The problem for the typical jobhunter is he that has no proven sequence of actions to perform each day, over and over, until the desired result is achieved. In the jobhunter’s case the desired result is a job offer.

So what I would like to do is offer you a job description for a jobhunter.  Maybe it’s not actually a job description, but it is a description of the personal characteristics that a jobhunter must possess to achieve the desired end. If you can internalize each of these characteristics until they become ingrained habits, I don’t see how you can fail.

Here are the 10 habits of a successful jobhunter.

1. They are great planners. Each night, before retiring, they write out 3-5 action items they must perform the following day. The secret here is that these items must be written out before going to bed. If you plan in the morning, you are not a great planner and you are losing opportunities.

2. The understand that jobhunting is a continuous process. In other words a rejection letter does not slow you down one bit. A successful jobhunter has a process. This process is not adversely impacted by any outside company, person or feeling.

3. They are constantly marketing themselves through all media. Marketing is said to be successful when a “meeting  with a hiring authority has been arranged.” Please note that successful marketing is not when you find a job. Successful marketing is when a “meeting with a hiring authority occurs.”

4. Before communicating with a prospective employer they first determine what in their background would appeal to that particular employer and they adjust their resume accordingly.

5. They understand the art of negotiations. If you are not that good with negotiations find someone you trust and respect to help you.

6. They always work off a written job description and they refer to it frequently.

7. They have great interview skills. This jobhunting essential is manifested in one primary personal characteristic: self-confidence. In my years of  helping jobhunters, I have seen that self-confidence can make up for almost any weakness in a candidate’s background.  How does an employer determine a candidate’s confidence level? By the candidate’s frequent repetition of the following phrase: Yes, I can do that!

8. Interview day begins twenty-four hours before the interview itself. Rest and relaxation are key. Go over your notes. Get to bed early. It’s a good sign if you have trouble sleeping because you are thinking and rethinking various scenarios in your head and how you will handle them. You will only have to be “on” for ninety minutes or so. Energy level will not be a problem. You should be rehearsing the entire interview in your head over and over until showtime.

9. A jobhunter’s main goal is not to “get a job”. Instead, it is to get interviews. (Please refer to habit #3)

10. They enjoy what they do and it shows

In conclusion, your job every day is to execute a process that will get you interviews. Forget about getting a job. Getting a job is always a direct result of the number and quality of the interviews a candidate has undergone. When in doubt about whether or not you are a worthy candidate, always err on the side of submitting your credentials instead of not submitting them.

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If purpose of  a resume is to get you an interview, then what is the purpose of a cover letter?

I believe it’s to personalize your resume submission and pin point certain skills and accomplishments that would be very pertinent to the hiring authority.

As always it’s not what you say it’s the way you say it that counts. The following cover letters have been tested in the real world and they get results i.e. interviews. You can tweek them a little if you want but don’t change them too much: the wording, thought sequence are calculated to get hiring authorities to call you in for an interview. And they will, if you take the time to do it.

Here they are:

Cover letters and thank you letters are in a template format.  Please download into your files.  Any time you need to send out a letter just fill in the information (as stated in the letters) and send it out!

EXAMPLE #1 Cover Letter

Letter in response to an advertisement

Dear __________,

Opening Sentence    In response to your advertisement for the position of (position name) as advertised on (date) in/on (list publication/internet site), enclosed please find a copy of my resume for your review.

                         My (list years) of experience in (list discipline: engineering, H.R. etc.) and my well developed interpersonal and communication skills,  will allow me to add value to the (list department), and to your organization in a short period of time.

Match skill with need

                         As stated in your advertisement, you seek a candidate whose experience includes: (list the top two requirements of the position), (use the ownership words, implemented, designed, developed, etc. to explain your experience as it relates to the requirements).  As you will see when you review my resume, my experience and your needs are very closely related.

Throughout my career, I have always worked at strengthening my ability to work well with others, both in individual and team environments, as well as maintaining  focus on achieving  assigned goals in a timely fashion.

My objective during this job search is  to obtain a position that initially captures my experience, but allows for continued growth and challenge.

End with an action    I look forward to speaking with you soon to discuss the position and how it relates to my background.  I’ll take this opportunity to thank you in advance for allowing me to call you on (specify date) to discuss the possibility of arranging an interview.

                   Sincerely,

EXAMPLE #2 Cover letter

Date

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in response to your ad in the ___________titled “Financial Analyst”. I am confident that you will find that my background and skills are very much in line with the needs that you have outlined.

