====================== Issue 01 ======== October 15, 2002 =========================


My name is Anna Tulchinsky. I am an editor of this newsletter as well as all other stuff that gets published on the PulseHR website (except for job postings). This is my first, or I should say, *our company’s* first newsletter that has ever been distributed, and I would very much appreciate any comments and feedback you may have on this historical event. Most of all I would like to know if the type of information I include is of any interest to you, but in general I am interested in receiving any type of feedback, as long as it can help me improve the quality of information I sent out. Just write to me and I'll figure out how to use your feedback! My email is anna@pulsehr.com


__________________________ C O N T E N T S ______________________________


1. Health related gossip
2. Health career fairs - Canada
3. Resume: myths and reality
4. This darn cover letter
5. References?


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HEALTH RELATED GOSSIP
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Anxiety Disorders Can be Controlled by Medication

A team of researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles say they have found a "switch" in the brain which seems to be important in overcoming fear. This opens the possibility of new medications to help control anxiety disorders.



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Male Fertility Dips Past the Age of 35

The researchers, from the University of Washington in Seattle, found that damage to the genetic material containing sperm cells increases with age. Unlike most other cells in the body, sperm cells are unable to repair this damage. This means that there is a greater chance that a damaged sperm cell will successfully fertilise the female egg. This could mean that the risk of miscarriage is increased or, at the other end of the scale, that children have a greater chance of developing mild abnormalities such as uneven teeth, or asymmetrical limbs.



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Poverty Triggers Early Menopause

Women who experience poverty as a child or as an adult are more likely to start the menopause early, a study suggests. Researchers in the United States have found that women who suffer economic hardship are 80% more likely to have early symptoms than those who have had no money worries.



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Potato Powder Stops Bleeding, May Help Surgery

A powder made from the common potato appears to help blood to clot, closing minor cuts and aiding surgical procedures, new research suggests.

Once dabbed on a cut, the powder acts as a "sponge" that mops up blood. The powder triggers an initial clotting mechanism and then the normal clotting process takes over and amylases, a type of enzyme, dissolve the powder away.

"It is a novel mechanism of action," noted lead researcher Dr. Mark Ereth, an anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "It is very effective, and it appears that there are no side effects."



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HEALTH CAREER FAIRS - CANADA
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The Healthcare and Social Services Career Expo:

Do not forget to bring multiple copies of your resume! Have a hair cut and do not wear sneakers.

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- November 19, Edmonton, The Shaw Convention Center, 3:00 - 7:00 (With The Edmonton Journal).


Opportunities are available for RN, LPN, STNA, Lab, Imaging Services, Caregivers, OT, PT, Pharmacists, Laundry, CNA, Nutritional Services, Speech Pathologists, Medical Records, Radiology, Social Workers, Case Managers, Rehabilitation Professionals, Counselors, Therapists, Mental Health Professionals, and other related fields.

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- December 9, Ottawa, The Ottawa Congress Center, 11:00 - 6:00 (With The Ottawa Citizen).

Opportunities are available for Nursing, Lab, Imaging Services, Caregivers, OT, PT, Pharmacists, Dietitian, Medical Office, Speech Pathologists, Radiology, Therapists, Respiratory Care, Anesthetist, Aides, and other related fields.




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RESUME: MYTHS AND REALITY
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- Most candidates erroneously believe that if the employers have any questions, they'll call.

- Most employers erroneously believe that, if the details concerning a candidate's duties, projects worked on, processes used, staff reports, sales volume, customers/markets served and achievements are not in the resume, the candidate did nothing worth mentioning. They will not call to confirm their belief that you have done nothing of interest to them.

- Far too many candidates feel that the resume is merely an annoying formality, so little time is often spent to write it as a showcase of their knowledge and achievements.

- Employers feel that the resume is very critical, especially if several persons are involved in the screening process or if several people have to be convinced to consider spending their time interviewing a vaguely self-described candidate.

- Ironically, as important as hiring managers view the resume as the most important factor in beginning the hiring process, they often allot 2 minutes or less to judge an entire life of experiences summarized in the form of a resume!


Source: Atlantic Research Technologies.



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THIS DARN COVER LETTER
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- Do I really need one? - YES! There is nothing more annoying than receiving dozens of "Please review my resume attached".

- Different for each job? - Yes! And do not forget to include a job reference number. Employers are dealing with dozens and often hundreds of jobs and resumes on a daily basis, so they need to know what job folder your application will be moved to and stored - for further review, of course! You don't expect them to address your application immediately, do you?

- What if it's too short? - Chances are you will be "stored".

- What if it's too long? - Chances are you will be "stored". Lengthy cover letters from 50-100 job applications per day? You gotta be kidding!

- How long? - One paragraph (5-7 short sentences) and 1-2 concluding sentences.

- What to say? -

1) State your objective clearly and right away - 1 sentence. Do not make employers search for the job title, give it to them right from the start. Your objective should match the one in your resume.
2) State your education (degree, unversity, and country!) and overall experience - 1 or 2 sentences.
3) State your employment eligibility - 1 sentence. It is a very scary thing, particularly for foreign job seekers, but it is nonetheless important to clarify your status immediately. If you are eligible for work visa under NAFTA or other type of programs, indicate this right away. Indicate anything that might help employers arrange your employment authorization, but do so in one - I repeat - one additional sentence.
4) State your current location (I know it's in your resume, but who is going to look? do you want to be "stored"?) - 1 sentence
5) Say something that would help them remember you, something that would single you from the crowd (they won't remember, if you are a terrific team player or fantastic learner, trust me!). The best thing to say is why are you applying particularly to their organization and particularly for this job. This one is worth agonizing over. Browse their website and look for clues on something memorable and worth mentioning in a professional job application. But then again, remember to use one sentence only!
6) In the end, say that you have provided more details in your resume. Notice, "more details", not "all the information". Say how you can be contacted (at work, at home, by phone or by email). And say that you look forward to hearing from them - 2 short sentences.

With all that said, do not address your cover letter to "Dear Sir". Do not ask for a "quick reply". Apply for jobs the way it has been specified by employers, because there is a reason why they specified it in the first place. Check your grammar, spelling and CAPITALIZATION. Some people do not seem to have the slightest clue that sentences start with an upper-case letter!



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REFERENCES?
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- Provide or not? - Provide! Nobody will check them until after the interview anyway. But it is very comforting to see them (less work for employers).

- Where? - In your resume, at the end. If you decided to provide references, mention this in your cover letter (1 sentence!).


Best of luck in your job search!

Until next week!



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- The End -
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Anna Tulchinsky,
PulseHR Co-founder and Editor
anna@pulsehr.com
(613) 231-6308

 

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