List your highest qualification first.
1.College name
Name of degree
Major
Date awarded
2. Organization/Institution name
Name of Diploma/Certificate
Subjects
Date awarded
If you have a college degree it is not necessary to include high school details
If you have a vocational or technical qualification that took less than a year to achieve then list your high school
Name of high school
Highest level achieved
Dates attended
This career change cover letter sample can be used when you are applying for a job opportunity in a different career field. Focus on the transferable skills and competencies you have that are relevant to the new career opportunity. Convince the employer that you are able to do the job and to do it well.
Career Change Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
Your Address
Your Contact details (phone and email)
Date
Contact Name
Contact Job Titler
Company Name
Company Address
Company City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Last Name
It is with interest and enthusiasm that I respond to your job opening for state position. I strongly believe that the skills and abilities I have gained during my career to date make me an excellent candidate for this position. The key proficiencies I possess which relate directly to your job requirements include:
Communication skills - successful in building strong co-operative relationships with key clients and decision-makers. Problem solving ability - regarded as a resourceful problem solver evident in the successful development and implementation of new policies and procedures.Planning and organizing - proven track record of effectively prioritising multiple tasks and assignments in a fast-paced work environment to efficiently meet departmental/company objectives.Team player - a solid reputation as a competent team member who is always prepared to go the extra mile to achieve results. Self starter - considered a highly motivated employee with the capacity to learn quickly and take responsibility for my own development. I am convinced that my broad experience in the career field of state previous career field has equipped me with a strong set of valuable competencies that meet your needs. I am eager to combine my previous experience with my passion for state new career field in order to work hard and make a meaningful contribution to your organization. I would welcome the opportunity for a personal interview to discuss this further. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to set up a time and date for us to meet.Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely
Jack Jobseeker
Enclosure
Career change cover letter advice and tips
To find out the competencies required for different jobs and careers when writing a career change cover letter visit free job descriptions.
More cover letter samples.
Need a new career? Use this career cover letter sample to help you secure a new challenge.
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Interview questions weaknesses help and advice. How you respond to the weakness interview question says a great deal about you and that's why it's been around so long.
It reveals a number of things - how well prepared you are for the interview, your self insight, self-awareness and honesty. These are actually the qualities the interviewer is assessing, not really the actual weakness itself. Go through the list below of common interview questions weaknesses and decide which applies to you- everyone has a weakness!
Look at the suggestions on how it can be managed and develop a constructive interview answer that acknowledges the weakness and then goes on to describe what you are doing to improve on it and what appropriate behaviors you use to compensate for it.
Interview Questions Weaknesses
Weakness and how it presents in the workplaceProcrastinationMisses deadlines, always rushing at the last minute to complete tasks, asking for help to complete activities, appearing unprepared for meetings etc, low productivity.
Recognize the cause of the procrastination. If it is because a task seems too overwhelming then break it into smaller, more manageable activities and set target times and deadlines for completing each activity. If it is because you lack confidence in your ability to do the task then ask for help and find resources to assist you. ImpatienceFrustration with co workers who perform at a slower pace or to a lower standard than you expect of yourself. Doesn't accept mistakes easily.
Recognize people have different work standards and different levels of productivity. See it from their point of view. Provide constructive feedback in a pleasant way and offer help to move the project forward.Reluctance to delegate or share tasksDoes not assign tasks to others, appears to lack confidence in co-workers, doesn't fully utilize the skills and resources of other staff members, checks up on others.
Admit that others can do the work as well as you. Accept that mistakes may be made but they can be rectified. Learn to trust other's abilities. Clarify what has to be done. Put support mechanisms in place to minimize the chance of failure. UnassertiveReluctant to speak up and contribute in group situations. Agrees with others despite own feelings. Allows others to take advantage. Difficulty in saying "no". Puts other's needs ahead of own.
Read books and undertake training courses on how to be assertive. Practice suggested techniques. Practice strategies for saying no to unreasonable demands. Practice making requests and asking for what you need. Use assertive body language to get your message across. CautiousAdverse to taking risks and trying new things, difficulty in accepting change, gathers all facts and continually reviews all details before making a decision or starting on a task. Over-analyzes outcomes.
Practice increasing pace of communication and activity. Be open to new ideas. Avoid over-attending to details and focus on the big picture. Learn to trust other people's judgment. Set yourself specific timeframes for reviewing information and getting started on a project. Uncompromising/stubbornInflexible, difficulty in adapting to changes, resistant to different ideas, one way communication.
Be open to different ideas and listen to opinions that conflict with your own. Take time to consider an idea or change and not just immediately dismiss it. Actively ask for people's contributions and feedback.Strong willed/controllingSingle minded on own goal achievement, does not take direction easily, can be insensitive to feelings and needs of others, wants to be in charge. Tries to control other people's activities.
Increase self awareness of how one is perceived by other staff members. Actively listen when given feedback and direction. Focus on building relationships as well as task achievement. Consider other people's needs. TalkativeDistracting and distracted, indiscreet, does not get the job done, wastes time, often away from desk.
Stay at desk and do not move around office unnecessarily, have a specific work-related purpose for going over to a co-worker, set aside a specific time to chat with co-workers such as lunch break, stick to the facts when communicating and do not get off the point, learn to listen more.When disclosing interview questions weaknesses avoid focusing on something that is a core competency for the job. Rather describe general behaviors that impact on a number of areas of your life - personal, home and work. Answer interview questions weaknesses with phrases such as:
"My family tell me I am impatient. I acknowledge this is a weakness of mine at home and sometimes in the workplace - I like things to be done promptly and to a certain standard. When that doesn't happen I get frustrated. I am making a conscious attempt to see it from the other person's point of view, recognize that people approach things differently and not impose my own standards on others. I find if I provide constructive help rather than just getting impatient it improves the situation."
This answer provides honest feedback while positively highlighting that you are a results-driven person.
Go here to view a comprehensive list of work-related strengths that can be used to successfully answer the question "What are your Strengths?"
Free sample interview answers to What are Your Strengths and Weaknesses.
Frequently Asked Job Interview Questions.
Use the interview questions weaknesses list to prepare a well considered and appropriate interview answer to the question"What are your weaknesses?"
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Pre employment drug testing is becoming a more and more common hiring requirement.
?It is estimated that 98 percent of Fortune 200 companies have implemented some form of employee drug testing during their recruitment process.
Recruiters estimate that about 60 percent of new hires are required to take a drug test today.
?The pre employment drug testing process is covered in detail at the employment drug screening page.
Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about drug testing for hiring purposes.
Is employment drug testing legal?
Most employers have fairly wide latitude when it comes to pre employment drug tests and the current emphasis on drug free workplaces encourages this. Each state has its own laws governing employment drug testing which employers should follow. Generally these allow for drug testing of job applicants provided the applicants know that the testing is part of the hiring process for all employees. Some states require a formal conditional offer of employment be given to the applicant before testing can take place.
Often notification of pre employment drug testing is given on the application form which the candidate signs. Sometimes separate specific notification is given at the first interview.
What about the applicant's rights to privacy?
The US Supreme Court has held that both blood and urine collection are minimally intrusive and not harmful to job applicants when conducted in the right environment (workplace or collection facility) without direct observation by the tester. In other words it would be considered an invasion of the candidate's privacy if the employer required a urine sample while other people were in the room watching. However if there is a worry about tampering with the sample the employer may be allowed to have one person of the same sex as the candidate present when the sample is given.
A drug test result may be considered personal health information and there may be restrictions on how and whether such information can be shared.
What other rights does the applicant have with regard to the drug testing process?
The applicant's basic rights extend primarily to the right to privacy as stated above and the right to question the legitimacy of the test result including the right to pay for further testing at a lab of their choice. You may have additional rights depending on your individual circumstances as well as State regulations.
Are all job applicants for the company tested for drugs?
Discrimination can be implied if an employer tests only certain applicants for a position. An employer cannot pick and choose which applicants for the same position will be tested. However within a company employment drug testing may be required for only certain positions.
The company would have to be able to justify this in terms of the job requirements and a written drug policy for the company should include this.
Must the prospective employer have the applicant's consent for a drug test?
If the employer tries to test an applicant in an underhand manner without the applicant's knowledge or consent this can cause legal problems. For example an employer is not allowed to pick up strands of hair that an applicant has left on a chair back during the interview and use them as a sample for a drug test.
What happens if an applicant refuses to be tested?
Most companies include a clause in their pre employment drug testing policies or in their notification of drug testing that specifies that a refusal to be tested will be treated as a positive result and the same criteria as a positive result will be applied to the applicant.
