Search Results

What are your salary expectations? This can be one of the most important questions at every job interview. Unfortunately, like so many other questions, this cannot be avoided, especially when some online application systems make answering this question mandatory. Keep in mind that the "expected salary" question is one question you can prepare for. And by doing so, you'll come across as flexible and knowledgeable. It is generally not recommended to share your salary expectations at the beginning of an interview. This is because discussing salary too early in the process can potentially harm your negotiating position later on. Bear in mind sometimes you need to share an expected range else you may miss the opportunity, but "flexibility" is the key. When it comes to sharing your salary expectations, it's important to be prepared and strategic in how you approach the conversation. Here are some tips on how to share your salary expectations effectively: Research industry standards: Before going into the interview, do some research on the typical salary range for the position and industry you're applying for. This will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you negotiate a fair salary. Consider your experience and qualifications: Think about your own skills, education, and experience, and how they align with the job requirements. This can help you determine your value and what you should be earning. Be confident and clear: When discussing your salary expectations, be confident and clear in your communication. State your desired salary range and explain how you came up with that number. Be open to negotiation: Remember that salary is often negotiable and there may be room for discussion. Be open to negotiation and willing to compromise on other benefits or perks if needed. Wait for the right moment: Don't bring up salary too early in the interview process. Wait until you've had a chance to learn more about the job requirements and the company culture before discussing salary expectations. Focus on the big picture: Salary is just one aspect of your overall compensation package. Don't get too caught up in the numbers - also consider other benefits and perks that are important to you, such as professional development opportunities. It's best to focus on showcasing your skills and qualifications and demonstrating why you are the best candidate for the job. Sometimes the company name or brand makes a big difference and so many job seekers are willing to take a pay cut (a step back) since the future growth prospects will only help them jump 2 steps ahead a year or two later and secure a good job description and company brand to add into their resumes. If the interviewer brings up the topic of salary, you can acknowledge their question and express your interest in discussing compensation further down the line, after you've had a chance to learn more about the position and its requirements. When the time comes to discuss salary, it's important to share your education, experience, and skills. This will help you negotiate a fair and reasonable compensation package. You may need to share your current salary and the next higher earning bracket you see yourself in (be prepared to justify the increase through facts and research and this becomes very important). Normal salary increase range from 20-30% depending on whether you have been headhunted or applied. This will also depend on the additional experience/qualifications you have gained and the tenure of your most recent employment. The company's budget also plays an important part in sharing your salary expectations and it would make a lot of sense to find this information beforehand. It's also important to keep in mind that compensation is not just limited to salary. There may be other benefits and perks that are negotiable, such as annual tickets, health insurance, schooling for children, and salary appraisals. Be prepared to discuss these as well and consider them as part of your overall compensation package.

Every job requires a different knowledge base and ability, but beyond that, there is a set of essential job skills and competencies that will increase your value with just about any employer. These are the competencies that are prized in both entry-level roles and senior-level positions, in different industries . So naturally, these are also the skill sets to highlight in your resume, cover letter, and interview talking points. And if you’re lacking in any of these areas, we’ve got suggestions to help you develop and become a stronger candidate. During a job interview, interviewers look for a range of skills in job seekers. Here are some of the most commonly sought-after skills: Communication skills: Employers want candidates who can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to listen actively, express ideas clearly, and convey information concisely. Sample Communication Skills Interview Questions: “Tell me about a difficult client/manager/teammate you had to deal with.” “Tell me about a time when you had to be very careful in communicating sensitive or delicate information.” “Give me an example when you had to present complex information in a simplified way to explain it to a superior.” Problem-solving skills: Interviewers look for candidates who can identify problems, think creatively, and come up with practical solutions. This involves being able to analyze information, evaluate options, and make informed decisions. Sample Communication Skills Interview Questions: Describe the biggest work-related problem you have faced. How did you deal with it? Describe a situation where you faced serious challenges in doing your job efficiently. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them? Tell me about a time you predicted a problem with a stakeholder. How did you prevent it from escalating? Adaptability and flexibility: Employers want candidates who are adaptable and able to work well in a fast-paced and changing environment. This means being able to adjust to new situations, learn new skills quickly, and be open to feedback. Sample Adaptability and flexibility Interview Questions: If you could change something in the course of your life, what would it be? How do you adjust to changes you have no control over? Describe a time when you showed flexibility at work . Leadership and teamwork skills: Interviewers look for candidates who can work collaboratively with others, inspire and motivate team members, and take on leadership roles when needed. This involves being able to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and resolve conflicts. Sample Teamwork Interview Questions: Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult person. Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker? Tell me about constructive feedback you’ve received. Technical skills: Depending on the job, interviewers may look for candidates who have specific technical skills or knowledge, such as proficiency in a particular software program, familiarity with a certain type of equipment, or expertise in a specific field. Time management and organizational skills: Employers want candidates who can manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. This involves being able to plan and organize work efficiently, multitask effectively, and stay focused on the most important tasks. Sample Time Management Interview Questions: How do you plan your work when you have multiple conflicting tasks? If you are expected to report to several managers, how would you prioritize your duties? Emotional intelligence : Employers increasingly value candidates who have high emotional intelligence, which includes the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. This involves being able to empathize with others, build relationships, and communicate effectively. Sample Emotional intelligence Interview Questions: Tell Me About a Time You Experienced a Setback and How You Dealt With It. How Do You Respond When a Coworker Challenges You in a Meeting? Tell Me About a Time You Experienced a Conflict at Work. Attitude/ Taking Initiative : Probably the most sought-after skill almost every interviewer secretly looks for. If your attitude is right, education and experience will follow. No point in hiring the most qualified or experienced candidate if his/her work attitude is flawed. “Tell me about a time when you took the initiative on a project without being asked.” “Tell me about a time you improved a process or procedure at work.” “Give me an example of a time you went above and beyond your job description.” “Describe a major obstacle that you had to overcome.” Remember, it is not mandatory that every candidate/job seeker will have the above skills. But knowing what skill you are good at, what you need to develop, and what you don't have and need to learn is very important.

Losing a job can be a challenging and stressful experience. No matter what your layoff looks like—whether you’ve worked for a company for ten months or ten years, whether you were notified by an impersonal email or with a compassionate sit-down conversation—it stings. For many of us, work is interwoven in our identities and how we contribute to the world, so when a company cuts us off, the questions that fill our heads aren’t just, “ What will I do next?” There’s a flood of complicated and heavy emotions to parse in the weeks that follow and it’s important to take the time to process them. But it’s also critical to take a few steps early on, ideally within the first 24 hours—because as time ticks, you’re distanced from the people, projects, and data that are invaluable in landing your next role. So you’ll want to do a few things to set yourself up to transition more quickly into an exciting new opportunity. There are steps you can take to move forward and navigate this difficult situation. Here are some steps you can take after a job loss: Take a deep breath and stay calm: Losing a job can be a shock to the system, and it's important to take a moment to process your emotions and gather your thoughts before taking any action. Assess your finances: Take a look at your current financial situation and figure out how much money you have saved, how much you owe, and what your expenses are. This will give you a better idea of how long you can go without a job and what your budget will need to look like. Loan Restructuring: Almost all banks in the UAE will help you work out a better repayment plan for your credit card outstanding. Approach them asap and explain the situation and ask for a restructuring. Interest rates on card payments will be reduced. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile: Take some time to update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your most recent work experience and accomplishments. This will make it easier for potential employers to find and evaluate your qualifications. Start your job search: Begin your job search by looking for job openings online, reaching out to your network, and attending job fairs and networking events. Consider working with a recruiter or career coach to help you refine your job search strategy and identify potential opportunities. Consider further education or training: If you're having trouble finding a job in your field, consider further education or training to expand your skill set and make yourself more marketable. Take care of yourself: Losing a job can be a stressful and emotional experience, so it's important to take care of yourself during this time. Make sure to get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and stay connected with friends and family. Remember that job loss is a common experience, and you are not alone in this.

If you want to grab the hiring manager’s attention and get your CV noticed, you will need to create a really compelling CV that stands out from the rest and it is not difficult to do. Every job position you apply for has to get your CV design to be noticed. Below are some basic and immediate CV fixes, you must do. Use Common Titles Your job title could be "Manager" or "Team Leader" OR "Analyst". You do not need to put down your official title in your CV. Your job title must match your job description, so you must modify your title to read "Branch Manager" or " Sales Manager" rather than a manager or change it to read "Accounting Supervisor" or "Senior Sales Officer" instead of "Team Leader", similarly if you are a Finance and your job title says "Analyst" you can change it to "Financial Analyst" etc. Recruiters search via common job titles too and your CV must be found. Avoid Infographics / Charts ATS systems can't read charts or diagrams. They understand only text and since almost every major company uses an ATS system, the data on the infographic will not be correctly parsed or read. Have Clear Subheadings Having clearly defined subheadings allows not only the hiring manager (or recruiter) to know where to look but also the ATS system to take the data that comes below the subheading and implant it correctly into the fields. When searches are done, data is easily found. CV Name Naming CVs as CV.doc, or Mylatestresume.pdf, CV_2023.doc is an incorrect naming format for CVs. Best to name your CV as "Dinesh-SalesManager.doc", "Dinesh_DSouza-LogisticsExec.pdf" or "Dinesh-MechanicalEngineer.pdf". Use a combination of Name-Title-Education, not necessarily all three but at least 2. CV Lenght Keep your CV within 2 pages. Have a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 12 bullet points per job description. One line per bullet point. Remember your CV will be read within 20 seconds only. Use a simple left-to-right layout. It may be best recommended to avoid columns in your CV structure. Optimise Keywords Keyword optimization in your CV is very essential. Searches are performed using keywords such as "Inco terms", "financial analysis", "sales targets", "mechanical engineer" etc. These keywords can also be in your education or job title. Almost every bullet point must contain at least one keyword and your CV must have a good spread of keywords. CV Formatting Maintain a structured formatting system throughout your CV. Use the same font and font size for all text. Use a larger bold font size for subheadings. Keep a uniform margin alignment, line spacing, and paragraph spacing. Make sure all "bullets" are in the same verticle line. Use simple text fonts - Arial, Times New Roman, Cambria, and similar other fonts. A font size of 10 or 11 is best. Spell Check A CV with grammatical errors does not create a good impression. Why would a hiring manager consider a resume with spelling mistakes? Imagine if you are selected and send a proposal or email to a client with spelling mistakes, it creates an unprofessional image for the company. Have a look at some sample CV formats , but not all may be recommended. You may want to read this to learn more about designing your own CV.

When I sat down for what I expected to be a normal meeting with my boss, she surprised me by saying, "You seem unhappy here, and we don’t want unhappy people. I can help you find another job if you want." Even though I wasn't unhappy, her words hurt. I thought she meant well but just didn't express herself properly. A couple of months later, we had another online meeting, and it didn't go well either. She said, "I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I don't need advice. Watch your tone." That's when I realized it wasn't just a one-time thing. My boss was toxic. So, what exactly is a toxic boss and why are they such a problem? A toxic boss is someone who makes the people working under them feel bad. They behave in ways that make employees lose interest, feel disconnected, and lose control over their work. "Toxic bosses cause burnout," says Peter Ronayne, who knows a lot about leadership. Burnout happens when people feel worried, stressed, sad, or angry at work. There are five main reasons people get burnt out: Unfair treatment. Too much work. Unclear instructions. Lack of support from managers. Unrealistic deadlines. And guess what? All of these come from having a bad boss. So, how do you know if your boss is toxic? Here are six signs: They don’t listen to you. They control everything you do. They won’t let you grow in your job. They act differently when other people are watching. They make you feel insecure. They expect too much from you. If you realize your boss is toxic, what can you do about it? Tell them how you feel. Try to understand why they act that way. Build relationships with other people. Take care of yourself. Ask for help from someone you trust. Talk to other people who are dealing with the same problem. If nothing works, think about leaving. And if you do decide to leave, make sure to explain why. That way, the company can learn from your experience. But remember to do it respectfully.

