There is no perfect cover letter format. However, if you want to write that job application cover letter, you certainly need to stick to some particular guidelines.

* State the name of the person you are writing the letter for

You don't know the name of the person you are writing to? Give them a call and find out.

* craft your job application cover letter for only one company

Customizing your letter is essential. If the recruiter perceives that you are writing for another company, he will put your letter in the bin.

*Don't write on fancy paper

Keep it simple with your paper. There is no need to be original in try to impress with a different paper colour or a different font.

*Show off your personality

Use humour to show off your personality. If you manage to put a smile on the recruiter's face, it is a positive thing! Don't go too far though and stay within formal boundaries.

* Hand-sign your cover letter

You need to hand-sign your letter if you don't want to look like a robot.

Writing an effective job application cover letter is not difficult. You should need to follow a few guidelines to make sure that it strikes a chord with your employer.

The most important thing is to be original in your writing. Your letter needs to be different. Then, when you present yourself at the job interview, you will simply need to show why you are so exceptional! You will succeed!

Something a lot of people are dying to know.

I've gathered this data through multiple sources - friends in the industry, public sources, comments from my blog. They may not be 100% accurate but should be close.

Two resources Ive found valuable are my site - Management Consulted - and wallstreetoasis.com

Here they are!

First year out of undergraduate:

Base salaries: $50-65K Signing bonuses: $5-10K Relocation/moving expenses: $5-10K Year-end bonus: $5-10K

Thats an average of $70-75K in first year compensation. As a summer intern, you can expect a comparable, pro-rated salary (minus the bonuses). Please note that this does not include retirement contributions.

First year out of business school/MBA:

Base salaries: $110-140K Signing bonuses: $20-40K Relocation/moving expenses: $10-20K Year-end bonus: $20-40K

Thats an average of $160-200K in first year compensation. This does not include retirement contributions. My original estimates were a bit lower, but have been adjusted upward based on emails and the comments below.

Upward track through partner:

My numbers have a higher risk of being inaccurate as this is only from personal anecdotes, so if you have better information, please let me know.

Engagement manager/Project leader: $175-250K Associate principal/Senior project leader: $250-400K Partner/Principal: $500-800K Senior partner/Director: $1M plus At more senior levels the pay is increasingly variable and performance-based

How consulting salaries lose to finance:

At almost every tenure in consulting, your salary will be 30-50% lower than a comparable position in investment banking. This varies by year, of course, and median salaries in non-banking departments (such as research, asset management, sales & trading) are lower. But the truth is, consulting is not a profession to make big bucks. Especially relative to finance.

How consulting firms compensate for the lower salaries:

Better benefits - healthcare, life insurance, etc Retirement contributions - this one is important because at McKinsey/Bain/BCG, theyll contribute an added 5-10% of your base salary to your retirement funds, effectively a 5-10% year-end bonus! (A reader just informed me that his MBB retirement contribution starting fulltime in 09 was 4.5%, which is lower than Id seen in previous years) More generous reimbursement policies, travel perks, etc

Hope you found that helpful. Good luck breaking into consulting.

5 Things You MUST know to Find a Job During a Recession

As if you need reminding, these are turbulent times for anyone in the jobs market. You have to be a hermit not to see that there are no safe jobs anymore in the world. The natural compunction is to hang in at your present job at all costs and hope to ride out the recession without losing your job.  But Jerimah Reading, a fellow at the European Institute of Human resources believes that the time to secure your future with a career change may be now.

"There is a great opportunity to take advantage while the competition is slow", says Gerard. "We have a tendency to blame the recession and sit tight in out jobs and careers. I think that this presents a great opportunity to re-evaluate your career and its direction and perhaps get a jump on the competition before the upturn takes place, which it will do eventually."

For those considering a career change or looking for a new job, take note of these expert tips.

Do Industry Research - During this recession, many of the industries will change their ways, streamline their costs, cut their staff or move to more efficient technologies. As an example, here at telcojobs, we have noticed an increase in employers looking for VOIP engineers which suggest technologies like IP based telephony are still showing strong growth. Also, keep a lookout for trends in employment on the major jobs boards.