What happens if the applicant is not able to provide a urine sample at the time of the test?
Usually the applicant will be asked to remain at the collection center and drink measured fluids until able to produce a sample.
What prescription drugs can interfere with the Five-Screen test and how is this dealt with?
Certain over the counter medications can interfere with accurate results. These include ibuprofen and ephedrine-based products. Most drug testing companies will ask the applicant in advance what medications they have recently taken. The applicant should list these carefully. If the medication has compromised the result of the drug test the sample is automatically retested using a methodology that will identify the drug type. The applicant can present a doctor's prescription for the medication that can be reviewed by the medical officer. Some medications will preliminarily test non-negative, but the confirmatory tests will rule out any non-illegal substances
Employers cannot discriminate in their hiring practices based on an applicant's use of prescription medication for legitimate medical purposes. Such discrimination could be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Can applicant's "beat" the drug tests?
Certain internet sites give advice on how to supposedly dilute or adulterate urine samples. Most of these suggestions do not work and are easily identified in the testing process. Even if the specific drug is successfully masked the product or method of tampering itself can be detected.
Pre employment drug testing has become an accepted part of the final hiring decision. Know what this means for job applicants.
Find out more details about the pre employment drug testing process at About employment drug screening and know what to expect.
Go to Pre Employment Testing to find out about other frequently used pre employment tests.Find out all you need to know about Employment Background Checks including credit checks.
Certain employers are permitted to use the Employment Polygraph. Find answers to commonly asked questions about the use of pre employment polygraph examinations.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is for guidance purposes only and is not legal advice.
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Competency based interview questions are designed to explore how you performed and demonstrated a specific competency in previous work situations.
This type of interview is based on the premise that past performance is a predictor of future performance.
These questions will ask you to provide an example of how you previously demonstrated the job competency or behavior required for successful job performance. You can find a further explanation of how the competency based or behavioral interview works at The Behavioral Interview .
Here we look at typical questions for these core competencies:
Reliability - takes responsibility for own performance. Completes work in a timely, consistent and accurate manner.
Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. How did you deal with it?
How have you reacted to a colleague who regularly lets the team down?
In your answer show you are able to take responsibility for your mistakes. Highlight your attitude to meeting personal commitments and doing what you promise. Focus on the importance of trustworthiness and job commitment.
Integrity/honesty - maintains social, organisational and ethical norms. Respects confidentiality, organisational regulations and personal commitments.
Has your manager/supervisor ever asked you to do something that you were uncomfortable with? How did you handle this?
Tell me about a time you witnessed a fellow employee do something that you didn't think was appropriate.
Focus on how you adhere to organizational policies and procedures. Your answer should show that you are able to behave in a responsible manner and be courageous and honest enough to remain on the side of correct work standards. Integrity means having the confidence to take relevant action if a colleague is violating professional and organizational standards.
Energy - maintains a high activity level. Sustains productivity over long periods of time.
Tell me about a time you had to work at a fast pace for an extended period of time. How did you maintain your work pace?
What job activities have required the most energy? How did you maintain your effectiveness while working on these activities?
Your answer should focus on your ability to work long hours while remaining effective, to perform mentally or physically taxing work for extended periods of time. Highlight your stamina and enthusiasm. Show a commitment to putting in additional effort.
Tenacity - stays with a plan of action until the desired outcome is achieved or no longer reasonably attainable.
Tell me about the longest time it took you to conclude a deal with a customer.
Describe a situation when you had to overcome a number of obstacles to achieve an objective.
Competency based interview questions that explore tenacity are looking for your ability to make repeated attempts to get to your objective, to stay with the task until it is completed and to make a plan to overcome obstacles that arise along the way.
Competency based interview questions are becoming the norm for a job interview. Be well prepared and impress as the right job candidate.
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The production manager job description outlines the core tasks and responsibilities of the production manager role.
Regardless of the industry, the production manager's main function is to ensure the efficient and timely production of goods. Although the scope of the job may vary according to the particular production system the primary duties and accountabilities are detailed in this job description.
PRODUCTION MANAGER
General Purpose
To plan, organize and control production in an organization to ensure that goods are produced efficiently, on time, within budget and to standard.
Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities
plan a production schedule for the jobimplement and control the production schedulereview and adjust the schedule where neededdetermine the human resources requireddetermine the material resources requiredmanage human and material resources to meet production targetsmake decisions about equipment use, maintenance, modification and procurementwork out and implement standard operating procedures for production operationsensure that standard operating procedures are adhered toensure implementation and adherence to health and safety proceduresset product quality standardsmonitor quality standards of productsimplement and enforce quality control and tracking programs to meet quality objectivesanalyze production and quality control to detect and correct problemsdetermine and implement improvements to the production processprepare and maintain production reportsmonitor and review the performance of staff and organize necessary interventions for improvementestimate production costsset production budgetsmanage production budgetsimplement cost control programsensure efficient collaboration and co-ordination between relevant departments including procurement, distribution and managementEducation and Experience
Usually require a bachelor's degree - business administration, management, engineering, industrial technology knowledge and experience in production and manufacturing processes and techniquesknowledge of raw materialsknowledge of quality control programsknowledge of business, finance and management principlesknowledge of human resource principles and practicesknowledge of machines and toolsknowledge of engineering and technology principles and practicessolid computer skillsKey Competencies
critical thinking and problem solving skillsplanning and organizingco-ordination and controltime managementattention to detaildecision-makingcommunication skillspersuasivenessnegotiationinfluencing and leadingdelegationteam workconflict managementadaptabilitystress toleranceAdapt the production manager job description to meet your own needs.
Management Job Description
Manager Cover Letter
Project Manager Job Description
Operations Manager Job Description
Use the Management Interview Guide to view interview questions and answers for a management job.
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Getting the job interview dress code right is key to making a good impression in your interview.
A well known jobsite asked over 2,700 hiring managers about mistakes that candidates make in job interviews.
The most common mistake was dressing inappropriately! Hiring managers complained that candidates did not dress in a professional manner. With this in mind it is better to play it safe at job interviews and wear clothing that is generally accepted as business-like.
For women the standard for professional workwear is a business suit, a jacket and smart pants or a dress and jacket. The number one mistake made by female candidates in job interviews is looking too sexy. Cleavages, too-short and too-tight skirts, tight tops, visible bras and heels that are too high were all mentioned as job interview dress code mistakes.
For men the standard is still a classic business suit, a white or neutral colored dress shirt and a conservative tie. Interview dress mistakes include wearing comedy ties, badly ironed shirts and not shaving.
Job seekers were also penalized for wearing bright and trendy colors with 70% of employers saying they do not consider high fashion to be appropriate for a job interview. Over 80 percent of employers said that wearing a suit to the job interview creates the impression of an organized and efficient candidate.
The right job interview dress code varies vary according to the type of job and organization you are interviewing for. Lets look at some different job types and what would be considered appropriate interview attire.
Sales Jobs
The preference is for male candidates to wear a suit and tie. However for a very junior or entry level sales position hiring managers will accept smart pants and a co-ordinating jacket. For women a skirted suit or pantsuit or tailored dresses are considered appropriate. When choosing a color to wear consider the following. Dark blue projects an image of being calm and in control, of dependability and loyalty (note how many uniforms are blue). Gray sends the message of wisdom, dignity and practicality. Brown is associated with friendliness and wholesomeness - a connection with the earth. Black is seen as representing authority and power. Black can sometimes look sombre and be overwhelming so lighten the overall look with an appropriate light colored shirt.
Manager and Finance Jobs
A classic dark suit and low key tie is required for men while business suits and dresses and jackets remain the standard for female candidates. Women should wear shoes with conservative heels and hosiery at or near skin color. Shoes that are darker or the same color as the skirt make a candidate appear solid and grounded, shoes that are lighter than an outfit can make a candidate look insubstantial. Men should opt for dark, polished conservative shoes with dark socks. White shirts are always a good option. White sends the message of precision and decency.
Teaching Jobs
An elementary or primary school teacher should appear both approachable and professional. Each district may have different interview dress expectations but a safe bet for female candidates would be to wear a formal blouse paired with smart pants or skirt rather than a formal business suit. A business suit is more appropriate for a secondary or middle school teaching interview. Dress codes are more stringent at this level.
Factory and Trades
Depending on the level of the job, appropriate job interview dress code for an interview in the trades can fall into the business casual category. To find out what business casual interview attire means go to Interview Clothes.
How to Find out the Company Dress Code.
Interview Dress Homepage.
Take time to think about what you are going to wear to your job interview. Make sure your clothes are well pressed, clean and neat.Return from Job Interview Dress Code to Best Job Interview
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