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The Triad Tipster - Summer 2002 Information for you and your career... |
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What an agency can do for you Why should you work with an agency? What are the benefits? The reality is that the right agency and recruiter can be a huge help in your job searches and career planning. Obviously, an agency's most visible role is matching a job opening to a contractor. What must an agency do to make this match? Finding a variety of appealing contract job openings . This requires considerable time and effort making sales calls, visits, and networking. Agencies work hard to locate and maintain relationships with the people who hire technical contractors, while constantly searching for new prospective client companies.Working as your 'agent' . A recruiter should take time to get to know you, your wants and your needs. Then, the recruiter will be able to present you to the client in the best possible light. The agent's job is to smooth the path, through written and verbal selling of your skills, to the perfect position for you.Once 'matched', the obvious and visible work begins: payroll generation, W2 employment responsibilities (matching FICA, unemployment insurance, workers compensation coverage), and contract financing (you, as the contractor, are paid in a timely manner, while the agency typically isn't paid by the company until much later). This is just the beginning, there is so much more an agency offers. Keep in mind that technical people are good at technical work...sales people at selling. Together...what a team!!!
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(Part 3) The previous Tipsters contained information about classic resume formats, skill sections and how to create a scanner friendly resume. This edition addresses cover letters and references. A cover letter is an introduction to you. The letter should be formal in format and style. If you are answering an advertisement, reference it in your cover letter. This helps to ensure your resume makes it to the appropriate decision-maker. Each cover letter should be customized to the specific job in which you are interested. Use the internal job title for the position and the company name, if you have this information. The major purpose of a cover letter is to highlight your specific skills related to the position for which you are applying. If you want the person reading your resume to focus on a specific position you held or specific skills you have acquired, briefly mention this in the cover letter. Resist the temptation to write a long cover letter; a concise and well-organized letter is more likely to be read. References should not be sent with your resume, but should be available if requested. References should be recent, direct supervisors unless you are a recent graduate. You should include: current work numbers to reach each during the day; the reference's company name and job title while you worked with him/her; and the current company name, if they are at a different place of employment. Next edition: What to include in a job description |