Writing a resume involves major choices like what information to include, how to include it, and what resume format is best for you. What font and font size to use on your resume is relatively straightforward. The goal of your font and font size choices is to present your resume information in a way that is both readable and pleasing. Why Does Your Resume Font Matter? There are two reasons your resume font matters, The first is your human resume reader. The second reason your font choice matters? The applicant tracking system (ATS). ATSs are programs that help recruiters and hiring managers organize and search resumes, but they “read” some fonts better than others. The goal is to have your resume pass seamlessly through an ATS so, like the human resume reader, it can focus on the content of the document. What Are the Best Resume Fonts? The fonts that come standard across a range of programs and aren’t overly flashy or designed are best to use. These fonts became standard because they’re easy on human eyes, and since they’re standard, ATSs are programmed to read them. Here are the best fonts to use: Arial Cambria Calibri Garamond Georgia Helvetica Times New Roman Verdana Arial is the font most commonly recommended by our experts. Times New Roman was the go-to font for so long that some experts now say it’s still a safe choice regarding readability. Picking a Resume Font So how do you know which of these more traditional, easy-to-read fonts you should pick? That depends on your personal preference and what you think sends the right message for your resume. You might want to consider whether a serif or sans serif font is best for you. If you want to make your resume look more modern (if, for example, you work in tech) you might choose a sans serif font like Arial or Calibri, and avoid serif fonts like Times New Roman and Georgia. But if you work in higher education or the medical field, a serif font like Georgia would be appropriate. To figure out which type of font you’re looking at, check the capital Ts—if the top has short lines hanging down on either side, those lines are serifs. But if the top of the T is a single line straight across, you have a sans-serif font. Once you’ve decided between serif and sans serif, choosing a font comes down to which one looks best to you! Fonts Should You Stay Away From Now that you have a sense of the classic fonts and basic considerations, you should also know there are a few things you should avoid: Heavily stylized fonts : Although pretty and design-oriented, stay away from heavily stylized fonts like modern cursive fonts since ATSs can’t read them, and humans might have trouble, too. Narrow, condensed, or light fonts or versions of fonts: These fonts can be harder on human eyes, especially when reading on a screen. Non-standard downloaded, or custom fonts: Fonts that aren’t standard to most operating systems may be converted inaccurately by an ATS. Gimmick fonts: Your resume is a professional document, so your font choice should also be professional. Stay away from fonts like Comic Sans, Papyrus, and, of course, Wingdings. Keep Fonts Interesting You can use bold and italics for job titles or company names to add to the visual appeal. You can also use color and underlines, in moderation—too many colors will look unprofessional and underlining should be reserved for headings since people (and ATSs) tend to read the underlined text as hyperlinks. You can also choose to use multiple fonts on your resume, but make sure to keep it simple. Pick one font for your name and section headings and another, complementary font for the rest of your content. More than two fonts will start to distract the reader. Choosing a Font Size When choosing font sizes, you want to find a balance: Too large a size, and your resume is likely to be more than one page without necessarily having the years of experience to back up that resume length. But if you go too small, the recruiter will be squinting to read your resume. This is the last thing you want and will likely land you in the no pile. Your font size doesn’t need to be uniform across your resume. You can change it up to help make your important information—like section headings—stand out. Just be sure to use the same font size for each type of information across your resume and make sure the relative sizes are logical. For example, if you’re using Calibri, 10.5-point font for bullets and 12 for company names, dates, and past job titles. I always say to build your resume with the sizes you want and see where you land. If you’re spilling onto the second page, consider decreasing one or more of the font sizes while still keeping it readable. But be careful, I see a lot of people trying to cram in their info with a small font size. You’re better off looking for other ways to get your resume down to one page. On the other hand, if you have a lot of white space at the end , you might consider making your fonts a bit bigger. But don’t go overboard and set your bullets to size 16 just to take up more of the page. Recruiters will see right through that. The Best Resume Font Sizes Which exact font sizes are best for your resume will vary based on the font you’ve picked and your situation. So choose your font first and use your own judgment to determine which font sizes are most appropriate. Here are some general guidelines from our experts to get you started: Your Name: 20-24 point Headings and Subheadings: 11-14 point Body Text and Your Contact Info : 10-12 point Ultimately, the most important component of your resume is the content. Your font and font size choices should be about making sure your content is clear so you can convince the reader you're right for the job.

I bet when you see a job listing that says “cover letter optional,” you breathe a sigh of relief, happily submit your resume, and move on. But you are truly doing yourself a disservice by not including a cover letter. When you are writing a resume you are oftentimes confined by space or by keywords. In a cover letter you have an opportunity to craft a narrative that aligns you not only with the position you are applying to but also the company you are applying to. Whether you are writing a cover letter for a mechanical engineer or marketing manager position, an internship or a senior-level role, a startup or a Fortune 1000 company, you are going to want to tailor it to the role, company, and culture. A strong, customized cover letter will help you explain your value proposition and stand out from the stack of applicants. If there’s a gap in your resume, you have the opportunity to explain why it is there. If you are changing careers, you have the chance to describe why you are making the switch. If your resume’s pretty dull, a cover letter helps you show some personality. And yes, cover letters still get read . We have got examples of four types of cover letters below: a traditional cover letter, an impact cover letter, a writing sample cover letter, and a career change cover letter. So let us take a look at these examples, why they work, and how you can use them to craft your own. The Traditional Cover Letter A traditional cover letter is similar to what you’d come up with using a position-based cover letter template. It moves in reverse chronological order through your career history, highlighting parts of your past jobs that make you well-suited for this position. You might want to use this type of cover letter if: You are applying to a more formal company (like a law firm or major healthcare company) or a more conventional role (like a lawyer or accountant). You want to play it safe and conservatively with your application materials. The Cover Letter Example Here’s an example of a traditional cover letter you could write for this role—keeping things strictly professional but without sounding too boring or jargon-y: Dear Ms. Jessica Sanchez, In my five-year career as a paralegal, I have honed my legal research and writing skills, and the attorneys I’ve worked with have complimented me on my command of case law and litigation support. Spiegel Law Firm’s 20 years in practice proves that the firm has strong values and excellent attorneys, and I’d be eager to join such a talented team. I currently serve as a paralegal for Chandler, Chandler, and Greene, where I work closely with the partners on a number of high-priority cases. During my time here, I implemented a new calendar system that ensures timely filing of court papers. This system has prevented missed deadlines and allowed for better organization of internal and client meetings. Previously, as a paralegal for the Neuerburg Law Firm, I received praise for my overall support of the legal team and my positive attitude. While working there, I came up with and implemented a plan for digitizing their old files while still ensuring security and privacy. This led to more efficiency when preparing for client meetings and legal proceedings. My further qualifications include a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a paralegal certificate, and training in LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Microsoft Office Suite. I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your legal team. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you. Your s incerely, Dinesh DSouza oabiola@inbox.net +97155 7435900 The Impact Cover Letter The impact cover letter puts your accomplishments front and center rather than organizing your paragraphs by past roles. You might use a cover letter like this if: You are applying for roles where you are expected to deliver on certain goals or results (for example, if the jobs involve sales quotas or marketing metrics). You haven’t followed a straightforward career path and your past job titles don’t show the extent of your qualifications. You want your personality to stand out a bit more than it might in a traditional cover letter. The Cover Letter Example Here’s an example of an impact cover letter where the writer’s hard skills and successes stand out: Dear Russ Roman, I have a problem. See, my inbox currently (and embarrassingly) hosts 1,500 unread emails—including newsletters from at least 50 different brands. But this problem only fuels my passion for creating emails that are worth opening. Because from my perspective, as someone who can barely get through their own stack of mail, that’s a true win. I’ve been following Vitabe for years, and can proudly say that I open every single email you send to me. I’m a sucker for a good subject line—“Take a Vitamin-ute—We’ll A-B-C You Soon” being my favorite—and the way your email content feels both fun and expert-backed really speaks to me. This is why I’m thrilled to submit my application for a role as email marketing manager at your company. I have over four years of experience working in the email marketing space. In my current role at Westside Bank, I was able to implement new email campaigns centered around reengaging churned clients. By analyzing data around the types of clients who churn and the engagement of our current email subscribers, as well as A/B testing headlines and newsletter layouts, we were able to increase email subscribers by 15% and convert 30% of those subscribers to purchase our product, a significant increase from the previous year. I also launched a “Your Credit Matters” newsletter focused on educating our clients on how they spend and manage their credit—which became our highest-performing campaign in terms of open-rates and click-through to date. Previously, as a member of the marketing team at Dream Diary Mattresses, I collaborated with the sales and product team to understand how I could best support them in hitting their quarterly goals. One specific project involving creating personalized emails for customers drew more people to come back to our site after 30 days than direct paid ad campaigns, leading to a 112% increase in revenue from the last quarter. I take the content I write and the calendars I manage seriously, editing and refining beyond detail-oriented and into meticulous territory, and I feel my experience and drive would greatly help Vitabe further develop their email program for success. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind Regards Dinesh DSouza oabiola@inbox.net +97155 7435900 The Writing Sample Cover Letter For roles where written communication is key, such as PR, copywriting, or journalism jobs, your cover letter will likely be the first writing sample your future employer sees. So it is just as important to show your skill set in action through eloquent writing. You might want to use this type of cover letter if: Writing or editing is a key component of the role you are applying to. You want to show off your creativity. The Cover Letter Example Have fun with this one, but triple-check for spelling and grammar mistakes, and make sure you are showing off your best writing: Dear Tai Chen, Since I could walk, I’ve been dancing. And since I could read, I’ve been glued to Arabesque Weekly . At one point, you featured one of my local heroes—a ballerina who struggled with an injury early in her career and went on to become a principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet—and I plastered the article above my childhood bed. I t is still there today. That article—and so many others you’ve published—taught me that dancing was about more than just pirouettes and arabesques and that the right kind of writer can shed light on aspects of the art that make it surprising, impactful, and universal. I can be that writer. As an editorial assistant at TheImprovGroup.com for the past two and a half years, my main responsibility was to get all of our content ready to go live on the site. This included fact-checking, proofreading, adding in HTML where necessary, and finding photos, videos, and GIFs that would complement the content and optimize audience engagement. As I tinkered with each post, I became intimately familiar with our internal CMS. Reviewing every single article we published and following reactions and engagement helped me gain a deep understanding of what makes a piece really land with our audience. But by far my favorite aspect of this role has been writing. Each week, I pitch and write at least one article, from 250-word news items to 900-word advice pieces to even longer profiles, features, and personal essays. I love the challenge of developing pitches that align with the trends we see in the data, reflect with the company’s brand and mission, and allow me to flex my creative muscles. Collaborating with my team to form the best content library we can has been a dream come true. I would be so excited to use my experience to help Arabesque Weekly achieve its goals. And I hope to one day write a story that another little dance lover tapes to their wall forever. It would be an honor to be a part of your editorial team, and I look forward to the possibility of discussing the opportunity with you. Hoping to be your next staff writer, Kind Regards Dinesh DSouza oabiola@inbox.net +97155 7435900 The Career Change Cover Letter Cover letters can play a big part in helping career changers prove their qualifications—especially when it is unclear how their skills transfer over to this new field. You might write a career change cover letter if: You want to highlight the transferable skills you have that relate to the job description. You want to explain why you are making the switch and what’s driving you toward this specific industry, company, or position. The Job Description Let’s say you are someone who has experience supporting a sales team as an administrative assistant, and you are now looking to become a sales representative. You come across a job posting that includes: The Cover Letter Example Here’s how you might translate your past experience over to this new (and exciting) prospect: Dear Maria Russo, The head of sales at Sunshine Inc. was in a bind. She needed six client meetings scheduled, 18 service transactions processed, and a summary of the team’s new lead generation campaign drafted before getting on a flight to Austin—in three hours. So she turned to her cool-headed, sales-savvy administrative assistant for help. That assistant was me. Not only did I execute everything on her to-do list, I did it all before her plane left the ground. For three years, I worked in lockstep with a busy, growth-oriented sales leader to support the business development team. As the sole administrative assistant in the department, I balanced a swath of competing priorities, ranging from coordinating meetings and inputting data to contacting customers, finalizing transactions, and creating promotional materials. This role helped me develop a comprehensive understanding of the sales cycle, sales strategy, and pipeline growth. Like many others, my career path hasn’t been entirely straightforward. After leaving Crabapple Media, I enrolled in a local coding boot camp . Six months later, I emerged with a certificate in computer programming and a certainty that I did not want to be a coder. But education is never wasted. I’m now an aspiring sales representative with experience supporting a thriving sales team and extensive knowledge of the tech space. Here’s a little bit more about how my experience