Analysing Adverts for the Creative Response
The fundamental rule is: if you are going to apply for advertised jobs then only apply for the right ones. Don't waste time by applying for the ones you've no chance of getting; not only is your time lost but your morale will suffer if you keep getting rejections. Analysing adverts thoughtfully saves you more than just time.
When you are looking for a new job, particularly if you don't currently have one, it's too easy to be 'busy' by spending your time on the wrong things.
For example one day, I observed one of my students reading a well known Daily Newspaper which on this particular Thursday had around 40 pages of display adverts. As he read through, it became clear to me that although there were so many ads, there really wasn't anything suitable for him. However when he reached the end of the jobs section without marking or copying any of the vacancies, he went right back to the beginning and re-read the whole section until he found something he could apply for.
Then he sat back with a look of satisfaction because he could now say he'd found something to apply for and get on with an application.
In fact he'd wasted all that time, the job wasn't suitable but he felt as though he'd been busy and had something to show for it. When the "no thanks" letter arrived it just deepened his desperation.
So what should you do?
Look very carefully at each advert that is of interest and read it several times until you get the feel of what's being said.
When you have that feel, try to read between the lines to deduce if there is one 'crucial' need or if there is anything else you could infer from their words. It's also useful to read it critically and ask "have they missed anything out" that could affect your suitability.
Now you've worked out what it's all about, take a highlighter pen and mark every clause or phrase where they state what their actual requirement is.
You should read carefully to see if these needs are 'essential' or merely 'desirable'.
I'll show you the difference below.
The essential requirements form the backbone of the job and you should be able to meet more than 60% if you are to be considered.
The desirables are nice-to-haves and the more of these you meet the better, but they are not the main issue.
If you still see a good match, go ahead and draft your response letter. You should try to follow their style of writing by using similar phrases and words but don't just regurgitate their ad back to them.
When you look at the advert some phrases will stand out:
"it is essential that you?" is a bit of a giveaway,
or "you must have?"
or "you will have?"
all shout 'essential' at you so look for similar phrases to match yourself against.
Others are not so firm and may say:
"you should have?"
or "some knowledge of?"
or "ideally?".
These are all saying 'desirable' but not essential.
Now I mentioned that you should look for the 'crucial' need ? if there is one and you don't have it, then don't proceed, this one is the killer and will knock you straight out.
If you do have it?
Make sure it's the first thing you mention in your response.
That says "this candidate understands what we need".
Now you're ready to write your letter you must make sure you can grab their attention. See my website for how to write compelling cover letters that demand attention, show how you meet their needs with an enthusiastic, positive and reassuring letter that expects action.
You will quickly find that analysing adverts becomes second nature, and you will know exactly how to demonstrate the match. But don't ignore the other things ? please make sure you follow all the instructions i.e. reference number, closing date, enclose CV, give salary details.
If you don't do this you still might find yourself knocked out just for being careless.
Analysing adverts is more art than science but if you approach it honestly you'll find more time to do other productive things such as networking with the time you've saved.
Analysing adverts is made so much easier when you fully know yourself and what you can do.
Peter Fisher
With his background of over 25 years running businesses, and as a Career Coach and Consultant in many sectors, Peter Fisher is well placed to guide job seekers through the steps needed in order to achieve that all important new position. He has personally coached thousands of individuals to career success.
He writes a distillation of these years of experience with all the essential facts and actions you must complete in order to achieve your own success. He is very clear that you shouldn't be misled by others into thinking of "acing interviews" or "finessing" your way into a business; the most sustainable and fulfilling roles are gained through understanding your own specific needs and creating your strategy accordingly.
For specific guidance and how you can learn to analyse adverts and write compelling cover letters go to http://www.your-career-change.com/cover- letters.html
You can learn more about his dynamic and comprehensive approach to career change, with every page dedicated to helping serious career changers if you go to http://www.your-career-change.com/index.html
 Google News Updated : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:50:04 GMT With Outlook Dim, Bernanke Says Fed May Act on Rates - New York Times
New York Times - By DAVID STOUT and EDMUND L. ANDREWS WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, said on Tuesday that the turmoil in the financial markets had increased the risk to overall growth and that federal regulators would have to be vigilant to ... Video: Bernanke signals possible rate cut Bernanke hints at possible interest rate cut Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:40:38 GMT Tehran confirms seizure of aircraft - Financial Times
Financial Times - By Thomas Escritt in Budapest and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in,Tehran Iran yesterday revealed that it had forced a Hungarian-crewed transport aircraft to land after it strayed into the Islamic republic's airspace at the end of last month. Iran Withdraws Claim on US Plane US Military: Tense Encounters With Iran Occur Almost Daily Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:08:03 GMT ACORN office in Vegas raided in voter-fraud probe - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada authorities seized records Tuesday from a group they accused of submitting fraudulent voter-registration forms - including for the starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys. Non-Profit Raided In Voter Fraud Probe ACORN Nevada Office Raided Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:01:25 GMT Uneasy calm in Bangkok after day of deadly riots - Reuters
Reuters - BANGKOK, Oct 8 (Reuters) - An uneasy calm settled over the Thai capital on Wednesday after the worst street violence in 16 years the day before, when two people died and nearly 400 were injured in clashes between police and anti-government protesters. Video: Raw Video: Tear Gas Fired at Thai Protestors Two dead as Thai troops battle protesters Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:18:31 GMT Study Shows Weak Circumcision/HIV Benefit for Gay/Bisexual Men - WebMD
