The following information will help you locate specific jobs within niche industries.
Career Services
Specific “search all” Web sites that make job hunting even easier.
Our products: Jobalot
Other “search all” Web sites include:
Education
Our products: The Employment Guide®
Industry Web sites, such as:
Other resources: Teaching jobs can be found in public and private schools, in pre-k to university settings. Teachers are generally required to have college degrees and teaching certificates.
State associations: There are a number of opportunities for students interested in teaching, and some offer scholarships. For more information, please see your state’s department of education.
Local sources: Consult your local school system.
Government sources: “One-Stop Centers”
Financial Services
Our products: The Employment Guide®
Specific company Web sites, such as:
Other resources: Financial/Accounting positions vary widely. Most require at least a high school diploma or GED. Some positions will require advanced degrees and certifications.
Government sources: “One-Stop Centers”
Government Services
Our products: The Employment Guide®
Specific government Web sites, such as:
Other resources: City, state, and federal opportunities exist in many exciting fields. Check out the Web site for the department in which you’re most interested. Most offer terrific benefits and career growth.
State associations: Your state may have their own job bank for state-level jobs.
Government sources: “One-Stop Centers”
Hospitality
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Our products: The Employment Guide® Specific company Web sites, such as: Industry Web sites, such as:
Other resources: There are numerous other Web sites featuring executive and specialty hospitality careers. This is a great industry to join it offers some of the best opportunities for career advancement in the country. State associations: Your state restaurant association may also offer job-search tools. Local sources: Walk into a restaurant or hotel and inquire. Government sources: The federal government provides |
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information and retraining through a network of employment centers and “One-Stop Centers.” For more information, please see: www.careeronestop.org
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“At Yum! Brands, we’re looking for true customer maniacs – people with energy, talent, and the desire to give our customers a great experience and have fun doing it.” ~ Yum! Brands |
Retail
Our products: The Employment Guide®
Specific company Web sites, such as:
Other resources: Retail jobs vary by size and type of store. Management positions are also readily available.
Local sources: Walk into a local store to learn more.
Government sources:
“One-Stop Centers”
Security/Law Enforcement
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Our products: The Employment Guide® www.CareersinGear.com Specific company Web sites, such as:
Other resources: Security/Law enforcement positions require a high school diploma or GED. Some private companies may prefer law enforcement/military experience or other certifications. State associations: States and localities hire for law enforcement. Contact your state police agency for more information. Local sources: Consult your local police station. Government sources: “One-Stop Centers” |
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Transportation Services
Our products: The Employment Guide® and Careers in GearTM
www.CareersinGear.com
Specific company Web sites, such as:
Industry Web sites, such as:
Other resources: Transportation services jobs are diverse. From driving school buses to local delivery vans to 18-wheelers, these jobs can require special licenses.
State associations: Your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles will have more information about the licenses required.
Government sources:
“One-Stop Centers”
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Applying OnlineJust because you are applying online, it doesn’t mean that your cover letter should be any less formal than if you were preparing a print copy. The method of delivery may be the Internet, but the importance of the message is still the same. |
Applying online is becoming the norm for job seekers. Many sites offer the ability to fill-out resumes and cover letters within their application to allow ease of transition. Through this system, some employers are also able to search your resume, so keep this in mind if you are job seeking confidentially.
Beware of E-mail Etiquette:
Make sure your own e-mail address is generically professional and does not contain anything that might be considered offensive. Never leave the subject line blank. Stand out from the crowd by putting something interesting in the subject line, not just the job number (if there is one). A statement like, “experienced technician for supervisor position” is much more eye-catching than “job #06718.” Do not type anything in UPPERCASE letters. It gives the appearance that you are shouting at the reader. Send your e-mail in plain, unformatted text. Do not add graphics or bullet points, use large fonts, or add color. Use black text with a font size of 10 point, in Arial or
Times New Roman. Make sure your lines are short — no more than 60 characters. This will ensure that your lines don’t wrap, making your cover letter appear fragmented.