would translate into this role: At Crabapple Media, I assisted in coordinating three annual sales strategy rollouts, yielding an average increase in pipeline of 26% YoY. At Sunshine Inc., I supported 12 independent team members in their lead-generation efforts. I also assisted in processing an average of 300 sales transactions every quarter. I thrive in busy, ever-changing environments that require me to communicate clearly and concisely. Supporting a high-volume team and a busy executive helped me to hone these skills—I typically sent more than 200 emails a day! I would, of course, love to schedule a time for us to discuss this role and my experience, and I truly want to thank you for considering me. Kind Regards Dinesh DSouza oabiola@inbox.net +97155 7435900 Let’s break down one of our example cover letters real quick Check out this handy infographic that breaks down our impact cover letter. The 3 basic elements of a cover letter Cover letters are a little like puzzles. When you put each component in its proper place (and remove any parts that don’t fit), you create a complete picture. But even though that picture is always different (as you saw above) a lot of the types of pieces are the same. In other words, every great cover letter includes the following elements: 1. An Engaging Opener By opener, we primarily mean your first paragraph: How you start a cover letter is everything. Your opening lines influence whether someone keeps reading—and you want them to, right? Starting with something that immediately connects you to the company is essential—something that tells the company that this is not a generic cover letter. You have to say something that tells the employer, ‘I wrote this just for you.’” It can be a childhood memory tying you back to the company’s mission. It can be a story about the time you fell in love with the company’s product. It can be an anecdote from another job or experience showing how hard of a worker you are. Whatever you decide to open with, make it memorable. 2. A Clear Pitch Use the next few paragraphs of your cover letter to hit them with the strongest results you have that are aligned with the opportunity. In other words, the part where you are “selling yourself for the position and why you are qualified for it.” If you are someone who’s transitioning careers, and you need to explain that transition, you do it there. This section should have a balance of soft and hard skills. Talk about your experience using Salesforce or doing SEO work, but also highlight your ability to lead teams and communicate effectively. Companies are embracing authenticity, they’re embracing humanity, and they are looking for people who are going to fit their culture. These values should be as much a part of your cover letter as the super specialized hard skills. 3. A Great Closing Line Your closing line could include your next steps, such as “I welcome the opportunity to speak with you more about how I can contribute to [team],” or, “I would love to schedule a time for us to discuss this role and my experience.” But more importantly, You want to make sure that you are gracious and thanking them. While seemingly cliché, it never hurts to end with a simple, “Thank you for your consideration.” A few more cover letter tips Here are a few more tips to help the cover letter process: Start with a “brain dump” : If you are staring at a blank page, start by getting all your ideas on the page without paying attention to length. Then ask yourself how you can cut half of it. You’ll likely find that repeated information and very generic phrases are the first to go. Don’t just repeat your resume: You only have so much space to get your point across, so focus on the information that isn’t stated elsewhere rather than simply regurgitating your resume. Focus on quality over quantity. Target the jobs you are most closely drawn to and qualified for and give them all your energy, rather than trying to churn out hundreds of cover letters. You may not be able to apply to as many jobs, but you’ll have a better response rate. Remember the ATS : Much like your resume, applicant tracking systems, or ATSs , will be sifting through your cover letter. So you’ll want to scatter relevant keywords from the job description throughout your cover letter where it makes sense. Don’t stress over formatting: You may see flashy cover letter examples across the internet, but for the most part, it just isn’t necessary. ATSs can’t read text that has been formatted beyond using bold, italics, underline, and color, so keep your font and layout simple—especially if you are submitting your cover letter through an online portal. Include your contact information, including your name, phone number, and email. Imagine you come across a cover letter and you print it out with a bunch of applications to review and it doesn’t have the person’s contact information on it. You never want to put yourself in a situation where you are the right person and they can’t find you. Edit ! Here’s everything you should double-check before pressing submit. Hopefully these cover letter examples help as you go to tackle your own. Remember: This is just one small step in the process! Take your time, but learn to move on when you’ve given it your all.

When you are preparing for a job interview, you will prepare to answer the most common interview questions, like “Why should we hire you?” or “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with your boss,” ? and so on. “What is your greatest achievement?” may seem like a breeze to answer, but actually it is worth taking a few minutes to think about how you'd answer this question if asked. Why This Question Gets Asked Companies look for certain competencies and characteristics in their employees. By asking “What is your greatest achievement?” employers can see if your skills and work ethics fit in with their company culture. Your choice of greatest achievement will show the interviewer what you consider important, and how you achieved it will tell them how you get things done. Employers can also get a reading on your definition of success. How to Choose an Achievement to Talk About Research and preparation are key to nailing your interview. This means you will want to review the job description, the company’s website, and its social media presence if you haven’t already. Be sure to check out any recent press or employee reviews, too. If you received notes from a recruiter or have a connection within the company who referred you for the job, these will also help you understand the company better. If you’ve read that one of the company’s core values is about having “a sense of ownership,” you’ll want to choose a time when you took on a project because you saw it needed to be done, for example, or stepped up to fill in the gaps on your team when someone left for another job. Regardless of which achievement you discuss, your answer should show that your skills are transferable and relevant to the role. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to identify achievements that you might talk about: How did you contribute to company goals in previous roles? Maybe you had a big impact on a key performance indicator like increased revenue. What impact did you have on a team as a mentor, manager, or team player? Perhaps you helped onboard an intern and set them up for success, which benefited the entire organization. How did you help an organization become more efficient? Maybe you led process improvements by enhancing communication channels. What did you do to enhance the customer experience? Maybe you helped innovate towards a new user-centric solution. If your interviewer asks specifically for a non-work example: Beyond the office, what personal goals have you met? Maybe you ran a marathon or finished a long-distance bike ride, or maybe you overcame a personal challenge of some kind. If it is hard to choose one achievement that feels like the “greatest” achievement, then go back to your research and think about it through the lens of the hiring manager you’re trying to impress and the job you’re trying to land. How to Structure Your Answer As with any interview question, you’ll want to have a strategy for organizing your response. The tried-and-true way to structure your answer is with a simple story. How do you make sure your story has a clear structure and arc? Brush up on the "STAR method" and get used to giving your answers by setting up the Situation, the Task, the Action you took, and its subsequent Results. It will make it easier for you to organize your thoughts and speak clearly and easier for the interviewer