Job Seekers: Don't Blow Your Cover
Job Seekers: Don't Blow Your Cover
by: Teena Rose
When you see that Christmas present under the tree that has been professionally wrapped - as opposed to the one your sibling or friend slammed together with the 99-cent paper and three pounds of tape - you take notice. The quality of the paper shines, the lines are even and the bow blooms. Of course, the gift inside is the real payoff, but the presentation does make a difference in the entire essence of gift giving.
If you're a jobseeker, consider the present metaphor when you're putting together your plan of action. Think of the gift inside the box as your resume and the wrap job as your cover letter. The cover letter will be the first document a potential recruiter will lay his or her eyes on. Do you want it to look like that shabby, gift wrap job your significant other spent two minutes on? Ah, no.
The cover letter generally is your opening statement and accompanies a resume. It should be quick and to the point. More than a page or excessive rambling will land that cover letter and your hopes of attaining a job in the trash.
So, since you need a strong cover letter, where do you start? Do you cut and paste the form cover letter and fill in the blanks with names and company information? That will save time if you're doing the shotgun approach to job hunting, but will it be effective? There is also the creative cover letter, which shows that you have a sense of originality. But something that's a bit too innovative can misfire as well.
The best approach is probably a combination of both. Employers want to see cover letters that speak directly to their needs: "My skills and abilities will be a perfect fit for your company."
If you've received a tip on an opening that you're interested in, find out as much as you can about who the point person is and address your cover letter appropriately with their name, title, company and address. Other cover letters are used to respond to openings posted on a job board, inquiries about possible positions or networking requests.
When writing your cover letter, come up with new adjectives that explain the reasons you're interested in the particular job and organization and point out your experience and most applicable skills in just a few sentences. Whether you write your own cover letter or hire a professional, make sure a second set of eyes looks it over. Simple mistakes translate into sloppiness, and no employer wants someone who overlooks the small details.
For anyone seeking a job, the cover letter goes beyond being just a business document. It represents who you are and its ability to get you past first base should not be underestimated. Keep it brief, simple, accurate and, above all, relative to the job in hand.
Teena Rose is a columnist, public speaker, and certified/published resume writer with Resume to Referral. She's authored several books, including How to Design, Write, and Compile a Quality Brag Book, 20-Minute Cover Letter Fixer, and Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales.
http://jobseekerweekly.com/t/d/ph-3724-262-8158990V.html
posted by Victor Lloyd Smith @ 3:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home