As you can see on the enclosed resume, much of my career has been spent in the planning and analysis functions of multinational companies in process manufacturing within the chemical industry.  My recent position as Assistant Controller at Alpha Corporation  included responsibility for capital project analysis and significant involvement with mergers and acquisitions as well as  financial integration.

I would like to call your attention to the following relevant highlights from my background:

Your Requirements                   My Experience

I am very interested in exploring this opportunity further, and will take this opportunity to thank you in advance for allowing me to call you on (specify date) to discuss the possibility of arranging an interview.

Thank you for your kind attention and I look forward to meeting you and your hiring team in the very near future.

Sincerely,   

If you are out of work there is probably a lot of pressure hitting you from many sides.

You might be looking for a quick, effective tactic to get a job. A quick fix so to speak

So Laurence G. Boldt’s Zen and the Art of Making a Living is probably not for you.

It’s a huge 600 page work of genius on career decision making. The content provides anything but a quick fix for the unemployed.

But if you want to think about work, jobs, making a living et cetera from a very deep and thoughtful level you might want to pick up a copy. I’ve had mine for over 18 years.

It’s not the kind of book you read from cover-to-cover (although it wouldn’t be a bad idea) but instead it provides inspiration and information that might cause you to rethink a lot of your preconceived notions of what a job is.

It might Zen you into seeing that you have more alternatives than you think.

If this is the first time you ever heard of the book, I urge you to pick up a copy.

You could probably get one for less than ten dollars at Half.com.

If you get one, or even if you already have a copy I would love to know what you think of it.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

As much as I recommend having good questions written down and ready to ask the employer during an interview, obviously, most of the questions will be asked by the interviewer. Some of the trickiest questions will be centered on why you left your previous employer and a topic that is near and dear to everyone’s heart: money.

If Current Employed: Why Are You Looking To Make a Change?

If currently employed your answer is always something like, “I really wasn’t looking to make a change but when I saw the ad for the position it really reflected a lot of what I am capable of doing and also seems like it will give me the opportunity to grow. That’s what led me here today.”

If Unemployed: Why Did You Leave Your Current Employer?

If unemployed this question will be best answered by stating reasons such as downsizing, reorganization, merger or acquisition. These are all acceptable reasons for being unemployed as we know this happens across industries at all levels especially nowadays. So it’s nothing to be ashamed of if you were let go from your employer for reasons such as these. However, if you were let go because of performance reasons,  you have a bit of explaining to do. If this is the case it doesn’t mean you’re completely at fault. In the past most candidates I have interviewed who were unemployed have never said flat out they were fired for cause. Most applicants claim the position never materialized into what they were told it would be or, after they started, the responsibilities of the position changed. I would never tell you not to be truthful about why you are unemployed. Just be sure to analyze the real issues behind it. Make sure you have good business references that will speak to your skills.

What is your current salary?

One thing I feel very strongly about it is the fact that you must be honest about what you earn. If you make forty eight thousand dollars, you must say forty eight thousand dollars not fifty thousand dollars. Major corporations and medium-size companies require every candidate to provide proof that what they represent as their earnings is true. Sometimes they ask for a current pay stub. If there is a difference between what they say they are earning and what is on the pay stub, the company goes no further and no offer will ever be made. More and more companies are doing this and it is not worth jeopardizing a good opportunity for a few dollars.

What salary are you looking for?

One of my main teachings is that an employer will judge you not by what you say but, instead, the by the quality of the questions you ask them. This is a perfect opportunity to utilize this concept. It is not good to put yourself in a salary box and if you are specific and quote a number, it may be perceived as too much. When you are asked what salary are you looking for simply ask the interviewer, “ What is the range of the position?”  Most interviewers will state the hiring range to you and if this happens and it is acceptable, just say: “the salary you quoted is fine?” At this early point in the process you don’t want salary to become an issue. Of course, on the other hand, it’s important at this point in the process to determine if the salary will accommodate your needs so you aren’t wasting your time. Remember that salary is never the only thing you think about when deciding on a position. Things like opportunity, the company itself, how well suited you are for the job, and other perks with accepting the offer, are all factors in your decision. Serious salary discussions should take place after the physical interview.

I am not a big believer in those books that suggest you learn the answers to one hundred questions that the interviewer might ask. I think that is an entirely wrong approach when dealing with something as dynamic as an interview. That being said however, when it comes to questions about money you should be very careful and prepared.

As much as I recommend having good questions written down and ready to ask the employer during an interview, obviously, most of the questions will be asked by the interviewer. Some of the trickiest questions will be centered on why you left your previous employer and a topic that is near and dear to everyone’s heart: money.

If Current Employed: Why Are You Looking To Make a Change?

