The job of the cover letter is to make the reader want to read your resume. A cover letter should be three to four paragraphs long. First and last paragraphs need only be one sentence each. Don’t just regurgitate your resume. Zero in on the most relevant information to the job on offer.

First sentence should mention the job you are applying for. Second paragraph should read something like: “Please find a copy of my resume enclosed/attached for your perusal but of particular relevance is …” Then concisely list the specific skills relevant to the role such as years of experience doing a similar job, trade or IT certifications, software proficiency or highlights of your sales achievements. This can run over a couple of paragraphs. Close with a final paragraph/sentence: “I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss how I could contribute to your team.”

Also, try to find the name of the right person to address it to. It’s not always possible but “Dear Mr Brown” sounds better than “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Madam/Sir”.

Source: Article From CareerOne.com.au     Written By:Kate Southam, Editor

www.careerone.com.au/news-advice/cover-letters/lowdown-on-cover-letters-20080424

A survey by Inc Magazine found that 15 per cent of candidates falsify academic qualifications; 10 per cent falsely upgrade their academic qualifications; 35 per cent claim specific achievements or experiences that are untrue; 70 per cent upgrade the importance of their achievements; and 12 per cent have some kind of criminal record (including serious driving convictions).

The right recruitment process can help you weed through the exaggerations and falsifications.

· Make notes of the questions you intend to ask.

· Decide the essential things you need to learn and prepare questions to probe them.

· Plan the environment – privacy, no interruptions, ensure the interviewee is looked after while they wait.

· Put the interviewee at ease – it’s stressful for them, so do not make it any worse.

· Begin by explaining clearly and concisely the general details of the organisation and the role.

· Ask open-ended questions

· Make sure the interviewee does 90 per cent of the talking.

· High pressure rarely exposes hidden issues – calm, relaxed, gentle, clever questions do.

· Probe the CV/resume/application form to clarify any unclear points.”

Source – ‘Hiring Tips for Employers’, Phoenixs HRD Services

http://www.phoenix-hrd.com/tips-employers.html

If you work longer hours than your co-workers, always find you’re the last person to go home and sometimes bring your work home too then keep reading!

While it’s sometimes necessary to put in long hours when you’re after a promotion, need the extra money or have to meet a deadline, if it’s impacting on the rest of your life (your health and your relationships outside of work) then it’s time to pull back.

Here are some tips that should help you keep more reasonable hours:

· Complete your own work first. If your work involves other co-workers, brief them before you start on the importance of time management. Make sure everyone delivers the result in time. Tell them your expectations.

· Do not try to impress your boss by doing ‘over-time’. Your boss may like to work long hours but that doesn’t mean you have to follow their lead.

· Minimize interruptions from co-workers. If you’re struggling for time make it a point to tell others that you would not welcome any interruptions from them unless it is urgent. I it’s too difficult to express in words, hang a sign that says, ‘No chats. Busy now!’

· Keep your telephone calls to a minimum. Instead of spending time to talk on the telephone, send a fax or an email.

· Do not offer to do things for others. When you were first hired, you were not told that you should solve other people’s problems.

· Fend yourself from co-workers who like to dump their work on others. Some co-workers may convince your boss that you are the best to finish assignments. If you have too much on to accept new assignments then tell your boss.

· Get rid of unnecessary tasks. Concentrate on getting the most important task done. Do not worry about all the minor things.

· Help your boss to save. Remember that when you work ‘over-time’, your organisation will have to pay for the extra expenses.

· Avoid attending long meetings. Meetings and conferences are time consuming. Some of them are not so important at all.

Every boss is aware of the effort their employees make to balance work and other commitments. Your boss may be happy with your commitments as long as you excel in your work, you are ensured of a job for some time.

Source – ‘Keep your job without working long hours’ by Frencessca, Hubpages, read the full article here.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Keep-Your-Job-without-Working-Long-Hours