1. Could you please introduce yourself to our audience?
- Thank you kindly for this opportunity. I`m Allis, a postgraduate student and a full time translator.
2. What kind of position did you apply for?
- I`ve applied for the position In-House Full-Time Translator from English into German.
3. Did you come across any difficulties while you were writing your cover letter/ resume?
- In my case, the translation agency has provided plenty of information on its structure, partner organizations, achievements (network of clients and finished projects), future goals, and employee credentials.
So, my answer can`t be straightforward. If the target company has a user friendly portfolio, it is fairly easy to write a cover letter. It can be mind boggling in the opposite case, i.e. you have to guess what the company values and wants. But then-why would you choose to work for a company that offers no information and at the same time, it demands yours?
4. In your view, how did you manage to write an outstanding cover letter/ resume as opposed to an average representation of yourself – the resume that got you the interview?
- First of all, I researched the company thoroughly: I`ve screened its official website and the advertisements they`ve posted around. I also read external sources, reviews, client and employee`s feedback, and the like. In my experience, it is advisable to check multiple information channels and viewpoints. Some might actually convince you that you are applying for a position at the wrong company.
Secondly, I`ve prepared a list of the company`s objectives and requirements and checked how they matched my skills. I asked myself several questions. Do I fulfill the requirements for the particular job? How compatible are my personal goals with the company objectives? Who will decide on my responsibilities (Does the company need a self-starter or a team player)? Does the top management provide the necessary information and support so that I can work effectively? In a nutshell, I checked my skills and competencies against the company`s working environment and objectives. I revisited relevant information and drafted responses to these questions. To make myself clear, my first question asked if my skills matched the company`s requirements. If my target company claims to work with precision and attention to detail, it will probably look for a person who is good at handling facts and statistics. They will hire individuals who are punctual, consistent in their work, analytical and problem solving oriented. Do I have these skills? If my answer is Yes, I`ll put the listed characteristics in my cover letter.
As I`ve mentioned, the translation agency I applied for has provided copious information about itself. The factual abundance led me to the conclusion that this company priorities its communication with clients and employees. Therefore, my goal was to stress on my ability to communicate and respond to questions and concerns in a meaningful and timely manner. My final objective was to spot what they wanted to see in a cover letter. To make myself clear, if the company highlights its goals and achievements, you can be certain that its HR division wants to hear about your goals and achievements. Moreover, you have to demonstrate a close to perfect match between them.
To sum it up, if you aim at a strong cover letter, do the relevant research, prepare a list of relevant questions, look at what the company values and place your focus accordingly.
5. Is there a must do in the preparation of a resume/ cover letter?
- Firstly, you have to be clear why you want this particular job and not another. Secondly, you have to demonstrate why and how your competencies contribute to the company`s work and future growth. Thirdly, you should explain how a position at this company contributes to your career development. You should be able to communicate all that to the HR in a structured and up to the point manner. Finally, avoid repeating your Curriculum Vitae. In essence, the cover letter has to show your abilities rather than your qualifications. Each job has its own specifics. Even if the open position is a close match to your previous job, be reassured that it has particularities. Your employer aims to find out whether you are capable of acquiring knowledge, skills, and work habits. So, stress on your abilities. Refer to previous experience while you demonstrate your capacity for growth and achievement.
6. Did you use any external sources to prepare your resume/ cover letter?
For information on individual skills and capacities, I looked at: The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search: The Proven Program Used by the Worlds Leading Career Services Company
7. Would you consider the services of professional resume writers?
- I would rather abstain from using a professional resume service. First of all, you have to be very clear about the synergy between yourself and your future employer. Secondly, you cannot reasonably expect that if another person does the homework for you, and you will know more than him. It is your cover letter and you need a thorough look at it. Otherwise, you may end up at the interview with no background knowledge.
8. Is there a book, website, program, or anything related that you will recommend to a newbie in the cover letter/resume writing?
- This site is a particularly good point of reference. Congratulations for the hard work! I recommend that people look for and compare multiple informational outlets. Then, they will have to prove self-reliant, creative, and motivated, and write the cover letter that ‘sells’ well.
9. Do you have a favorite thought or a quote that inspires you?
- I love this quote by Mark Twain: “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first”. In essence, you are what you do. Be ready to invest your personal effort if you aim at success.
10. Would you like to share anything that wasn`t covered by the interview format?
- Just to recap the essence, self-reliance and good amount of effort will pay you well.
Picture by:Nicdalic
I really liked this post. Can I copy it to my site? Thank you in advance.
Yes of course.