If currently employed your answer is always something like, “I really wasn’t looking to make a change but when I saw the ad for the position it really reflected a lot of what I am capable of doing and also seems like it will give me the opportunity to grow. That’s what led me here today.”

If Unemployed: Why Did You Leave Your Current Employer?

If unemployed this question will be best answered by stating reasons such as downsizing, reorganization, merger or acquisition. These are all acceptable reasons for being unemployed as we know this happens across industries at all levels especially nowadays. So it’s nothing to be ashamed of if you were let go from your employer for reasons such as these. However, if you were let go because of performance reasons,  you have a bit of explaining to do. If this is the case it doesn’t mean you’re completely at fault. In the past most candidates I have interviewed who were unemployed have never said flat out they were fired for cause. Most applicants claim the position never materialized into what they were told it would be or, after they started, the responsibilities of the position changed. I would never tell you not to be truthful about why you are unemployed. Just be sure to analyze the real issues behind it. Make sure you have good business references that will speak to your skills.

What is your current salary?

One thing I feel very strongly about it is the fact that you must be honest about what you earn. If you make forty eight thousand dollars, you must say forty eight thousand dollars not fifty thousand dollars. Major corporations and medium-size companies require every candidate to provide proof that what they represent as their earnings is true. Sometimes they ask for a current pay stub. If there is a difference between what they say they are earning and what is on the pay stub, the company goes no further and no offer will ever be made. More and more companies are doing this and it is not worth jeopardizing a good opportunity for a few dollars.

What salary are you looking for?

One of my main teachings is that an employer will judge you not by what you say but, instead, the by the quality of the questions you ask them. This is a perfect opportunity to utilize this concept. It is not good to put yourself in a salary box and if you are specific and quote a number, it may be perceived as too much. When you are asked what salary are you looking for simply ask the interviewer, “ What is the range of the position?”  Most interviewers will state the hiring range to you and if this happens and it is acceptable, just say: “the salary you quoted is fine?” At this early point in the process you don’t want salary to become an issue. Of course, on the other hand, it’s important at this point in the process to determine if the salary will accommodate your needs so you aren’t wasting your time. Remember that salary is never the only thing you think about when deciding on a position. Things like opportunity, the company itself, how well suited you are for the job, and other perks with accepting the offer, are all factors in your decision. Serious salary discussions should take place after the physical interview.

I am not a big believer in those books that suggest you learn the answers to one hundred questions that the interviewer might ask. I think that is an entirely wrong approach when dealing with something as dynamic as an interview. That being said however, when it comes to questions about money you should be very careful and prepared.

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If I had one minute to help you get a job here is what I would tell you:

In every communication you make with a prospective employer (cover letter, resume, phone conversation, in-person interview) tell them at least one way you 1. saved your previous employer money  2. Increased their profits  3. increased the speed with which work was accomplished.

When you communicate one of the big three above make sure you quantify it (put a dollars and cents value on it)

The minute is up.

Gotta go.

The question under discussion here is: why do I find activities like going to nightclubs, networking events and (heaven forbid) job fairs uncomfortable, while I find job job interviews are fun and exhilarating?

Maybe I’m an oddball, but then again maybe I’m onto something.

The results of my investigation are not scientific but maybe you might find them enlightening.

I think I’m nervous at business networking events, nightclubs and job fairs, because I do not understand my role in these situations.

My role in these situations is not clear to me. What am I supposed to do at a nightclub? Enjoy the ambience and chit chat?  And as for business networking events, what
are they all about? Am I supposed to casually introduce and befriend strangers for the purpose of maybe gaining their business? Business networking events are a strange hybrid between night clubs and interviewing. And how about job fairs? Determining my role at a job
fair is like asking me to stay calm, cool and collected in a nightmare.

I realize my nervousness in all these normal socially interactive activities is totally irrational. Many people attend them and profit from them. But not me. My conclusion: is I do not excel at these events because I do not clearly understand my role.

Here is your role in a job interview should you choose to accept it:

It is to be charming, humble, confident and occasionally blunt. My role at a job interview is to be humorous but only once, maybe twice. But most of all, regardless how much I want the job, my main “actor’s motivation” is: I don’t need this job or the money. If the interviewer
even catches a whiff of desperation, down comes the curtain and the show is over.

The main thing is to play your role to the hilt. Don’t think about the money. Does an actor when “in character” think about pay? Of course not. They are totally immersed in portraying the character so as to draw the audience in and give them an emotional reaction.

When job interviewing you are an actor on the stage. Yes there is an intellectual dimension and it is important. But more important is the emotional reaction you elicit from the interviewer.

