* Motivation letter
How to Write The First Job Resume or CV
Together Abroad10-11-2017 10:35 AM
With little or no real job experience, it can be a daunting task for anyone to write their first CV coming straight out of college or university. In an already competitive job market, it can be hard enough to stand out without years of experience under the belt, and with job recruiters spending only an average of six seconds looking at a CV, it is imperative to put in the extra effort to write a polished CV that is sure to show off any relevant qualifications.
Although making oneself stand out is a common tip for CVs, it is also important to consistently remind applicants to make sure their CV shows they meet the minimum requirements of a job first and foremost. Job recruiters are more than likely going to judge CVs based on how well they think someone matches a role, so they are going to look for the relevant skills before looking at any extra details. Some recruiters even say that at an entry level, they are more likely to look for graduates who are less likely to cause trouble, which is another way of saying it may be best not to make a CV too over-the-top, and...
Are your skills compatible with the future of work?
Together Abroad09-11-2017 1:55 PM
You might still think that computers, the internet, and automation (Industry 3.0) will continue to be the remarkable trends of the future. But, in fact, they no longer resemble a technological breakthrough! Everything has changed since the term “Industry 4.0” was revived in the 2011 Hanover Fair in Germany.
Without human interaction, Industry 4.0 enables machines and cyber-physical systems in factories, for example, to communicate via the Internet of Services and cooperate with each other to make better production decisions considering resources of time, effort, and cost.
To make it clear, let us take an example of a simple manufacturing process from a traditional chocolate factory that produces your favourite chocolate bars, which you buy from stores. Let us suppose that once the company receives a shipment of cocoa beans at its processing plant, the process starts with beans being roasted (maybe at different temperatures and stages). Later, beans are refined, moulded, cooled, checked for quality, packaged and then ready for distribution. At every stage of the production process, we have a production line that operates on...
When a Peer Gets a Coveted Promotion
Together Abroad21-09-2017 3:22 PM
The feeling of frustration and anger can be overwhelming upon the discovery that a peer has taken the promotion you once thought you deserved. However, rather than letting emotions take hold, it is best to take a step back and try to analyse the situation with a positive and rational attitude. Was he or she better suited for the position? Was he or she more noticeable to your superiors? These are some of the questions one needs to honestly ask to find out why the job went to someone else. The difficult part is to be completely honest with oneself and ask who was truly more deserving of the promotion?
If you suspect any foul play like discrimination or favouritism then there is the option to take legal action, but otherwise it is best to explore the factors behind a peer’s promotion. One good way of doing this is to create a pros and cons list, comparing your own strengths and weaknesses to your promoted peer’s to paint a clearer picture of the situation. However, to do this properly means judging yourself honestly without letting emotions cloud your judgment. If you find that your peer’s strengths outweigh your own, then...
Highest increase number of temp hours in over 10 years
Together Abroad04-09-2017 9:38 AM
Increase hours in short-term temp contracts almost 5 percent
The number of hours worked in both short-term and long-term temporary contracts increased. Short-term temporary contracts increased by 4.9 percent, the highest increase in almost 7 years. In long-term temporary employment contracts, e.g. secondment and pay-rolling, the number of hours was up by 3.5 percent in Q2 2017. The number has risen almost continually since 2012. Labour market improves further in Q2 The number of jobs rose by 51 thousand in Q2 2017 relative to the previous quarter. In each of the last three quarters, the number of jobs rose by more than 50 thousand. Again, temp agencies showed the most substantial growth (20 thousand). In addition, the number of unfilled vacancies has grown by 20 thousand in Q2, the most substantial quarter-on-quarter growth since Q4 2006. Unemployment fell by 19 thousand.
Source: https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2017/35/grootste-stijging-uitzenduren-in-ruim-10-jaar ...
Personal Statement Reflexion in your CV-Why and How
Together Abroad08-08-2016 12:37 PM
Avoid clichés and vague terms. While it may be truthful and tempting to do, to state that you are an “enthusiastic and dedicated team player with experience in customer service” says –in fact – nothing about you except that you have experience in customer service, which lots of people have. Words like “dedicated” and “team player” are on most CV’s that go through recruiter’s hands, so you need to give them something different. Think about it – if every applicant lists the same qualities, then no one gains a competitive advantage from doing so.
Similarly, you should try to put your customer service experience in context,...
How to Make your Motivation Letter Relative
Together Abroad20-01-2016 2:29 PM
Typically, a motivation letter should not span for more than one page. It is not a general overview of your professional background; that is what your cv is for. That means you have to know how to be concise, and how to share only the necessary information. In other words, your motivation letter has to contain relative information for each specific position you apply to.
Which brings us to an important question- how are you supposed to figure out what information is relevant?
Research
It can be hugely beneficial to carry out research on the organisation you are hoping to be employed by, before you send in your application. In order to understand what a particular organisation might like to know about you, you have to know where its interests lie. That is a first step in determining which aspects of your work experiences they might find the most interesting.
