Science Graduates Cover Letter Samples
My first resume was just a half-page long and the only feedback I received was that I should’ve included more work experience. When I got home, I immediately did a Google search because I (admittedly) didn’t know what I was doing.
I went the other way for my next attempt and wrote my life story. It didn’t get me a single reply. I hated that feeling and decided to experiment until I found a resume that would give me results.
So, I started designing different templates. I tried various fonts, added images, and played with all sorts of colors and effects, until I created something I felt really proud of. As an arts major with design experience, I wanted to show off my particular skill set.
I sent out the revamped version, and the very same day I got a call for an interview. Fast-forward one month and I was working at a Ritz-Carlton resort. The first thing my manager said was “We don’t often get resumes like this in the hospitality industry, so I was eager to meet you.”
I’ve used this template with every application since. While I’m still relatively early in my career and I’ve shifted from hospitality to content editing, my resume has helped me get my foot in the door each time. I know that because I always get positive comments about it during interviews.
While I can’t guarantee that you’ll have the same results as me—this formatting might not be appropriate for every industry and role—I can share what I learned when I transformed mine from monotonous to eye-catching.
By Selipha Kihagi
It happens to most of us. You try to be nice and cordial to someone, only to end up being rude. On most occasions you don’t even realize you were rude. But the other person(s) remembers your rudeness vividly. While you can get away with it in some situations, being rude in a job interview is not an option.
Following our recent article on how to get a job after being rejected in job interviews, we thought it best to share a few pointers on what could be the problem. And being rude in a job interview tops the list of problems that could cost you the job. So, how do you know if you were rude or not? As mentioned earlier, being rude sometimes is not intentional. It just happens. You try your best to be professional, but it happens. And unfortunately this happens in the most important situations.
Being rude in a job interview is one such important situation as it determines if you remain unemployed or you finally get a new job. Below are 5 ways you are being rude in a job interview. Read through and work to be better in your next interview.
How You Are Being Rude in a Job Interview
1. Not answering interview questions
You are probably wondering how this is so. Wanjiru Chabeda is a Recruitment Account Manager at Corporate Staffing. She confirms to having had an interview with a candidate who did not respond to her questions. When asked what was wrong, the candidate just said nothing. It is anyone’s guess that the said interview did not proceed and the candidate did not get the second interview. So, are you a victim of not answering questions?
It could be that you got anxious or that you don’t know the answer to the question asked. But not saying anything does not tell the recruiter or interviewer that you don’t know the answer. It just portrays rudeness and there is no getting back from this one. Being rude in a job interview could mean that you never get invited to any more interviews, even though you are well qualified. Learn more here on how to answer interview questions you don’t know the answer to.
2. Not knowing information about the company
It goes without saying that you must do extensive research about a company before going for the interview. What does the company do? Who are their competitors? What are their products or services? What is their recent news? Did they launch a new product? You must have the answers to these questions before the interview. If there is information about the company that is available on the internet, learn it. This is because if you don’t, it could be translated as you being rude in a job interview. And no one wants that.
However, please note that this is more important to those having their first interview with the hiring company. If your first interview is with a recruitment firm, chances are that you don’t even know the company that is hiring. So don’t bother about that too much. This is how an interview with a recruitment firm is different.
3. You arrive late and forget (or not care) to apologise
You will be surprised how many candidates have fallen prey to this kind of rudeness. It will not matter if you were 5 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour late to the interview. If you do not apologise for it, this will portray you as you being rude in a job interview. So, to be on the safe side, make sure you are always 10 minutes early for any interview. But if you are stuck in the crazy Nairobi traffic, let an apology be the first thing you do. And please avoid explaining yourself, unless of course the interviewer asks why.
An interviewer can be late and not apologize, but you can’t. It is one of the common double standards in the hiring process. It may be wrong, yes, but then again the interviewer has the power and you don’t. It is one of those situations you cannot control and sometimes very intentional. Some recruiters and employers have revealed to being late for an interview on purpose, so they can see how the candidate reacts.
4. Having an attitude is considered being rude in a job interview
You know how most employers say they would pick a candidate’s attitude over experience and qualifications? Well, it is very true and the renowned billionaire Richard Branson is a great supporter. So is your local billionaire Chris Kirubi. Employers and recruiters want to be associated with candidates with a great attitude. Not those who seem to undermine others or who consider themselves too good for certain jobs or people. So, what attitude are you portraying in the interview room?
Some candidates have been said to belittle their interviewers because they are younger than them or because they look less experienced. Well, you will not get the job if you are belittling someone who has the power to say yes or no to you. They could be less experienced or even much younger than you, but they are your gateway towards getting that job you applied for. So why not put your attitude in check? You could have all the qualifications needed and the experience that is top notch, but if you have a bad attitude then you don’t get the job.
