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Casual Articles - Pair Your Powerful Resume with a Great Cover Letter
If you are like me, you enjoy helping other people. One way to help people is to share your knowledge with those who could benefit from it. Because the Internet is so massive, it is certain that there are people out there who would love to read what you write.Our company was on Google page five for this service a about 10-months ago and now we have progressed to page two. We have not made it to the coveted page one yet but we are steadily making progress in that direction. Our efforts do not preclude hiring an outside SEO firm to assist us, an option that we are actively considering now.In addition to writing articles, I also submit our website link to r
Tip #2: SELL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your cover letter should sell you as the product. So, make sure you know what skills the company needs and then describe how you have what they are looking for. Pick one or two of your best accomplishments or abilities, and highlight them in your letter. Sure, they’re listed on your resume too, but this tactic makes sure the hiring manager sees them right away.
If it makes sense to list a few accomplishments, then list them as bullets. This will draw the reader’s attention to that section of the letter right away. And after all, what you have to offer is the most important part of this letter.
Tip #3: CLOSE THE LETTER
Powerfully Ideally, you want to leave your reader hungering to know more about you. But you also want to be proactive. So, rather than ending your letter with the common statement,
You’re up for a promotion or you’re looking for a new job. You want to get a higher salary but you don’t know how to negotiate for the salary you want. To negotiate a higher salary, you have to have bargaining chips. Evaluate your position, your strengths, your skills and your experience.First, you’re going to have to do some homework.Research your profession. Does your job require certain skills? Are the required skills analytical or creative? The answers to these questions will help you understand the core traits that are needed in your profession. If you’re an accountant, it’s not necessary to have creative writing skills. You’ll want to cultivate your
A cover letter is crucial because it’s the first thing the hiring manager sees. And you only have seconds to grab his or her attention. So, you have to make sure the cover letter stands out from the dozens--or maybe even hundreds--of others that cross the hiring manager’s desk each week.
You might ask, why bother at all with a cover letter? If I only have a few seconds to grab a recruiter’s attention, why not do it with a resume? The answer is, that even the best resume is a rather dry listing of accomplishments and abilities. By definition, it’s a summary.
But with a cover letter, you have an opportunity to let a little bit of your personality shine through and to talk directly to the hiring manager. Plus, it’s your chance to show off a little of what you know about the company and to tell why you’re interested in the job.
Use the steps we’ve outlined here and you’ll be well on your way to a dynamite cover letter.
Tip #1: MAKE A CONNECTION
There are 3 basic parts to making a connection:
1. Draft a strong opening paragraph.
2. Show your personality.
3. Research and target your audience.
* Draft a Strong Opening Paragraph.
You must capture the hiring manager’s interest immediately. The best way to do this is with a dynamic opening sentence and paragraph. Be sure to refer to the position you’re vying for, and state why you are qualified for the job.
Remember to frame your statements in terms of how you can benefit the company, not the other way around.
If you can, mention the name of someone the hiring manager knows and respects. For example, you could say, "Joe Smith recommended that I contact you about your opening for a shift manager." Or, "My associate, Janet Brown, told me such wonderful things about Jones Company that I couldn’t wait to send you my resume."
Rhetorical questions that make the hiring manager think can also work well. This should be a question that can lead into some way that you can benefit the company. For example, "Are you struggling with the rising costs of [fill in the blank]? I can cut your costs by 30%. Here’s how..."
Beginning with a quote is another good way to grab the reader’s attention. Although you must choose your quote wisely. And then you have to make sure you transition into the rest of your letter gracefully.
It’s also important to know what tone to set in this opening paragraph. In some cases, this may depend on the industry in which you’re trying to get a job. For example, a friendly, informal tone may work well if you’re applying to a small, entrepreneurial company. While a more formal, professional tone might work better for a large law firm or corporation. On the other hand, a bold statement might work really well if you’re seeking a leadership or sales position.
* Show Your Personality
While your writing style should be matched to your audience to some extent, as explained above, it should also reflect your personality. Start to give your prospective employer a sense of who you are and what you value.
* Research and Target Your Audience
You want to sell the hiring manager on the belief that you’re a great fit for the company. The only way to do this is if you know enough about the company to understand what makes it tick. Be sure you’ve taken the time to learn a bit about their mission, their products, their history, and their goals for the future. This will help you communicate hiring you will benefit them.
Always address the cover letter to a specific person.
Take the time to call the company if necessary to learn the name of the person doing the interviewing. This, in itself, says a lot about your initiative and attention to detail.
Tip #2: SELL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your cover letter should sell you as the product. So, make sure you know what skills the company needs and then describe how you have what they are looking for. Pick one or two of your best accomplishments or abilities, and highlight them in your letter. Sure, they’re listed on your resume too, but this tactic makes sure the hiring manager sees them right away.
