PA Training - Increase Your Chances of Acceptance With Great Letters of Recommendation

So you've decided you want to become a physician assistant, and soon you'll be sending out PA training program applications. Letters of recommendation can be a pivotal part of the process, so you have some things to keep in mind to maximize your chance of acceptance. The following checklist should help avoid critical mistakes.

1. Start tracking your letters down early. You should start asking references if they are willing to write you a letter early because it takes time to secure an agreement from writers, it takes time for your references to actually write their letters and submit them, and generally speaking, the earlier your application is complete, the better your chances of getting in. This is particularly true if you apply through CASPA.

2. Use references that will have broad appeal. Most schools will have you apply via the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). CASPA requires you to obtain three letters of reference. Once received, CASPA will distribute the same three letters to each school to which you are applying. For this reason, you should choose references that will have appeal to the widest range of schools. If you are concerned about appealing to the specific requirements of a particular school, you can speak to these in your essay, or in a secondary application, which you may complete later in the application process.

PA Training - Increase Your Chances of Acceptance With Great Letters of Recommendation

3. Clinical references are usually better than academic references. In most cases, schools prefer to learn about your clinical experiences than you academic performance. This means seeking out references who have supervised you or worked closely with you in a clinical (patient) setting. It makes sense, because this information speaks directly about your potential as a PA. The only exception is if you have a weak academic background (low grades or your coursework is more than 3 years old). In this case, you should consider getting one letter from the instructor of a class that you did well in, preferably in a science prerequisite.

4. Seek out letters from people you are sure support you. It may sound obvious, but many people don't. Find someone who truly likes you, and who supports your decision to apply for PA training. If you are unsure, ask them: "I am going to be applying to physician assistant schools, and I'm beginning to think about my letters of reference. Would you feel able to support me by writing a letter of reference if I asked you to?" If their response is anything less than an enthusiastic "Yes!" then consider finding someone else.

5. Use the electronic submission method if at all possible. Electronic submissions are easier on you, your reference, CASPA, and the schools you hope to attend. Simply provide CASPA with the name, title, degree, and email address of your reference, and how he or she knows you. Let your references know in advance when you will be submitting their information so they can gauge when the letter will need to be written. Once they have completed their letter they will email it to CASPA. Exception: if you are submitting a letter from an admissions committee. Letters from committees count as a single letter and must submitted as hard copies, on institution letterhead.

6. Waive your right to review your letters. CASPA gives you the option to waive your right to review your letters, and you should. Not waiving this right signifies that you may wish to view them yourself, and implies that you aren't confident that they speak well of you. This is a little like like asking a potential employer not to contact your previous employer - a definite red flag to an applications committee.

7. When complete, send a thank you card to your letter writers (and maybe even a small gift -- Starbucks gift cards are appropriate). This is just good manners. It shows your appreciation and keeps you in their good graces should you need to reapply next year.

Once your letters are completed and submitted, you can cross this item off your extensive to-do list and breathe a little easier. Good luck!

PA Training - Increase Your Chances of Acceptance With Great Letters of Recommendation
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Paul Kubin, MS, MFT is a marriage and family therapist, and PA student at UC Davis School of Medicine's Family Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Program. His blog, Inside PA Training provides helpful information on becoming a physician assistant, and chronicles the struggles, laughs, and triumphs of life in one of the most competitive PA training programs in the nation.

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175 Power Verbs and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

While you're revamping your resume or cover letter or constructing your proof-by-example stories for interviews, you'll find you need to watch your word choice. Why? Communication is powerful if the words we use to communicate are powerful. That's not all it takes, but the right words make for a good beginning.
So as you craft achievement statements or write paragraphs that sell your skills or draft interview responses to knock the employers' socks off, consider these suggestions:
Use verbs in active tense, not passive tense. Use verbs that convey power and action. Use verbs that claim the highest level of skill or achievement you can legitimately claim. Use verbs to accurately describe what you have done on the job. Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly, but when you use them, use them well. Use nouns that are as specific and as descriptive as possible. Use numbers whenever possible. Use the most impressive (and still honest) form of the number you use. Never lie! It IS NOT worth it. It WILL catch up with you. Proofread all your verbs and nouns for agreement, tense and appropriateness. Here, then, are 175 powerful verbs and phrases to make use of in resumes, cover letters and interviews:
abated abolished accelerated accomplished achieved actively participated administered advanced advised aggressively analyzed applied assumed a key role authored automated built hired closed coached co-developed codirected co-founded cold called collected co-managed communicated completed computerized conceptualized conducted consolidated contained contracted contributed controlled convinced coordinated cost effectively created critiqued cut dealt effectively decreased defined delivered designed developed developed and applied directed doubled earned eliminated emphasized enforced established evaluated exceeded executed exercised expanded expedited facilitated filled focused formulated fostered founded gained generated ground-breaking headed up helped identified implemented improved increased initiated innovated instituted instructed integrated interviewed introduced investigated lectured led leveraged maintained managed marketed motivated negotiated orchestrated organized outmaneuvered overcame oversaw penetrated performed permitted persuaded planned played a key role positioned prepared presented prevented produced profitably project managed promoted proposed prospected protected provided published quadrupled ranked received recommended recruited reduced removed renegotiated replaced researched resolved restored restructured reversed satisfied saved scheduled scoped out selected self-financed set up sold solved staffed started stopped streamlined substituted supervised taught tightened took the lead in trained trimmed tripled troubleshooted turned around upgraded yielded While you certainly can use the list anytime you're looking to say something in a more powerful way, you can also use it to help jog your memory about accomplishments on present and past jobs that you might otherwise overlook. Also, consider using the list to help you refine your resumes and cover letters to be more powerful in their presentation and communication.

