Write Your Way To Your Dream Job
About this guide
This guide is adapted from the book Just Write It! (McGraw-Hill, 2013) by Greta Solomon. The
book is a step-by-step method for using writing skills to succeed at university, and beyond.
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re a university student or graduate, or a friend, parent,
mentor or coach of one.
Everything in this guide (and the book) is about writing with a practical purpose. I aim to give you
the skills to write effectively and creatively and become a fluent, passionate communicator. This
is essential in order to respond to the demands of our fast-moving society, which is constantly
changing and evolving.
Empower yourself, and others, by assuming personal responsibility for the quality of your writing
skills. Adopting an empowered attitude will take you far. Perhaps farther than you’ve ever
dreamed. And with tons of determination and a sprinkling of luck: right into your dream job.
About the author
British-born sales communication specialist, Greta Solomon, is passionate about helping people
to ‘sell with soul’. And that includes packaging and selling their skills, personal qualities and
experience when job-hunting.
When not coaching and training for individuals, and companies such as Berg-Hansen, Medvind
Personal and Key Learning, you’ll find her writing books, articles and workshop materials.
She considers it a job well done when she’s able to
draw out your creativity and confidence so that you
can express yourself, write freely and tell your stories.
Greta began her career 14 years ago in London as a
journalist for women’s magazines, and went on to
become a business-to-business PR, an English tutor
and creative writer.
She has a psychology degree and is trained in
coaching, teaching and acting.
To learn more about how you can use writing to help
you, or your clients, to land a dream job, call Greta on
+47 404 52 093 or email [email protected]
Just Write It! is available from
www.amazon.co.uk
© 2015 by Greta Solomon. All Rights Reserved
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Contents
About this guide .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 4
What’s your story? ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Writing effective personal statements ..................................................................................................... 9
Master some key writing techniques...................................................................................................... 12
Tackling job-hunting documents ............................................................................................................. 18
Getting your foot in the door ................................................................................................................... 22
When a dream becomes reality .............................................................................................................. 25
One-day workshops with Greta Solomon .............................................................................................. 27
“
I feel that my writing skills have been substantially upgraded after I
devoted some time to diligently following Just Write It! The exercises were
amazingly uncomplicated and funny at the same time. The noticeable
benefits were clearer structure and useful vocabulary that particularly
came in handy for different writing tasks. The creative part of me was
woken up, too and helped to liven up my writing. Thanks to the advice
provided in the book I am now able to write informative and engaging
emails and memos that are easy to read and simply likeable. I often get
positive feedback from colleagues at work on my writing performance.
Finally, I managed to write a winning cover letter that has helped me to get
a dream job.
Magdalena Hubert, Analyst at Nasdaq OMX & PhD
candidate at University of Oslo
“
”
I read Greta’s book after my husband participated in one of her corporate
seminars. The book is a miracle for anyone who struggles with writing or
just isn’t happy with his or her creativity process. Easy to read and
comprehend, the book will give you so many ‘a-ha’ moments that you will
want to make everyone else read it!
Elena Daia, Web Journalist at Bonnier Publications
”
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Introduction
When Just Write It! was published in 2013, I gave talks and held workshops to introduce students
to the book. And that’s how I found myself on a university campus one evening, having dinner with
a highly respected professor.
It was a Friday night, so naturally the students were in high spirits. We watched as guys and girls
took group pictures, clinked pint glasses and savoured that magical time when you’re not yet a
fully-fledged adult, weighted down by responsibility.
He turned to me and said: “You know, I see these students having fun, celebrating. And it makes
me wonder.” “Wonder what?” I asked.
“Well, take the exam results board, over there,” he said as he pointed out the window. “Every year,
just before graduation, it’s the same. They’re laughing, crying with joy, celebrating passing their
exams. But you know what they’re really celebrating – unemployment!”
Why your degree is the first step on a long road
Whether you’re an optimist, a pessimist or an opportunist, the fact is a degree is just the start. And
it’s true that many graduates will be unemployed after they graduate.
There are some degrees, such as Nursing, Public Relations and Accounting that prepare you
directly for the world of work. But most university courses are simply not vocational. And even
when they are, there is no guarantee of a job after graduation. When the 2008 recession hit,
graduate unemployment sharply increased. Now, it remains high and looks set to stay that way.
In fact, according to the UK Office for National Statistics, as of 2012, one in every five new graduates
was unemployed.
However, take heart, as this guide isn't about getting caught up in the doom and gloom of
recession. Yes, there are former bankers living out of their suitcases and hundreds of graduates
applying for minimum wage jobs. But if you look at the bigger picture, you'll see that all is not as it
seems. The shift in the job situation is not solely down to the recession. The internet is now king
and it continues to change the face of work. Many jobs that existed twenty years ago have simply
died out. New industries are emerging, which are full of opportunities. However, in our new 'social
networked' world, these new jobs increasingly require you to be innovative, use specialised
knowledge and skills and have the ability to connect well with others.
If you take the pessimistic view that a university education inevitably leads to long-lasting
unemployment, you won’t reach your potential. You have to look at your degree as the beginning
– certainly not the end.