to follow along. Here’s what that looks like in practice: Say you’re applying for a sales manager role. You may want to show off your grit and competitive side and cite a recent, quantifiable example. Here’s how you might use the STAR method to talk about your achievement: Situation : “My greatest achievement was when I helped the lighting company I worked for convince a medium size industry to convert regular lighting to energy-efficient LED bulbs.” Task : “My role was created to promote and sell the energy-efficient bulbs, while touting the long-term advantage of reduced energy costs. As this was a new role, I had to develop a way to educate city light officials on the value of our energy-efficient bulbs. This was challenging since our products had an expensive up-front cost compared to less efficient lighting options.” Action : “I created an information packet and I was able to demonstrate the company product, answer questions, and evangelize the value of LED bulbs for the long term. I was able to reach a wide variety of key decision makers and, it was crucial to have them on board.” Result : “I not only reached my first-year sales goal of $100,000 with this sale, but I was also able to help us land another contract with another interested industry who had heard about my work and our poduct from this sale. And I’m proud to say I got a promotion within one year to Senior Sales Representative.” Here’s another example: Suppose you are applying for a role in a typically collaborative field such as design or content. In this case, your hiring manager might want to hear how you have succeeded as part of a team. This is a chance to talk about how you persuaded your teammates to go in a certain direction or adopt a particular strategy. If the company is data driven—and you’ll know this from the job description and your research—be sure to include how you leveraged data to reach a conclusion. The STAR method could also work here: Situation : “My greatest achievement was when I was a content leader at a local design agency. I was part of a small team assigned to redesigning the agency website in hopes of attracting new regional clients.” Task : “As a senior member of the team, I was tasked with being both the content strategist and the overall project manager. Our team was lean but expected to deliver big results as our little agency was being crowded out by bigger agencies in our market.” Action : “I spearheaded the process for the website redesign by having clear creative milestones and regular check-ins with the agency owners. From the first kickoff where I organized a fun brainstorm to identify our unique positioning, to weekly meetings where we gave each other direct and actionable feedback, I was able to engage other team members in a way that made everyone feel valued and motivated. I even sat alongside my design counterparts to make edits right to their files, building up camaraderie as well as ensuring efficiency.” Result : “Our team completed the redesign on schedule, and with the help of our marketing squad, we were able to see an increase in site traffic within two weeks. We landed two new client pitches within 30 days and secured both of them for long-term campaigns. Through trust building and collaboration with every team member, I can proudly say the redesign was a major success.” Prepare and practice your answer so it comes naturally. It does not need to sound perfect, but you need to sound confident. Even if you never ever get this exact question, thinking about your greatest achievement will be worth the time you put into it. It will not only prepare you for a job interview, it will be a great way to get to know yourself and your values better

What exactly is the proper protocol for leaving your job? And is there anything you should be doing to prepare for your new one? Although circumstances are always different, there are certain things that can help make any transition go more smoothly. Here are eight things you will need to do. 1. Get a written signed offer While you may have received a verbal offer over the phone, you should still get a formal written offer—if you haven’t, check in with the company to see if one is coming. Similarly, you might have accepted the offer during a call or sent the hiring manager an email, but you will still need to sign a contract and/or other paperwork to make it official. Even though it is rare, things can still go wrong at this stage, and the formal job offer might not come through. 2. Then tell your manager. You may be feeling a little nervous about telling your manager are leaving—and that’s understandable. But chances are, this is not the first resignation they have received. If your supervisor is supportive, they will want the best for your professional growth and will be happy for your new opportunity—even if that means you are changing companies. And if they are on the unprofessional / irritated side, then that only confirms you made the right decision! Whatever the case, though, you will still want to give your manager the professional courtesy of telling them first. As much as you want to tell your best office buddies the news, save your excitement until your boss hears it directly from you and you find out how they want to handle the announcement. 3. Formally resign Once you give your notice, there may be a lot of paperwork coming your way. If your current company needs an official letter of resignation, be sure to send that off promptly. You may want to check out the transition steps needed prior to joining your new employer. 4. Create a transition plan. Your manager has enough on his/her plate without having to worry about how your duties will be taken care of once you are gone. So the best thing you can do to leave on great terms is to be proactive and give them more specifics on how exactly you will transition your day-to-day responsibilities. Set up a meeting and discuss your ideas on who would best be suited to take over in the interim, and then give a specific schedule for bringing these people up to speed. You also might want to create a handover document that outlines what your job duties are and how to do them, and make sure that any needed logins, documents (with permissions), or contact info gets to the right people. 5. Make sure you have everything you need from your old job. Not only do you need to gather any personal items you may have left at the office —you need to make sure you have anything that only exists in your digital workspace as well. This means contact information for people you want to keep in touch with, personal files that ended up on your work computer or email, copies of any benefits documents that went to your work email, and praise for successes in this job that you want to be able to refer to in the future. You might want to gather all the information you need from your computer and inbox before you tell anyone you are quitting, especially if you know your organization has a history of shutting down people’s accounts as soon as they give notice or asking them to pack up and leave without working through their notice period. Ensure that you do not take any company belongings or confidential data that rightfully belongs to the the company. 6. Connect with your new employer. Even after you have signed the job offer and decided on a start date, you should still expect to stay in contact with your new employer during the transition time. There may be things that require your immediate attention—for example, background check or paperwork from HR. No matter what your new employer needs, get it handled as soon as possible. 7. Reach out to your new manager. HR or the talent acquisition team at your new company will likely be the ones sending you the logistical details for your new role, but if you really want to impress, you can also email your new manager and ask if there is anything you can do before you start to help get yourself up to speed. 8. Enjoy any time off between jobs! If you are taking a break before starting your new job—even if it is just a day or two—use that time to your advantage. Most importantly, try to organize your life a bit. You are going to be busy learning a lot of new things, so the last thing you will want to worry about is unattended home or personal issues. If you managed to negotiate a longer break time between jobs, I would also suggest doing things you cannot normally do during the workday like playing some tennis, catching a movie, visiting an event, or treat yourself to that massage or beach day while you can. You will be relaxed, rejuvenated, organized, and ready to start that new adventure.

