Everyone who sends out a resume does! Even if the cover letter never "came up" in conversation or wasn't mentioned in an advertisement, it's expected that you will write one.
It is regarded as a sign of laziness (sorry about that) to send out a cover letter that is not tailored to the specific company. In the days before word processors, you could maybe get away with it. Not anymore.
Yes, it adds to the wear and tear of looking for a job! But the good news is: the cover letter gives you another chance to emphasize what you have to contribute to the company or organization. Don't give the person screening the resumes a second to entertain the thought: "But how can this person help US?" Your cover letter will answer that question in your own words. Your resume will also answer that question but in a somewhat more rigid format.
A cover letter will be an essential part of your job search. The main purpose of a cover letter is as follows:
To introduce yourself and the enclosed resume.
To prove to your potential employer that you are familiar with their company and have the fundamental knowledge of their product(s), services and market.
To tell your potential employer why & how your qualification can help their business and employment needs. To further customize and expand on key points listed in a classified advertisement or job description.
To request an interview so you may discuss possible employment matter that could be of interest to both you and the company.
A cover letter should be addressed specifically to the person you want to talk with, the person that will be responsible to hiring you. This is not someone in the personnel department, and it is probably not a department head either. It is most likely to be the person who will actually supervise you once you start work. Call the company to make sure you have the right name.
A well-written cover letter will allow you to discuss the needs of the company first, rather than your own needs and will also provide several key reasons why you should be interviewed for the position
No spelling or typing errors. Not even one.
Address it to the person who can hire you. Resumes sent to the personnel department have a tougher time of it. If you can find out (through networking and researching) exactly who is making the hiring decision, address the letter to that person. Be sure the name is spelled correctly and the title is correct. A touch of formality is good too: address the person as "Mr.," "Ms.," "Mrs.," "Miss," "Dr.," or "Professor." (Yes, life is complicated.)
Write it in your own words so that it sounds like you--not like something out of a book. (Electra gets in trouble with libraries when she says things like this.) Employers are looking for knowledge, enthusiasm, and focus.
Being "natural" makes many people nervous. And then even more nervous because they are trying to avoid spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. If you need a little help with grammar (do they still teach grammar?)--Check out the classic work on simple writing, Strunk & White's Elements of Style, published in 1918 and now online. A good place to begin is “Chapter 5: Words and Expressions Commonly Misused.”
Show that you know something about the company and the industry. This is where your research comes in. Don't go overboard--just make it clear that you didn't pick this company out of the phone book. You know who they are, what they do and you have chosen them!
Use terms and phrases that are meaningful to the employer. (This is where your industry research and networking come in.) If you are applying for an advertised position, use the requirements in the ad and put them in BOLD type. For example: the ad says--
"2 years' experience processing magnetic media (cartridge, tape, disc); interface with benefit plan design, contracts and claims; and business background with strong analytical & technical skills--dBase, Excel, R&R, SQL."
Make sure your cover letter contains each of these requirements and shows how you measure up.
Resume
Tips
What
is a resume?
A resume is a concise written
statement that highlights the qualifications and skills you possess as a result
of your life experiences.
It communicates a maximum amount of relevant information through a minimum
number of words. A resume is a printed synopsis, a capsule biography designed to
persuade an employer to grant you an interview or to request your formal
application.
Who
should have a resume?
Everyone! In today's tough job market, the average individual changes jobs at least once every 4-6 years. The primary tool used by almost every employer to weed out prospective employees is the resume. The resume is your entry ticket to the job game.
When
should I begin putting my resume together?
Now! A resume is something that grows and changes as you do. It's never too early to get started.
A well-prepared resume is a necessary tool for effective employment seeking. The time and effort devoted to resume preparation is a worthwhile investment in your future. Another major advantage to developing your own resume is that the very discipline required to collect, analyze, and prepare your data for writing provides the opportunity for necessary self-assessment. In addition, you will be better prepared to interview effectively with your educational and employment history at your fingertips.
Where to start?
Think of your resume as an advertisement. Before you write the advertisement, you must know what the product is that you are selling. You are the product! Make sure that you can clearly state what the benefits of this product are: your skills, abilities, competencies, motivation, and potential. Start by sketching your past work and educational experience.
