If you are new to job seeking, writing a cover letter may seem unnecessary to you. However, the missing cover letter can be just that missing ingredient that gives you a higher chance of landing that job. A cover letter as the name suggests, is a formal letter that you write to a potential employer in an attempt to better position yourself as the ideal candidate they are looking for. It is sent together with your resume to the hiring manager and it is the first thing that he or she will read. A well-composed cover letter helps you to stand out among the crowd and capture the attention of the HR manager, prompting him or her to read your resume. Here are 3 key pointers that you need to keep in mind when writing a cover letter:

Key Pointer #1 – What Is The Purpose Of The Letter?

State the position you are applying for in the company. This must be apparent to the hiring manager. You may consider making it as the header of the letter. After your initial meeting, define and state your purpose for writing the letter. If you are referred by someone, state that person’s name in it. Otherwise, let them know that you are responding to a job posting that you have seen on the newspaper or from the internet. If you are sending the letter cold, it is wise to conduct your own research on the company and what captured your interest in that company.

Key Pointer #2 – What Do You Have To Offer To Your Employer?

List down all your qualifications, qualities, skills and experiences that match well with the requirements listed by that company. Specifically state your areas of expertise that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Focus on what you can offer for the company and not what the company can offer for you. This is the most important part of the letter where you are writing from your heart. Therefore, be genuine and sincere in what you write here. The cover letter should also be brief and in lesser details than your resume. The purpose of the cover letter is to peak the hiring manager’s attention to want to read your resume.

Key Pointer #3 – What Is Your Intended Follow-Up?

When you are closing the final paragraph in your letter, remember to thank the hiring manager for considering your application and that you greatly appreciate the opportunity granted for an interview. Do let them know when and how you are intending to follow up and remember to keep your word. Next, do remember to leave every piece of your contact information together with the best times to contact you. This is very important as you do not want the hiring manager to get frustrated searching for your contact details within the letter when he or she is so impressed by what you have written. Writing an impressive cover letter will no doubt require time and effort. However, this missing ingredient during your job hunt can mean a difference landing that ideal job when there are a lot of people fighting for the same job at the same time. The cover letter is what your potential employer has to first get past before he or she decides to read your resume. If you fail to capture the attention, no matter how impressive your qualifications are, you will fail to get the recognition they deserve. Therefore, do not overlook the importance of writing a good cover letter as it is the document that can make you stand out in the crowd during your job hunting.

“Honey” where are we going for dinner tonight? The man continues to walk, not knowing that someone was talking to him. “Hey! I am talking to you! Are you deaf? Why are you ignoring me?” The next moment, he realizes that she has stomped off in anger as there wasn’t any form of reaction from him. The rest is history as you recapped yourself chasing after your girlfriend, coaxing and comforting her.

I believe this scenario is not new to many men out there. It’s not that you refused to listen to her. The real reason boils down to the fact that your hearing might be impaired without you realizing it. After a couple of consultations with the doctor, you discovered that the root cause might be due to the long hours of Ipod blasting and dancing next to mega huge speakers in clubs that resulted in the hearing loss of your right ear. Fortunately, the doctor explained that the hearing loss is only temporary as you discovered the problem early.

As people age, structures in the ear may become less elastic after undergoing changes that result in less responsiveness to sound waves. This is called presbycusis, where hearing loss is due to ageing. Hearing degenerates gradually as we age, the trick is to not accelerate this process prematurely. This hearing degeneration begins when you soon enter your early teen years and may start to be noticeable when you are over 50. According to the statistics provided on the National Institute On Deafness and Other Communication Disorders ( NIDCD ) website, men are more likely to experience hearing loss than women. 

Before you start to go into a panic stricken mode, here are 4 practical ways for you to protect your sense of sound against premature loss from noise and carelessness, the two killers that are responsible for most hearing losses.

#1 Exercise common sense and stay away from noise producing equipment. 

The most common danger to your hearing is noise. Noise consists of a mixture of sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last over a long period of time. Prolong exposure to these noises, will definitely result in hearing impairment as there is high probability of the sensitive structures within our inner ear being damaged. This kind of loss is termed as noise-induced hearing loss. These noises are present in our surrounding environment such as construction sites, traffic, mechanical equipments, household appliances…etc

#2 Reduce the volume in your portable music players.

Before you decide to blast your Mp3 player, think again! The distance from the source of the sound is important as earphones are mere centimeters from your eardrums. Listening to loud music over time can cause hearing loss. Generally, the louder the sound, the lesser the time you should exposed yourself to it. Hearing damage occurs even after continuous listening to music at a reasonable volume.

#3 Use ear plugs if required.

Sounds of 75 decibels or less are unlikely to result in hearing loss. A normal conversation is roughly about 60 decibels, however in clubs the noise level can go up to as high as 110 decibels which is equivalent to an aero plane taking off.