The hiring manager asks you an interview question you know is a signal that things are about to wrap up: “Do you have any questions for me?” No matter how much power you might feel employers hold in the situation, a job interview is not just a chance for the hiring manager to grill you—it is your opportunity to sniff out whether a position would be as good for you as you would be for the position. So it is important to ask some questions of your own. What do you want to know about the role? The company? The department? The team? The person interviewing you who may be your future boss? coworkers? To get you thinking, I have put together a list of the best questions to ask in an interview. I definitely do not suggest asking all of them rapid-fire—some of this will be covered during the course of your discussion. Top tips for asking employer questions in a job interview Before we get to the list, here are a few pointers to keep in mind: Don’t say you have no questions . You probably already know that whether you are stressed or relaxed, whether you think have fumbled the conversation badly or you have got this job in the bag, the worst thing you could say is, “No, I don't have any questions.” Be flexible. It’s OK to jot down a few questions ahead of your interview but don’t be afraid to deviate from the list if your questions have already been answered and/or if your discussion prompts a few more questions you would like answered. You don’t want to sound like you are reading the questions off an internet list rather than having a real conversation. It maybe even good to take important points during the interview which can be asked as questions at the end. Ask a few specific questions . Show you are invested and you have been paying attention throughout the interview process by customizing your questions to the specific position and company—and reminding your interviewers of the background knowledge and experience you bring to the role. Don’t just ask questions at the end . Interviews work best when they are a conversation, so do not be afraid to pose questions when it makes sense throughout the conversation. Ask questions you really want to know the answers to . Do not only ask questions you think will impress your interviewer. This is your chance to ask about the topics you are really curious about—and will affect whether you even want the job. Maybe a project that really excited you when you read the job description hasn’t come up during the interview. Perhaps it’s not clear to you what the job actually entails, and you want to ask what a typical day looks like. Best questions to ask about the job Make sure you know exactly what the day-to-day responsibilities of the job will be—both now and in the future. This will help you make an informed decision if and when that job offer comes and avoid toxic workplace. What does a typical day or week look like in this role? What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed? Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on? What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire? What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face? Is this a new role or will I be taking over for an employee who’s leaving? How does this position contribute to the company overall? Do you expect the main responsibilities for this position to change in the next six months to a year? Top questions to ask about training and professional development Think of each new opportunity not just as a job, but as the next step on your path to career success. Will this position help you get there? What does your onboarding process look like? What learning and professional development opportunities are available to your employees? Will there be opportunities for stretch assignments where I can learn and use new skills? Are there opportunities for advancement within the company? Where have successful employees previously in this position progressed to? Common questions to ask about how your success will be evaluated Understanding how your potential new manager will measure your success is key to understanding their managerial style as well as company or team priorities. What are the most important things you’d like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job? What are the performance expectations of this position over the first 12 months? What is the performance review process like here? How often would I be formally reviewed? What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against? Smart questions to ask about the interviewer Asking these questions shows that you’re interested in your interviewer as a person—and that’s a great way to build rapport with a future colleague. How long have you been with the company? Has your role changed since you’ve been here? What did you do before this? Why did you come to this company? What’s your favorite part about working here? What’s one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job? What part of your job are you most excited about over the next few months? Best questions to ask about the company Why not learn a little bit about where you might work? A job isn’t just about your day-to-day to-do list. You will likely be happier with an employer that shares similar values to yours and is headed in a direction you’re on board with. I’ve read about the company’s founding, but can you tell me more about another significant company development? What direction do you see this company heading in over the next few years? What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth? What are the current goals that the company is focused on, and how does this team work to support hitting those goals? What gets you most excited about the company’s future? What are the company’s most important values? (Note: Make sure this isn’t easily Google-able!) How does the company ensure it’s upholding its values? Smart questions to ask about the team The people you work with day in and day out can really make or break your work life. Ask some questions to uncover whether it’s the right team for you. Can you tell me about the team I will be working with? Who will I work with most closely? Who will I report to directly? Can you tell me about my direct reports? What are the team’s biggest strengths and challenges? Do you expect to hire more people in this department in the next six months? Which other departments work most closely with this one and how? Creative questions to ask about the culture You do not want to end up at a workplace where all socialization happens at happy hour if you do not drink or you need to get home to your kids, or where everyone is focused solely on their own work if you thrive in a collaborative environment, for example. So make sure you ask about what’s important to you when it comes to company culture. How would you describe the work environment here—is the work typically more collaborative or more independent? How does the team form and maintain strong bonds? Can you tell me about the last company event you did together? What’s your favorite office tradition? What do you and the team usually do for lunch? Does anyone at the company or on this team hang out outside the office? Do you ever do joint events with other companies or departments? What’s different about working here than anywhere else you’ve worked? How has the company changed since you joined? How has the organization overcome challenges with remote work? Best questions to ask about next steps Before you leave, make sure the interviewer has all the information they need and that you’re clear on what you can expect going forward. (Just don’t make this the very first thing you ask when they kick it to you!) What are the next steps in the interview process? Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful? Can I answer any final questions for you?

