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<p>Hey guys 😃 Welcome to <strong>Chapter 5 of CV Creation: Cover Letters!</strong></p>



<p>Firstly, well done on making it this far 👏 By now, your CV should be in top shape so let’s crack on with crafting an amazing cover letter!</p>



<p><strong>👉 Paragraph 1: Intention of letter</strong></p>



<p>Simply state that you’re writing to apply for X position as advertised on X website.</p>



<p><strong>👉 Paragraph 2: Overview of experience</strong></p>



<p>Summarise your relevant experience and skills. You want to incorporate keywords from the job advert. Example:</p>



<p><em>I have 4 years experience working in</em><strong><em> fast-paced, customer-facing</em></strong><em> roles within the </em><strong><em>hospitality</em></strong><em> industry that developed my</em><strong><em> customer service</em></strong><em> skills. I handled </em><strong><em>complaints</em></strong><em>, and also dealt with </em><strong><em>cash and card payments</em></strong><em>.</em></p>



<p><strong>👉 Paragraph 3: Specific achievements</strong></p>



<p>Sell yourself and explain <strong><em>how</em></strong> you were an excellent employee in previous jobs using examples that are <strong>measurable</strong> if possible!</p>



<p><em>🖋 What were your achievements?</em></p>



<p><em>🖋 What was the toughest part of your role?</em></p>



<p><em>🖋 Were you given noteworthy responsibilities?&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>🖋 What ideas did you bring to the company?</em></p>



<p><strong>👉 Paragraph 4: Close</strong></p>



<p>Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration, and express your final interest in working for that company specifically.</p>



<p><strong>Cover letter FAQs</strong></p>



<p><strong><em>❓Should I address my redundancy?</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong>Absolutely. After paragraph 2, explain the reason for your redundancy and state that this is in no way a reflection of your work or ability, as they will see from your achievements (detailed in paragraph 3).</p>



<p><strong><em>❓What if I don’t have any experience in the industry? </em></strong>Focus on your <strong>transferable skills</strong> in paragraph 2. <strong>Example:</strong> <em>‘Although I haven’t worked in retail before, I have 2 years experience in </em><strong><em>customer-facing roles</em></strong><em> within hospitality working under </em><strong><em>busy conditions,</em></strong><em> handling </em><strong><em>complaints,</em></strong><em> and striving to deliver an </em><strong><em>excellent customer experience.</em></strong><em>’</em></p>



<p><strong><em>❓How long should my letter be?</em></strong> No longer than one A4 page.</p>



<p><em>Get cracking with your cover letters guys! I’ll see you in Chapter 6 where I’ll give you tips on getting your CV out there!</em></p>


Perfect 😉I need write better my CV 👍

Hi Claire, I hope this post was useful to start writing your cover letter but please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Good luck 💪🏻😊

Hey Luke and Antonio, you can easily update your CV on our app, download it and use it wherever you want. Just click on ‘My Sonic CV’ to get started. Let me know if I can help any further

Writer writing on computer paper sheet vector illustration, flat cartoon person editor write electronic book text top view, laptop with writing letter or journal, journalist author working

Sonic Career Series. CV Creation: Cover Letters


<p>Whether you’re unemployed or in a job,<strong> <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/why-is-applying-for-jobs-stressful-sonicjobs/?id=674">job hunting can be a stressful experience</a></strong>. Finding a new job is a big deal. And it can really take its toll on your mental health. Before you know it, you end up feeling <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-avoid-burnout-at-work/?id=1206">burnt out</a></strong> and overwhelmed. So if you’re looking for a new job, make sure you use these techniques to support your mental health and wellbeing.</p>



<ul><li>Declutter</li><li>Use a planner</li><li>Set realistic goals</li><li>Switch off</li><li>Use your support system</li><li>Assert healthy boundaries</li><li>Use breathing techniques</li><li>Practise patience</li></ul>



<h2>8 ways to support your mental health during your job search</h2>



<h3>Declutter</h3>



<p>If you want to<strong> <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-do-you-know-if-a-career-is-right-for-you-sonicjobs/?id=599">find the right job</a></strong>, you need mental clarity. And you can’t have mental clarity if your environment is cluttered. Clutter creates stress and overwhelm without you even realising it. </p>



<p>So take time to declutter your surroundings. Make sure your desk is clear. Sort your files into folders on your laptop. Clear out your purse. Donate or sell any old clothes you don’t wear anymore. Trust us on this one. Declutter and you&#8217;ll unlock a whole new level of clarity.</p>



<h3>Use a planner</h3>



<p>When it comes to job hunting, a planner will work wonders for your mental health. Instead of trying to hold everything in your mind, write it down. Plan out your days, weeks and months. This will free up SO much space in your mind. You can relax knowing you don’t need to remember everything yourself since it’s all written down in your planner.</p>