Spruce up your skills - "Don't allow an employer to pass you up because you lack some basic knowledge" says Martin Mansreagh, fellow at the London institute of economics. "You should learn at least all the basics tenets of the industry you are being interviewed for". Al lot of jobs require you to have a good working knowledge of Microsoft word and excel.  

In the Telecoms industry, basic understanding of protocols like SS7, VOIP, and industry call flows should be learnt. You don't need an in-depth knowledge of these unless the job specifies it - just a basic overview to show you are aware what they are.

Your greatest achievements - "This actually is the real value of your worth to an employer" says Martina Connolly, career consultant and lecturer. "If you can show that you made real savings in time or money, you will be seen as a potential asset. This is what employers really love."

Practice your interview technique - Use visualizing techniques to prepare for your interview. "I think this really helps in the preparation for the interview." says Martina. "Lots of candidates get 'stage fright' when they enter an interview room unprepared. Before the Interview, find a relaxing place where you can 'visualize' the interview process, complete with anticipated questions and the answers you will give."

Market yourself  - "People often don't like the idea of marketing themselves," says Derrick O'Connell, marketing director of the largest recruitment agency in Ireland. "It's as if they feel they are going above their station or selling themselves to someone. Employers see someone who has marketed themselves as someone who have prepared and presented well their strengths and skills". And the best way to market yourself according to derrick? "Always keep your CV up to date and skill up at every opportunity in your present career"

 

The information superhighway has certainly helped us in a lot of ways. It has made a milestone in the field of the business industry. Because of the internet, there are millions of people nowadays who prefer to work at home rather than going to a regular office day after day.

What a great opportunity this is for people to do their job in the quiet surroundings of their own abode, surrounded by all their home comforts. It sure beats braving the cold and dark winter mornings these days. This is why telecommuting has become such a phenomenon in the computer age.

Think again if you believe that telecommuting is not as stressful or as hard as doing your job from the office. Even though it has become really popular in recent times, telecommuting is also becoming more and more challenging. So, if you are thinking of a life of telecommuting, consider these ideas.

Act professional - The world of telecommuting also requires everyone to have the professionalism expected from those who really work in physical business establishments. Deadlines, reports and estimates still have to be on time and presented in a professional manner.

Show enthusiasm - Take note of this. generally employers will be a little weary of telecommuting as they are not in a position to watch you. They may think that there are too many distractions in the home. Make sure you show extra enthusiasm at when working at home.

Downplay telecommuting aspect - Do not give the impression that telecommuting is the the only reason you applied for the job. You should apply for the job as if you are to be at the office everyday. Bear in mind that telecommuting is an option for the employer rather than the employee.

Be flexible - Be prepared to be more flexible when telecommuting epically when it comes to schedules. Whereas at work, you have a certain set of tasks to complete at by the end of the day, at home you may have to schedule work outside of office hours.

If this is the case, you have to show your employer that you are very flexible and willing to tale on the irregular nature of telecommuting. I may not be the case that you have to work many irregular hours in practise, but it is good practice to show you are willing when needed.

Always remember that telecommuting is not the easiest of tasks. You will have to perform to the same high level that you do when you are at the office - perhaps even more so. But it can be very rewarding to work from the comfort of your own home.

Now that you have finally gotten that diploma, there is no doubt that you will soon enter the corporate world with a high stance. Fresh graduates are very much excited to have their very own jobs and careers because they want to have that promise of success in their every step.

However, this is not entirely easy. Remember that in order for you to keep those jobs and careers that you have always wished for, there are some things that you need to remember once that you have snagged that dream job you have always wished for. Keep these things in mind and for sure, you will stay in the corporate world for good.

Read more on business etiquette

When it comes to a career change, the biggest challenge is to rework your CV in a way that gives it the maximum impact in a new industry. If you believe that what you did before has little relevance, then you would incorrect as everyone picks up and develops new skills that may be used in varying roles.

So, what is a transferable skill?

Basically, it is a skill that you can take with you to another job. Employers generally love these core skills which may be defined as:

•  Personal and People skills - how you motivate a team, communicate with them or provide training for people.
•  Technical skills - general knowledge of available computer software that may be applied and used as solutions.
•  Organisational skills - good at organising your work, detailed analysis, and research and development skills.

Read More on Transferable Skills

There are many different employers ranging from the smallest start-ups to the largest multinationals. Deciding the best for you depends on your likes, needs, experience and personality.  Read on for more information on choosing the right company for you.

There are lists out there for each country listing the best companies to work for - http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2008/. Or ask around your family and friends to find out the reputation of the local companies in your area. There is nothing like local knowledge.

Read more on choosing the right company

Gaps in your CV can be a very difficult task to explain to prospective employers, but if handled correctly, you and turn these negatives into a positive. You must make sure that you can explain these gaps before going into your interview. 

As long as the employer thinks that you have the proper qualifications and right for the job, he will want to employ you. Do not allow the gaps on the CV to give the employer a reason to fail an otherwise good candidate. So long as you deal with the situation honestly and professionally, this should not hinder your chances at all.

Here are a list of possible reasons you may have for those gaps in your CV:  

Your Weaknesses?

The most dreaded of questions. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective speaker and presenter." 

Why Do You Want to Work Here?
The interviewer wants an answer that indicates that you have given some thought to this and are not sending out CVs simply because there is an job opening. For example, "I've have chosen companies that have mission statements similar to my values and this company is high on my list of desirable places to work"

Why Should We Hire You?
Give positive experiences like: "I have five years' experience working in the financial industry and have a proven record of saving the company money. I know I could make a difference in your company and I know I would be a valuable addition to your team."

What Are Your Goals?
It's best to focus on short-term or intermediate goals rather than looking to the distant future. For example, "My goal now is to get employment in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal depends on where the company goes in the future.  Eventually I hope to grow into a position of responsibility."

Read more on Questions you MUST prepare for in interviews

If you are one of those people who sat down to start or amend your resume but drew a blank or broke down in a sweat at the thought of bearing your professional life to the world, then you have come to the right place. Don't despair. A good resume requires a bit of despair or strain to make it work.

So, what is a perfect resume? Follow these tips and you won't go to far wrong.

Keep it short

Always difficult to do, epically if you have a gazillion years experience. It is essential to get the most relevant information on your CV. When I look at a CV, I need to impart information quickly. It is a bit like writing articles for the web - you got to grab the attention of your employer, within half a page if possible.

Nice and Neat

No long sentences here - remember concise and to the point. There is nothing worse that trying to decipher a five line sentence. Bullets are very important as a visual aid for prospective employers, so use them throughout your CV.

Be Honest

There is no quicker way to fail an interview than to find that a candidate has not been honest. Try to be as honest as you can, but that does not mean that you cannot dress up your experience. You have to draw a delicate balance here between enhancing your experience and outright lies. Remember, you will be caught out if you lie.

Use the Right Words

Call them what you want, action words, buzz words, it all means the same thing. Words like handled, developed, organised, manages are considered action words. Use them, but not to liberally. I get CVs from some guys and you would swear they were the president of the US. Again, natural language with concise words.

Conclusion

Keep your text writing natural and to the point with plenty of bullet points.. It is important you get someone to proofread the CV for you and listen to their suggestions.

TelcoJobs.eu Services

The credit crunch has had a negative effect on the jobs market and on the security of your career. It is therefore very important to value your career and define what it is that makes it so important to you. Once you know this, you can learn to develop your career and be in a better position when it comes to the inevitable cuts your company will make. The following 12 points will will help you in this mission. 

1. YOUR CAREER IS A VALUABLE ASSET: Your career is probably the most valuable asset you have.  Develop it and DON’T abuse it or take it for granted. If you do, you create problems for yourself. You can find lots of careers in telecoms at Telecoms Engineering Careers, Telecom Careers in UK and Telecom Jobs in Europe.
2. KEEP LEARNING: Always try something new and increase your skill sets. This way you can insulate yourself from downsizing and will help you do a better job.

Read more on valuing your career