If it makes sense to list a few accomplishments, then list them as bullets. This will draw the reader’s attention to that section of the letter right away. And after all, what you have to offer is the most important part of this letter.
Tip #3: CLOSE THE LETTER
Powerfully Ideally, you want to leave your reader hungering to know more about you. But you also want to be proactive. So, rather than ending your letter with the common statement, "
Turning your passion into a paycheck is the ultimate dream right? Who would not like to spend most of their time doing something they absolutely love and get paid for it?Even just reading about people who are following their passion, as I just did in a great article I read in Outside Magazine this weekend, gets me fired up.There are so many possibilities out there for work and one of the greatest things I do all day is help people to open up their minds to all of the possibilities out there for them. So often people are trapped by old ways of thinking and by the expectations of other people and society that they fail to see how great they could really have
Tip #1: MAKE A CONNECTION
There are 3 basic parts to making a connection:
1. Draft a strong opening paragraph.
2. Show your personality.
3. Research and target your audience.
* Draft a Strong Opening Paragraph.
You must capture the hiring manager’s interest immediately. The best way to do this is with a dynamic opening sentence and paragraph. Be sure to refer to the position you’re vying for, and state why you are qualified for the job.
Remember to frame your statements in terms of how you can benefit the company, not the other way around.
If you can, mention the name of someone the hiring manager knows and respects. For example, you could say, "Joe Smith recommended that I contact you about your opening for a shift manager." Or, "My associate, Janet Brown, told me such wonderful things about Jones Company that I couldn’t wait to send you my resume."
Rhetorical questions that make the hiring manager think can also work well. This should be a question that can lead into some way that you can benefit the company. For example, "Are you struggling with the rising costs of [fill in the blank]? I can cut your costs by 30%. Here’s how..."
Beginning with a quote is another good way to grab the reader’s attention. Although you must choose your quote wisely. And then you have to make sure you transition into the rest of your letter gracefully.
It’s also important to know what tone to set in this opening paragraph. In some cases, this may depend on the industry in which you’re trying to get a job. For example, a friendly, informal tone may work well if you’re applying to a small, entrepreneurial company. While a more formal, professional tone might work better for a large law firm or corporation. On the other hand, a bold statement might work really well if you’re seeking a leadership or sales position.
* Show Your Personality
While your writing style should be matched to your audience to some extent, as explained above, it should also reflect your personality. Start to give your prospective employer a sense of who you are and what you value.
* Research and Target Your Audience
You want to sell the hiring manager on the belief that you’re a great fit for the company. The only way to do this is if you know enough about the company to understand what makes it tick. Be sure you’ve taken the time to learn a bit about their mission, their products, their history, and their goals for the future. This will help you communicate hiring you will benefit them.
Always address the cover letter to a specific person.
Take the time to call the company if necessary to learn the name of the person doing the interviewing. This, in itself, says a lot about your initiative and attention to detail.
Tip #2: SELL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your cover letter should sell you as the product. So, make sure you know what skills the company needs and then describe how you have what they are looking for. Pick one or two of your best accomplishments or abilities, and highlight them in your letter. Sure, they’re listed on your resume too, but this tactic makes sure the hiring manager sees them right away.
If it makes sense to list a few accomplishments, then list them as bullets. This will draw the reader’s attention to that section of the letter right away. And after all, what you have to offer is the most important part of this letter.
Tip #3: CLOSE THE LETTER
Powerfully Ideally, you want to leave your reader hungering to know more about you. But you also want to be proactive. So, rather than ending your letter with the common statement,
I don’t mean you, I mean the YOU that is your client.Let’s examine memorable tag lines in advertising.You deserve a break today. - McDonaldsDo you eat the red ones last? – SmartiesYou’ve always got time for Tim Horton’s – Tim Horton’sFor all you do, this Bud's for you – BudweiserLet your fingers do the walking – Yellow PagesWe never stop working for you - Verizon WirelessNow You're Playing With Power! – NintendoYou give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world – WINS RadioDo you have the bunny inside? – EnergizerYour Potential. Our Passion. – MicrosoftVISA ~ It's everywhere you want to be
Rhetorical questions that make the hiring manager think can also work well. This should be a question that can lead into some way that you can benefit the company. For example, "Are you struggling with the rising costs of [fill in the blank]? I can cut your costs by 30%. Here’s how..."
Beginning with a quote is another good way to grab the reader’s attention. Although you must choose your quote wisely. And then you have to make sure you transition into the rest of your letter gracefully.
It’s also important to know what tone to set in this opening paragraph. In some cases, this may depend on the industry in which you’re trying to get a job. For example, a friendly, informal tone may work well if you’re applying to a small, entrepreneurial company. While a more formal, professional tone might work better for a large law firm or corporation. On the other hand, a bold statement might work really well if you’re seeking a leadership or sales position.
