Greater Milwaukee Jobs

2 GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS • November 27, 2014 May Concern." Personalize each cover letter you write so the hiring manager does not get the feeling that you are sending out cover let- ters en masse. Make sure names are spelled correctly and job titles are accurate. ■ State your purpose early on. The purpose of your letter, which is to state the job you're seeking, should be made clear early on. Hiring managers often handle the vetting process for a host of posi- tions at their companies, so the earlier the hiring manager knows which position you're applying for the better. Hiring managers may become frustrated when applicants don't make their inten- tions clear or do so in the final paragraph instead of the first. ■ Explain why you are a quali- fied candidate. While it's good to note your work history, your resume will do the bulk of that legwork. A cover letter is your opportunity to show how your work history makes you a quali- fied candidate for a specific posi- tion. Remember to be concise but relate a specific example that illustrates how your work history would help you thrive in the posi- tion for which you're applying. ■ Exhibit some knowledge about the company to which you're applying. An effective cover letter should help you stand out among your fellow applicants, and expressing some knowledge about the organization can do just that. The goal here is to illustrate how you and the organization are a good fit, so you don't need to go overboard or be too specific. But hiring managers are likely to be more impressed by applicants who do their homework and show a knowledge of the company than applicants who submit a form cover letter where the company is scarcely mentioned. ■ Be cordial in your clos- ing. A cover letter should close with a cordial request for an interview or a friend- ly way of indicating you look forward to a company's response to your applica- tion. In addition, thank the reader for his or her time and mention you would be delighted to answer any questions he or she may have. An effective cover letter can go a long way toward making a strong first impression on a prospective employer. Men and women should look at their cover letters as their first opportu- nities to connect with a company and write their let- ters accordingly. opening. Oftentimes the best candidate, especially for entry-level positions, is the one who combines some experience with a willingness to learn and do whatever it takes to help a company suc- ceed. Many candidates boast such experience and enthusi- asm, but there are some additional steps new gradu- ates can take to improve their chances of landing their first jobs out of college. ● Gain some relevant expe- rience. While college is the best time to gain some expe- rience that's relevant to your field, that does not mean you can't still earn an intern- ship now that you have donned your cap and gown and received your diploma. Many businesses look to recent graduates to fill their internships, as recent grads have years of study under their belts and, because they are no longer enrolled in classes, more flexibility than current students. If the job market in your chosen field is tepid, start looking for internships. These can be a great way to start making some professional contacts, and many people find them- selves ultimately working full-time for the company where they first landed an internship. ● Establish an online pres- ence. Another way for recent graduates to get noticed is to establish a positive online presence. Something as simple as creating a profile on the professional network- ing site LinkedIn can help recent graduates get noticed by prospective employers. Even if you have little or no relevant professional experi- ence, create a profile that includes your education his- tory, interests, accolades or awards you earned while in school and even a brief sum- mary of your career goals. Another way to establish an online presence is to begin a blog. The blog should not be used as a tool to discuss your personal life, but rather to express your thoughts on topics relevant to the career you hope to pursue. Demonstrating an understanding or even just a passion for the industry can be a great way to show prospective employers that you are looking for a career and not just a job. ● Join a professional organ- ization. Other options to network and improve your chances of landing your first job can be attained by join- ing a professional organiza- tion. Many such organiza- tions welcome new mem- bers, even those with rela- tively little or even no pro- fessional experience. Your university may even sponsor such an organization and host regularly scheduled forums relevant to your industry. Such forums often feature lectures or talk ses- sions with already estab- lished professionals who can provide advice on landing a first job or internship or fur- nish grads with industry contacts who might offer similar help. Memberships in such organizations is often free or inexpensive, so take advantage of this opportunity if it presents itself. ● Use the resources at your disposal. Many college grad- uates are unaware that they have valuable resources at their disposal that can great- ly increase their chances of securing a job out of college. The career services office at the university is an invalu- able resource that is plugged into the business community in its town or city. Such an office can connect you will fellow alumni, many of whom want to help their cover letter . . . from page 1 Though the job market for newly minted college gradu- ates has proven less than ideal in recent years, mem- bers of the class of 2014 entered a job market that was on the rebound. According to the "Job Out- look 2014" survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers anticipated hiring nearly 8 percent more 2014 graduates for their domestic operations than they hired from the class of 2013. That's good news for new grads, but members of the class of 2014 should still expect a competitive job market in which companies can afford to be patient as they attempt to find the best possible candidate for each Helpful hints to land your first job DENTAL ASSISTANT BECOME A Start making the wage that you deserve by call- ing Today's Denistry Assisting School at Today's Dentistry in Cedarburg, WI to find out about our Accelerated Dental Assistant Program. Saturday classes • No missing work. No admission testing. Flexible financing available. 262.674.0260 Space is severely limited CALL TODAY! 241380014 ASSISTING SCHOOL • H E A L T H C A R E fellow graduates establish their careers. A career serv- ices office also can help new graduates fine tune their resumes and cover let- ters so they have a greater chance of landing a job. Parents also might be a great resource in your job hunt. Your parents may have a career's worth of professional contacts who might be able to help you land a job. Don't be hesi- tant to ask your parents for help. Getting a first job out of college is rarely easy. But there are some strategies motivated grads can employ to greatly increase their chances of finding a job and starting their careers. A publication of Conley Media Distributed by: Conley Distribution 262-513-2646 ©2004 by Conley Media, LLC Waukesha County Independent and Locally Owned GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS is published weekly by Conley Media – Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS assumes no liability for any error in copy or content. It is the advertiser's responsibility to be aware of the laws pertaining to employment advertising. Subscriptions are available for $34 (non-refundable) for a 6-month subscription. Call 262-306-5035 for information. Call Center Director: Cindy Shaske 262-306-5016 cshaske@conleynet.com Account Executive: Jeanne Bonlender 262-306-5035 jbonlender@conleynet.com Story Coordinator: Dwayne Butler 262-513-2626 dbutler@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262-513-2690 GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS Volume 17 • Number 12 November 27, 2014 To place an ad: Call us at 262-306-5035 or fax us at 262-542-6082 deadline: Noon on Wednesdays

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