Interviews

175 Power Verbs and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

175 Power Verbs and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

Cheryl Lynch Simpson is a Spiritual Director and Solutions Coach who helps women discover and create the life they've always wanted to live.  Cheryl is the author of over 30 print/Internet articles and the founder of Coaching Solutions For Women, a coaching website that produces and showcases career, business, and life solutions that improve the life balance of today's busy women.  For a complimentary copy of her latest e-book, Ten-Minute Stress Zappers for Women Service Business Owners, visit http://www.coachingsolutionsforwomen.com.

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Best Cover Letters For Getting Job Interviews

There's no doubt about it. People who write the best cover letters get the best job interviews. Research shows that the most effective, cover letters have a number of common characteristics. They follow a 3-part format that consistently garners positive results and earns the job applicants who wrote them highly sought after job interviews.

Even if you're not a great writer, you can write great cover letters by following the format listed below. Use this format to write the best cover letters for getting job interviews. If you write your cover letter and still aren't comfortable with the result, have no fear. The link at the end of the article offers cover letter writing services and software that may assist you.

Interviews

But first things first...

Best Cover Letters For Getting Job Interviews

1. Grab Attention in Your First Paragraph is the first tip to writing best cover letters for getting job interviews.

Hiring managers review hundreds of cover letters and resumes for every job they fill. To get attention, your cover letter must stand out. Here are examples of effective and interesting first paragraphs. Choose the one that works best for your situation and modify it to suit your needs.

State how your skills and experience match the job description and would be a benefit to the organization.

Example: After graduating from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Computer Graphic Technology, I spent the summer interning in New York City at Sunrise Communications. During that time, I brainstormed ideas and story concepts with Sunrise's Creative Team. I drew detailed storyboards that formed the basis for local and international TV advertisements. At Sunrise, I learned to share ideas, accept criticism and problem-solve in a high-pressured environment. Example: In response to this opportunity, I would like to call attention to my experience in producing and directing numerous PR events throughout Orange County as well as my large network of both celebrity and national media contacts. Example: Since graduating from Simmons College Prince Program of Retail Management, I've been involved in all aspects of retail, from front-of-the-store management and training to inventory planning, buying, and merchandising. I have worked in both specialty and mass markets and have broad-based experience dealing with customers, fellow employees, management, and vendors. I thrive in a fast-paced environment and feel energized by the thought of helping manage the L.L. Bean Women's Department.
If you've talked with the hiring manager, use the first paragraph to remind her of the conversation.

Example: Thank you for calling me about the Character Animator position posted on Pixar's website. I enjoyed talking with you and learning more about this position.

If appropriate, don't be afraid to name drop.

Example: Henry Smith, who supervised my work as a summer intern with your firm, recommended that I apply for the position of Associate Attorney.

Mention something you know about the organization.

Example: I read the June 10th issue of The Kentucky Sun with great interest. The article, "How One Restaurant Makes a Difference" applauded Pannucci's contribution to the Good Shepherd Food Bank. I believe my experience as a pastry chef as well as my work on the Eastside Food Pantry's Board of Directors makes me a perfect candidate for the position of Pannucci Head Pastry Chef. Example: Cuddledown's branded voice is recognizable and respected; its high-quality products are well positioned in the market. I would welcome the chance to develop and execute marketing strategies to increase sales and distribution of the company's products.

Get their attention by asking a question.

Example: Are you looking for a self-motivated individual who has organized large-scale events and significantly improved customer retention?
2. Keep Their Attention in the Middle is the second tip to write best cover letters for getting job interviews.

As you write, keep the company's point of view in mind. Try to anticipate what the hiring manager is looking for and include that information. If you have an employment gap or some other item on your resume that you think the hiring manager will question, succinctly and without apology, answer the issue in the middle section of your cover letter.

In the middle section of your cover letter, tell how your education and experience match the job description. Use specific examples to show how your skills meet the job requirements. .

Example: To manage this department, I would call on my experience at Jordan Marsh as the Liz Claiborne Department Manager. There, I merchandised product and motivated my sales team to generate the highest company-wide sales volume for dress collections. I am a natural sales person and definitely "have a knack" for merchandising and visual presentation. Example: Throughout my years as a caseworker, I have helped many clients identify and apply for jobs that match their skill sets. I believe my dedication to the people I serve and my ability to identify and match their strengths to the job market makes me the perfect candidate for Employment Specialist position at Crossroads Community Services.

If appropriate, mention specific goals you have accomplished.

Example: While at Nordstrom's, I motivated my team to exceed department sales goals of .2 million annually. The team generated the highest company-wide sales volume for the dress collection. Example: While providing administrative support to the Director of Marketing and Sales, I reduced company travel expenditures by ,000 in my first three months by renegotiating contracts with the department's suppliers.
3. End your Cover Letter with an Action Follow Up and a Respectful Close is the third tip for writing best cover letters for getting job interviews.

Your closing paragraph or sentence should encourage action.

·Example: As requested, I have enclosed my resume for your review. I look forward to discussing my qualifications and learning more about the position. Please contact me at 555.555.5555 or by email at dede@afewgoodwords.com with any additional questions. Thank you for your time and consideration.

End your letter with a respectful and professional close. "Sincerely yours" or "Respectfully yours" works well.

That's it. Use this 3-part format to write best cover letters for getting job interviews. If you do, you'll end up with a cover letter that will stand up to the competition and get you the job interviews you deserve.

Best of luck in your job search.

Best Cover Letters For Getting Job Interviews

Want to learn more about writing amazing cover letters that will get you the job interviews you crave? Check out http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-write-the-best-cover-letter for more articles and resources.

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