| The resume cover letter is your all important foot in | | | | resume? |
| the door. | | | | Your cover letter is simply to entice the employer to |
| Whenever you send in a full resume for a position, it | | | | read further, to find out more, to delve into greater |
| should always be accompanied by a covering letter. | | | | depth. That's where the resume itself comes in, so |
| This brief introductory letter needs to establish that | | | | don't repeat what you have written in your resume. |
| you are a qualified candidate and that it would be in | | | | Lead the employer to consider the main highlights and |
| the employers best interest to continue further, read | | | | point out why you have the qualifications and |
| your full resume and consider you for the first | | | | aptitude for the position and therefore give him |
| interview. | | | | reason why he needs to read on: he needs to read |
| This is a tall order but two items must be up front: | | | | the resume in full! Speak more about your career |
| your ability to do the job and and your professional | | | | goals that your actual specific qualifications and talk |
| qualifications. The employer you are trying to entice | | | | of what you can bring to the company, not a specific |
| must have no doubts that you fit the criteria for the | | | | research program you worked on. |
| position. | | | | 4...I need a job! |
| Unfortunately many people go overboard with this | | | | Write as if you are discussing your situation with |
| covering letter and forget to focus on the main | | | | someone real: the personnel manager concerned for |
| reason for it's appearance. In order to get the | | | | example. This means a limited use of 'I' and less of |
| attention of the selection committee and have a | | | | the 'Me'. This becomes an opportunity to show your |
| chance at that all important first interview you will | | | | communication skills and control of the language, for |
| need to avoid these six, all to common, mistakes. | | | | while you are talking about yourself, you need to put |
| Ignore them at your peril! | | | | it into the context of a discussion about your |
| 1...Who are you writing to? | | | | qualifications and attributes. It's your only chance to |
| The address line is extremely important. Not only | | | | convince a prospective employer that you are |
| should it look good and be spelled correctly but it | | | | thoughtful, well spoken and have a good |
| should be addressed to the actual person who will be | | | | understanding of basic communication skills. |
| reading the letter. Sounds simple but 'Hi, how are | | | | 5...Call me,when you have a minute! |
| you', doesn't cut it. Find out who is hiring, what the | | | | I don't think there is a quicker way to get rejected |
| position is and what the actual full name of the | | | | than to suggest that a potential employer, 'Call you |
| company is. Check the spelling, check the full address | | | | at their earliest convenience'. Not only is this a generic |
| and use it, even if you are sending the cover letter | | | | ending reeking of 'template' resumes but it doesn't |
| by e-mail. | | | | present you as someone who is excited and |
| You want the letter to be personal not generic and | | | | interested. You want to know right away, your truly |
| look like you have already spent some time, formed | | | | excited about the prospect of working for them. Tell |
| an interest in, the actual company. Personnel | | | | them you want to do a follow up and how and when |
| managers do not like templates and they certainly will | | | | you will do that. A phone call, for example, to see if |
| not overlook errors. | | | | your resume has arrived and been accepted. This is |
| 2...It's more about what you can do for them? | | | | your closing statement, that you will be following up |
| Your potential employer wants to know how you will | | | | your application in some manner. Take action, be |
| be of benefit to the cause: the factory, the | | | | positive, show leadership. |
| workplace the work team. Telling them how much | | | | 6...done good last febury! |
| the opportunity to work for them will enhance your | | | | Do I really have to point his out? No spelling or |
| career will have a simple end. Employers don't want | | | | grammatical errors please. |
| to hear this because they are looking to improve | | | | You have a spell checker on your computer? You |
| their staff, add to their team and they want to | | | | have friends and family who can read. Ask a teacher |
| know how innovative and positive you are. You have | | | | or a University professor. Get someone who really |
| to let them know very early on, what you bring to | | | | knows about writing and ask them to critique your |
| the table and how that can be of benefit if they hire | | | | work. Not how good it is but 'how can I improve it'? |
| you. Remember, it's a competition. | | | | Be ruthless, your next job may depend on it! |
| 3...Why is your cover letter the same as your | | | | |