Welcome to Resume Writing
Free Resume Designs Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Beat the Crowd with Winning Resume Cover Letters
from: Roger Clark
Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover letters. In a sense, a well written cover letter works like an agent on your behalf. It tosses a sales pitch for you to the employer, explaining why you should be at the top of the list for interview calls. Taking the time to write a cover letter tells the employer you are willing to go above and beyond; not just simply slap a resume in an envelope and mail it.
Not All Resume Cover Letters Are Created Equal
No two resume cover letters should ever be the same; each one should be uniquely tailored to the job for which you are applying. A generic cover letter is insulting to an employer and will quickly find its way into the trashcan. When writing cover letters keep the following tips in mind:
Address resume cover letters to an actual entity, not just a generic "To Whom it May Concern" or "Personnel Director." If you are not sure who to address, find out and then make sure you spell their name correctly. Do not just assume.
State who referred you or how you found out about the job opening. "Linda McCain mentioned that you might be hiring a new computer programmer soon." or "I learned about your opening for a Sales Associate from your posting in the San Francisco Sun and would like to discuss a few ways I can contribute to your team."
Resume cover letters should discuss how you can help the employer, not about why you need the job. The employer has posted a job opening because they need that position filled and they need the best candidate to fill it. Convince them why you are that person.
Make Yourself Stand Out from the Crowd
Demonstrate you know something about who the employer is and what they do. If you don't know anything about the company, find out what products or services the company offers, their competitors; any recent or upcoming changes. Employers will be impressed with your knowledge, especially if their company services a specialty niche that isn't well known.
Do not discuss salary requirements in resume cover letters. If the job posting requests that you respond with salary information, simply state in your cover letter "I would be pleased to discuss my salary history in an interview." Then quickly move on to what you can offer them in terms of your talent and skills.
Give an exact date when you will follow-up to discuss an interview. Don't depend on the employer to follow-up with you.
Keep it Short and to the Point
Do not say 'enclosed please find my resume.' This wastes valuable space in resume cover letters you can devote to highlighting why you are perfect for the job.
State what you need to, but don't draw it out. Keep resume cover letters to one page, preferably about four short paragraphs.
Neatness Counts
Proofread your resume cover letters and then ask someone else to proofread as well. Don't eliminate yourself from the candidates called for an interview because of a simple typo or misspelled word. Don't rely on your computer's spell check. It does not always catch everything.
Make sure your letter is neat. If at all possible, spend a little extra and print it on nice, professional paper. Make sure there are no wrinkles, folds or smudges.
Following a few simple rules can help your resume cover letters stand out from all the rest and get you in the door for an interview and on your way to that great new job!
About the author:
Roger Clark (BSc) has over 25 years experience in career development & recruitment at a senior level through top management positions he has held with major international companies.
You can visit his "Top Career Resumes" website or News Blog for a wealth of top quality information relating to the employment market.
http://www.top-career-resumes.com
http://www.top-career-resumes.com/resume-cover-letters
Free Resume Designs News
Something for free? Lefty offers up Torrey rehaul
San Diego native Phil Mickelson is offering to waive his design fee and redesign the North Course at Torrey Pines, home of the Farmers Insurance Open.
Read more...Russian protests – echoes of US civil rights movement
To see the December protests in Russia as primarily a political wave is to miss a more fundamental leaven at work in Russian society: a moral awakening akin to the American civil rights movement. An early test is Saturday, when a massive protest in Moscow is planned.
Read more...28 Essential Facebook Timeline Resources
Facebook announced on its blog Tuesday that all users will have Timeline within the next few weeks, bringing a close to the gradual rollout process that began September 2011.
Read more...Tempe jeweler expanding
In addition to designer, artist and business owner, Nick Ballantyne can add magazine-cover man to his resume.
Read more...Microchip Beats By a Penny - Analyst Blog
Microchip Technology Incorporated ( MCHP ) reported net revenues of $329.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, down 3.4% sequentially and 10.5% from the year-ago quarter and
Read more...Longtime volunteer to head Columbus Day Parade
BRIDGEPORT -- He has been a volunteer, grand marshal and president of the Barnum Festival. Now Frank T. Gennarini can add grand marshal of the 2012 Columbus Day Parade to his civic-activity resume.
Read more...INLAND: Major parties lost electorate in 2011
SACRAMENTO -- The major parties' share of the Inland Southern California electorate dipped in 2011, new state figures show, with a significant increase in the percentage of voters who lack a party affiliation.
Read more...