How do I craft a cover letter when I apply for a job?

The two most important things you are going to write in finding a job are a cover letter and a resume. Most job applicants write a generic cover letter so that they can use the letter often. These letters are word-processed form letters that rarely get a response from the organization. The cover letter creates the first impression. A cover letter should not duplicate your resume but be tailored to the position you seek. Know as much as you can about the organization to which you are applying to show the connection between what you have to sell and what the organization wants to buy.

The cover letter should point out this connection and at the same time explain why you are enclosing a resume, how you learned about the position or the organization, call attention to your background and convince the reader to look at your resume. In the letter, make sure you indicate how you will follow-up. Here are five hints in preparing a cover letter. First, make sure the letter is addressed to a specific individual. Second, explain why you are interested in working for the organization. Third, provide an overview of your background. Fourth, thank the reader for looking at the letter and accompanying resume. And fifth, your letter should have no errors in spelling and grammar while being limited to one page. It is always a good idea to have someone proofread the letter.

What is the value of a mock interview?

A mock interview helps you prepare for other interviews by giving you an opportunity to answer questions in a non-threatening environment. Often the interview is videotaped so that you can see yourself as others see you. Many colleges and universities provide this service as part of their career placement activities. There are also businesses that offer this service for a fee.

A trained career services person plays the role of the recruiter to make the interview as realistic as possible by asking questions that would be asked for the type of position you are seeking. Emphasis is placed on your communication skills and how you use time in answering questions. Just like a real interview you need to prepare for a mock interview. Expect to answer questions on what skills and competencies you will bring to an organization, your interests and your values.

Read a book or articles on how to interview and interviewing techniques before the mock interview. You should have knowledge about a company or an industry in which you are interested in working so that the answers to the mock questions have meaning. Try not to memorize answers and listen carefully to the questions. Some of the questions you can expect to be asked include: What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives? What do you really want to do in life? What are the most important rewards you expect in your career? Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing? Why should I hire you? Respond to the interviewer's questions by describing experiences that will help the interviewer get a better understanding of your qualifications. Dress for the mock interview the same way you would dress for a real interview. Prepare questions you will ask during the interview.

After the interview you are generally often given constructive feedback regarding your interviewing style and how you responded to the questions. Employers look for confidence, communication skills, administrative/organization skills, time management and analytical skills when interviewing prospective employees. These skills need to be exhibited in your answers to questions at the mock interview.

What are the career opportunities in commercial aviation, specifically, as a pilot?

Commercial aviation includes positions in administration, customer-service, maintenance and as a pilot, among other positions. The commercial aviation market will double in the next twenty years. There will be 27,000 airplanes built at a cost of over $3 trillion. There is a pilot shortage due to the increasing demand for qualified commercial pilots from other countries and the 12,000 pilots retiring each year. There is an estimated 15,000 commercial pilots hired each year for domestic and worldwide needs. Most of these pilots have some college education and attend special flight schools or have served in the military. A pilot training program is one of the most costly programs due to required FAA flight hour minimums.

To become a commercial pilot, you need to obtain a commercial pilot license which allows you to work for commercial aviation companies or have your own commercial aviation company. An airline transportation pilot license is the highest license you can get as a pilot and is required if you want to become a pilot in command of a multi-crew aircraft. To obtain this license you have to be at least 23 years of age with1,500 hours of total flight time. If you are interested in becoming a pilot, you need to enroll in a two-year FAA Part 141 approved flight training program which will enable you to earn private, commercial, instrument, multi-engine, flight instructor, and instrument flight instructor ratings. You should also be able to log up to 250 hours of flight time in such a program. A career in commercial aviation is not easy because of the stress of the position and the poor record of job security and job stability because of economic and worldwide events.

How important are mathematics and science courses in college even though I am not interested in a career in either of these fields?

For most jobs, some knowledge of mathematics and science are a real plus. It has also been reported that our country faces serious workforce shortages for jobs requiring high-level science and mathematics skills which will impact American economic competitiveness. Countries such as China and India have put in place policies intended to create a highly skilled technical workforce by requiring students to take rigorous mathematics and science courses before they enter college and during their college years. In our country, students with a strong grasp of these two disciplines have an advantage in academics and in the job market. The natural sciences are biology, chemistry and physics. The behavioral sciences are anthropology, psychology and sociology. Mathematics is useful in building analytical skills. Individuals entering education, business, law, engineering and the health sciences are required to take some of these courses as part of their curriculum. The likelihood of getting a job increases if you complete these courses and understand how these courses are useful to your discipline, for example, the importance of mathematics and computer science and biology and a position in marketing with a pharmaceutical firm.

What is a proprietary school?

A proprietary school is a for-profit business which provides education and training. They are also known as private career schools. They develop outside the traditional education community. There are three types of proprietary schools-business, correspondence and trade. They are licensed and regulated by the state so that prospective and enrolled students will meet certain standards of quality before they are awarded a degree or diploma for completion of study. These schools resulted from the need for trained individuals in a whole variety of personal, technical and technology fields.

The 1972 Amendments to the Higher Education Act provided full and equal participation of proprietary education with traditional higher education systems. Most of the proprietary schools offer programs that last less than a year and 300 offer an associates degree which compete with the community colleges. The curricula in the proprietary schools are more oriented toward job skills in specific fields such as criminal justice, health services, automotive technology and personal services, The schools provide more hands-on activities. Before you enroll in a proprietary school and make any tuition payment, visit the facility, talk with students and faculty and check the school's placement rate in the job market. Do not let the advertisement of the school be the most important consideration in going to that school.