If you are exposed to an environment where noises are prevalent, you may want to consider using ear plugs to reduce the stress caused on your ear drums.

#4 Protect your head.

Head injuries may also result in hearing loss. Impact trauma can affect in a fracture of the cochlea which is the auditory portion of the inner ear and is usually permanent. Protect your head at all cost!

Sometimes it does not pay to be so honest with your boss. Do not misunderstood the meaning here, I am not telling you to go against your policy and start lying to everyone you see on the streets, besides it is wrong to lie in the first place. In most cases, the old adage remains true where total honesty can be deadly to your career. This can be in situations when you have decided to spill the beans to your boss regarding certain instances but it appear totally offensive and aggressive to him or her. Here are 6 deadly career killers you should never tell your boss:

Career Killer #1 – I want your position.

Imagine you are the boss and someone you just employed by the name of Tim said those words to you on the second day. Wouldn’t that put you on guard that you are working with a walking lion waiting ever to devour you? In such cases, Tim most probably won’t be promoted for the next five years or so, or maybe not until you are promoted.

All good bosses certainly appreciate the ambition in their employees, however in reality, no one desires to swim in a tank of piranhas. You may want to be the boss someday, that’s definitely a great goal in mind, but it’s better to be left in private to yourself.

Career Killer #2 – I’m just here temporary till something better comes along my way.

If you say that to your boss even give the slightest impression, chances are your days are numbered. In the first place, something better may in fact never come along. You will be stuck in a job where you will grow to hate and grumble as you have been perceived by others as a disgruntled employee or troublemaker. On the other hand, you may decide you like your job after all. Now you will never move up but only out!

In the realistic society, everyone keep their eyes peel for better opportunities but the most important thing is to let your boss know that you are completely committed to your job.

Career Killer #3 – You are such a horrible jerk!

Indeed, your boss may be such a person, but if you value your job, you will let someone else lecture him on his or her unacceptable behaviour. If you must speak up, approach your boss in a positive manner with gentle advice.

Never criticize. Try your best to communicate the problem. If it’s a problem, let your anger find a solution and not release and vent the anger. Do yourself a favour by remembering never to attack but by using tactics to resolve the situation.

Career Killer #4 – I am afraid to give it a try.

Are you are terrified of meeting with a client or leading a project for the first time? When you are exposed to new things at the beginning, the fear of uncertainty and failure is present. Discuss strategies with your boss but vent fears with your peers or family. Do your due diligence and dive right in. Trying something new will jumpstart your confidence and give you a better chance of climbing that dreadful corporate ladder.

Career Killer #5 – I will not consider a move, work different hours or take on any new tasks!

Most people are too comfortable within their own comfort zone. The question is, are you uncomfortable with change? Always remember that too much rigidity will keep you in that assistant position till retirement. As much as you dislike working the graveyard shift during a economy crunch or shifting to the other side of the continent, don’t be too vocal about it. A change should be considered a chance for proving your capabilities and opportunity for improvement. Sometimes this chance may never come by, but if it does, remember that those willing to move for a company move in the company.

Career Killer #6 – I am warning you now!

Never ever think of giving your boss an ultimatum! Those words are taboo. If you threaten to quit because of unhappiness, your boss may very well call your bluff. That’s no way to get what you want in mind.

Some of you may be thinking that it’s time to pack up your desk as you have already committed any of the 6 listed deadly career killers. Do not be discouraged as there is still hope if you have decided to make that obvious change in your heart which will usually find you back in your boss’s good graces. You might consider scheduling a conference with your boss to discuss your feelings that you are committed to your job. Bosses love to hear an employee say “Please let me know how I can do an even better job”. Those words are very important for 2 reasons. First if there is a problem, you will be better off knowing it as early as possible so that you may find solutions to rectify the problem. Asking that question also provides your boss the opening to dispense some constructive criticism. Second, approaching your boss in this manner will communicate your willingness to give more than 100% to your job. This may increase your chances of securing that corner office with that huge window overlooking the entire financial sector.

Once in a while, most people love to chill with a glass of wine to relax themselves. This alcoholic drink is gaining popularity over the years due to its anti-ageing properties and not to mention on the other added health related benefits. However, when people are just starting out tasting wine and making it a part of their drinking routine, most people generally end completely clueless when it comes to choosing a good wine.

There are clearly no governing rules when it comes to buying and choosing a good wine. Though wine reviews and recommendations certainly do not hurt, most people would simply purchase anything that they feel they will like. But again ask yourself these couple of questions, how many times have you shied away from buying a particular brand of wine just because a friend told you that you most probably wouldn’t like it? And, have you ever tasted a wine which you didn’t fancy only to find out later that it actually have a number of rave reviews under its belt?