Be Cautious of Attachments:
For security reasons, many companies do not accept e-mails that have attachments. Do not attach your resume unless you are asked to do so. Check on the company Web site to determine if they have an online application process. If you are including your resume as an attachment, it’s recommended that you save your resume as a Word file or PDF, and also cut and paste your resume text into your e-mail message (just in case the person reading your resume does not have the software to open the attachment). The file should be named in such a way that identifies you. For example: J_Smith_Resume.doc
Check and Double-check Content:
Do not fill in the address of the recipient until you have finished writing and proofreading the document. This will prevent any chance of your hitting “send” by mistake. Run a spelling and grammar check to make sure there is nothing you missed. Try sending the finished document to yourself or a friend to make sure it comes out on the other side in the correct format.
Killer Cover Letters:
Always send a cover letter with a resume when applying for a job. The cover letter and resume have the same goal — to get the interview — but they should contain different information. The purpose of the cover letter is to develop a rapport with the hiring manager and give him or her an idea of your personality type.
◊ Keep your cover letter short. Do not restate your entire resume in your cover letter.
◊ Keep it clear, concise, and simple. Tell them:
• Where you learned about the job
• Why you’re the right candidate for the job
• How they can contact you
◊ Experts say that your cover letter should be no more than three paragraphs and fewer than 150 words.
◊ Use critical keywords that focus on your industry knowledge and skill set.
◊ Format in business-letter style using a font size of 10 or 12. Choose an easy-to-read font style, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
◊ Start with your name, your address, and the date. Include an e-mail address if you have one.
◊ Do include a reference line indicating the position for which you’re applying, as well as the job reference number, if it’s listed.
◊ Include a salutation. The letter has greater impact if addressed to the actual person that will be responsible for hiring.
◊ Format in business-letter style using a font size of 10 or 12. Choose an easy-to-read font style, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
◊ Start with your name, your address, and the date.
◊ Do include a reference line indicating the position for which you’re applying, as well as the job reference number, if it’s listed.
◊ Include a salutation. The letter has greater impact if addressed to the actual person that will be responsible for hiring.
Opening — Gain Their Attention:
The best approach in the leading sentence is to stick with the facts and simply state why you’re writing the letter. The second sentence should then act as your attention-getter.
Body — Sell Yourself:
Here’s where you spell out why they should hire you. If you have particular education or experience point it out. You need to relate your skills to their job requirements.
Closing — Once Again:
State why they should hire you, ask for the interview and indicate any follow-up. Finally, add a complimentary closing, such as, “Sincerely yours,” your name, contact information, and a list of any enclosures. Do not forget to sign the letter before mailing.
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Mr. Joseph Tanner 352 W. Range Cove Memphis, TN 28974 (602) 625-2662 jtanner@aol.com
July 8, 2007
Mr. John Lewis Champion Sales, Inc. 2819 4th Avenue Memphis, TN 28974
Re: Assistant Sales Manager, Position #1672
Dear Mr. Lewis,
Enclosed is my resume for the Assistant Sales Manager position advertised in the April 22-28 edition of The Employment Guide. I have been honing my skills in the sales industry for the past 20 years. Beginning as a Sales Associate at a retail chain, I learned the basics of retail sales. I continued to develop as a salesman, and obtained a position as a Sales Representative at a top consulting firm.
In my three years at Equibrand, Inc, I was awarded the Top Salesman award for 2005, and recognized for my ability to find new leads, follow-up and complete the sale. Additionally, I was responsible for increasing sales at and above the company goal of 8 percent each consecutive year.
With my vast experience in the sales industry, I know the value of hard work and am ready to bring my expertise to Champion Sales, Inc. I would appreciate an opportunity to interview for the position, and will contact your office next Wednesday to follow-up on this application. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Joseph Tanner (602) 625-2662 e-mail jtanner@aol.com
Enclosure: Resume
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Why Some Cover Letters Fail Often job applicants make the mistake of assuming that employers never really read the cover letter, so they don’t spend much time putting one together. These are generally the same applicants questioning why they were not called in for an interview.
