How to Write a Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is an essential part of a job application. Employers seldom deliberately ask for a cover letter when advertising their position but do not take things too lightly here. After all, that piece of cover letter may be the deciding factor during the final short listing of candidates.

Here are some guides in writing a job winning cover letter:

1. Write a concise, straight to the point cover letter

Write a concise and compact cover letter that includes all the essential information in that piece of document. A cover letter is not an essay; it is a selling document that will trigger interest employer to go to the next step, which is reading your resume. Do not overdo when elaborating phrases and sentences and more importantly, do not just blindly copy the same old information you have put up in your resume. Do not go beyond a one-page cover letter.

2. Address the position correctly

Write your intention by addressing the exact position you’re applying for in your cover letter. “I’m writing to apply for the position of Marketing Manager as advertised recently” sounds a lot better than “I’m writing to apply for any job vacancy”. Its shows you did your homework and you are not just shooting blank. You’re aiming for the bull’s eye.

3. Make a good closure

Indicate your great interest with the position and that you look forward for a mutually beneficial discussion with the employer. You’re selling yourself here and it is particularly important for you to get the employer to conclude that you ‘may be just the right person for the job’. Finish off your cover letter with “yours sincerely” and do not forget the important part – enclose your resume together!

4. Proofread

Turn on the spelling and grammar tools and make sure every inch of the cover letter is covered to avoid any mistakes that would rank you among the silly bunch of people. Spelling tools may not be 100% accurate, get friends and colleagues to go through the cover letter and suggest any improvement. Let them fill the employer’s shoe and see if they get the ‘feel’ when skimming through your cover letter.



How to Write a Good Resume

When searching for a new job, your resume is the most powerful tool you have to attract employer interest. Your resume is your introduction to your prospective employer and gives you an opportunity to either make a great first impression or fall flat on your face. Writing a perfectly good resume is therefore inevitable.

The importance of having a solid resume cannot be overstated. In most cases, this 1-2 page document is the first and only look your employer will get of you before he or she picks who is going to be interviewed, so it is extremely important to make the sale with your resume.

The first step in writing an effective resume is writing your cover letter. Your cover letter is basically your way of introducing yourself to your prospective employer and explaining what you have to offer to the organization. Your cover letter should be tailored specifically to each employer you’re applying to and mention exactly how your skills and experience can meet their needs.

When writing your resume, you should be as complete and concise as possible. Your resume should be no longer than two pages, but should contain as much relevant information as possible about your skills and experience.

Your resume should include your name, address, contact information, education, work experience and references. Presentation of this information is important and there are a variety of Web sites with good models to pattern the design of your resume after. Check out Monster.com for some excellent examples of good resumes.

When listing your work experience on your resume, you’ll probably have to list why you left some jobs. Avoid griping about work conditions or money when talking about your reasons for leaving, as it may give your prospective employer the impression that you have a bad attitude or poor work ethic. Instead say that you decided to pursue growth opportunities or wanted a new challenge.

Also remember to contact the folks you list as references on your resume. It’s common courtesy, and it ensures that the references you’re listing actually will put in a good word for you.

When writing and completing your resume, be sure to run it through a spelling and grammar checking program. Also have a friend read it to make sure that the program didn’t miss or misinterpret anything. Having spelling and grammar errors on your resume basically equates to walking into your job interview with your pants down, so please take the time to proofread. You know you have done a pretty good job in writing a resume when interviews come knocking after sending a few resumes out.



6 Low Stress Careers

Stress is never good for health. When you are considering your career, it is wise to pick a career that is low in stress level to make sure that you are happy at work. However, there is no way everyone can work in the same industry. Some of us will work in stressful industries and others will be fortunate enough to work in stress-free environment.

There are six low stress careers that you can choose from, if you are studying right now.

Love to cook? Why not be a chef. Being a chef can be rather hectic but when you are handling your interest, there is no way you can feel the stress. In fact, you would be more than happy to handle food especially your signature dishes. Besides, if you are a top chef, you can earn real big money.

Ok, maybe cooking is not the right path for you. Why not consider dental hygienist? You can work part time and earn more than you can imagine. Most dental hygienists work part time and you will need to have relevant certificates or degree to get into this industry. Still, it is worth all the hard work when you can expect an annual return of more than $60,000.