Being wronged at the workplace is bad enough and then having to confront the person who may have wronged you, can get even more stressful and hurtful. Office conflicts are common and sometimes inevitable, and the only option is to deal with them positively and professionally. Confronting a colleague is not easy, but it is possible. When things are not going right in the office, here is how to keep your cool, address the issue, and even build stronger relationships with your co-workers in the process. Give the Benefit of Doubt Before you jump to conclusions it is essential that you start with the assumption that others may have acted with the best of intentions—and that you might not know the whole story. I once received a phone call from a co-worker telling me that another teammate of ours had described progress on a big project in a meeting (that I had to miss), and had not once mentioned my name or contributions. Of course, this was upsetting and the next day I asked that co-worker to grab a cup of coffee with me. I calmly told her what I had heard (without accusing her), and how it made me feel. It turned out, that I did not have all the information. The co-worker who initially called me had reached the meeting 10 minutes late and missed the beginning of the meeting—the part where my partner explained that everything the group was about to hear was the result of our teamwork and every member's contribution. So instead of assuming and allowing resentment to build, when you hear something that upsets you, go straight to the source and ask for clarification. You might be surprised. Avoid the Urge to Email Very few people enjoy confrontation, and most of us do what we can to avoid it—including hiding behind the safety of an email with no face-to-face interaction. Unfortunately, this only aggravates the problem. No matter how much you dislike confrontation, or how malicious you think your co-worker has been, watch carefully what you say over email. The wordings on an email speak louder than verbal chats and can come out harse, only aggravating the problem further. Refrain from shooting off that strongly worded email and instead, ask for a face-to-face conversation. Sit Down and Talk Even if the issue is deeper than just a simple misunderstanding, talking is just about always the best place to start. Find a time to sit down privately with your colleague and talk with him/her about your concerns. Spell out specifically what she did or (wat you heard she did)—for example, “I heard you did not mention my contributions when you were presenting our work to the VP on Thursday” is a whole lot better than “you never give me credit for what I do.” Explain how it made you feel or why it upsets you, but also try to offer a solution. By focusing on what you can both do differently moving forward, rather than dwelling on the offense, you can build trust, resolve the issue faster, and help to avoid additional misunderstandings. For example, say you heard that your co-worker is complaining that you are getting to spearhead a new project. You could say: “Amy, I understand that you’re concerned about how we are moving forward with this project, but I wish that you had come to me before talking to others. I’m happy to share my plans and ideas with you, and I would love your input. Are there specific questions you have that I can answer?” Also, avoid being too aggressive (in body language and tone)—otherwise, you will just put her on the defensive. Write Down the Details You do not want to bring your manager in on every problem you are having with every person—especially if it is a trivial matter. But it is also important to protect yourself in case the offense is not just a one-time thing—especially if it impacts your work or your professional relationships. If the issue could be serious, keep a written record of the incidents and your conversations with your colleague. It is likely that you won’t need it, but should the conflict escalate, you will want to be able to show how you have handled the situation proactively and professionally. Pick Your Battles Finally, keep in mind that you do not have to confront everyone, every time—making an issue out of every little thing will only create unnecessary tension in the office. So, next time you’re upset about that colleague who always has to have the last word in a meeting, take a breather. Think about the problem, and consider whether or not it’s really something you need to go to the mat for. In the end, save your energy for real problems—someone who’s not pulling her weight on a team project or who’s deliberately undermining you—and let the little stuff go. No matter where you are in life or the office hierarchy, you are bound to experience conflict in the workplace. But knowing how to deal with it effectively, with professionalism and flexibility, is the ticket to getting ahead. And at the end of the day, that’s really all you can control.

We all get content, at a job that pays decently well and comes with a good group of co-workers. You start convincing yourself, “This is fine—it’s not my dream job, but it’ll do for now.” And there is nothing wrong with feeling content or comfortable at your job. But keep in mind that being “content” can easily lead to complacency—and that’s the danger zone. Complacency tends to generate excuses and feel like “This job will do for now,” or “Maybe I don’t need to be a VP. Worst of all, complacency will eventually lead to fear. And fear holds us back. I have seen too many smart and talented friends and colleagues who have stayed in OK jobs. When they do decide to move on or have been forced to move on because of restructuring (that came to them as a surprise), they have been out of the job market for so long that they realize their resume structures have been outdated for years and they have forgotten what it is like to go on interviews. So, if there’s one piece of advice I could give to anyone who wants to advance professionally, it’s this: Do not get complacent, and don't ever expect your job to be 100% secure. In fact, make time to regularly check in with yourself about your career happiness and goals and consider whether it might be time to leave your job and make your next move. What are the telltale signs that it’s time to seriously consider leaving your current job and pursuing the next thing? Here are seven strong signals. 1. No Growth If you have been at the same company and position without any advancement or promotion for the past three years—and you want to continue moving your career forward—it is time to look elsewhere. Even in a large organization where promotions are tough to come by, you should be able to progress within this time frame. 2. You Don’t Get Feedback If your direct manager does not provide feedback on your performance—or the feedback is generic and thus difficult to take action on—it’s pretty tough to learn what it takes to move up within your organization or grow as a professional. The best managers are engaged with your career development and regularly offer advice and guidance—and if yours doesn’t, you owe it to yourself to look elsewhere. 3. You’re Not Learning If your learning curve has flattened out or you’re really not feeling challenged, this may signal a need to move on. You may not be learning something new every day on the job, but you should be improving upon your core skills and picking up new ones. You often have to take this into your own hands, of course—asking to be involved in a new project, signing up for courses you’re interested in, or attending a relevant conference or seminar in your discipline, for example. But if these possibilities don’t exist at your current job, it’s a sign that the company is not serious about investing in your career development. 4. Your Colleagues are Constantly Leaving Does everyone around you seem to be constantly updating their resumes and LinkedIn profiles? When you start noticing a pattern of disgruntled employees (especially the good ones) seeking exits and frequent departures, this usually indicates better places to work—and you probably have options. Take it as a warning sign, and ask your departing colleagues why they chose to move on. Their responses may be applicable to your situation as well. 5. There’s Regular Restructuring If your company is regularly announcing a management restructuring or the CEO keeps changing every year or so, this may indicate leadership issues or a shaky strategic direction. (A friend told me she has had four different bosses in the past year—this can’t be good.) Re-organizations can provide an opportunity to step up and shine; but more often than not, they signal turbulence and create a challenging environment for your career development. Your priorities, focus, and progress will inevitably be impacted. 6. Headhunters Want You Those annoying emails and calls from recruiters may not result in a new job—but don’t ignore them completely. A heavy volume of inbound calls and emails may indicate your industry is “hot” and companies are hiring. I usually consider these conversations as market research to see who’s hiring, what roles and functions are in need, and the average salary range for comparable jobs. 7. It Feels Like Time to Go Beyond these warning signs, don’t ignore what your gut is telling you. No one knows your work environment better than you do. And if you get the sense that you might be better off somewhere else, heed that inner voice and go exploring. Given that many of us spend over 48 hours per week at our jobs, you owe it to yourself to regularly evaluate your career situation. Even if you're perfectly happy at your current job, make it a habit to check in with yourself at least twice a year. Not only is it a good opportunity to review your accomplishments (and get in the habit of regularly updating your resume!), but you’ll also force yourself to gauge the market conditions within your industry. Best of all, going through this process will mean you will either find more satisfaction in your current job—or you will discover new opportunities and move on to the next big thing.