The important thing is to create a pool of information on which to draw. The best resumes are those that target the employer's needs. Do a little research into the employer's needs. This can be done through the job referral itself, annual reports and other publications by the employer.
1) Your resume is YOUR marketing tool, not a personnel document.
2) It is about YOU the job hunter, not just about the jobs you've held.
3) It focuses on your future, not your past.
4) It emphasizes your accomplishments, not your past job duties or job descriptions.
5) It documents skills you enjoy using, not skills you used just because you had to.
1) Choose a target job (also called a "job objective"). An actual job title works best.
2) Find out what skills, knowledge, and experience are needed to do that target job.
3) Make a list of your 2, 3, or 4 strongest skills or abilities or knowledge that make you a good candidate for the target job.
4) For each key skill, think of several accomplishments from your past work history that illustrate that skill.
5) Describe each accomplishment in a simple, powerful, action statement that emphasizes the results that benefited your employer.
6) Make a list of the primary jobs you've held, in chronological order. Include any unpaid work that fills a gap or that shows you have the skills for the job.
7) Make a list of your training and education that's related to the new job you want.
8) Choose a resume format that fits your situation--either chronological or functional. (Functional works best if you're changing fields; chronological works well if you're moving up in the same field.)
9) Arrange your action statements according to the format you choose.
10) Summarize your key points at the top of your resume.
Avoid large paragraphs (over six or seven lines). Hiring managers often
scans resumes. If you provide small, digestible pieces of information you stand
a better chance of having your resume actually read
Use action verbs such as "developed," "managed," and
"designed" to emphasize your accomplishments.
Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed the..." or
"I assisted in."; leave out the "I."
Avoid passive constructions, such as "was responsible for
managing." It's not only more efficient to say, "Managed," its
stronger and more active.
Make the most of your experience.
Potential
employers need to know what you have accomplished to have an idea of what you
can do for them.
Don't be vague. Describe things that can be measured objectively. Telling
someone that you "improved warehouse efficiency" doesn't say much.
Telling them that you "cut requisition costs by 20%, saving the company
$3800 for the fiscal year" does. Employers will feel more comfortable
hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments.
Be honest. There is a difference between making the most of your
experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. A falsified resume can be easily
spotted by an employer (if not immediately then during the interview process),
and if it doesn't prevent you from getting the job, it can cost you the job
later on.
Don't neglect appearance.
Your
resume is the first impression you'll make on a potential employer, and a
successful resume depends on more than what you say; how you say it counts as
well.
Check your resume for proper grammar and correct spelling-evidence of
good communication skills and attention to detail. Nothing can ruin your chances
of getting a job faster than submitting resume filled with (easily preventable)
mistakes.
Make your resume easy on the eyes. Use normal margins (1" on the top
and bottom, 1.25" on the sides) and don't cram your text onto the page.
Allow for some breathing room between the different sections. Avoid unusual or
exotic font styles; use simple fonts with a professional look.
Use standard, non-textured, fine-grained paper in white or ivory. Keep in
mind that textured and dark colored paper may not copy well when the employer
makes copies to pass around to other participants in the hiring process.
If you need to copy your resume, make sure your copies are clean and
clear. A poor copier can ruin even the best-looking resume. Use only copiers
maintained for professional copying.
Target. Target. Target.
Emphasize
what you can do for an employer. Be specific. If you are going after more than
one job opening, customize your resume accordingly. It helps to tailor your
resume for a specific position. Remember to only include the experience that is
relevant to the job.
Eliminate superfluous details
unnecessary details can take up a lot of valuable space on your resume.
Don't mention personal characteristics such as age, height, and marital
status. This is information that employers may not legally solicit from you, and
they would probably be more comfortable if you don't volunteer it yourself.
List your hobbies and interests only if you can relate them to the
position you're applying for. If you need room to describe your work experience,
avoid this altogether.
The phrase "References available upon request" should be left
off if you need room to describe your work experience. Most employers assume you
have references they may contact, and will request them if there's a need to do
so.
The staff at Your-New-Income.com wish you tremendous success in your quest for