If you love science, become a radiographer. Dealing with machines and meeting new people are all you need to do. It is definitely easier to work with machines. If you love to work with machines, this could be your dream career.

Being a counselor is also a great way to escape stress. While you might have to listen to all sorts of problems, your main priority is to be a good listener and offer some advices to the people who need your guidance. You can earn up to $50,000 a year just by listening to other people, especially children.

If art is your interest, you can be a graphic designer. There are many graphic designers emerging in the market but the market is never tired of having more graphic designers. You can be one of those who are earning more than $40,000 a year.

Finally, accounting is never outdated in the world. Be a bookkeeper and earn $30,000 a year. You can even do this part time, if you have a full time job or if you are studying. People need bookkeeping services and you can find clients easily.

So, which path would you prefer? Share your thoughts with us.



How to Start a Home Business

How do I start a home business? There are probably hundreds of tips you can find out there on the net, but here is some guide for you to start with.

1. Decide what you want to do exactly

Decide and define what you want to do in your home business. Are you going to sell your old stuff through auction sites? Are you providing a home based recruitment business? Is it going to be a tuition which takes place at your own home or place? Do you plan to embark on a home based copywriting service? A word from the wise men – do things which fall within the scope of your expertise.

Also, as the list can become endless, do not be fooled into thinking you can do many things at one time. Focus is the name of the game. Just choose one, or at maximum two (better if they are related) and start minding your own thing. Streamline how exactly your business will operate – how do you market your business, how do you deliver your job, what type of payment system you will have in place, how you will pay the operating bills and so on.

A business plan is not compulsory, but if you have one, it shows you’re serious about your business. It tells people that you actually spend time to plan. As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

2. Create your space

To work effectively, you need a space. A good one. Remember what Tony Robbins taught us? If we provide an anchoring that would condition us to work, we will produce some amazing results. In laymen term, we want to have a proper place to continuously produce an effective work performance.

While a makeshift bed-cum-work-station will let you do a thing or two, wait until the boredom sets in. When motivation goes up with the smoke, so will your business. Creating your space also indicates that you’re committed to achieve your goals. You mean business. You’re not doing just for the sake of ‘testing the water’.

3. Full time or part time?

Is this home business going to be a full time or merely a part time thingy? No one can decide this except you. As a rule of thumb, if you’re just starting out, don’t send that resignation letter first because when your home business does not take off well, everything will go haywire. You will find yourself losing friends faster than ever. Don’t talk about the mounting bills.

If you’re currently jobless, chances are you will be doing it full time. Congratulations, this could be the beginning of the end of your misery. As a full timer, the need for a proper space will be inevitable. Remember, you will be sitting on your workplace for perhaps more than 12 hours per day. Don’t break your back before you break even.

4. Set milestones

In everything you do, start with the end in your mind. Start with the eventual target, and break it down into smaller pieces of goals you want to achieve over a certain period of time. Set short term and long term goals which are challenging but still attainable. After all, you want to know if you’re on the right track in achieving your final objective. Milestones and goals must be SMART – specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

Now, sit down to analyze and ask questions how you are going to achieve the specified goals. These questions will help you to come up with your own game plan, and devising step by step strategy that will closer to your goals as the days go by. And don’t forget to reward yourself with little presents or goodies whenever you achieve your small goals. Get those latest Play Station or Nintendo Wii latest console you have long yearn for. Life is short. Play hard.

5. Don’t wait until everything is in its place

Having said all of the above, don’t let everything falls perfectly into its place. Your workplace may need some doing but this should not stop your butt from launching your home business. If your business plan is still in skeleton mode, don’t wait until the papers turn grey. Make a start and fine tune your business as you go.



High Paying Work at Home Jobs

Work at home jobs are never to be underestimated because many people who do it are enjoying high paying income.

PayScale Inc. has made a research and found out a number of high paying work at home jobs. PayScale owns one of the biggest employee compensation data online, and its annual salary survey is considered the world’s largest and most accurate compensation assessment around.