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Begin to build your personal brand
So, what does all that mean for you, as a university student or graduate? Well, it means you may
have to disregard the conventional wisdom about job hunting and career choice because the work
landscape will continue to flux and shift. There is no longer a neat through line between a good
education and a good job. Experts estimate that the average graduate could have 15-20 jobs in his
or her lifetime – in more than one career. So, it means that you need to create your own set of
stepping stones to bridge the gap between your degree and your ultimate ambitions. To borrow
a well-worn business cliché, you need to 'think out of the box'.
In fact, if you Google university graduation speeches, you'll see that the world's leading movers
and shakers don't recommend that you choose a nice, safe job in a good company but be inspired
and take a few bold risks. By doing so, you give yourself a chance of becoming the type of person
that everyone wants to employ – irrespective of industry or subject speciality.
But if you'd like to remain firmly 'in the box' and can't see yourself trailblazing new paths, then
there are still excellent corporate jobs available for the right candidates. But it'll take far more than
a good degree to land them.
Hone your soft skills
Qualifications alone don't sell themselves anymore, so you need to see yourself as a package, not
as a vessel for your degree. So, if you want to make the most of your degree after graduation, you
have to hone your soft skills. Think of these as being desirable personality traits. For example,
employers want to hire people who are creative, resourceful and resilient. But the amazing thing
is that despite high unemployment – many say they cannot find them!
There are jobs out there, and my view is that there is a dream job for YOU. But you have to work
at becoming the dream person for that job. You need to increase your emotional intelligence,
thinking ability and your ability to communicate effectively with yourself and others. Part and
parcel of this is improving your writing skills.
Here’s what you’ll learn from this guide
In this booklet, I'll present a step-by-step guide to writing CVs, cover letters and other 'selling'
documents. I’ll also cover how to write the type of personal statements you’ll need if you choose
to go onto further study. Even when you land a dream job, you may want to take a Master’s degree
on the side. Alternative, you may want to land an interim placement or start a business before
further study. By learning how to sell and market yourself in all situations, you’ll set yourself up
for success.
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What’s your story?
Whatever it is you choose to do after graduation, the first step is being able to write your personal
story effectively.
People (recruiters included) have an inbuilt need for stories. As children most of us were read
bedtime stories and the entire media is geared around stories. From hard journalism to gossip
magazines, we’re constantly fed stories. And each year, countless new films, plays and novels are
released. New episodes of TV shows and soap operas air weekly, if not daily. We’re clearly hooked
on stories. So learning how to tell them is an extremely powerful skill for a job-hunter and anyone
who wants to sell themselves and their experience.
What makes you shine?
The first step to finding the story or stories that best sell you is to draw a mind map of all your
personal skills and qualities. Begin by thinking of all the ways in which you embody emotional
intelligence.
When you think of intelligence, it's likely that you'll think of prowess in maths or science. Emotional
intelligence (EQ), though, is something that everyone can develop. Put simply, it's being able to
manage the emotions of yourself and others. According to Daniel Goleman, it's made up of four
elements: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. The
part you need to focus on is self-management – controlling your emotions and impulses and being
able to adapt to changing circumstances.
In fact, reading a degree can be seen as one long emotion-management programme. You've got
to develop the self-discipline necessary to keep going, the tenacity to try a little harder when things
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seem hopeless, the ability to take criticism and the dynamism to change the way you approach
work with the aim of getting better results.
So, think about these types of personal qualities and include absolutely everything that you can
think of. Ask yourself, 'What trials and tribulations have I gone through that have changed me for
the better, or led to success?'
Leverage the seven stories in the world
The next step is to put these skills and personal qualities into a framework. In his book The Seven
Basic Plots, Christopher Booker has stated that there are only seven basic stories in the world.
Granted, the characters and details change, but each story follows one of seven well-worn
trajectories. Organising your skills and personal qualities into stories can help you to put an
interesting spin on your life, educational and work history. They also help you to talk more
eloquently about yourself in interviews and can help you explain seemingly incongruous facts or
events in your education or work history.
Out of the seven, there are five stories that are likely to be most relevant to your life. These are:
Rags to riches: the story of a poor person who overcomes the odds to be rich. The riches don't
have to be monetary; they can be something great that was attained from virtually nothing.
The quest: the story of someone's long, difficult journey towards a distant, yet vital goal.
Sometimes, the journey becomes as important as the destination.
Voyage and return: the story of someone whose journey takes them right back to where they
started.
Triumph over tragedy: the story of someone who enters a 'dark place' yet overcomes the
challenges they face in a life-altering way.
Rebirth: the story of someone who falls into a literal or symbolic death state before being
reborn and 'coming back to life'.
How to craft compelling stories
Some people are simply natural-born storytellers, but everyone can learn to tell a good tale.
Broadly speaking, stories should have three components.
One: They have to grab attention with an unexpected challenge or question
Two: They must include a struggle or challenge that produces an emotional response
Three: The end of the story must call the listener to action. It must make the listener do, think, feel
or say something.
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So, remember that stories must:
•
Have an element of surprise
•
Contain challenge, struggle and triumph
•
Have a conflict between desire and dread
•
Have something important at stake
•
Reach both the heart and the mind
Exercise: Writing your personal stories
Take each of the five stories and write an example of it from your
life, education and work. Ensure each story is no longer than a
paragraph or two. Next, pick your favourite story out of these and
craft it into a finished piece of prose. Make sure your story is
written in the first person and is themed around achievement,
status, responsibility, reputation, personal growth or fulfilment.