There are only only three mistakes an actor can make. Not being relaxed, not being prepared and not being focussed and totally committed to the role. Keep those three guideposts in mind and you will knock them dead.

In this corporate cost-cutting world, companies routinely do telephone interviews to save time and money. It is far cheaper for them to do a telephone interview than a physical interview.

Also, you should understand that a telephone interview is a hyper-weedout type of interview.

It’s a good cheap way for a company to speak with the candidate and try to quickly elicit any knockout
factors before meeting with that candidate face-to-face.

With that in mind, my considered advice would be match their hyper-weedout mentality with your own tactic: be hyper-prepared.

Here’s how you can do that: make a telephone interview worksheet template and use one for every phone interview.

The template consists of six sections.

Section 1:  At the top put Company name, address date of  interview contact names, position title, basically all the “housekeeping” details of the position you
are  phone interviewing for should be in the top section.

Section 2: Jump Start Section: on each template write the following: Take the lead in the conversation! As soon as the interviewer calls say” I’ve been looking forward to speaking  with you about the opportunity since I first found out about it. I’m somewhat familiar with  what you are looking for from reading the ad, but could you please tell me where your needs are focused?”

Section 3: Listen and write down the top three requirement of the position as described by interviewer.

Section 4: is the T account section. This takes the most time to prepare. Before the phone interview you write down on the left side of the “T” the requirements of the position and on the right side how you have fulfilled those requirements in a previous position.

Section 5: Have a list of solid, incisive questions about the position listed on the work sheet. 

Section 6: If the position is of interest to you then ask for the physical interview.

You might think that this is a lot of preparation for just a phone interview. You would be thinking incorrectly.
Mis-steps and fumbles on the phone are more devastating on a phone interview than a physical
interview. So be a good boy scout and be prepared. Prepare intensively for a phone
interview.

So everything depended on the candidate
interviewing well. To that end “interview prep” was a big part of our job.

Usually the prep was done in the evening the night
before the interview. There would be a pretty long check list of items to cover and the prep took about an hour.

But of all the items covered nothing was more important than insisting that the candidate have a set of good, penetrating questions to ask the prospective employer. So when the interviewer  asked the inevitable “do you have any questions ?” our candidate would blow the manager away with their incisive questions.

The day after the interview we would debrief the employer. One of the worst thigs that could happen would be for the prospective employer to say something like:

“Gee, the interview went pretty good, but when I asked the candidate if  they had any questions he kind of  gave me
a blank look. So I think we will keep looking”

We would call such a person “dead meat” (or worse) and we would probably never send that candidate out on an interview again.

There a many reasons why you should always be prepared with good questions when coming into an interview.

But here is my favorite: 

“Employers will judge you NOT by what you say but instead by the quality and gravitas of the questions you ask them.”

Think about that the next time you prepare to interview.

In my work as a corporate recruiter I was amazed at how infrequently we received a thank you letter after the interview. However, when we did receive a letter from a candidate it really caused us to sit up and take notice.

This simple act showed that this person had follow-through and that they were really interested in the position.

That’s another thing, don’t be afraid to communicate the idea tha you are interested in the position. The post interview thank you letter is the perfect way to communicate your sincere interest yet not look at all desperate. There’s a lot of psychology going on here.

Just do it; it’s the right thing to do

Here is a simple outline for the post interview letter of thanks:

1. Make it three
   paragraphs long.
2. Thank the hiring authority for the opportunity to interview.
3. Restate your qualifications as they relate to the position
4. End with action. That
   is: ask for the position

Don’t overthink this simple yet effective task. Don’t doubt me on this: a thank you letter will dramatically increase your chances of getting hired.

You have done a thorough job researching the company.

You convinced the employer you “can do” anything.

(See my post “Two Magic Words”)

Now what?

Look for buying signals by saying something like:

“I was excited about this position as I drove here,

but I’m really excited now. Would you tell me about the process you have to fill this position?

Sounds bold, doesn’t it?

Would you have the audacity to say something like that at the end of an interview?

How about this;

At interview’s end you ask for interviewer’s business card and say:

“If I haven’t heard from you by Thursday, do you mind if I call you?”

Too bold for you to try?

Too bad, because these two “tips” accomplish no less than four huge job hunting objectives:

1. Demonstrates confidence.

2. You asked a strong question: demonstrates leadership subliminally.

3. You separated yourself, once again, from weaker candidates

4. Gained follow up info for further contact with hiring authority.

Too ‘salesy’ for you?

Okay. I understand your concern.

But please know this stuff works.

When the stakes are this high, you might want to overcome your tendency to quietly slink away after the interview.