The survey was done through anonymous comparison of job title, specialization, demographic and location, company size, type of work, and of course, the take home salary or pay.

Full list here.

The jobs listed not only feature those done independently or on freelance basis, but also a few of the full time jobs allowed by some companies to be done from the convenience of the worker’s home.

Some of the work discovered to be financially rewarding are as follows:

1. Financial Planner ($59,548)

A Financial Planner usually closes his deal outside of the house, together with the presence of customers. However, research, prospecting and pre-selling can be done almost practically anywhere, including at home. A good Financial Planner usually has his own existing network, which paves a way for him to grow his business at faster rate.

2. Translator/Interpreter ($43,478)

For long, translation job has always been rewarding, once the interpreter proves his competency in the assigned jobs. The hardest part is always on the beginning, during which one is starting to make their presence felt. In translation business, the less common the languages involved, the financial reward promised will naturally be higher.

3. Technical Freelance Writer ($42,520)

A technical writer may compose technical manuals, white papers, application essays and sometimes involves in editorial work for technical documents. Somewhere along the line, the task of undertaking research work may also befalls on you. Inevitably, the job will require the incumbent to have prior experience in the related field or better yet, a Subject Matter Expert (SME).

4. Graphic Designer ($40,117)

Creative designers are blessed with the ability to design, develop and complete good looking images or graphics in minutes. Best of all, they can charge good money for a total 10-minute of work. A versatile designer can also work with various medium and tools including Photoshop, Image Ready, Auto CAD, Illustrator and so on.

5. Travel Agent ($32,122)

A travel agent offers tour related services which include hotel and accommodation booking, transport arrangement, costing and tour guide services. All these can be done through phone calls, emails, and electronic payment facilities. And you know what? No degree is required for one to be a highly paid travel agent. For as long as you know how to find your market, and execute your job well, you will have a long thick stack of receipts.



SENARAI JAWATAN KOSONG KERAJAAN


LATIHAN PRA-PEKERJAAN DI WILAYAH EKONOMI KORIDOR UTARA (NCER)

Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara atau ("Northern Corridor Economic Region") adalah program pembangunan bagi memacu pertumbuhan ekonomi dan menaikkan taraf kehidupan dan pendapatan per kapita rakyat di utara Semenanjung Malaysia – yang meliputi Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, dan Perak (daerah-daerah Hulu Perak, Kerian, Kuala Kangsar dan Larut Matang-Selama) . Inisiatif NCER ini telah dimulakan pada 2008 dan dijangka berakhir pada penghujung Rancangan Malaysia Ke-12, iaitu pada tahun 2025.

Pihak Berkuasa Pelaksanaan Koridor Utara ("NCIA") yang ditubuhkan pada 2008 ialah badan rasmi yang bertanggungjawab untuk menetapkan arah tuju dan melaksanakan semua polisi dan strategi pembangunan sosio-ekonomi di Koridor Utara dengan memberi penekanan kepada sektor pertanian, pembuatan, dan pelancongan.

Program "Pre-Employment Training" ("PET") atau Latihan Pra-Pekerjaan adalah salah satu program pembangunan modal insan NCIA untuk meningkatkan keupayaan dan kemahiran graduan dan lulusan sekolah di dalam beberapa displin. Objektif utama Program PET NCIA ialah untuk membekalkan para pelatih dengan kemahiran terkini bagi memudahkan peluang pekerjaan.

Program PET NCIA ini diwujudkan khas bagi penduduk Koridor Utara. Program latihan ini ditaja sepenuhnya termasuk pemberian elaun bulanan selama tempoh latihan.

SENARAI PROGRAM

A) Kecantikan dan Kesihatan
i. Dandanan Rambut
ii. Rawatan Muka
iii. Rawatan Spa dan Pengurusan Spa
Kelayakan Minimum:
• Lulusan SPM dengan minat mendalam untuk
membina kerjaya di dalam industri hospitaliti

B) Pemandu Pelancong
Kelayakan Minimum:
• Lulusan SPM dengan minat mendalam untuk
membina kerjaya di dalam industri pelancongan
• Fasih Berbahasa Malaysia dan Arab

C) Pembuatan Lanjutan
(Advanced Manufacturing)
Kelayakan Minimum:
• Graduan dengan Diploma atau Ijazah Kejuruteraan,
seperti Elektrikal, Elektronik, Pembuatan, Mekanikal,
atau Mekatronik
• Fasih Berbahasa Malaysia dan Inggeris

Warganegara Malaysia yang berminat dan berumur di antara
18 hingga 35 tahun dijemput untuk memohon program ini
selewat-lewatnya pada 29 Oktober 2009.