A...
How to use active verbs in a motivation letter?
tOGETHER aBROAD29-11-2015 11:21 AM
A motivation letter is an important support to your CV which reflects your interests, motivation, self-confidence and awareness of the position which you are applying for. The main purpose of the motivation letter is to tell the employer why you are applying for this position, why you are the best candidate for the position, and to convince him/her to conduct an interview with you.
Thus, the professionally written motivation letter which is emphasising your advantages and hiding your disadvantages can be truly seen as the first important step in getting the job of your dreams. Therefore, it is very important to choose the best writing style for your motivation letter. This is where the importance of active verbs comes into play!
Let’s understand why you need active verbs in your motivation letter.
Almost every book or article recommends you to use active verbs and avoid passive tones in your job application. You may wonder why it is that important to use them. Simply, because active verbs will increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of you motivation letter and give it a special touch! Let's look at how you can use them in the...
What not to say in a motivation letter
Together Abroad07-09-2015 10:45 AM
1. It should not be a copy of your CV
Surely the motivation letter is where you should elaborate on your CV. However, only the information that is important for and related with the job position you’re applying for. Emphasizing on irrelevant knowledge and experience you have without making connection with why it is valuable for the specific work opportunity makes a motivation letter vague. In the motivation letter is the answer to the question why you are the best choice, thus it should be written down in a consistent manner.
2. Lying and over exaggerating
Reading the long list of requirements for the job vacancy you’re...
How to write a motivation letter in the Netherlands
Together Abroad12-08-2015 10:52 AM
The goal of motivation letter is to introduce the CV/ Resume, to bring to attention aspects of your activity that can help your application and are not listed or not presented in the proper light in the CV/ Resume. In short, its goal is to answer the recruitment's question: "Why should I hire this person?".
A motivation letter for job in the Netherlands should contain:
Brief self introduction
Short description of education, skills and other relevant info
Closing indicating your contact details
Use key words in your motivation letter!
Finally, your motivation letter needs to look professionally. Double check all your grammar and spellings to make sure they’re correct and ensure that the layout of your letter is good. When employers have so many motivation letters to read, one that simply...
HOW IMPORTANT ARE MOTIVATION LETTERS? AN HONEST RECRUITERS OPINION!
Rachel Wardle24-11-2014 2:12 PM
This person may potentially be in the market for a new job and they want to know how important this really is? They are asking a professional opinion as a trusted client, but the dilemma is do I answer honestly that I find them about as useful as a chocolate tea pot or the Recruiters professional response…. They have to be a short synopsis of a resume.
There are many people out there who feel they are still a valuable insight into the psyche of the applicant’s mentality, however, I could not disagree more. Over the past 16 years I have read thousands of applicant’s motivation letters and they are on majority all the same… I saw your advert…… My skills are…. Hire me because……It is almost as if they have an inbuilt robotic response that makes me switch off upon opening the attachment and if I feel this way, I can’t be the only one?
The question of motivation letters is a question I have asked myself as a veteran recruiter many times. I know from personal experience I don’t read...
For an expat moving to the Netherlands, getting the right direction is very important. It's important that one knows which steps and direction to take. Linda is an exceptionally talent counselor, her advice has helped me land a job within a week of coming to the Netherlands. I am grateful for her mentoring and look forward to a great working relationship in the future.
Dr. Hrishiraj S | Clinical Research & Affairs Manager
Together Abroad provided expert advice on personal branding including developing a top-notch, market-aware CV, highly tailored job applications, and approach strategies with potential employers in the Netherlands. Furthermore, I found them be highly knowledgeable in key related fields such as recruitment strategy, immigration law, contracts, labor agreements, and (un)employment benefits. I would recommend Together Abroad to anyone who needs professional help with transitioning to a new career.
A. Aboufirass | Structural Engeer
Linda is a big mind. She thinks about things that the rest normally overlook. The insight she has about the dutch job market can only be achieved through years of experience and persistence.
Her business savvy is complemented by her mastery of understanding the client's needs and requirements. For my career I could say, she was the “Mary Poppins”, who guided me through thick and thin and helped me to land a career in the Netherlands
S. Bhattacharjee | FP&A Manager
If you are going to enlist the services of a "Career Coach" look no further. The only person you want in your corner is Linda van Orsouw. As an expat, you absolutely want to work with a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional who knows their way around the Dutch career/employment/job market. Linda assisted me in writing and positioning my CV, helped me organize and prioritize my list of opportunities, coached me through mock interviews and was there when I got offered a senior position only 2 months later. When asked I will only refer to Linda and "Togetherabroad".
Mr. C. Joubert
Lead Workplace Strategy Consultant
Mr. C. Joubert
Lead Workplace Strategy Consultant