You can use a version of this story in a personal statement or cover
letter, if appropriate.
Use the space below to write down some ideas.
Here is an example of a 'triumph over tragedy' story from Economics undergraduate,
Margaret.
I was once rejected when applying for a top London university. I felt so hurt that I decided to travel
there to ask for the reason for my rejection. As it could be predicted, I didn't get any concrete
answers. Unfortunately, the trip cost me a lot and I ran out of money to buy a return ticket to
Glasgow. I decided to hitchhike. I met many people on my way back and the conversations I had
with them influenced my life. In many ways this trip itself was invaluable to me. A year later, I met
my future husband. Two years later I was accepted at another university.
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Writing effective personal statements
In its traditional sense, a personal statement is a 500 to 600 word document that you use to help
persuade admissions tutors to admit you into a university course. But learning to write a good
personal statement can help you develop the skills to write effective cover letters, and can even
help you when filling in job application forms.
Below is an example of a personal statement that my client Faheela used to secure a place on a
Master's degree course in Chemistry.
Faheela’s personal statement
‘In medicinal chemistry, the chemist attempts to design and synthesise a medicine or a
pharmaceutical agent which will benefit humanity', says organic chemist, Graham Patrick. It is
my goal to become a medicinal chemist and explore the links between disease, mechanisms
of action and the development of safe, effective, commercial drugs. Chemistry is the science
that shapes the world we will live in tomorrow.
I feel that I am a natural-born chemist and I am never happier than when experimenting;
whether in the kitchen while cooking or in the laboratory. However, during my degree I became
fascinated by organic chemistry, in particular cancer chemotherapy and medicinal chemistry.
Chemistry has the power to improve the quality of life by manipulating the structures of
substances for medicinal purposes. For instance, currently, Taxol (extracted from the Pacific
yew tree bark) is a popular anti-cancer agent. However, it takes a hundred years to grow one
tree to make just 300mg of Taxol – so this is not a sustainable source.
I would love to be able to tackle complex drug design in the future. My final year project,
'Protecting groups for amines', where I researched over 40 journals, taught me about
protecting reactive functional groups, and this has inspired me further.
Through undertaking advanced experiments, I have developed patience, creativity in using
journals to research procedures, persistence when I don't instantly get the right results, the
maturity to deal with harmful chemicals and the diligence needed to remain safe at all times.
I have achieved mostly As across my reports and learnt how to produce extensive written
projects.
Therefore, my ultimate goal is to be a researcher in the field of medicinal chemistry. I am
choosing the Master’s route because I want to ensure that I gain the best knowledge and
laboratory skills possible and to ensure that my knowledge is fully fleshed out and complete.
This will be vital when I embark on PhD studies in the future.
I am a motivator and I would love to enhance other people's lives through chemistry. My
passion for education has also been shown through my work as head teacher at Whitefield
Supplementary School. It is an honour to be able to set an example to students, staff and
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parents and to promote education. The skills I have gained include leadership skills,
communication skills with people at all levels, time management, meeting deadlines, team
work and decision-making. I have consistently shown myself to be reliable, honest, trustworthy
and responsible.
I am constantly learning and this summer I will attend a one-day RSC conference organised by
and for young chemistry professionals and researchers. I am also proud that I was able to
come from Afghanistan and integrate into the UK so quickly and successfully. Although I
initially found the language difficult, I excelled in my GCSEs and A-levels and have so far
excelled at university.
In 2011, my family and I had some traumatic issues to deal with in Afghanistan. During my
second year, this prevented me from achieving top grades. However, I have a track record of
bouncing back from adversity and I am committed to continuing my run of first-class results.
I feel that I would be a great asset to any chemistry department. I feel that working in the best
research facilities in the world, with gifted chemists, will enable me to thrive. Being among the
best students will be a great privilege and a real opportunity for me to focus on and achieve
what I love to do – medicinal chemistry.
Here are 7 reasons why this personal statement is effective
1. It opens powerfully with an eye-catching quote.
2. The first paragraph sums up Faheela’s main message and viewpoint
3. She uses the first-person viewpoint, which gives a personal tone
4. She uses specific examples, to illustrate her passion and research experience
5. She shares all the transferable skills she has gained outside the laboratory
6. She uses ‘the quest’ story in paragraph eight to further help her connect with the reader
7. Her overall tone is passionate and persuasive
Writing your own personal statement
In the next section, I’ll show you some techniques that will help you to write just as well as Faheela.
But for now, take inspiration from her document and think about how you could weave in your
own experience, skills, enthusiasm, goals and hopes for the future in a similar document.
Finally, remember that a personal statement must effectively answer the following questions:
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•
Why do you want to do this course?
•
Why have you chosen this particular university?
•
What strengths / experience do you have that make the course ideally suited to you?
•
Who or what has particularly inspired you?
•
Where do you see yourself in three to five years' time?
•
How will you reach your ultimate career goals?
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Tackling other further study documents
Economics graduate Michael had been admitted onto a summer course in Global Energy
Dilemmas in preparation for taking a PhD. Along with his fellow students, he was asked to submit
a 300-word 'statement of purpose' outlining his reasons for joining the course. As many people
would, he kept this very objective and professional. As a result, the statement lacked punch and
dynamism and revealed little about his personality. For instance, he began by writing:
A focus of my graduate study research was the influence of climate policy design on
technological change. In my thesis I discussed the theory about how stringent
environmental regulations may spur innovation and consequently support the transition
to low carbon energies.