DOWNLOAD IKLAN
http://www.humancap .com.my/ncia_ pet/ads/Koridor% 20PET%20utusan. pdf

Permohonan boleh dibuat di laman web:
http://www.humancap .com.my/ncia_ pet

Untuk maklumat lanjut, sila hubungi:

NCIA Pre-Employment Training (PET) Programme
d/a Human Capital Development Sdn Bhd
Suite 7.13, Blok A, Kelana Square, 17 Jalan SS7/26,
Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: 03-7803 1151 / 012-312 9652 Faks: 03-7803 1150

Email: ncia_pet@humancap. com.my



JAWATAN KOSONG DI PERTUBUHAN KESELAMATAN SOSIAL (PERKESO)

JAWATAN:
- PENOLONG PEGAWAI TADBIR

Keterangan:
Pegawai Eksekutif Gred 19 Kontrak-Unit Perhubungan Awam, memiliki Diploma Sebaran Am dan komunikasi Bahasa atau bidang lain yang berkaitan ,Keutamaan kepada calon yang boleh berbahasa Cina dan Tamil

Status: Kontrak

Kekosongan : 2

CARA MEMOHON:
Permohonan hendaklah dibuat secara ONLINE di http://www.jobsmala ysia.gov. my

TARIKH TUTUP : 23 OKTOBER 2009



JAWATAN KOSONG DI MAJLIS DAERAH BESUT (MDB) TERENGGANU

Terbuka kepada rakyat Negeri Terengganu sahaja.

JAWATAN:
1. Penolong Pegawai Perancang Bandar dan Desa J29
2. Penolong Jurutera J29
3. Pembantu Tadbir P/O N17
4. Pembantu Am Pejabat N1

CARA MEMOHON

Setiap permohonan hendaklah menggunakan borang MDB TR.1 dgn harga RM1.00 yang boleh didapati di kaunter Jabatan Perbendaharaan, Majlis Daerah Besut.

Borang permohonan hendaklah dikemukakan kepada:

Yang Dipertua
Majlis Daerah Besut
22200 Besut
Terengganu

TARIKH TUTUP : 20 Oktober 2009


JAWATAN KOSONG DI UNIVERSITI SAINS ISLAM MALAYSIA (USIM)

JAWATAN:
- JURUTEKNIK J17

Permohonan hendaklah dibuat secara ONLINE di:
http://www.usim. edu.my
http://eiris3. usim.edu. my:8080/eiris/

TARIKH TUTUP : 21 OKTOBER 2009


JAWATAN KOSONG DI MAJLIS DAERAH KOTA TINGGI, JOHOR

Permohonan adalah dipelawa kepada Rakyat Johor / Warganegara Malaysia yang berkelayakkan untuk mengisi kekosongan jawatan sebagaimana ketetapan berikut:-

1) PEMBANTU TADBIR (PERKERANIAN/ OPERASI)
2) PEMBANTU PENGUATKUASA (LETAK KERETA)

DOWNLOAD IKLAN:
http://www.mdkt. gov.my/c/ document_ library/get_ file?uuid= e2c9cff0- f337-4d4a- 9013-de48e1f951f a&groupId= 21123

DOWNLOAD BORANG:
http://www.mdkt. gov.my/c/ document_ library/get_ file?uuid= bfd3dfac- 22cb-4666- 9f1a-acc4e365812 6&groupId= 21123

TARIKH TUTUP : 30 OKTOBER 2009



JAWATAN KOSONG DI FAKULTI REKA BENTUK DAN SENIBINA, UPM

JAWATAN:
1. Penolong Pendaftar -N41
2. Arkitek Landskap - J41
3. Penolong Arkitek Landskap - J29
4. Pelukis Pelan - J17

DOWNLOAD BORANG
Borang Permohonan Jawatan Kumpulan Pengurusan Dan Profesional
http://reg.upm. edu.my/iso/ spk/4.%20borang. log.senarai% 20semakan. gp.su.se. ak/4.2%\
20Operasi/a. %20Bahagian% 20Pengurusan% 20Sumber% 20Manusia% 20%28BUM% 29/Borang/ pelan\
tikan/PEND.BUM. BR01.JAWATAN01- jwtan%20kump% 20P&P.pdf

Borang Permohonan Jawatan Kumpulan Sokongan
http://reg.upm. edu.my/iso/ spk/4.%20borang. log.senarai% 20semakan. gp.su.se. ak/4.2%\
20Operasi/a. %20Bahagian% 20Pengurusan% 20Sumber% 20Manusia% 20%28BUM% 29/Borang/ pelan\
tikan/PEND.BUM. BR01.JAWATAN02- permohonan% 20jwt%20kump. sok.pdf

Sila hantarkan borang yang telah lengkap berserta sijil/dokumen yang berkaitan
kepada :

PEJABAT PENTADBIRAN
FAKULTI REKA BENTUK DAN SENIBINA
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
43400 UPM SERDANG
SELANGOR
U/P : Puan Intan Nuzrad Ahmad Khushaini

TARIKH TUTUP: 30 Oktober 2009


JAWATAN KOSONG DI MAJLIS DAERAH TANAH MERAH (MDTM) KELANTAN

WARGANEGARA MALAYSIA YANG BERKELAYAKAN DAN KEUTAMAAN KEPADA RAKYAT NEGERI KELANTAN ADALAH DIPELAWA UNTUK MENGISI JAWATAN-JAWATAN BERIKUT:

1. Penolong Pegawai Penguatkuasa (Tetap) (Gred N27)
2. Pembantu Am Pejabat (Tetap) Gred N 1)
3. Juruteknik Komputer (Sambilan) Gred FT17

DOWNLOAD IKLAN
http://www.mdtanahm erah.gov. my

CARA MEMOHON
Borang permohonan boleh didapati di Majlis Daerah Tanah Merah yang beralamat seperti di bawah dengan harga RM3.00 senaskah. Borang yang telah lengkap ditulis nama jawatan di bahagian atas sebelah kiri sampul surat dan di hantar ke Majlis Daerah Tanah Merah seperti alamat berikut :

YANG DIPERTUA
MAJLIS DAERAH TANAH MERAH
17600 TANAH MERAH
KELANTAN

TARIKH TUTUP : 30 OKTOBER 2009



JAWATAN KOSONG DI MAJLIS PERBANDARAN TELUK INTAN (MPTI) PERAK


JAWATAN:

1. PENOLONG JURUTERA (J29)

2.JURUTEKNIK (J17)

3.PEMBANTU TADBIR (PERKERANIAN / OPERASI) (N17)

4.PEMBANTU TADBIR (KESETIAUSAHAAN) (N17)

5.PENOLONG PEGAWAI PENILAIAN (W27)

6.PEMBANTU PENILAIAN (W17)

7.PEMBANTU TADBIR (KEWANGAN) (W17)

TARAF JAWATAN : TETAP/KONTRAK

CARA MEMOHON.
Borang permohonan (berharga RM1.00) boleh didapati di Bahagian Pentadbiran dan Sumber Manusia, Pejabat Majlis Perbandaran Teluk Intan yang beralamat seperti di bawah dengan mengirimkan sampul surat berukuran 22 cm x 35 cm bersetem 50 sen dan beralamat sendiri atau datang sendiri.

Borang yang lengkap diisi hendaklah ditulis nama jawatan di bahagian atas sebelah kiri sampul surat dan dikirimkan ke Pejabat Majlis Perbandaran Teluk Intan seperti alamat berikut :

Yang Dipertua
Pejabat Majlis Perbandaran Teluk Intan,
Jalan Sekolah ,36000
Teluk Intan,
Perak Darul Rizuan.

TARIKH TUTUP : 26 OKTOBER 2009