Let’s put an end to the myth right now — hiring managers do indeed read cover letters! Your cover letter is the first impression an employer has about you, so make sure it stands out.
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Red Flags
◊ Overall appearance is sloppy or not formatted evenly.
◊ Cover letter paper does not match resume paper.
◊ Contact information is not provided and the candidate appears unavailable.
◊ Spelling and/or grammatical errors are easily spotted.
◊ Letter is not addressed to the name that appears in the ad.
◊ Letter does not include an opening, body, and close.
◊ There is no interesting, attention-grabbing opening statement.
◊ There is no reference to specific position sought.
◊ Applicants use weak language and do not try to sell themselves.
◊ Information is duplicated word-for-word from the resume.
◊ Job seeker tries to use big words to impress the reader rather than keeping language simple and concise.
◊ Letter reads generically — it’s obvious that no time was taken to customize to a particular job title, industry, etc.
◊ It is obvious to the reader that the applicant is bragging or exaggerating about his/her past experiences and accomplishments.
◊ Salary history not included when requested.
◊ There is no indication of follow-up action by candidate.
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The Right Resume Your resume provides a snapshot of who you are to a potential employer. Along with your cover letter, it is their first impression of you. In a competitive job market, it must stand out. To ensure you have the right resume, let’s start at the top. Here’s what your resume should include: |
Include Pertinent Contact Information
◊ Resumes should start with your full name, address, phone number(s), and e-mail address (if you have one).
◊ You should always use a font size of 10-12 for your text. Choose an easy-to-read font style such as Arial or Times New Roman.
◊ Microsoft Word offers resume templates. To access, go to “file” and click on “new.” Then you will see a series of tabs. Click under “templates.” You will see several different templates listed. Open the one that you prefer and fill in your personal information.
State Your Objective
◊ The objective should be one sentence only.
◊ State the job you are seeking and what you hope to accomplish long term.
Highlight Your Skills With a Functional Resume.
◊ The functional resume focuses on acquired skills and accomplishments, rather than just straight work history. This is the best route to go for the mature worker with many skill sets.
List Your Experience and Accomplishments
◊ Start by listing the skill that best satisfies the job listing. Cite three of four examples of skills usage, with the successful outcomes. You do not need to list your skills in chronological order of jobs, but rather your strongest skills.
◊ Be concise — use short, bulleted phrases (complete sentences are not necessary). State your achievements and accomplishment not just duties.
◊ Use action verbs and industry keywords to enhance the body of your resume.
Catalogue Your Education
◊ List your highest degree first. Leave out your high school degree if you have a college degree. Academic honors should be listed, but degree dates are not important.
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Joseph Tanner 352 W. Range Cove | Memphis, TN 28974 602-555-2662 | jtanner@aol5.com
OBJECTIVE To secure a challenging position in a growing company where I can utilize my sales and customer service skills.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS • Outstanding customer service skills • Exceptional presentation and negotiation skills • Motivated employee accustomed to sales-driven work structure • Excels at building effective business relationships/partnerships with clients • Ability to multi-task in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Sales Development • Established and maintained network relations in order to improve communication and resolve problems. • Provided insight and analysis regarding program performance and to identify opportunities for continued growth and improvement. • Provided extemporary service to customers in multiple state territories. • Proven success in developing new business and generating sales leads while managing a territory and sales activities. • Effectively increased sales by the company goal of 8% each consecutive year. • Result-oriented procedures to ensure delivery of appropriate products and services in an accurate and timely fashion. • Held weekly informational seminars for the sales department to update, inform and guide sales representatives in the latest home trends.
