Articles

Gain an Edge by Writing a Persuasive Cover Letter

On: 8/21/2010 10:49:51 PM

There is so much talk about writing a perfect resume, but many job seekers don�t pay much attention to the document that actually precedes it: the cover letter. A well-written cover letter can not only deliver a solid first impression, it can actually influence the hiring manager even before the resume is reviewed. As a career coach, I review hundreds of resumes and cover letters and am often ...

How NOT to Start Your Cover Letter

On: 7/14/2010 9:15:24 AM

If you�re looking for some awesome cover letter advice on how *NOT* to start your cover letter (and some great examples of how you should be starting it) then read on! On a weekly basis any hiring manager probably receives between 50 and � well, probably hundreds of resumes and cover letters. The key is to catch his or her attention from the start; and the best place to do that is in your ...

Why I Won�t Be Reading Your Cover Letter

We recently had an open position we were trying to fill and I was amazed�or should I say appalled�at the blanket responses we received from job seekers. Potential candidates sent us cover letters describing experience they possessed that was completely irrelevant to our opening; it was the same as someone having a degree in veterinary medicine but seeking employment as an IT director. Did these ...

Addressing Salary Requirements in a Cover Letter

Job advertisements sometimes ask you to specify salary requirements when submitting your application. But many job seekers feel uncomfortable revealing their desired salary before they�ve even scheduled an interview. If you�re one of those people, don�t worry�there are some ways to comply with the employer�s request while avoiding having to immediately provide a specific answer. One ...

Cover Letters: Does Anybody Read Those Anymore?

In a world where many job applications seem to disappear into a �black hole�, job seekers often wonder if there is any point in sending a cover letter with their application. The answer is absolutely yes! An effective cover letter communicates to an employer why you�re specifically interested in the open position. With so many job seekers indiscriminately applying for hundreds of jobs, your ...

Cover Letter is Not Synonymous With Share Everything!

This week we�re exploring strategies and best practices for writing cover letters. So take out your cover letter, dust it off, and let�s go. The purpose of your cover letter is not to bore the hiring manager with your entire life story, explain and justify every gap in employment, account for your career path, and so on and so forth. Your cover letter has one purpose�and one purpose only. ...

How to Ensure Your Cover Letter is Read by the Hiring Manager

I could complicate this blog article and make it ten times longer than it needs to be. But I know you�re busy trying to find a job, so I�ll keep it short and sweet. If you want to make sure the hiring manager reads your cover letter, don�t attach it to the e-mail�just copy and paste it into the body of the e-mail. This strategy ensures about a 99% guarantee the hiring manager will read it. ...

Using a Digital Signature to Spruce Up Your Cover Letters

Most job applications are submitted through the Internet today, either through an online application system or by e-mailing cover letters and resumes as attachments. Sending electronic cover letters is very convenient, but it precludes the applicant�s ability to sign the letter. Unless you want to print out, sign, scan, and then e-mail every single cover letter you write, it�s easier to just ...

Cover Yourself: How to Write a Cover Letter Worth Reading

When applying for employment, a resume is the tool that you use to sell yourself. A cover letter is the first contact that you have with your potential employer, and can be used to sell your resume.

Writing a cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell the person who can hire you more about yourself than your resume can. It is important to address the letter to the correct person ...

Building a Professional Portfolio

Are you ever so nervous during an interview that you forget to mention something important? Many people feel this way. Leave those days behind you and create your own professional portfolio. A professional portfolio provides employers with an in depth look into your credentials, experience, and recommendations. An employer learns so much about you and your work history while they are thumbing ...

7 Cover Letter Mistakes You Make When Applying Via E-mail

How many times have you replied to a job ad via e-mail by shooting them a copy of your resume and cover letter? I�m going to venture a guess and say at least 20 (but more likely hundreds of times) if you�ve been searching for any significant length of time. Here are some of the most notorious mistakes we�ve seen�and what you can do to greatly improve your chances of being ...

General Cover Letters Vs. Specific Cover Letters

When job-hunting it is quite common that a job seeker will apply to more than one company and position. However, sometimes a person is looking to transition into one specific career or desired organization. If you are looking to send out your resume more than once, it may be a good idea to develop a more general cover letter. Ultimately it saves time and allows you to perform only minor tweaking. ...

Do I Really Need A Cover Letter?

Do I Really Need A Cover Letter? I get this question more than any other from my clients � Do I really need a cover letter? The answer is YES you really need one! Think about a cover letter as the introduction to a story or the beginning of a movie. If you started the movie off at the midway point you might be lost, you wouldn�t know the background or what was going on. Sure, once you ...

What are Targeted Cover Letters?

If you are currently out of work, or are thinking about leaving your job then there�s a chance that you�ve written at least one cover letter in your lifetime. But the question is what type of cover letter did you write? Many people utilize templates or carbon copy-styled cover letters that allow you to fill in the blanks where needed, but don�t really delve into the position you�re applying for ...

Turning a �Loser� Cover Letter into a Winning One

When applying for a job, it�s not uncommon to send in a cover letter with the resume. In fact, many experts suggest that even if one is not requested, it be sent anyway to show professionalism and enthusiasm for the job. However, not all cover letters are good cover letters. In fact, it is possible to send one that makes you look like a not-so-great candidate. To avoid writing a losing cover ...

Cover Letter Etiquette

Whether you�ve written one or one hundred cover letters in your lifetime, they can present enough challenges to make you dread the process each time. It�s for this reason that many people resort to the �carbon copy� cover letter as opposed to creating an original one for each job application. The �carbon copy� cover letter is not recommended because it lacks authenticity. Even worse, it ...

Generic Cover Letters Don't Cut It

By Jennifer Anthony, Professional Resume Writer The internet makes it possible for jobseekers to apply for several job openings in a click of the mouse. Consequently, the competition is fierce in many job markets because the internet has opened doors to candidates that before might not have otherwise even known about the position. Due to the ease of applying to several positions at one ...

What Counts in a Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is a commonplace aspect of conducting any job search. When you apply for a job, even if the prospective employer does not ask you for one, it�s good to send one as a way to give them a little more insight into who you are and what you�re capable of. But despite the fact that people write them everyday, many still are unclear about the more important aspects to keep in ...

How to Create Your Cover Letter When Switching Careers

You have recently made the decision to exit one career and enter a new one, which can be both exciting and a little bit scary. But while the choice to make the career switch was probably a grueling one, the prospect of explaining your lack of job experience to potential employers is probably downright terrifying. Though you may be concerned about drawing attention to this missing portion of ...

Creating Your Cover Letter When Feeling Overqualified

Are you highly skilled in your profession, yet seeking a job that for which you are probably overqualified? It is never bad to come into a position already encompassing a boatload of skills. However, some employers are intimidated by applicants who they feel are overqualified, which means you may have your work cut out for you. If you know you have high qualifications, but think this could ...