Expert Career Advice from CambodiaWorks

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When Applying for a Job, Be Careful and Get Noticed

Jeffrey Banks, a corporate recruiter for Microsoft in the USA, advises potential candidates: "Candidates should think about who they are applying to. I would have to question a candidate's fit for this company if they cannot communicate effectively with me electronically." As a job seeker, you can not control in the hiring process; however, you can control the application process such as preparing and submitting your resume to potential employers. When you are applying online, how you prepare your application is important.

Format

You need to choose a common format to save your resume in. A Microsoft Word file (.doc), or a plain text file (.txt) are the most popular. Plain text is popular; however, its weakness is that it's just plain text without formatting. In contrast, a Microsoft Word document can have a nice format. Resumes look better when they are sent as attachments, and since almost every office uses Microsoft Word, it is the best choice to for your resume.

Keywords

Keywords in your resume are important. Keywords provide the context from which to search for a resume in a database, whether the database serves for one company, or whether it is a Web-based search engine like CambodiaWorks.com. Your goal is to have good keywords so that you will come up on the "hit list". It doesn't mean that you should include every possible keyword a recruiter may use in your resume. The idea is to use words in your resume that address your skills and support the kinds of jobs that you are looking for. Also, DON'T forget to check for spelling mistakes!

Cover Letters

A cover letter is a letter of introduction sent with your resume when you apply for a job. A good cover letter should be well-written and personalized. It is often the first chance a potential employer has to form an opinion of you, and first impressions are important, so make it good. A strong cover letter needs to include:

In summary, the application process is crucial. Getting a first interview depends upon the quality of the initial application. It's like the start of the campaign to secure a job - and therefore worth careful preparation.

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