WORK HISTORY 2004 - Present | Sales Representative | Equibrand Inc. | Memphis, TN 2000 - 2004 | Commercial Space Estimator | Victoria Properties Management | Memphis, TN 1990 - 2000 | Head Trainer/Manager | Classic Quarter Horses | Knoxville, TN
EDUCATION University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN | Management B.A. | 1960 - 1964 Received full academic scholarship and graduated with honors
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Top Equibrand Inc. Salesman of 2005 | Outstanding Customer Service Award 2004
CHARITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Relay for Life | Team Captain for top fundraising team in 2003 | Memphis, TN
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“Red Flags” to Avoid in Your Resume Employers who review cover letters and resumes are trained to look for certain “red flags.” Depending on the employer, these “red flags” might disqualify you immediately from the hiring process. Other employers may just make a mental note of their concerns and address them with you in the interview. Either way, the fewer “red flags” on your cover letter and resume, the better the chance you have of landing your perfect opportunity. |
How to Avoid Resume “Red Flags”
◊ Overall messy appearance. Make sure your resume is typed on resume-quality paper (or formatted correctly for an online application) and proofread carefully.
◊ Spelling errors. Use spell check and have a friend proofread.
◊ Grammatical errors. Use grammar check and have a friend proofread.
◊ Too much information, keep resume to a maximum of two pages.
◊ Outdated skills listed. Avoid listing skills that date your resume. For example, listing “typewriter proficiency” would not be appropriate unless it is pertinent to the job opportunity.
Opening — Gain Their Attention:
The best approach in the leading sentence is to stick with the facts and simply state why you’re writing the letter. The second sentence should then act as your attention-getter.
Body — Sell Yourself:
Here’s where you spell out why they should hire you. If you have particular education or experience point it out. You need to relate your skills to their job requirements.
Closing — Once Again:
State why they should hire you, ask for the interview and indicate any follow-up. Finally, add a complimentary closing, such as, “Sincerely yours,” your name, contact information, and a list of any enclosures. Do not forget to sign the letter before mailing.
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Mr. Joseph Tanner 352 W. Range Cove Memphis, TN 28974 (602) 625-2662 jtanner@aol.com
July 8, 2007
Mr. John Lewis Champion Sales, Inc. 2819 4th Avenue Memphis, TN 28974
Re: Assistant Sales Manager, Position #1672
Dear Mr. Lewis,
Enclosed is my resume for the Assistant Sales Manager position advertised in the April 22-28 edition of The Employment Guide. I have been honing my skills in the sales industry for the past 20 years. Beginning as a Sales Associate at a retail chain, I learned the basics of retail sales. I continued to develop as a salesman, and obtained a position as a Sales Representative at a top consulting firm.
In my three years at Equibrand, Inc, I was awarded the Top Salesman award for 2005, and recognized for my ability to find new leads, follow-up and complete the sale. Additionally, I was responsible for increasing sales at and above the company goal of 8 percent each consecutive year.
With my vast experience in the sales industry, I know the value of hard work and am ready to bring my expertise to Champion Sales, Inc. I would appreciate an opportunity to interview for the position, and will contact your office next Wednesday to follow-up on this application. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Joseph Tanner (602) 625-2662 e-mail jtanner@aol.com
Enclosure: Resume
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Why Some Cover Letters Fail
Often job applicants make the mistake of assuming that employers never really read the cover letter, so they don’t spend much time putting one together. These are generally the same applicants questioning why they were not called in for an interview.
Let’s put an end to the myth right now — hiring managers do indeed read cover letters! Your cover letter is the first impression an employer has about you, so make sure it stands out.
Red Flags
◊ Overall appearance is sloppy or not formatted evenly.
◊ Cover letter paper does not match resume paper.
◊ Contact information is not provided and the candidate appears unavailable.
◊ Spelling and/or grammatical errors are easily spotted.
◊ Letter is not addressed to the name that appears in the ad.
◊ Letter does not include an opening, body, and close.
◊ There is no interesting, attention-grabbing opening statement.
◊ There is no reference to specific position sought.
◊ Applicants use weak language and do not try to sell themselves.
◊ Information is duplicated word-for-word from the resume.
◊ Job seeker tries to use big words to impress the reader rather than keeping language simple and concise.
◊ Letter reads generically — it’s obvious that no time was taken to customize to a particular job title, industry, etc.
◊ It is obvious to the reader that the applicant is bragging or exaggerating about his/her past experiences and accomplishments.
◊ Salary history not included when requested.