<h3>Set realistic goals</h3>



<p>Job hunting can get overwhelming. So it’s best to break your job hunt down into <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/excel-your-career-in-2023-with-smart-goals-best-examples-included/?id=1345">SMART goals</a></strong>. For example, how many job applications would you like to make each week? Just remember to be realistic with your goals. Don’t overwhelm yourself with goals you can’t handle.</p>



<h3>Switch off</h3>



<p>Switching off is a huge part of supporting your mental health. You might think you need to work solidly until you find a job. But this will lead to burnout. Just like a computer runs better after it switches off, you will too! So go to the gym. Run a relaxing bath. Take a walk. Go see your friends. Just take time away from work and job hunting.</p>



<h3>Use your support system</h3>



<p>Don’t carry the burden of your job hunt by yourself. Talking to a friend can really lift the stress. So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, remember to pick up the phone to your friends or family.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Assert healthy boundaries&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Boundaries are crucial to your mental health. Especially when you’re job hunting. So make sure you take your work breaks. Finish work on time. Don’t take on too much from other people. Learn when you need to say ‘no’. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s for the best.</p>



<h3>Use breathing techniques</h3>



<p>Breathing is directly related to your stress levels. When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try breathing exercises to calm your nervous system. There are a ton of breathwork videos on YouTube. These will slow your mind down and help you sleep better.</p>



<h3>Practise patience</h3>



<p>Patience is the key to keeping your cool while job hunting. Remember that it takes time to find the right job. And rejections are just a part of the process. So be patient any time you start to feel frustrated. Just know that the right job is right around the corner, and <strong><em>so</em></strong> worth the wait!</p>



<h2>Don’t neglect yourself</h2>



<p>It’s great to have career aims. But you never want your self-care to fall away. Don’t wait for this to happen before you start using these tips. Self-care should always be a part of your routine. If anything, it will make your job hunt more successful.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Save time in your job hunt by using the </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>SonicJobs</em></strong></a><em> app. Apply for jobs with 1 tap from your phone.</em></p>


8 practical mental health tips while job hunting


<p>When <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/preparing-for-an-interview-when-employed/?id=469">preparing for an interview</a></strong>, you need to brace yourself for tough questions. And one of the hardest interview questions is this one: <em>Tell me about a time you failed.</em> It’s tricky because you have to talk about the negatives. But the key to answering this question is to put a positive spin on it. </p>



<p>Use our top tips for answering this tricky interview question.</p>



<h3>1. Frame your answer</h3>



<p>Always frame your answer using the<strong> <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-use-the-star-interview-technique/?id=1065">STAR interview method</a></strong>. First, explain the Situation (your job title, company etc). Then talk about the Task you had. After, describe the Actions you took. And lastly, talk about the Result.</p>



<p></p>



<h3>2. Don’t be cliche</h3>



<p>Don’t answer this question by saying ‘<em>I don’t believe in failure.’ </em>That’s cliche and is only avoiding the question. You need to be honest and really think about your failures. Interviewers can tell when you’re trying to dodge a question. So face it head on!</p>



<h3>3. Don’t dig yourself a grave</h3>



<p>We want you to be honest. But you also need to be smart in your answer. Don’t pick a failure that doesn’t have a happy ending. You need to pick a failure that you managed to fix. Otherwise, the interviewers will start to question your ability to do the role.</p>



<h3>4. Focus on what you learned</h3>



<p>Failure can teach us to be better. But not everyone learns from their mistakes. The interviewers really want to know you’re the kind of person who learns. The type who can bounce back. So wherever your story goes, always bring it back to what it taught you.</p>



<h3>5. Be accountable</h3>



<p>Don’t play the blame game. Don’t point the finger. These are big red flags for employers. Always hold yourself accountable for your failures. Companies want to hire people who can learn from their mistakes. They don’t want to hire people who can’t be accountable for their actions.</p>



<h3>6. Show appreciation</h3>



<p>You’ll gain bonus points from the interviewers if you can appreciate the lessons you learned. It’s a great attitude to have.</p>



<h2>Sample answer to ‘Tell me about a time you failed”</h2>



<h3>Example 1: Sales role</h3>



<p>“<em>I was working as a Sales Consultant for Ford in 2019. I was close to hitting my annual target and still had a whole month to go. I had worked really hard all year. But I made the mistake of thinking it would be easy to hit my target in the final month. So I didn’t put in the same amount of calls I normally would. Unfortunately, I ended up not hitting my target and missing out on my bonus. It was completely my fault. I’d been overconfident. But in a way, I’m grateful because this taught me a huge lesson to never take business for granted. The following year, I never gave up on hitting my target even when I thought it was in the bag. In the end, I exceeded my 2020 sales target by 20%.</em>”</p>



