Trivia words for the day:
1) Molly Pitcher - a nickname given to a woman who may have fought in the American Revolutionary War. It is generally remembered as Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, wife of William Hays. Molly was a frequent nickname for women named Mary.
2) Buckingham Palace - official London residence of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality, and a major tourist attraction. It has been a rallying point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.
3) Giardiasis in humans is caused by the infection of the small intestine by a single-celled organism called Giardia lamblia. Giardiasis occurs worldwide with a prevalence of 20–30% in developing countries.

Anybody who wants to get a decent job has to go through interviews, for at least once in his life. Doing well in interviews spells whether a person could enter a school, get a job, or advance in his career. Hence, with something as important as interviews, we all have to prepare well in order to do well. The following job interview secrets could help in making one successful in any interview. So start preparing for that job interview and get the dream job you’ve always wanted!

1. Dress well. Interviews would work to your advantage if you manage to make a good first impression to your prospective administrators or employers. Dressing well would help a lot in making that first impression. Hence, if you have a job interview, wear clothes that are presentable. Long sleeves and neutral colored slacks look all right for men, while a top with a blazer and slacks would look nice in a woman. Don’t go for outrageously colored or flashy clothes. The tip is to dress decently and comfortably.
2. Be on time. Nothing destroys that good first impression as well as being late. Arrive early for your interview. Allot at least two hours to prepare before the interview. If you live a little farther, adjust your time accordingly. Your promptness would considerably increase your chances in getting accepted in school or work.
3. Refrain from possibly offending behaviors. Don’t smoke before or during an interview. Turn your mobile phone off or put it in silent mode. Don’t chew gum while in an interview. These behaviors, while minor, might cost you that job or opportunity.
4. Smile. A smile breaks the ice and makes the interviewer receptive on what you are going to say. A smile would also work wonders for you as it would help in reducing your tension and will definitely add to your charm.
5. Sell yourself. You are the main point of the interview, so put yourself in focus. Focus on your strengths and what you can contribute to the organization. Sell yourself on the basis of your achievements. Just don’t appear too haughty or proud. The key is to make the interviewer notice your achievements, while being humble.
6. Do some homework. You should have some idea about the job you are applying for or the institution you want to enter in. The interviewer might ask you some questions regarding the position or opportunity you want. Don’t try to bluff; oftentimes, interviewers see what is real from what is fake. Be real and be smart. In case there is something you don’t know, tell the truth that you have no idea but will try to check out on it when you get the chance.

It is not only the résumé that job applicants should learn how to make. They should also learn how to write a very good and effective cover letter.

A cover letter, often attached to the résumé, is a letter of intent to apply at a certain company that includes a highlight of your qualifications. Like a résumé, it is also a basis of the prospective employer’s first impression of you. Not all job positions require a cover letter to be attached to the résumé. However, even if it is not required, attaching one creates an impression that you give effort to the application and that you really are interested in the job. It can also give you opportunity to include things that are not usually included in the résumé such as a statement of self-glorification to advertise your good qualities or working habits and attitudes.

Writing the cover letter is crucial because it can make the employer either interested or disinterested in reading your résumé. Here are some tips on how to write the perfect cover letter.

1. Address to a specific person, and not to sir or to madam alone. More importantly, do not address to “sir/ma’am” as if you are not sure who the recipient is. If you could, do a little research of your own. Call the office and talk to, at least, the secretary and inquire about the name of the person to whom the letter should be addressed. Indicate the designation of the person under his name.
2. Make a very good starting paragraph. You should be able to catch their attention and make them interested in reading further. Try to be able to show your enthusiasm from the first paragraph.
3. Follow it up with a summary of your accomplishments. Put only the highlights and do not put copy you indicated in the résumé in verbatim. A résumé and a cover letter have different purposes and the purpose of the cover letter does not include showing a comprehensive enumeration of your background.
4. Phrase your statements from the point of view of what you may contribute to your employer if you are hired for the job, instead of from the point of view of what you can gain from them.
5. Don’t be too wordy. Write short statements that are easy to understand and make your statements straight to the point. Keep the cover letter brief and concise. The body of the letter should not exceed one page. In fact, it is better if you can say everything you want in a half page.
6. Proofread your letter again and again. Make sure that there are no spelling and grammatical errors in it to make a lasting impression to your future employer.
7. Use a good quality paper that matches the paper used for the résumé. Make sure that the letterhead matches, too. Print in good printer because if the printing is bad, it might be difficult to read or may not be readable anymore.

Now that you’ve learned the secrets on how to write the perfect cover letter, it’s time to make one that would serve as your passport to success!