◊ There is no indication of follow-up action by candidate.
The Right Resume
Your resume provides a snapshot of who you are to a potential employer. Along with your cover letter, it is their first impression of you. In a competitive job market, it must stand out. To ensure you have the right resume, let’s start at the top. Here’s what your resume should include:
Include Pertinent Contact Information
◊ Resumes should start with your full name, address, phone number(s), and e-mail address (if you have one).
◊ You should always use a font size of 10-12 for your text. Choose an easy-to-read font style such as Arial or Times New Roman.
◊ Microsoft Word offers resume templates. To access, go to “file” and click on “new.” Then you will see a series of tabs. Click under “templates.” You will see several different templates listed. Open the one that you prefer and fill in your personal information.
State Your Objective
◊ The objective should be one sentence only.
◊ State the job you are seeking and what you hope to accomplish long term.
Highlight Your Skills With a Functional Resume.
◊ The functional resume focuses on acquired skills and accomplishments, rather than just straight work history. This is the best route to go for the mature worker with many skill sets.
List Your Experience and Accomplishments
◊ Start by listing the skill that best satisfies the job listing. Cite three of four examples of skills usage, with the successful outcomes. You do not need to list your skills in chronological order of jobs, but rather your strongest skills.
◊ Be concise — use short, bulleted phrases (complete sentences are not necessary). State your achievements and accomplishment not just duties.
◊ Use action verbs and industry keywords to enhance the body of your resume.
Catalogue Your Education
◊ List your highest degree first. Leave out your high school degree if you have a college degree. Academic honors should be listed, but degree dates are not important.
|
Joseph Tanner 352 W. Range Cove | Memphis, TN 28974 602-555-2662 | jtanner@aol5.com
OBJECTIVE To secure a challenging position in a growing company where I can utilize my sales and customer service skills.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS • Outstanding customer service skills • Exceptional presentation and negotiation skills • Motivated employee accustomed to sales-driven work structure • Excels at building effective business relationships/partnerships with clients • Ability to multi-task in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Sales Development • Established and maintained network relations in order to improve communication and resolve problems. • Provided insight and analysis regarding program performance and to identify opportunities for continued growth and improvement. • Provided extemporary service to customers in multiple state territories. • Proven success in developing new business and generating sales leads while managing a territory and sales activities. • Effectively increased sales by the company goal of 8% each consecutive year. • Result-oriented procedures to ensure delivery of appropriate products and services in an accurate and timely fashion. • Held weekly informational seminars for the sales department to update, inform and guide sales representatives in the latest home trends.
WORK HISTORY 2004 - Present | Sales Representative | Equibrand Inc. | Memphis, TN 2000 - 2004 | Commercial Space Estimator | Victoria Properties Management | Memphis, TN 1990 - 2000 | Head Trainer/Manager | Classic Quarter Horses | Knoxville, TN
EDUCATION University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN | Management B.A. | 1960 - 1964 Received full academic scholarship and graduated with honors
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Top Equibrand Inc. Salesman of 2005 | Outstanding Customer Service Award 2004
CHARITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Relay for Life | Team Captain for top fundraising team in 2003 | Memphis, TN
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“Red Flags” to Avoid in Your Resume
Employers who review cover letters and resumes are trained to look for certain “red flags.” Depending on the employer, these “red flags” might disqualify you immediately from the hiring process. Other employers may just make a mental note of their concerns and address them with you in the interview. Either way, the fewer “red flags” on your cover letter and resume, the better the chance you have of landing your perfect opportunity.
How to Avoid Resume “Red Flags”
◊ Overall messy appearance. Make sure your resume is typed on resume-quality paper (or formatted correctly for an online application) and proofread carefully.
◊ Spelling errors. Use spell check and have a friend proofread.
◊ Grammatical errors. Use grammar check and have a friend proofread.
◊ Too much information, keep resume to a maximum of two pages.
◊ Outdated skills listed. Avoid listing skills that date your resume. For example, listing “typewriter proficiency” would not be appropriate unless it is pertinent to the job opportunity.
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