* Show Your Personality
While your writing style should be matched to your audience to some extent, as explained above, it should also reflect your personality. Start to give your prospective employer a sense of who you are and what you value.
* Research and Target Your Audience
You want to sell the hiring manager on the belief that you’re a great fit for the company. The only way to do this is if you know enough about the company to understand what makes it tick. Be sure you’ve taken the time to learn a bit about their mission, their products, their history, and their goals for the future. This will help you communicate hiring you will benefit them.
Always address the cover letter to a specific person.
Take the time to call the company if necessary to learn the name of the person doing the interviewing. This, in itself, says a lot about your initiative and attention to detail.
Tip #2: SELL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your cover letter should sell you as the product. So, make sure you know what skills the company needs and then describe how you have what they are looking for. Pick one or two of your best accomplishments or abilities, and highlight them in your letter. Sure, they’re listed on your resume too, but this tactic makes sure the hiring manager sees them right away.
If it makes sense to list a few accomplishments, then list them as bullets. This will draw the reader’s attention to that section of the letter right away. And after all, what you have to offer is the most important part of this letter.
Tip #3: CLOSE THE LETTER
Powerfully Ideally, you want to leave your reader hungering to know more about you. But you also want to be proactive. So, rather than ending your letter with the common statement,
Why 20 seconds? As a headhunter, I seldom spend more than 20 seconds reading a resume cover letter. I deal with a lot of hiring managers and understand that they have a similar practice.My clients are investment bankers, and these are the busiest people under the sun. Actually all hiring managers are busy and have to read numerous resume cover letters daily. Therefore the longer you write, the less effective your letter is. A 20-second resume cover letter is sure to capture the most attention from any hiring manager.Summarizing the most outstanding resume cover letters that I’ve read, I have come up with a formula that works for any industry and anybo
* Show Your Personality
While your writing style should be matched to your audience to some extent, as explained above, it should also reflect your personality. Start to give your prospective employer a sense of who you are and what you value.
* Research and Target Your Audience
You want to sell the hiring manager on the belief that you’re a great fit for the company. The only way to do this is if you know enough about the company to understand what makes it tick. Be sure you’ve taken the time to learn a bit about their mission, their products, their history, and their goals for the future. This will help you communicate hiring you will benefit them.
Always address the cover letter to a specific person.
Take the time to call the company if necessary to learn the name of the person doing the interviewing. This, in itself, says a lot about your initiative and attention to detail.
Tip #2: SELL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your cover letter should sell you as the product. So, make sure you know what skills the company needs and then describe how you have what they are looking for. Pick one or two of your best accomplishments or abilities, and highlight them in your letter. Sure, they’re listed on your resume too, but this tactic makes sure the hiring manager sees them right away.
If it makes sense to list a few accomplishments, then list them as bullets. This will draw the reader’s attention to that section of the letter right away. And after all, what you have to offer is the most important part of this letter.
Tip #3: CLOSE THE LETTER
Powerfully Ideally, you want to leave your reader hungering to know more about you. But you also want to be proactive. So, rather than ending your letter with the common statement,
Something often mistaken by employers or landlords is the fact that any background checks will inevitably take weeks and will eat up funds without end. This is an absolute misconception. While they don't yield so much information, Instant background checks can be done which can quickly and accurately yield important information about someone. While it doesn't go into deep detail, it shows the important bits of criminal record, and the larger picture of the credit of the person in question. These instant checks can display the important red flags on a person. If something suspicious or undesirable comes up, a more in depth check can be done.This type of check is p
Tip #2: SELL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your cover letter should sell you as the product. So, make sure you know what skills the company needs and then describe how you have what they are looking for. Pick one or two of your best accomplishments or abilities, and highlight them in your letter. Sure, they’re listed on your resume too, but this tactic makes sure the hiring manager sees them right away.
If it makes sense to list a few accomplishments, then list them as bullets. This will draw the reader’s attention to that section of the letter right away. And after all, what you have to offer is the most important part of this letter.
Tip #3: CLOSE THE LETTER
Powerfully Ideally, you want to leave your reader hungering to know more about you. But you also want to be proactive. So, rather than ending your letter with the common statement, "I look forward to your call," say you’ll call them in a few days to arrange a time to meet. If you don’t have a phone number, and couldn’t find on during your research, then try to provide an incentive for them to call you.
Some people say they’re going on vacation or out of town after a certain date and ask to meet prior to that. Others say they’ll be in an area at a certain date and time and ask for the interview during that period. Be creative, but make it as real--and company- oriented--as you can.
Tip #4: MAKE IT PLEASING TO THE EYE
Finally, it’s important that your cover letter be easy to read and professional looking.
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