<h3>Example 2: Hospitality role</h3>



<p>“<em>My biggest failure was when I was working as a waitress for a Michelin star restaurant. I was fairly new to waitressing and inexperienced. One table asked me several questions about the menu and I wasn’t able to answer them because I hadn’t studied the menu.&nbsp; It was quite embarrassing for me and reflected poorly on the restaurant. The customers complained to my manager since they expected a higher level of service. Ever since that evening, I stepped up my game and studied everything I could about the menu. My manager said he was very impressed with how I turned things around so quickly. It was a good lesson to learn. It taught me that customers have certain expectations. And if you don’t meet those expectations, you’ll fail. It’s as simple as that. 4 years on and I’m still working in Michelin star restaurants at management level so I must be doing something right now!</em>”.</p>



<h2>Prepare to fail!</h2>



<p>Failure is a natural part of everyone’s career progression. We wouldn’t learn if we didn’t fail. So don’t be scared of talking about your failures. Just be sure to prepare your answers in advance so you can answer confidently!</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Want a quick career change? SonicJobs can help you find a job in record time. </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Get started today!</em></a></p>


Example interview answer: tell me about a time you failed


<p>Conflicts happen all the time between colleagues. That’s why conflict is often asked about as an <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/most-common-interview-questions-and-answers/?id=400">interview question</a></strong>. We all come from different backgrounds. We all communicate in different ways. And we all have our own ideas. So it’s only natural that we bump heads from time to time. That’s why you should always be prepared to handle a conflict at work. If you don’t learn how to deal with conflict professionally, it could hold back your career.</p>



<p>So use our top tips for resolving conflict with a colleague</p>



<ul><li>Act quickly</li><li>Don’t tell anyone</li><li>Be open-minded</li><li>Listen</li><li>Talk rationally and calmly</li><li>Show empathy</li><li>Agree a two-way resolution</li><li>Know when to escalate</li></ul>



<h2>How to resolve a conflict with a colleague</h2>



<h3>Act quickly</h3>



<p>Conflicts don’t magically disappear in time…even if you wish that were the case. Usually delays can make them worse. So you have to face the conflict as soon as possible to find a resolution. The longer you leave it, the worse it could get. So don’t delay!</p>



<h3>Don’t tell anyone</h3>



<p>When you’ve got a problem with a colleague, it can’t be tempting to confide in someone else. But that’s how rumours and gossip start. But it’s best to address the person involved first. Not to mention it’s the respectful thing to do.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Be open-minded</h3>



<p>Try to enter the conversation open-mindedly. Don’t assume the conversation is going to be bad. And definitely don’t go in there with a defensive attitude. Be open to listening to the other person’s perspective. It’s not just about getting your own opinions across.</p>



<h3>Listen</h3>



<p>Always give the other person their turn to talk. And don’t interrupt them. Even if you don’t agree with what they’re saying, it’s only fair to give them their chance to talk. They’ll feel heard and you&#8217;ll have a better chance of finding a resolution.</p>



<h3>Talk rationally and calmly</h3>



<p>You want to do everything you can to avoid tempers rising. And your tone of voice can work wonders when dealing with conflict. By talking calmly, you’ll help keep your colleague calm too.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Show empathy</h3>



<p>Always be empathetic to the other person. Show them you’re there to understand their point of view and that you’re not just there to point the finger. This will help your colleague to open up and show empathy back to you.</p>



<h3>Agree a two-way resolution</h3>



<p>When finding a resolution, remember it should be a two-way street. It’s not just about what you want to see from your colleague. But what your colleague wants to see from you. So be prepared to make some changes with the way you work too!</p>



<h3>Know when to escalate</h3>



<p>Sometimes conflicts can’t be resolved on your own. And that’s okay. It’s important to know when you need a third-party to step in. This will usually be a manager who can mediate the situation. If tempers start to rise, call on your manager for help!</p>



<h2>Patch it up</h2>



<p>Never stew on a conflict with a colleague. It will only cause you more problems. Although these conversations can be uncomfortable, they’re totally necessary. And what’s more, you’ll actually grow from the experience. Knowing how to deal with conflict is an amazing <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-are-hard-and-soft-skills/?id=1148"><strong>soft skill</strong> </a>to add to your CV. So always face your workplace conflicts head on.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Want a fresh start? Find a new job on the </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>SonicJobs</em></strong></a><em> app today!</em></p>


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Sonic Career Series. CV Creation: Cover Letters

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