Letters / How to Effectively Write an Excellent Cover Letter? [NEW]

If you think writing a resume is hard, try writing a cover letter. Remember, the cover letter is what your potential employer will read before she or he reads anything else. It serves to give an impression of you, in some ways more so than your resume. If you think about the resume as appealing to the brain, you can think about the cover letter as appealing to the heart; and we all know that the heart can be far more powerful than the brain.

With that in mind, sit and think about what is not on your resume. Then get ready to write about just those things in your letter. That's right. The cover letter is the place to sneak in accomplishments of all sorts that have no place on a resume. Did you take care of your aging grandmother for five years while you earned your MBA? While there's no place for a sob story in the business world, it's also worth commemorating with a sentence or so, as a way to show how strong, disciplined, and compassionate you are, all at the same time.

It isn't that you want to ignore your primary job and academic experiences, but remember -- those are already listed on your resume! And so, while you might want to embellish one or more of those listed experiences, you want to think more in terms of augmentation as opposed to embellishment. How about the time you spent your summer in a bird suit trying to wave people into a business of the very same kind you ended up managing three years later? Undoubtedly you have not included that on your resume, but wow -- what fortitude! What stamina! What dedication! You devoted yourself to the field from beginning to -- well, to management -- and this is something a cover letter can show in its full glory.

The cover letter is also a way to show your ideal boss how smart you are. While most jobs don't require excellent writing skills as part of their job requirements, it is also true that the written word can convey a sense of a person's intellect. If you word your sentences with elegance, grace, depth, and perhaps even a dash of humor, and connect them with flowing and original transitions, you will make it clear that you are a man or woman with a brain. If, on the other hand, your language is sloppy, you don't take care to be interesting or, heaven forbid, you have made errors in spelling or grammar, you will be immediately marked as someone who might not have what it takes to do the job you want.

This is why it is extremely important to have someone knowledgeable go over your cover letter once you've gotten it into what you consider a perfect shape. This doesn't have to be a professional whom you pay, but it should be someone who knows something about the hiring process, ideally in your own field. This should also be someone who has a good command of spelling, grammar, and all of the other conventions of language. In fact, try to get more than one person to read and comment upon your cover letter; it's always good to have an extra perspective. And again, be sure to listen to their suggestions with an open mind; defensiveness has no place in this process.

Once you've gotten your letter in final shape, be sure that you print it out on the same kind of paper you've used for your resume. Details like this speak volumes to future employers; and so while you're at it, order matching envelopes as well!

Yes, it takes time and energy, as well as a bit of money, to create an excellent cover letter and resume package; but in the end, if these things help land you the job of your dreams, it's might be the best investment you make.

Letters / How to Write a Perfect and Winning Resume? [NEW]

If you're starting from scratch, writing an excellent resume can seem like a daunting task. Never fear! Take things one step at a time and you'll be fine.

The first step is to get a sense of the current trends in resumes. Google keywords associated with resumes in your field and see what a successful resume looks like today. This is important even if you have a vivid image in your mind; chances are, you have some erroneous ideas, and you will need to shake them loose.

And so, make sure you view as many samples as you can, taking notes as you go; at the very least, you should write down the main categories into which resumes in your field are divided. For example, the part where one's job history is presented might be called "Work Experience" or it might be called "Employment." Be sure you align yourself with the latest language used for resumes in your area of expertise.

Over time, after you view a great many sample resumes, you will begin to have a sense of what your own resume will look like.

Next, sit down with the list of main categories and a piece of paper. Brainstorm everything you can remember about yourself as it fits into those categories. You'll be surprised at how many jobs, educational experiences, and volunteer stints you remember. Be sure not to censor yourself, or succumb to a sense of modesty that has no place in the writing of a resume.

Now it's time to choose only those work, educational, volunteer, and other experiences that are the most stellar, as well as the most relevant to your desired job. Also be sure, especially if you are just re-entering the job market after some time, that you aren't featuring academic or job experiences that are far in your past. You want to make sure that there are no gaping holes in the chronology of your resume.

After you have narrowed down your list of accomplishments, it's time to make your life sound pretty. Be sure to use a confident voice (confident but not arrogant), and make sure your language is in line with the samples you've viewed. Be prepared to revisit your wording many times; ideally, write one version, walk away from it, come back, and try again. Each time you will find a better way to say what you want to say.

Next, you might want to find a good template to use for the final version of your resume. Take care not to use a template that's over-used; by the same token, you don't want to choose a format that's so innovative as to be considered edgy. Rather, find something that you feel lets you stand out without making an undue spectacle of yourself.

Now you're ready to enter the information from your rough draft into the template. This might be difficult, as word processing packages vary, but just be ready to play around with margins and fonts and you'll be fine. As you enter your information, you will have an opportunity to perform yet another edit of your words. Then do a spell-check (very important) and print!

But don't rest easy just yet. Scan your printed copy for errors and then put it away for a few days. Take it out again and do the same thing, making any changes you deem necessary. Once you've entered your changes, it's time to print out another copy and ask a friend or colleague to go over your resume with a fine-tooth comb. Undoubtedly he or she will have other suggestions. Be prepared to listen with an open mind.

At this point, you can consider yourself done! Of course, the true test is in the job search; And don't forget to write your cover letter! If, after some time, you have had no luck whatsoever, it might be worthwhile considering hiring a professional to get your resume in order. But that's certainly not a necessity at first; you'll be amazed at what a fine job you can do yourself, with a bit of work.

Good luck!

Dissertations / What are the Distinguishing Characteristics of Graduate-Level Writing? [NEW]

Writing skills become a more fundamental aspect of attending graduate school than they ever were while an undergraduate. Often, graduate school means bidding adieu to the multiple-choice tests that examine one's ability to recognize the correct answer. Instead, graduate school is designed to test one's ability to recall, identify, examine, and explain the correct answer. Writing is utilized more often throughout graduate school and graduate students are made readily aware that their writing skills are constantly being assessed. And if one is to pursue a doctorate, his/her writing skills must be up to task of completing a dissertation and defending that dissertation and its presentation to questions posed by potential future colleagues. Thus, an individual's propensity to write clear and concise papers must be exercised and perfected in order to succeed in graduate school. The following are some characteristics that are essential in graduate-level dissertation and PhD thesis writing.

Knowledge of Different Citation Styles. The graduate student must be adept in using different types of citation styles. Depending upon what the graduate student's major is, he/she will be required to implement a specified way of referencing other's texts within his/her own. In being aware of the different citation styles that exist, the graduate student can ensure that he/she is correctly utilizing the approved style. Furthermore, writing that lacks coherent citations is often construed as writing that is substandard and the author's credibility is diminished when other texts are not cited properly. When a graduate student fails to cite other texts that have been used, this is considered to be plagiarism.

The Thesis or Topic is Addressed in an Organized and Coherent Manner. The thesis or topic that is presented within a paper must be supported throughout the paper. Also, the paper must follow an organized system of presenting and evaluating supporting evidence. While some students may mistakenly believe that evidence provided in a paper needs no further explanation as to how it supports the thesis, the connection may not be as clear to an outside reader. Evidence should clearly be explained as to how it supports the thesis. The information contained within the paper should also be organized so that it follows a logical train of thought with an understandable progression and transition from idea to idea.

Sufficient Research Has Been Conducted Regarding the Thesis. A thesis cannot be proven using only one source of information. The graduate student must engage in rigorous research that attempts to fully explicate the thesis. Additionally, the graduate student must be knowledgeable of the appropriate sources to use when searching for evidence. Sources must be chosen based on their credibility and the extent to which the research conducted supports the thesis. The research that is conducted should be from a variety of sources and methodologies to ensure that the conclusions reached are unquestionable in their validity and applicability.

The Composition of the Paper Demonstrates Original and Critical Thinking. The conclusions or theories that the paper posits should be innovative. Likewise, the methods that the graduate student uses to arrive at these conclusions should be creative in their approach and not simply the reiteration of earlier papers addressing the same topic. The graduate student should be able to critically evaluate all the sources that have been cited within the paper in such a way that they are fully explained and integrated into the paper's thesis. The creativity that is used when writing a paper ultimately results in insightful writing that effectively analyzes the different dimensions of the thesis and ultimately results in profound and meaningful statements regarding the nature of the conclusion. Finally, the paper's composition should reflect the author's individual and unique writing style.

Dissertations / What are the Typical Steps of the Doctoral Process? [2]

A Short Guide to Everything From the Proposal to the Defense

Before the grand process of writing and submitting a dissertation can be accomplished, most universities require the student to complete several hours of coursework in addition to whatever departmental requirements have been set forth by the school. The student then must pass several exams, usually referred to as qualifying exams, in order to present a request to school administrators to advance into the doctoral candidacy program. It is after the student has fulfilled all of the prerequisites set forth by the school that he/she can finally proceed to the formulation, writing, and submittal of the dissertation.

While the guidelines set forth for this process are different for each school, they are often similar in their application and students are always provided with a copy of the dissertation proposal guidelines and rules. It is before the dissertation proposal occurs that the student becomes responsible for considering and appointing individuals to serve on the doctoral committee. Departmental administrators must approve the committee before any further work can be completed. In certain instances, the committee approval occurs before submission of the dissertation proposal, while other institutions require that the dissertation proposal be submitted at the same time as the names of the individuals comprising the proposed committee. However, once the doctoral committee is approved, it is these individuals who work closely with the student in the formulation of the dissertation.

Again, dissertation proposal processes vary amongst schools. Some institutions require the student to submit an initial dissertation proposal to departmental administrators. This document details the nature of the thesis, the methods in which the thesis will be studied, the goals and timeframe of the study, and the resources for the project. In other universities, the student must only submit a full thesis proposal to the doctoral committee. This proposal is submitted to committee members only after the committee chair has provided approval of the proposal. Often, the full thesis proposal entails the first three chapters of the dissertation with a framework provided for the fourth and fifth chapter. By providing this information, the doctoral committee can properly evaluate the direction and approach that the student is taking with his/her thesis. Some academic institutions require that the student present his/her dissertation proposal in a public seminar as a means of gaining more feedback on his/her dissertation topic. However, it is most always the doctoral committee that provides the ultimate approval of the dissertation proposal.

When the proposal has officially been approved, the in-depth research and writing of the dissertation begin. Throughout the writing process, the student will be able to meet with his/her committee chair and members to gain further insight into possible research methods or information that will benefit the development of the dissertation. When the student and the committee chair decide that the dissertation is complete, an appointment for a dissertation defense is scheduled and copies of the dissertation are distributed to committee members according to the required timelines set forth by the school.

The dissertation defense is almost always a public event in that it is open to other members of the academic community. And often, visitors to the dissertation defense have the ability to ask the student questions regarding his/her dissertation, just as the committee members are able. When the defense is completed, the committee members vote on whether the student passed or failed the oral examination and if necessary, will provide a list of changes (both required and recommended) to the dissertation. If the student is considered to have passed the oral examination and subsequently, makes the necessary changes to his/her dissertation, the dissertation along with paperwork from the doctoral committee is sent to administrative officials, and a doctorate degree is conferred upon the student.

Dissertations / How to Choose the Members of Your Doctoral Committee? [NEW]

The members of the doctoral committee are an integral part in pursuing and achieving the doctorate degree in any field of study. Because the individuals comprising the committee are those with whom you will be expected to work for an extended period of time, it is important that when considering potential committee members, several factors are taken into account. The formation of a doctoral committee will be a time-intensive process and committee members are expected to view this opportunity, just as you do, as a long-term commitment. Therefore, selection of committee members is key in creating a group of individuals who can successfully collaborate and interact over the period of several years.

Every school has different requirements set forth regarding the appointment of professors to the doctoral committee. It is important that you be familiar with these guidelines to ensure that when considering potential candidates, their qualifications enable them to serve on the committee. Many times, committee requirements also dictate that a faculty member from an outside department be appointed to the committee as well. There is often an abundance of information available to you through the administrative offices of your graduate school, from staff members to the publications that the school has created to address the doctoral program in your field of study. This is the primary place that will provide you all the vital information you need to begin working toward your doctorate.

It is often suggested that doctoral students first appoint their committee chair prior to selecting the remainder of the committee. By proceeding in this manner, the chair can assist you in identifying and choosing other members who will best serve your dissertational needs and who are best matched to your style of working, researching, etc. Again though, even the appointment of a committee chair will be an intense process in which you must determine this individual's appropriateness to your cause.

So, what are some of the items to take into consideration when interviewing possible committee members and chairs? The number one item is that personality matters! You will want to consider people with whom you will be able to work and more importantly, with whom you will enjoy working. Also, committee members should be individuals who value the input of the committee chair and who will not constantly challenge him/her. The successful working relationships between the committee chair and members are just as important as your own working relationship with them. Your committee members should share your dissertational interests and work in the same manner as you do. They should also care about you as an individual and your professional development as a researcher and scholar. Find out about previous committees on which they have served and get their input on your potential dissertation ideas.

When interviewing possible candidates, it also crucial to make sure that they have the time and availability to perform the duties associated with being a committee member. It is possible that a good candidate may be taking a sabbatical during the time in which your dissertation requires his/her presence. Additionally, candidates may already be serving on other committees and this will limit their schedule of accessibility. Finally, your committee members should be individuals who have access to a wide variety of resources, including information, research options, and other people. By selecting committee members who have these types of connections, you are thus empowered with the same resources. Above all, your committee members should inspire and motivate you to achieve great things. If the proper time is taken and the right questions are asked when selecting doctoral committee members, the road to receiving your doctorate will be smoother and more fulfilling.