One thing you can be sure of is that choosing and buying a wine is all about personal taste. A particular brand of wine can cost as little as ten bucks, but if you like it, you like it. Likewise, you could have tried another brand of wine that cost a hundred bucks and completely not be swayed by it at all. Taste is subjective. Everyone’s taste bud is different. To tell you to drink a particular wine would be equivalent to telling you what food to eat specifically. The only way to figure out what you will really fancy, is to try as many wines as you can. Make a note of your favourites while wine tasting. Tasting is the most fun part when it comes to choosing a wine.

There are 4 main pointers to aid you in choosing a good wine. They are:

Pointer #1 – Colour of the wine

Use the colour of the wine as an indicator to determine its body and robustness. The darker the colour, the fuller the body and the more fragrant it gets while its vice versa for a lighter colour.

Pointer #2 – Texture of the wine

Look at the wine opacity, is it clear, cloudy or somewhere in between? Are there any sediments or specks of cork floating in it?

Pointer #3 – Aroma of the wine

Take a quick whiff of the wine and take a deeper breath of the wine through your nose. What do your fancy about the aroma?

Pointer #4 – Taste of the wine

Swirl a little wine in your mouth and take note of the initial taste. Next let a bit of air through your lips and swirl the wine into your mouth again using your tongue. Swallow the wine next and note the wine’s finishing taste or the aftertaste.

Wine tasting is an art itself. Choosing a good wine requires your sense of sight, taste and smell. The process is very straightforward and can be summarized into the 4 main pointers above. It’s that simple.

Do you know how people project a positive and confident image? How are they able to create a lasting impression that lasts in our minds? Multiple studies revealed that it takes only a mere blink of the eye to form some kind of impression of a person we have just met. Individuals who believe deep within themselves that the best will always happen to them, are usually successful in life. They have learned to “program” their minds to filter out negative thoughts and continually to listen only to thoughts that are positive. It’s this self confidence that spurs them on despite the numerous circumstances that unfolds before them.

So how do you boost your confidence and become the confident successful person that everyone dream of becoming? Here are 7 tips to get you on the fast track to become more confident and towards success:

Tip #1 – Dress to impress

Imagine yourself going on a date, you would do what ever it takes to impress the party you are trying to hit on right? The very first thing you can do is to dress up for the occasion to impress the other party. Though the advice is to dress to impress, do be careful not to overdress or you will stick out like a sore thumb. Practice common sense and wear clothes that bring out the best in you and not expose your flaws. Dress according to the occasion. The goal is to focus on impressing and not trying to get unnecessary attention which will definitely not work in our favour or give a good impression to the person you are interested in.

Tip #2 – Maintaining eye contact

The human eye communicates more than any part of the body. Not only does eye contact displays confidence on your part and increase the credibility of the content you are conversing, it also assist you in understanding what the other party is saying to you. Avoid behaving nervous by looking away at the floor or ceiling when talking.

Tip #3 – Be aware of your body language  

Are you slouching while standing? Are you shifting your body weight from side to side or are you fiddling with small items on your body when talking to someone? Conversing with others with a slumped body posture, projects a lazy impression. While shifting your body weight from side to side or fidgeting when talking gives people a feeling of uncertainty and nervousness which normally reflects that you have low level of confidence. Instead, you should be squaring your shoulders, standing tall and planting your foot on the ground when you are conversing. This will project your confidence and belief in what you are saying.  

Tip #4 – Speak clearly

When speaking, use a steady voice neither shouting nor mumbling as you do not want to appear to be offending, and yet you also do not want the other party to lean so close to you to catch what you are saying simply because you seems to be talking to air. 

Tip #5 – Train your mind to be optimistic

To develop your self confidence, train your mind to tell yourself to believe in what you can do. You can begin by spending time to engage in positive self-talk to continually remind yourself of your abilities and talents. Begin daily and say to yourself that you are a unique individual valuable to others, able to achieve anything as long you want to. Speak positively and make positive statements to yourself at the beginning of the day after a night’s sleep and at the end of each day before bed. Refuse to listen to that “little voice” whenever doubt surfaces in your thoughts. As and when that happens, tell yourself exactly the opposite. Only listen to what’s positive and reject what’s negative. 

Tip #6 – Learn to think success

Think of past successes and achievements. Continue to remind yourself of them and indulge in those wonderful feelings that come with them. Feel the excitement and thrill of winning in victory. Regular recap of these past, will definitely make your confidence grow.

Tip #7 – Plan and prepare for an event

Planning and preparation for an event prepares you mentally and physically before the actual event. This provides sufficient time to organize your thoughts as well as having ample rest before hand. When you are well prepared, you exude confidence.

In general, making improvements in your closet and habits will take time. “Mind programming” will definitely take more time to achieve as compared to personal grooming. If you believe in yourself, your confidence can be felt by the positive energy that you emit unknowingly. It can be heard and seen by your communication and body language. This kind of positive energy can in turn change the environment around you and attract others who are like you. Challenges, hurdles in life are easier to overcome as a result of this continual flow of positive energy.