5. Excusing yourself to answer a phone call
Oh yeah? So the interviewer is wasting your time and keeping you from more important things? If you didn’t think the interview was important, why did you show up in the first place? You know there are other well qualified candidates who consider the job very important, right? And that right there is exactly how the interviewer will interpret a situation where you excuse yourself to pick a call.
It is considered being rude in a job interview and will always put you on the wrong side of the interviewer. It will not matter how well the interview could be going. So, always put your phone on silent and live through the few minutes of the interview.
In the end
Being rude in a job interview is considered the worst mistake any candidate can do. Why? An interview is a chance to prove why you are the right candidate for the job and your being rude in a job interview is the complete opposite of right. Remember that interviewers, younger than you or lesser experienced, are there to judge your suitability. It may resonate to you as not your ideal setting, but then again you do want to get hired in that job, right? Learn to keep your rudeness in check and the interview will go smoothly.
Got something to say on interviews? We’d love to hear it below. And while at it, follow us on LinkedIn here for more career advice and jobs.
4 Referee Mistakes That Might Not Get You Hired
By Selipha Kihagi
Just because your CV was crafted for success and you did well in your job interview does not always mean you will get the job, especially if you are competing against equally qualified candidates. Employers and recruiting officials will want to call your referees to confirm the information you provided in your CV and during the interview is true.
For this reason, it is important that job seekers provide reliable referees. While this may seem like a simple duty to many, job seekers are still losing on jobs because of these referee mistakes.
Common Referee Mistakes That Might Not Get You Hired
1. You did not ask permission to include someone as your referee
You may have gone to school or worked under a person who believes you are good at what you do, but that does not give them a free ticket to your referee section. Before you include someone as your referee, you need to first ask their permission so you can know if they will be available to potential employers or not.
Not everyone who knows you and congratulates you will say yes to being included as referee, so always confirm.
2. You did not prepare your referee before hand
Having your referee on paper and having their contacts ready does not guarantee their reference for you will be useful. Once you are called to an interview, it is important you call your referees to let them know the job you applied for and update them on what you had been doing prior.
Tell them to expect a call, even if you do not know when or if your employer or recruiting company will call them. This way, they will be in a position to recommend you better.
3. You provided referee contacts that are hard to reach
While knowing your referees number is a good thing, most people will have different numbers or contacts for how they want to be reached.
Always ask your referees which number they should provide, and if you can get different numbers that he/she uses. You may also include an email or even their LinkedIn profiles.
4. You provided referees that are not that helpful
When you are not sure who to include in the referee section, panic can lead you to include friends or relatives that can speak well about you. The problem however, is that these friends and relatives have not worked with you directly and may have very little to speak on your experience or line of work.
Also including top managers who are way up the hierarchy in the company you worked for may work against you. Include people you have worked with directly.
As a job seeker, you must know that the referee section in your CV is of great importance in getting the job and must be addressed with caution.
4 Costly Job Search Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
We have all had that point in the job search process where we almost gave up. How would you feel when regardless of your efforts to secure a job, nothing is coming by?
This is what Anastacia Mwongeli is going through as seen in her email.
“I have been looking for a job for the longest time ever without success. I have sent hundreds of job applications but never gotten any response from my potential employers. What could I be doing wrong in my job search? Please advise me because I am on the verge of giving up.”
If you find that your job search is taking longer like the case of Anastacia, there is a chance that you are doing it wrong.
In order to turn the situation around, you need to avoid these common mistakes when job searching.
4 Common Job Search Mistakes
You do not have a plan
According to Brian Kariuki, the Country Manager at Travel Start, most job seekers do not have a clear strategy when looking for a job.
You don’t just wait for the last minute to find a job and that is why preparation is very important.
A good way to improve on your job search methods is to have a clear plan and goal in mind. Envision where you want to be in the future and once you do, search for the available opportunities that will help you achieve those goals.
Staying organized while applying for jobs is very essential. Start by building a list of your contacts that will be of help in the search. This way you will know who to contact when looking for a certain position.
Failing to network
Many job seekers underestimate the power of networking and that is why they lack simple networking techniques.
Go for career fairs or any events related to your field of study and step out of your comfort zone by approach potential employers. You may be surprised to find out an employer is interested in you and this is your chance to sell yourself.
Setting your expectations too high is a common job search mistake
One of the most common mistakes job seekers make when looking is setting the bar too high.
Just because you are a graduate does not mean that your first job has to be a six figure salary. In this tough economic times, focus on gaining work experience which will keep you a notch higher.
Letting rejection discourage you
As you look for the right job, rejections are inevitable and how will handle them will determine your job search success.
Taking a job rejection personally will leave you discouraged and set you many steps back. Take any criticism and use it to improve on selling yourself and better your chances of getting the job.
5 Best Part Time Jobs That Pay Well in Kenya
By Elizabeth Benu,
With the January heat getting hotter coupled up with economic hardships, a large number of Kenyans are looking for more moneymaking avenues.
Although the thought of earning more money is exciting, not many know where to look for these part-time opportunities.
Here is a list of part time jobs you could take up:
1. Data Entry
Data Entry jobs require you to enter or update data into a computer database, often from written documents. These types of jobs are for those who are computer literate, have excellent fast typing skills and good written communication skills.
Other types of data entry jobs include audio transcription which can even be done within the comfort of your own home.
Audio transcription jobs can earn you between 12-20 bob per minute with a minimum daily expectation of 60 mins.
A data entry clerk on the other hand, can earn Kshs. 600 per day depending on the nature of the project.
2. Online writing
If you have good writing skills this can be the best part time job for you. It is best suited for students, recent graduates or those who are already working.
Although they are a bit demanding in terms of deadlines and quality, online writing jobs can earn you a tidy sum of between Kshs.15, 000 to Kshs. 30, 000 per month.
Depending on the company you are working for some can earn you roughly Kshs. 200 per 300 words.
The only requirement is a computer and internet connection.
3. Jobs with academic institutions
For students who are currently pursuing their degrees or diplomas you can check with your school administration if they have any part time job offers for the semester.
These jobs are usually available at the start of an academic year or semester depending on the institution. They can range from data entry to arranging books in the school library.
Payment can include offsetting some of your tuition fee or cash payment at the end of the month.
4. Offer a service
Such services include babysitting, running errands, tutoring to working in a mjengo. Some can be done during the weekends and depending on which one you settle on it brings in extra cash home.
5. Administration jobs
One of the easiest entry level jobs that sometimes require no experience are administrative jobs. These include messenger and front office jobs. Basic computer skills and good written and oral communication skills are all you need.
An entry level administration job pays between Kshs. 15, 000 to Kshs. 20, 000 a month.
Be Careful in Salary Negotiation – 14 Things You Should Never Say
Source: Business Insider
Ever attended an interview only to come out angry with yourself for not negotiating your worth the right way?
Well, if this sounds like you, here are 15 words and phrases that hurt most job seekers in their salary negotiation.
1.”I accept [the first offer].”
Remember: This is a negotiation, so be careful not to end it before it has even had a chance to start.
2.”I’m looking for X.”
Never throw out the first number. You want to leave room for discussion
A good negotiation strategy is to let the employer offer the first number. That puts you in a position to see the number they are offering and gives you the opportunity to negotiate it up from there.”
3.”That’s all you’re offering me?”
Never say this, or anything else that will offend the employer — even if you think the salary they’re offering is laughable.
4.”No.”
In negotiations, you’ll have to be willing to be flexible and provide counteroffers when the offer isn’t in line with what you are seeking. By saying “no” you could be quickly closing the door on the offer at hand.
5.”I have other outstanding offers right now that are much more lucrative.”
Even if it’s true, you shouldn’t use “that card” to pressure the employer. Only discuss the offer at hand.
And if you don’t have another offer on the table, you’ll definitely want to avoid this tactic.
6.”Bottom line”/”This is my final/last offer.”
These phrases sounds like threats, and they typically close out the negotiation.
If you say any of these things, and the demand is not met by the employer, the negotiation will be over and you’ll have to be prepared to walk away.
7.”I know this may sound a little aggressive, but…”
If your rationale is based on fact, you should never have to preface your request with this type of disclaimer.
8.”I need…”
You should never say you need X amount more because of expenses or debt. Don’t bring in personal issues; this is about your merit and the job fit.
9.”I hate to have to ask for this, but…”
True, it might not be the easiest thing to ask for more money — but saying you “hate to have to do it” is a flat out lie. Plus, it’s just a really terrible way to preface the negotiation.
10.”The least I’d be willing to accept is X.”
If you tell them the parameters of the lowest offer your willing to take, that could be what you’ll get.
11. “Sorry”
Have confidence in yourself. If you know your value and what you’ll be bringing to the company, there will be no need to apologize for asking for more.
12. “But I’m worth so much more.”
Of course you’ll want to mention your value in a salary negotiation — but try to say it in a way that isn’t so obnoxious. You never want to come off as arrogant.
13. “You might not think I’m worth this, but…”
Just don’t. You want to be direct, polite, and concise in your negotiation to show that you are competent and a valued member of the team.
Have you ever used any of these phrases before?
The Biggest Mistakes I See on Resumes, and How to Correct Them – Google Head of HR
I’ve sent out hundreds of resumes over my career, applying for just about every kind of job. I’ve personally reviewed more than 20,000 resumes. And at Google we sometimes get more than 50,000 resumes in a single week.
I have seen A LOT of resumes.
Some are brilliant, most are just ok, many are disasters. The toughest part is that for 15 years, I’ve continued to see the same mistakes made again and again by candidates, any one of which can eliminate them from consideration for a job. What’s most depressing is that I can tell from the resumes that many of these are good, even great, people. But in a fiercely competitive labor market, hiring managers don’t need to compromise on quality. All it takes is one small mistake and a manager will reject an otherwise interesting candidate.
I promise you — more than half of you have at least one of these mistakes on your resume. And I’d much rather see folks win jobs than get passed over.
In the interest of helping more candidates make it past that first resume screen, here are the five biggest mistakes I see on resumes.
Mistake 1: Typos
This one seems obvious, but it happens again and again. A 2013 CareerBuilder survey found that 58% of resumes have typos.
In fact, people who tweak their resumes the most carefully can be especially vulnerable to this kind of error, because they often result from going back again and again to fine tune your resume just one last time. And in doing so, a subject and verb suddenly don’t match up, or a period is left in the wrong place, or a set of dates gets knocked out of alignment. I see this in MBA resumes all the time. Typos are deadly because employers interpret them as a lack of detail-orientation, as a failure to care about quality. The fix?
Read your resume from bottom to top: reversing the normal order helps you focus on each line in isolation. Or have someone else proofread closely for you.
Mistake 2: Length
A good rule of thumb is one page of resume for every ten years of work experience. Hard to fit it all in, right? But a three or four or ten page resume simply won’t get read closely. As Blaise Pascal wrote, “I would have written you a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” A crisp, focused resume demonstrates an ability to synthesize, prioritize, and convey the most important information about you. Think about it this way: the *sole* purpose of a resume is to get you an interview. That’s it. It’s not to convince a hiring manager to say “yes” to you (that’s what the interview is for) or to tell your life’s story (that’s what a patient spouse is for). Your resume is a tool that gets you to that first interview. Once you’re in the room, the resume doesn’t matter much. So cut back your resume. It’s too long.
Mistake 3: Formatting
Unless you’re applying for a job such as a designer or artist, your focus should be on making your resume clean and legible. At least ten point font. At least half-inch margins. White paper, black ink. Consistent spacing between lines, columns aligned, your name and contact information on every page. If you can, look at it in both Google Docs and Word, and then attach it to an email and open it as a preview. Formatting can get garbled when moving across platforms. Saving it as a PDF is a good way to go.
Mistake 4: Confidential information
I once received a resume from an applicant working at a top-three consulting firm. This firm had a strict confidentiality policy: client names were never to be shared. On the resume, the candidate wrote: “Consulted to a major software company in Redmond, Washington.” Rejected! There’s an inherent conflict between your employer’s needs (keep business secrets confidential) and your needs (show how awesome I am so I can get a better job). So candidates often find ways to honor the letter of their confidentiality agreements but not the spirit. It’s a mistake. While this candidate didn’t mention Microsoft specifically, any reviewer knew that’s what he meant. In a very rough audit, we found that at least 5-10% of resumes reveal confidential information. Which tells me, as an employer, that I should never hire those candidates … unless I want my own trade secrets emailed to my competitors.
The New York Times test is helpful here: if you wouldn’t want to see it on the home page of the NYT with your name attached (or if your boss wouldn’t!), don’t put it on your resume.
Mistake 5: Lies
This breaks my heart. Putting a lie on your resume is never, ever, ever, worth it. Everyone, up to and including CEOs, gets fired for this. (Google “CEO fired for lying on resume” and see.) People lie about their degrees (three credits shy of a college degree is not a degree), GPAs (I’ve seen hundreds of people “accidentally” round their GPAs up, but never have I seen one accidentally rounded down — never), and where they went to school (sorry, but employers don’t view a degree granted online for “life experience” as the same as UCLA or Seton Hall). People lie about how long they were at companies, how big their teams were, and their sales results, always goofing in their favor.
There are three big problems with lying:
- You can easily get busted. The Internet, reference checks, and people who worked at your company in the past can all reveal your fraud.
- Lies follow you forever. Fib on your resume and 15 years later get a big promotion and are discovered? Fired. And try explaining that in your next interview.
- Our Moms taught us better. Seriously.
So this is how to mess up your resume. Don’t do it! Hiring managers are looking for the best people they can find, but the majority of us all but guarantee that we’ll get rejected.
The good news is that — precisely because most resumes have these kinds of mistakes — avoiding them makes you stand out.
In a future post, I’ll expand beyond what not to do, and cover the things you *should* be doing to make your resume stand out from the stack.
Written by Laszlo Bock, Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google
