I FINALLY GOT A GREAT JOB OFFER!!!

**IslandGurl** · 05-24-2007, 11:10 AM

I got the call last night! After sending out my resume to over 49 different places in the past eight months, I finally landed a good job offer. Actually my phone rang with two offers within 15 minutes of each other, that was very strange. The starting salary is decent ($40,000.00) plus plenty of overtime opportunities and twice yearly bonus $$$. And the benefits are totally excellent and kick in straight away! I feel like I have a life again and can start making long term plans for my future now. OH HAPPY DAY…

I’ve become quite the job hunting guru of late and have some ideas to share that worked for me. I received about a dozen job offers in the past year, but the salaries they offered were insulting and I refuse to short-change myself. I invested a lot of resources in time and money acquiring my credentials and refuse to work without proper compensation.

First off, I did have some money saved when I left my old job. Plus I have monthly revenue coming in from a very popular website I own. So that gave me an emergency cushion and a small but steady cash flow that was able to cover the bare essentials.

And I figured out the best way to fill my unemployment gap in the interim…which became a huge plus on my resume. All my spare time went into learning a new language. I bought a Rosetta Stone (foreign language software program in DVD on ebay) for Spanish, listened to Spanish on tv and radio, read magazines in Spanish and practiced my Spanish with everyone I possibly could. Today I am not fluent, but I can put down that I am PROFICIENT on my resume. Yayy!!! I have noticed that prospective employers are terribly impressed by the fact that I’ve made such an effort. I think that knowing Spanish nowadays has become in some jobs, more important that having a masters degree.

My job hunting endeavor became a full-time job in itself. I put together a standard butt-kicking cover letter and then customized each cover letter to emphasize the skills that were being required for that particular job. Customizing each cover letter is very important. Some of the temp agencies will help you write a cover letter and resume for free. I had several friends of mine (professional writers) go through my cover letter. I always, always, double then triple checked any cover letter before I hit the send button. Especially being very careful to make sure I had spelled everyone’s name correctly. It is critical to make sure names are perfect.

Every morning I would get up and go through about a dozen online job databanks. Then I would send out my customized cover letters and resumes. I joined every organization (local and national) pertinent to my profession. But most importantly I would casually mention to everyone I encountered during the normal course of the day that I was looking for a job. I mean everyone knew. And course that’s how I got both of my job offers.

Even though I have impeccable credentials, solid work experience, etc., it all came down to who I knew. Especially with the good paying jobs, where everybody and their brother is trying to secure a position….knowing someone within the organization (or with close ties) to promote you is the best way to get in. This last time I tried something different. I submitted my resume for a job I really wanted, then called every friend I have and asked them if they knew anyone that worked there. Turns out a friend of mine was also a friend of the CEO at the company I wanted to work at! Who would’ve thunk it? My friend quickly sent an email to the CEO, recommending me for the position and included a copy of my resume. About 30 minutes later I got an email from the CEO and his human resource director inviting me to come in for an interview. Their complete hiring process took about a month as they had a ton of people who submitted applications. But I was able to initially rise above the pack due to the personal referral that accompanied my resume. I really think that a lot of companies or firms place a great deal of weight on personal recommendations. That seems to have been the case each time for me.

For those of you still looking, hang in there. Keep the faith. Ask and know that you will receive. Take the time you have available now and use it to improve yourself on every level. Then you too, will be prepared when you get the call!

I discovered this forum about a week ago and would like to thank everyone for their kind suggestions.

Many thanks!

**FrugalMomof3** · 05-24-2007, 11:16 AM

Wow that's great, you should be proud. Congrats on the accomplishments

**lullabell** · 05-24-2007, 11:52 AM

good for you. I am sure the years of education and obtaining your masters did allot for you too! I wish I had been diligent enough to do the same.
I am truly happy for you!

**savin4disney** · 05-24-2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks! I will beginning my job hunt next week. I took a few weeks off and now it time to kick it into gear.

Would you by chance share your cover letter with me?

Thanks

**IslandGurl** · 05-24-2007, 01:14 PM

Mary Jones, PLN
Practical Licensed Nurse
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Cellular: 123.345.6789
Email Address
May 24, 2007

Hiring Coordinator or Office Administrator
Company Name
Street Address
City, State, and Zip

RE: ??? POSITION

Dear Sir or Madam:

Pursuant to you advertisement, please find attached my resume for the ??? position. From my attached resume, you will find that I am a credentialed and an experienced, ????. (This is where I “customize” the cover letter to address the specific job requirements that they are looking for. Usually it just means writing three to five sentences describing my work or any volunteer experience. Also includes any skills that can be transferred or exposure to any environments including internship and volunteer positions I’ve held. Computer competency and organizational abilities rate high for most positions and are skills I would most definitely emphasize here. And language skills, even if it’s only basic I would still throw it in explaining that I know basic and am practicing towards proficiency. Of course if you are proficient or fluent here’s the place to highlight it.)

(Second paragraph is used to describe education background including certifications and awards received. This is important as it identifies you as a person who is a professional and who really cares about their career. I have a black leather portfolio that contains every award, letter of recommendation, college degree, college transcript, professional certification and professional association membership I have ever received beginning with my GED. I have taken my portfolio to every job interview I have been to and it completely blows everybody away. They are SO impressed. Great marketing tool..thanks to my favorite college professor!)

I am very interested in the ??? position and would welcome the opportunity to interview for a position. I will be happy to arrange an interview with you at your convenience.

Thank you for your time and kind consideration. Please feel free to contact me on my cellular at 123.456.7890 or via email at WantJob@aol.com for further discussion. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mary Jones, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse