5 Stages for job search

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Cover Letter
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Know Details of Job Descriptions

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Classified Post
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ExampleHK Disneyland
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General required skills

• Fluent English, Mandarin and Chinese
• Good interpersonal communication skills
• Diligent, polite and pleasant characteristics
• Excellent computer skills in MS Office and
  Chinese word processing

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Anatomy of a Cover Letter
Length of Cover Letter and Paper Size
Paper Color and Quality
Pre-printed / Letter-Head Stationery
Typing and Printing
Envelope
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The Ingredients of Cover Letter

• Return Address
• Date
• Addressee
• Salutation
• Subject Line
• First Paragraph
• Second Paragraph (could be inter-changed)
• Third Paragraph (could be inter-changed)
• Final Paragraph
• Closing
• Enclosure Line

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Main ideas in cover letter

• Mention how you learn the employer and why you
  are interested in the firm/ position
• Sell yourself by linking your strengths to the
  requirements of the position
• Mention your contribution to the firm
• Reflect your individuality, but avoid
  familiarity, cute, humorous or over-confident
  attitude
• Be ended with your initiative by asking for a
  response and requesting for an interview

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Other Hints

•  
• Grammatically correct and no spelling mistakes
• Simple English
• Short Sentences
• Most important items first, supported by facts
• Demonstrate your keen interest, how qualified you
  are
• Quote reference number (on letter/envelope)
• Address to a specific person

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Other Hints

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• Dont tell lies
• Even if you do not have every qualification
  sought be the employer, stick to the facts
  emphasize your strengths
• Polite and formal wordings
• Remember to sign the letter

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Covering Letters (Examples)
  A. Showing Interest / Purpose of the letter (1)
In response to your advertisement in the South
China Morning Post on 13 September 2005. I am
writing to apply for the post of System Support
Engineer. My strong analytical ability and
technical skills qualify me to be a good
consultant in your company. (2) I would like to
apply for the post of Marketing Executive, as I
am certain that my ability, positive attitude,
personal qualities and communication skills
qualify me to be a good assistant in your
company.
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Covering Letters (Examples)

•  
• Showing Interest / Purpose of the letter
• (3) Being a high-calibre and motivated accounting
  student with great interest in audit job, I am
  eager to join PricewaterhouseCoopers as an
  Assurance Business Advisory Services Associate.
• (4) I am applying for the post of Merchandiser as
  advertised in Career Times of 13 September,2005.

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Covering Letters (Examples)
  B. Educational Qualifications (1) I will
graduate from Hong Kong Baptist University with
an Honors degree in Business Administration,
majoring in Accounting. I am especially
interested in Tax consultation. Unstructured and
ambiguous problems that require creative
solutions are my favorite assignments. The
university study has equipped me not only with
academic knowledge but also a wide range of
skills that make me to be an all-round
professional.
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Covering Letters (Examples)
B. Educational Qualifications (2) In May next
year, I will graduate from Hong Kong Baptist
University with an Honors degree in Business
Administration (major China Business Studies).
The University years have not only equipped me
with academic knowledge, but also developed my
social and communication skills. Apart from
that, I had taken most of the courses provided by
our universitys Language Center to polish my
language skills.
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Covering Letters (Examples)
 B. Educational Qualifications (3) I have been
placed on the President's Honour Roll with
cumulative G.P.A. of 3.59/4.00. Also I am a
scholarship recipient of Grant Thornton
Scholarship and Exxon Energy Award. All of these
have given me a fresh impetus for further
improvement and therefore an ambition to be an
all-rounded professional in a prestigious
international accounting firm.
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Covering Letters (Examples)
 C. Extra-curricular Activities and More (1) The
experience through working as a summer intern in
Chicago has broadened my vision on the global
world of business environment. Being the
President to Student Union, I have strengthened
my potential to manage my working portfolio and
time. I have ample chances to communicate with
students from different culture background in the
two-year hall life. The social skills and drive
to success are my key assets for my career
development in your company.
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Covering Letters (Examples)
  C. Extra-curricular Activities and More (2) I
treasure every opportunity in developing myself
as a whole person. I had participated in many
programs, such as Metropolitan Experience USA
2000, Leadership Development Program (LDP), Hong
Kong Baptist University Toastmasters Club
governed by Toastmasters International (HKBUTC),
Outward Bound Training, Teaching in Shanghai YMCA
and Visiting the Leprosy Village Guandong
Province etc. These give me great chances to
expose and broaden my horizon in an international
perspective and they also helped me to grow up to
be a mature person.
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Covering Letters (Examples)
C. Extra-curricular Activities and More (3)I have
participated in various extra-curricular
activities which allow me to develop my
leadership and interpersonal skills. I was the
president of the Chinese Affairs Association,
leading a committee of 10 members in organizing
different activities and publishing members
newsletters. From Career Mentorship Porgramme, I
learnt about the world of work through
interactions with senior executives at the work
setting. Not only it developed my confidence in
communicating with senior professionals, but also
broaden my perspective towards my career
planning.
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Covering Letters (Examples)
D. Interviewing Opportunities (1) I am ready to
take up any challenges. I would be grateful if
an interview can be arranged at your convenience
to discuss my suitability to join your
company. (2) I look forward to having the
opportunity to discuss my career goal and talents
to you in full details. Kindly note that I can
be called for an interview at your convenience by
phoning 1234 5678.
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Covering Letters (Examples)
D. Interviewing Opportunities (3) Thank you very
much for your attention and I look forward for an
interview to share my readiness in the accounting
career with you further. (4) I hope that you
would give me an opportunity to tell you more
about my career objectives and background and how
they can be of assistance to your business.
Kindly note that I can be called for an interview
at your convenience at 1234 5676. Thank you very
much for your kind consideration and I look
forward to hearing from you.
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Q A
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The End
Thank You