I advised Michael to introduce himself in a personal way and to use a more powerful opening to
give an insight into his personality. He decided to use the narrative introduction technique, telling
a personal story about how he became interested in the environment and climate change. His
revised statement began:
I first became interested in environmental issues at secondary school. As part of a
geography project I made a short documentary film showing illegal rubbish disposal
scattered all over town. I was aggravated by the alarming disrespect for nature. From then,
I decided to become involved in defending the environment. This interest followed me
throughout my studies. At graduate level I specialised in environmental economics,
focusing mainly on climate policy design and how it can influence the shift to environmentfriendly technology. In my Master's thesis I chose to write about 'the Porter hypothesis'.
The model encourages exceptionally stringent environmental regulations as a way to spur
innovation. Porter argues that provoking innovation efforts supports the transition to low
carbon technologies, without causing any profit loss – creating a 'win-win' solution.
This second version is much more effective and presents Michael as a dynamic, focused individual
with excellent academic credentials. So, remember that you can be both personal and
professional.
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Some key writing skills techniques
Good writing almost never happens by accident. It’s the result of using writing skills techniques.
You’ve done the creative work of thinking about your stories, and seen examples of good writing
from Faheela and Michael. So, now it’s time for me to reveal the techniques behind great
documents.
Always begin by using the audience tracker technique
The first thing to do before writing any document is to think about who will read it. There should
never be a 'one size fits all' policy. Your writing and the style and structure of your document
need to change depending on who will read it.
So when you come to write any job-hunting material, it’s crucial to put yourselves in the shoes of
the person or people who will read it. Asking yourself the following questions will help you to
focus on your readers and prioritise the information you want to include:
1. Who are my readers? Are they part of the human resources department? Or are they my
potential boss and colleagues?
2. How much do they already know about me?
3. How important is my document to the readers? (If they haven’t invited you to apply for
the position, it’s likely that your document will just be one of many)
4. What will my readers look for in my document?
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5. What is the most important thing to include?
6. What type of data or supporting evidence do my readers value?
7. What do I want my readers to do, say, feel and think after they've read my document?
If a recruiter doesn’t know you, and has hundreds of applications to sift through, you’ll have to
work harder to gain their attention. These questions force you to think, and help to start the
process of thinking about how you can present you, your skills and your knowledge in an
interesting way.
Plan ahead by putting your main message into one sentence
Being able to sum up the purpose of your document, or its main message, in one sentence is
very powerful. This is because it enables you to have a crystal clear focus before you begin the
planning and writing process. When you know your main message, it's easier to write short,
concise documents. This is a skill you’ll need when you come to write cover letters.
Use this technique in conjunction with the audience tracker technique. Your main message is
likely to be your answer to question five. It is also influenced by what you want your readers to
do, say, feel and think afterwards.
Be specific
Don't use general statements in your CVs and cover letters if you can be specific. For example, if
you led a team of volunteers, say how many. If you helped to increase revenues, say by what
percentage. If you worked for several summers in Florida, say exactly how many and for how
many weeks. When you’re vague, your writing lacks punch, and in turn it gives the impression
that you lack punch. Plus, quantifying results helps the reader to perceive you as a person who
does indeed get results!
When you have finished writing a document, read through it carefully and ask yourself if any of
the information is incomplete. Do this by writing one or more of the questions 'who?', 'what?',
'where?', 'when?', 'why?' or 'how?' next to the incomplete information. If you apply this technique
thoroughly, you should be left with questions all over your document, which should prompt you
to find more evidence, information or examples to make it more specific.
Keep it simple
Try not to use words just to look smart or prove that you have a large vocabulary. If you do this,
then it's difficult to truly express what you want to say and your writing will lack depth. Instead,
choose the word that best expresses exactly what you want to say. And unless jargon is
essential, don't be afraid to use simple words.
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An excellent way to write in a simple, clear, concise and spontaneous way is to write as though
you were talking to your best friend. By doing this, you bypass the urge to try to be clever, write
like a professor or sound as though you've swallowed the entire works of Shakespeare. You will
also be able to bypass the voice in your head that tells you your writing is no good. This works so
well, that for some of my clients it's been the technique that has transformed their writing the
most. Try it for yourself in the next document you write – it works.
And remember, unless you’re going for an academic job, recruiters will always prefer plain,
simple writing.
Understand the best viewpoint to use
Sentences typically use one of three viewpoints: first, second or third.
The first person uses the words 'I', 'we', 'us' and 'our'. For example, 'I won the fall / winter bursary
for York University in 2011’. The second person uses the words 'you' and 'your'. For example, 'I
feel I have the right mix of skills and knowledge needed to take your company to the next level’.
Use the first person and second person viewpoint in job applications and personal statements as
it enables you to talk directly to your reader. This means that you can better connect with them.
The third person uses the words 'he', 'she' and 'it'. Always use the third person in the main body
of your CV. If you have a personal summary at the top of your CV, it’s up to you to decide
whether it’s best to use the first-person or the third person. If in doubt, use the third person. For
example: ‘Barbara is a business professional with international experience in strategy consulting,
business valuation and financial analysis.’
There's also the imperative which uses none of these and simply gives instructions. For example:
‘To access the portfolio click on the view images tab’.
Use short sentences and phrases
Long, rambling sentences are difficult to read and understand, so avoid using them wherever
possible. Aim for around 25 words per sentence. If you're struggling to keep your sentences
short, it could be that your thinking is fuzzy. Alternatively, you may simply need to use more full
stops.
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Use the power of three
On 20 January 1981, when US President Ronald Reagan gave his First Inaugural Address, he said,
'This administration's objective will be a healthy, vigorous, growing economy.' The three words in
italics used in short succession use a technique called the power of three. This is where you use
three adjectives or phrases to get your point across.
This technique is very effective when used in speeches. It’s also perfect for use in cover letters
and personal statements. It creates balance, which helps to drive a message home. But use it
sparingly. Don't litter the power of three all over your documents; instead, carefully place it for
effect.
Grab attention with your openings and endings
Newspaper and magazine articles are very cleverly structured. They hook you with the opening
statement or paragraph, take you on a journey throughout and then end in a provocative or
interesting way. The end of the article often makes reference in some way, shape or form to the
beginning but it shows how the writer, character or issue has moved on. There always has to be
progression. And there's usually something witty, or something to make the reader think. The
best job hunting documents also use these same techniques. Imagine your readers sitting in the
chairs below. What kind of opening would get them excited enough to jump out of their chair?
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Here's a rundown of the most common introductions and conclusions you can use in your cover
letters, applications and emails.
Craft effective openings
Narrative: A story – usually something highly interesting and unusual, this is also called an
anecdote.
Surprise: A surprising or interesting statement, question, fact or opinion
Historic: Something that sums up or describes the past
Description: A couple of sentences or a short paragraph that describes a person, place or thing
Quote: Presenting the words that someone has said
News peg: A document that starts by reporting something that has recently happened
Analogy: Comparing two things that may or may not be directly related to one another
Mystery: This can use any of the techniques above, to draw in the reader to want to find out
more, and solve the puzzle
Multiple: A combination of two or more of the above techniques
Craft effective endings
Conclusion: Summarising the issues and ideas already discussed in the document, in a new and
fresh way
Prediction: Either a warning or a positive picture of how things will turn out
Quote: Presenting the words that someone has said (as above). The only difference is that its
purpose is to use the quote as a summary or prediction, or to shed new light on the issues
discussed.
Make sure you rewrite, edit and proofread
Yes, this is the dull part. Very few people like to go over what they’ve written, painstakingly
making corrections and reshaping the document into an effective piece of writing. However, if
you make errors you will appear sloppy – no matter how diligent you are in your work.
You may be thinking – but my actual dream job has virtually nothing to do with writing. And
while that may be true, the words on the page are the first thing that the recruiter has to make a
judgement about you.
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I recently got a leaflet in my home letterbox from some industrious job-hunters. Here’s what it
said (word-for-word):
CLANING SERVICE
2 young and enthusiastic girls from Poland are ready to clean professionally yours house,
apartment or office. We are solid workers and accurate.
It’s really difficult to write in a foreign language. But the fact that the writers hadn’t taken the
time to even check that they had spelt the word ‘cleaning’ correctly, made me doubt how
thorough, effective and accurate they really were. So, it’s well worth spending a little extra time
to get things right.
How to rewrite
Rewriting is about looking at each sentence and deciding whether you've written it in the most
effective way possible. This could involve changing the theme or deleting whole paragraphs and
writing them again.
How to edit
Editing is about shifting around the structure of the work. You could change the order of
sentences, paragraphs and arguments to make the document more snappy and interesting.
When editing, ask yourself the question, 'So what?' If you can't answer this, then the message of
your document isn't compelling enough. When editing, make sure every word counts by crossing
out unnecessary words.
How to proofread
Proofreading involves checking that you haven't made any spelling, grammar or punctuation
errors. So this is the very last step in the writing process. Use your spell checker but don't be a
slave to it. Your Microsoft spell checker doesn't have all the answers, so Bill Gates cannot be held
responsible for any slip-ups! This is because spell checkers read for accuracy, not context, and so
they don't know the difference between angle and angel, for example. What's more, they can't
always fix clunky phrases, typos and grammar mistakes.
It's more difficult to read words on a screen, so print out a hard copy too. Then use a pencil and
stop it at every word to slow your brain down. This is because our eyes often see what they want
to see instead of the words on the page. It also helps to put your work to one side for at least a
day. Then when you come to it again, it will be fresh and you should be able to spot the mistakes
immediately, especially if you read it aloud.
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Tackling job-hunting documents
The golden rules for job applications are that you must use the audience tracker technique and
you must be specific. Remember that the employer has carefully designed a job and is now
looking for someone who fits it exactly. So, you need to study job adverts and understand the
words they use in the same way that you might have analysed essay questions at university.
Make sure that you use this three-step process:
Step one: Analyse the exact words that have been used in the job advert
Step two: Look critically at all your knowledge, skills and experience and ask yourself what
questions a recruiter might ask about any gaps. Aim to answer these in your application
Step three: Look at your goals for writing the cover letter / application. Of course, the core goal
will be landing an interview. But what are your smaller goals? How do you want to be perceived?
Which ‘brand of you’ do you most want to shine through?
The previous exercises can help you write about your personal qualities in a compelling way.
Ensure that you understand what your readers' objections might be and find a way to address
them.
Writing CVs
I'm not going to provide a CV template as there are many available through Microsoft Office and
countless other internet resources. Instead, this section will focus on the writing skills you need
once you get down to the nitty-gritty of preparing the content.
Below are my top tips for writing eye-catching, compelling CVs:
•
Make sure that your CV is full of action words. These are verbs such as 'created',
'delivered', 'trained', 'mentored', 'planned', 'worked', 'promoted', 'helped', 'assisted', 'sold',
'arranged', 'developed', 'generated', 'conducted', 'undertook', 'located', 'managed',
'achieved' and 'devised'.
•
These words instantly make the content more punchy and dynamic. So, instead of
writing 'Promotion of organisation's events (email, flyers)' write 'Promoted organisation's
events through creating and distributing emails and flyers.'
•
Leave yourself out of it, so remove the word 'I' and just state what you did in the third
person. You can do this by simply putting the verb at the beginning of the sentence (see
above). And ensure that you write about three different responsibilities for each job or
position you present. These should relate to the skills that the recruiters have said they
are looking for.
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•
If you're still at university, about to graduate or are a recent graduate, put your education
at the top. If not, leave it until the end.
•
Be specific in describing what you did, using numbers where possible. So, if you worked
as an editor for your student newspaper, for instance, don't just say that you managed a
team of writers – say how many.
•
Tailor your CV to the purpose for which it was intended so that the readers can get a
sense that you're perfectly suited to the opportunity at hand.
•
Highlight the skills you've gained that are transferable. Keep in mind the soft skills
outlined at the beginning of this guide that employers are looking for. For example, even
if all you've done is hand out flyers for a local rock band, make sure you use language
that shows you are reliable, hardworking and have the confidence to approach members
of the public.
•
If you feel your CV doesn't make logical sense (in that it doesn't explain your path from
one subject or job to another) then take the back to front approach. Start from your
current goal and then explain your work and education history in terms of it. So if you've
studied French and Politics but now decide you want a job in marketing, then explain the
experiences and skills you've developed on the way and how they can help in a
marketing career. For instance, French translation requires patience, diligence and
accuracy, things also needed when dealing with marketing campaigns.
•
Finally, the quality of the writing in your CV has a lot to do with the quality of both your
thinking and the subsequent editing once you have all your thoughts on paper. Be
ruthless in weeding out extra words and make your writing as tight and focused as
possible.
Writing effective cover letters
The purpose of a cover letter is to get you a job interview, so in essence you have to construct it
as a powerful piece of persuasive writing. A good cover letter can stand the test of time. You can
use it again and again throughout your career, simply adapting it depending on which position
you're applying for and including the new skills and experience you've gained. So, it's worth
spending considerable time on it and ensuring that it's as excellent as possible.
Here's an example of a winning cover letter from my client Gail that enabled her to land her
chosen role. Notice that she has a powerful opening and ending and has made every word
count. I have removed the names of people, organisations and her university in the cover letter.
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Write Your Way To Your Dream Job
The cover letter that landed my client a dream job
Dear [name of recruiter]
I am passionate about digital work and having seen your job advert for a Social Media
Assistant I felt I had to apply. I am eager to bring value to [insert name of organisation] and
feel that I have much to offer.
I recently graduated in Environmental Sciences from one of the best UK universities
[insert name of university] and I am an 'all-rounder'. I have two years' experience in
communications using social media and content management systems (Typo3, Word
Press). During that time I have launched two websites [insert names of sites].With my
communication skills, I am the link between programmers and the superiors at the
companies I have interned at. Since I arrived in London six months ago, I managed to
build up a network and have some freelance clients already. I create websites for them,
consult with them on social media strategies according to their needs and implement
social media tools for them, when needed. For example, I manage several accounts and
still communicate for them on different social media platforms such as Twitter,
Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn.
I work in an efficient and structured manner, independently as well as in teams. Thanks
to my broad background in environmental studies, I adapt quickly to new work settings. I
speak and write French, German and English fluently. I may lack additional experience in
design but I am eager and willing to learn. Also, I am happy to travel for my work and
would be available immediately. Lastly, I am convinced that my dedication and knowhow can support [name of organisation] and its clients effectively in fulfilling its goals to
deliver globally from early phase to completion.
I hope, having read the above and my CV that you will consider me for the role of Social
Media Assistant. I look forward to meeting you to discuss my skills in more detail and to
see how they could fit your needs. In the meantime, if you should have any questions,
please call me on [phone number]
Yours sincerely,
Gail Finley
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Write Your Way To Your Dream Job
Writing your own cover letter
Just as with personal statements, there are many questions you need to ask yourself before you
start writing. Answer the questions below and your answers will form the structure of your cover
letter.
•
Why you are applying for the role? Explain this in one or two sentences.
•
In what ways are you ideal for the role?
•
What specific/relevant tasks have you done in previous jobs or in your studies?
•
How do these relate to the role you're applying for?
•
What are you currently doing?
•
What general skills have you developed through education and work?
•
How are these directly related to the role you're applying for?
•
What objections could the employer have that might prevent them from hiring you? How
can you address these?
•
What is the winning statement that you hope will make them employ you?
Prepare a finished cover letter that you feel best represents your skills and abilities, and
remember that unless you are applying for a range of very similar jobs, you will need to tailor it
to suit each individual position.
The dos and don’ts of job applications
Don't write 'Dear Sir/Madam'. The recruiter will think you lack the initiative even to find out if
they are male or female. If the name of the person isn't listed in the advert, call or go on the
internet to find it out.
Do remember to use the spell checker – even minor spelling mistakes can mean your application
is discarded.
Don't ever put yourself down in an application – highlight your strengths and address your
weaknesses by either turning them into a positive or saying you are willing to learn. For example,
you could write, 'I may not have much experience but I am enthusiastic, willing to go the extra
mile and will do everything it takes to learn fully about the industry.'
Don’t fill in application forms ‘off the cuff’. Select sections from your CV and thoughtfully craft
additional sentences and sections using the techniques learnt in this guide.
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Write Your Way To Your Dream Job
Getting your foot in the door
As stated in the introduction to this guide, having the right education (and for some employers,
the right work experience) is just the beginning. Employers are looking for more. So, it can be
difficult to stand out in a sea of candidates.
While it’s true that telling effective stories and cleverly using writing skills will help you to stand
out – they won’t guarantee you an interview.
Granted some people are able to write great applications, breeze through rounds of interviews
and find themselves choosing between job offers. But it’s much better to expect to suffer
setbacks and struggles as you try to crack the job code. Then, make peace with the fact that you
will need a lot of determination to not only get a foot in the door, but to keep both feet firmly
planted once you’re in there.
After too many disappointments, it can be tempting to lower your sights, or even change career
track. Instead, I encourage you to stick to your dreams, but forge your own unique path in
achieving them. What you need is the courage to knock-on enough doors until you get what you
want.
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Write Your Way To Your Dream Job
Melanie’s story
When I was looking for my first job in 1999 one thing that inspired me was a story I heard just
before graduating. It was about a graduate called Melanie. She really wanted a job in an
advertising agency but knew that she faced really stiff competition, especially as she didn’t
actually have any agency experience.
But she came up with a clever plan to get noticed. Now this story happened long before the
dawn of social media, so you’ll notice that the technology is out of date. But she targeted an
agency that she knew were looking for graduates. And every day for four days, she faxed
through a single word on a sheet of paper starting with the letters ‘m-e-l’. These were yummy
and fabulous things such as melon and melody. And then on the fifth day, she sent through
another fax, saying all good things start with Mel, along with her CV. Melanie not only got the
interview but she got the job! And through her approach she demonstrated that she had what it
takes to become a successful advertising executive.
You also need to find a way to make yourself stand out that is suitable for the industry you want
to work in. It’s highly likely that banks and legal firms will find Melanie’s approach unpalatable,
for instance. So don’t get caught up on gimmicks. Instead, consistently apply yourself and
develop your own particular brand of drive, determination and talent.
The blueprint
Here is a three-step formula anyone can use to get their foot in the door and one step closer to
their dream job.
Step one
Think long and hard about what you really want to do. And that’s not necessarily what your
degree is in, or what you always wanted to do, or what your friends, teachers or other advisors
say that you’re good at.
Yes, we’ve gone 23 pages without actually mentioning this. But sometimes you need to go
through the process of brainstorming your stories, writing a CV and cover letter and meeting
people in industry to figure out whether or not your dream job, actually is the dream for you.
Ask yourself where your true strengths lie, and what you love doing, even if it’s something small
like chatting to friends on the phone. Ask yourself: how can I make a career around the
things that I really love?
Brainstorm as many weird and wild answers as you can before you begin to narrow down your
options. And even if you’re certain about what you want to do, keep opening your mind because
you never know what you might stumble across. If you feel you want to go down a different
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track, re-do the writing exercises in this book. Rather than feeling like this is a chore, your new
clarity ought to feel uplifting. Once you’ve done this, create a targeted one-page CV and cover
letter that is focused on your strengths.
Step two
Now, here comes the hard part – actually finding jobs. It’s been said that 97% of jobs are not
advertised. And even if they are, you can’t guarantee that you’ll be looking in the right places for
them. Even if you do find the perfect job advert, you’ll be competing with hundreds of other
people.
So you need to find your own jobs by cold calling companies that you’d like to work for. This is
both terrifying and alarmingly effective. But in order to avoid going silent or shaking with nerves
you need to prepare a script.
The most basic script that everyone can use it to say that you’re calling because you’re interested
in a career in (whichever industry you’ve chosen) and that you want to ask their advice. You will
usually find that people are flattered to be asked such a question as they don’t usually get
people approaching them in that way. You’ll often find that in the process, they’ll either tell you
about a job or suggest you send in your CV.
If you’re not ready to pick up the phone, the same process works almost as well with a letter,
followed by a telephone call.
But you can’t just do this haphazardly – you need to find 10 new prospects a day, as well as also
looking for suitable job adverts. This means writing 10 letters a day or making 10 phone calls a
day (or doing both).
You never know if the person may invite you in for an informal chat, suggest a friend for you to
contact or gives you priceless information that enables you to change your path to something
even more exciting.
Step three
Finally, learn to love rejection. Of course, this is easier said than done, but it’s essential. When
you begin cold calling and sending out letters you’ll be rejected by most of the people you
contact. But if just one person says yes, then you’ve succeeded. And if you contact 10 companies
a day, you’ll highly increase your chances of getting a lucky break.
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When a dream becomes reality
If you choose to work in an office-based environment, you’ll spend a considerable amount of
your time writing emails, reports and other documents. Employers are increasingly recognising
the economic value of good writing. So, remember, that once you’ve landed your job, you’ll still
be well ahead of the competition if you consistently impress your employers with your writing.
However, if you’re like most people, you will have struggled with academic writing at university.
Traditionally, academic writing is pompous and hard to decipher with long, winding sentences
that only lead to fear and trepidation. For most ordinary folk, research papers and textbooks are
written in the academic equivalent of hieroglyphics.
I teach students a way of writing in clear, simple English that is both accepted in the academic
world and embraced in the business world.
So, it’s time to throw out many of the writing rules you may have learned during your degree. If
you’re currently studying, it’s time to stop forcing yourself into a way of writing that is so
convoluted that it alienates you from the employers you hope to impress after graduation. After
all, it can’t be a coincidence that a study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters found that 56
per cent of employers surveyed said they were concerned by graduates’ poor reading and
writing skills.
The golden rule in business writing (or workplace writing) is less is more.
Good business writing is plain, simple and straightforward. At university, you get marks for being
ambivalent, not committing to a point of view, being impartial and heavily referencing the work
of others. But in business writing, you need to bold, straight forward and have a point of view.
Finally, beware of the Cinderella syndrome
With all this talk of dream jobs, don’t be too disheartened if you land what you think is the dream
job, and then feel like Cinderella after her wicked sisters and stepmother have gone to the ball
without her.
You still have to take control in order to mould and shape your job, and gain the skills and
confidence to excel in your role. So if you feel you’re being lumbered with the crappy jobs, find a
way to use them to your advantage.
If I hadn’t have done this, my dream job as a magazine journalist may never have happened. You
see, way back in 1999 I finally figured that I wanted to write for a living. I followed my own advice,
knocked on lots of doors and got a two-week, unpaid work experience placement at Executive
Woman magazine. But on my first day, all they asked me to do was make tea and do some filing.
By day two it was more of the same and I was about to jack it in, and cut my losses.
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Write Your Way To Your Dream Job
But that afternoon, for some reason I found myself on the phone to the careers service at
Warwick University, where I had recently graduated from.
As I moaned about my experience, the advisor said: “What? You mean you have two weeks
working at a magazine? Do you realise how valuable that is?”
As it turns out I didn’t, so he went on to explain.
“You need to take control of the situation. Tomorrow, I want you to go into the editor’s office and
tell her that while you’re happy to make tea, you’re really there because you want to be a
journalist. So, ask her to give you an assignment, something to help you become a journalist.”
The next morning, with my heart was beating loudly in my chest, I did just what he had advised.
My editor was both shocked and impressed. No-one had ever been as upfront with her like that
before.
She told me to write 500 words on why I wanted to be a journalist. When I delivered that, she
told me to attend a health conference the magazine had been invited to and to write a sample
article.
Two weeks later she sent me to Paris on the Eurostar to interview a language expert. My work
experience lasted three months. And when a staff job came up – guess who got it? Yes, that’s
right. I went on to become the Deputy Editor of Executive Woman and I never would have got
such a great start to my journalism career had I not taken the bull by the horns.
Keep going – no matter what
So, make sure you keep going against conventional career wisdom. People believe that you need
to pay your dues and wait for the exact right moments to go for the things you want. I want to
encourage you to do things that frighten you every day. Get out of your comfort zone when it
comes to finding the career you want. Take risks and embrace uncertainty.
Be passionate, wear your heart on your sleeve and never sit tight if there’s something you can
do. Keep doing all of this you and whatever happens, you will successfully forge your own path.
And that’s what dreams are made of.
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Write Your Way To Your Dream Job
One-day workshops with Greta Solomon
Write your way to your dream job
This guide is just a taste of what you’ll learn in a Write your way to your dream job workshop.
Each workshop covers how to tell your stories, write job-hunting documents and use writing as a
means of getting your foot in the door. You’ll also be introduced to my five-step building blocks
method for writing persuasive documents that sell you, your skills and your knowledge.
You’ll learn:
How to connect: adopting a service mindset and understanding the needs, wants and desires of
recruiters.
How to communicate: building trust and credibility, eliminating writing mistakes and
communicating the benefits of brand YOU.
How to create: brainstorming openings, stories, hooks, conclusions and calls to action.
How to craft: implementing the ‘how’, ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘if’ in order to write effective documents.
How to close: learning techniques that leave your readers wanting more.
Craft your signature talk
This workshop teaches you how to create a client-attracting (or employer-attracting) talk that
incorporates your brand message, brand themes, point of view and story.
You’ll learn:
•
The crucial elements every talk must contain
•
Five questions to help you identify what you stand for and what you really offer
•
How to formulate an enticing offer
•
A framework for identifying your best content
•
Ways to share what you offer without being salesy
•
How to uncover your best stories
•
Methods for crafting stories that create trust
During the day, you’ll fill in all your answers in a specially designed workbook. I’ll leave you with a
talk template and clear guidelines for how to write your talk.
Email me at [email protected] to be put on my mailing list to receive details of when the
next open workshops will be held in Oslo. Workshops cost 1995 NOK per person.
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