Loving the Covering Letter
The cover letter is much greater than a necessary evil. So much more than a pointless hoop to jump through or a repetitive waste of time. In many ways the cover letter is the most creative, immediate and persuasive form of communication available to us when we’re not (or can’t be) there in person. It’s the part of our career and our job search where we start with a blank piece of paper time and time again. Today we have social media rock-stars, maverick careerists and job-seekers who have taken the essence of the cover letter and turned it into something wonderful and new....
Read MoreThe Show Must Go On
Musicians, actors, singers, dancers, authors, playwrights. Do people in any other career get rejected as often? To get anywhere in careers like these most people need to deal with regular rejection and that takes bucket-loads of stamina, single-mindedness, creativity, determination and resilience. A very small number get their golden-ticket to the top but most people who choose these careers (or get chosen by these careers if you prefer) seem to succeed against all the odds. Did you ever wonder how or why this is so? There are many factors but persistence is always one, and persistence...
Read MoreAdam has a Plan
Adam’s future wasn’t clear but he worked out a plan nonetheless. It’s not a complicated career plan, actually it’s quite simple. Adam looked at his work history and chose a way forward that made the most sense. His overall plan was to get back into the work he liked the most. Adam had done a few different things but he preferred construction work. He liked getting hands-on, the teamwork, the satisfaction, Maybe not the winters spent outdoors but there were plenty of good experiences, And they all went into his plan. This time around Adam was going to see if he could...
Read MoreJob-Seeker’s Interview #6 – Contessa
Want to find out what The Job Seeker’s Interview is all about? Click here to learn more In the meantime here’s what our latest interviewee said… 1. What’s your name? Contessa 2. Where do you live? Scotland 3. How long have you been looking for a job? 3 months 4. What’s the story of your job search so far? I chose to accept a voluntary redundancy offer after 22 years with a public sector careers and skills agency. I was in a management post and expected to be able to apply for similar jobs in public, private and third sector organisations, with a lower pay...
Read MoreMake Sense of Your Career Story
Kay’s career story just wouldn’t make sense as she sat down to write her CV/Résumé. She was asked all the usual questions to help squeeze and blend her experiences into a single document but the answers weren’t coming and none of the old tips or tricks worked. It felt to Kay like she had done too many different things and that they would look strange on the same piece of paper (or screen). As if the story was of two or three different lives all mashed up together. And if this was confusing to Kay, how could she expect anyone else to get it, let alone hire the person...
Read MoreThe Job Search Philosopher
I’ve met plenty of Job Search Philosophers in my time. They know who they are, They also know (or are determined to find out)… What they stand for What they will do in their name What they want to be known for. Every individual I have met, without a single exception, Wants to make progress, Wants their questions answered, Has learned from their experiences, and wants to apply what they have learned in the best possible way. We don’t pause or remain idle when we’re not working, We get back in touch with things that uniquely inspire us. We discover for ourselves, The...
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