WebMD - By Daniel J. DeNoon Oct. 7, 2008 -- Circumcision offers little HIV protection to gay/bisexual men -- overall. But it might cut HIV risk in predominantly insertive partners. Circumcision HIV impact doubted AIDS Benefits of Circumcision Are Limited, Study Finds Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:24:47 GMT Nashville Knockout: What To Watch For - Washington Post
Washington Post - Riggers lift scaffolding into place in front of the Curb Events event site at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, as preparations continue for Tuesday's presidential debate. WRAPUP 5-Obama, McCain battle over taxes, economy Presidential debate: minute by minute Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:08:13 GMT McCain, Obama discuss possible Treasury secretary picks - Reuters
Reuters - NASHVILLE, Oct 7 (Reuters) - US presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama both mentioned investor Warren Buffett as a possible pick for Treasury secretary on Tuesday but both spoke in only general terms about the qualities they would seek ... McCain, Obama agree that Buffett could lead US treasury (Extra) A Strong eBay, A Strong Government Publ.Date : Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:06:13 GMT Increase Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More I am having a hard time understanding why a valuable... Read More Do you have the courage to ignore the experts? Do... Read More Richard Bolles, job search guru and author of What Color... Read More Most people spend approximately 25% to over 67% of their... Read More Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no... Read More In the 80s while I was an account executive for... Read More Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into... Read More Despite what your grandmother told you, life is not supposed... Read More If you are concerned that your company might be planning... Read More Just like the late, great Rodney Dangerfield, the "humble" cover... Read More As you know by now, if you have been a... Read More Gain an audience by recognizing opportunity There's a sexier method... Read More No, you can't control how the interview will be conducted,... Read More Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the... Read More Ever hear the story of the two masons working side... Read More Employment finally seemed back on track during the first few... Read More Are you lost in the wilderness when it comes to... Read More For decades, women have chaffed at the invisible glass ceiling... Read More There is a major difference between conventional resumes and executive... Read More What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists... Read More As a human resources professional or business owner, you face... Read More An interesting combination of factors at this time in history... Read More Building a career as an artist takes hard work. Because... Read More I won't say I have a vast array of knowledge... Read More
Adsense
websites
Career Searching: A Vision Without A Plan is a Hallucination
Hiring the OverQualified Employee or Mining for Gold
Do You Have the courage to ignore the experts?
How To Get More Interviews In Your Job Search
Find Passion for Your Work
Career Advice On Freelance Writing Jobs
60 Hour Work Weeks - Can You and Your Career Survive Them
Travel Writer Jobs, What Are They And How To Find Them
How to Make Your Career Change Easier
How to Be Prepared for a Layoff
7 Secrets of a Highly-Effective Resume Cover Letter
Skills Make Labor More Valuable
How to Pick the Best Career For You , Part 2: From Exposure-to-Opportunity
In Control - Inside Tips on Interview Success
Where Did All The Farmers Go?
Get Beyond Your Tasks
Overwhelmed and Overworked: The Myth of American Productivity
How to Track Your Right Career
Job Search Techniques: Smashing The Gray Ceiling
The Executive Resume - Moving Beyond Accomplishments
Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs
What You Cant Ask a Job Candidate is as Important as What You Can Ask
The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising
Moving From A Weekend Hobby To Career In The Arts
Consulting: A Different World
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Integrity At Work - How Do You Show Up?
As the business sections of today's papers and magazines read... Read More
5 Steps to Standing Out Above the Crowd at Work
Do you feel like one in a million at work... Read More
10 Steps to Getting the Most Out of Job Fairs
Many job seekers tend to overlook job fairs. They can... Read More
Why Your CV/Resume is Not Generating The Interview Offers You Want
If your current CV or resume is not generating the... Read More
How to Choose Your Ideal Career
They say that most people do complete and total career... Read More
Has ADHD Put Your Career in Danger? 3 Steps to Get You Back on Track
"Roger, you must get those contracts completed for this month's... Read More
Write Resume Keywords That Gets Your Application Read
As children we often used to read stories where magical... Read More
Are Your Intentions Clear in Your Job Search?
1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2. Do you... Read More
Adapting To Change In A Changing World
Have you learnt a new skill or improved upon your... Read More
Your Self-Image in the Workplace
When communication breaks down in your office or factory and... Read More
Job Interviews: Succeeding with Panel Interviews
These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More
Personality Testing; Myth and Realities
It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can... Read More
How To Resign Gracefully
Once a new job has been accepted, you need to... Read More
Surviving Unemployment Through Emotional Damage Control
Looking for work is a roller-coaster ride: high with elation... Read More
To Get Hired or Get Promoted, Attitude Is The Key
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More
Fun At Work Leads to More Success
Common sense at work: Such qualities as loyalty, energy, intelligence... Read More
Resume Writing - Things to Consider
You are looking for a job and you are out... Read More
Ten Courses Of Study If You Want To Be Your Own Boss
For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More
What You Cant Ask a Job Candidate is as Important as What You Can Ask
As a human resources professional or business owner, you face... Read More
Online Business: The Underground Railroad for Corporate Escapees
Millions of people everyday spend eight hours or more in... Read More
Always Have a Current Resume
What is the biggest mistake people make with resumes?People write... Read More
How To Stay Calm in Tryng Times
That's not you? Great! Bad habits are hard to break... Read More
Consulting: A Different World
I won't say I have a vast array of knowledge... Read More
How Hedgehogs Hire
In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle,... Read More
The Perfect Resume
The perfect resume presents hiring managers with a... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |