166 What sort of questions will they ask? 167 Questions they ask everybody 167 Dealing with negative questions 172 Questions about salary 174 Dealing with closed questions 175 Dealing with the person-specific questions 176 Inappropriate and illegal questions 181 Your questions to the interviewer 182 16 Questions for specific jobs 184 Questions for practical jobs 185 Questions for creative jobs 190 Questions for clerical jobs 194 Questions for sales and marketing jobs 199 Questions for technical jobs 205 Questions for management jobs 210 Questions for customer relations jobs 217 17 Questions for school and college leavers 223 18 Interviews and more 230 Different types of interview 230 Interview extras 234 19 Offers and rejections 242 Write a letter 242 If the organization doesn’t make you an offer 244 Keep applying 247 If the organization makes you an offer 247 Negotiating the offer 248 Index 249 Starting Work Or Changing Jobs Can Be One Of Life's Most Stressful Experiences, And With Today's Crowded Job Market It Is More Of A Challenge Than Ever. A 'one-stop Shop' For All Job Hunters, Ultimate Job Search Takes The Stress Out Of Job Hunting And Provides Advice On All Stages, From Preparing A Powerful Cv; Sample Cover Letters And Emails; Making A Great Impression At Interviews; To Dealing With Offers And Rejections. The Breadth Of Detail Is Exhaustive And With Real-life Comments From Employers And Recruitment Professionals, Ultimate Job Search Will Be Invaluable To Anyone Looking For A New Job At Any Stage Of Their Career. Starting work or changing jobs can be one of life's most stressful experiences, and with today's crowded job market it is more of a challenge than ever. A 'one-stop shop' for all job hunters, Ultimate Job Search takes the strees out of job bunting and provides advice on all stages, from preparing a powerful CV; sample cover letters and emails; making a great impression at interviews; to dealing with offers and rejections. The breadth of detail is exhaustive and with real-life comments from employers and recruitment professionals, Ultimate Job Search will be invaluable to anyone looking for a n Suitable for those looking for a new job at any stage of their career, this title takes the stress out of job hunting and provides advice on various stages, from preparing a powerful CV; sample cover letters and emails; making a great impression at interviews; to dealing with offers and rejections. Annotation 'Ultimate Job Search' contains everything a job seeker needs to know to get the job they want. There is advice on every aspect of CVs, interviews, job search strategies, covering letters and the whole job search process A 28-step system for crafting sales letters, complete with examples of highly successful letters written for very visible companies, often by the author. Of broad interest for sales reps, business owners, and advertising people Ultimate Job Search contains invaluable advice on networking, CVs, cover letters, interviews, aptitude and personality tests, offers, rejections and follow-up letters.