Identifying Your Skills, Cover Letters, And Followups

Identifying your skills, Cover letters, and Follow-ups:

A brief introduction into cover letters, identifying your skills, and following up on employment with thank you letters

What is a skill? A skill is something you can do

well right now. An employer hires you because of your skills. These skills tell the employer if you have the necessary background and experiences to do a good job. Everyone has skills.

What are yours?

LET’S IDENTIFY SOME SKILLS

“What have you done for me lately” – Janet Jackson

Let’s identify some skills

What skills do you notice in this picture?

What are my skills?

What’s the difference in a skill and a talent?

Talent is:- A special natural ability or aptitude to do something- Something a person is born with- Something you cannot teach

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/138125_talent-vs-skill-how-can-we-benefit-by-knowing-the-difference#ixzz1kUM3es3x

Skill is:- The ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc.- Something that can be learned, honed and improved

You can only teach new Skills. Skills are not a substitute for Talent.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/138125_talent-vs-skill-how-can-we-benefit-by-knowing-the-difference#ixzz1kUMCjspa

The Difference

Types of SkillsData

◦ Relates to numbers of any kind(percentages, frequency, and money), research, codes, or surveys.

People◦ Includes what kind of people you work with(co-

workers, customers, vendors, etc.) and what you do with, for, or to each of them.

Things◦ Refers to tools, machines, or pieces of equipment

you know how to use.Ideas

◦ Suggestions you came up with to make the job easier, more efficient, or more profitable.

How to Identify a skillIdentify and name a skillGive an example of where and

how you used this skillDescribe the example by

answering “who, what, when, why, and how” questions

Strengthen the example with numbers, dollars, savings, or profits

Give the results, or how the employer would benefit from your actions.

Sample transformation of skillsCleaningI clean all the time; I cleaned the

lounge and the reception area weekly using brooms, mops, soap and water, and garbage disposals (trashcans)

Transformation continued…….Questions

◦ Who I (and who are you?); the janitor, porter, housekeeper,

etc.

◦ What The lounge and the reception area

◦ When Weekly

◦ Why To maintain local, state, and federal sanitation guidelines.

◦ How To clean the floor I swept To clean the carpet I vacuumed To clean the surfaces of tables, counters, desk and other

tops I used a rag, water, and soap

Transformation Complete!Consistently maintained surfaces and

floors to adhere to local, state, and federal standards using general cleaning tools and experience in sanitation and maintenance on a weekly basis.

COVER LETTERYour request for consideration

Definition of a Cover LetterA cover letter will usually accompany your

resume when you submit an application for a position. A cover letter is a short writtern statement that describes the key skills nad experiences you possess that make you a candidate worthy of further consideration. It is also an example of your writing abilities, so proper grammar, formatting and proofreading are critical. A brief, confident, well written cover letter can make a strong impression on a hiring manager and open the door for an interview.

Cover Letter BasicsA cover letter is professional correspondence. It

should be brief (no more than one page) tightly worded, and should not contain exclamation points, smiley faces, etc. It should be written in simiple language and avoid abbreviations that may not be generally understood.

Standard business format should be used. If you are mailing your cover letter, be sure to use paper that matches your resume and envelop color.

Your cover letter should be interesting and persuasive, and also convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity. Using brief vignettes to describe your skill will help put “a little meat on the bones” of the letter, but should not go into too much detail. Be direct and results-oriented

5 Step Cover LetterAddressIntroductionHighlights and QualificationsClose, review and set-up an

interviewSignature and cover your resume

Key points to keep in mind Personalize for a unique position at a specific company Explain why you are sending a resume Create an interest in reading your resume Tell how you learned about the position Provide requested information Describe skills, education, or experiences important to this

position Reflect your personality and uniqueness Keep your cover letter to one page Use 8 ½” x 11” paper matching that of your resume and

envelope Center Letter, approximately, on page. Single space text of letter, double space between paragraphs Space down four lines from closing to typed name, and sign

your name in that space Proofread VERY carefully!

The “Thank You” LetterA thank-you letter follows a standard

business format◦Restate your interest in the position or

company.◦Be brief and to the point.◦Plan your follow-up. Tell the person when

and how he/she will hear from you in the future.

◦If there was a panel involved in the interview, send a personalized letter to each person or send a single letter to the key person for distribution.

FOLLOW ME“Leave a seed, grow a forest”

The Follow-up………When you’ve told someone you will send

him/her informationWhen you failed to answer some question

adequately during the interview and want to send a short response in writing

When you want to show appreciation to someone for assisting you in your job search by: referring you to someone, providing you with information, or giving you career management advice – even after you’ve landed the job