Career Lander

Archive for the ‘Resumes Cover Letters’ Category

It doesn’t matter how lengthy or substantive your resume is — if it is not properly written and not accompanied by a strong application letter, you will rarely get noticed.

To get hired at your dream job, format your resume correctly and write an interesting and detailed application letter.

The Application Letter

1. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph and specify what position you want. List your current position or any previous experience. Mention how you discovered the program.

2. Address any specific questions the company asked for from the application letter in the body of the letter. Avoid rewriting your resume in paragraph form or turning it into a catalog of your achievements.

If a software company asks you to list your relevant skills, don’t list how you are a strong salesman, for example. Show what separates you from other applicants.

3. Tie together any loose ends and write how the job will help your long-term goals in the conclusion. If you listed a personal story in the introduction but didn’t tie it specifically to the job you want, do it now. Ask for an interview at the end of the letter.

The Resume

1. Write your name in bold and your email, phone number and permanent address in normal font at the top. Each new piece of information should have its own line.

2. List your educational information. Write “Education” in bold and make a new line. Write the college and the city the college is in, the degree, what date you obtained the degree on and what your cumulative GPA is. Include your major GPA if it helps you look stronger when applying for a job related to your major.

3. Make a new line, write “Experience” in bold and make a new line. List your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order by writing out your title, your employer, its location and the dates you worked there.

Italicize the dates. Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for and do not list everything. Emphasize outcomes, accomplishments and the breadth of responsibility at your previous positions.

4. List any computer and language skills you have underneath “Skills,” written in bold. Employers assume you don’t have any computer skills if you don’t list them. Write how proficient you are in writing, speaking and reading any languages you know. Read the rest of this entry »

Resume cover letters are intended to more thoroughly explain a candidate’s qualifications.

The main focus should be to uncover skills that are relevant to the job description that are not obvious in the resume.

A cover letter reveals much more than a thorough explanation of your work experience; it also allows the reader to get a feeling for your personality and ability to communicate.

An effectively written resume will exude professionalism, personality and the soft skills you posses.

1. Create your letterhead and add the addressee’s contact information. A resume cover letter should be typed and used on your personal letterhead. The information should be organized to include the person you are writing to, his/her job title, company name, company address and the current date.

For example:

Jane Smith
HR Coordinator
Gamble Corporation
2344 East Street
Austin, TX 78759

2. Write the opening paragraph introducing yourself. The first paragraph should state who you are (i.e. a student at XYZ college, a marketing professional, biologist, etc.), why you are valuable and what position you would like to obtain with the company in question. For example:
Mrs Smith:
I am a dean’s list marketing and business student at XYZ college here in Austin, Texas. I am interested in the marketing coordinator internship with Gamble Corporation. I am currently a junior in standing and vice president of fund-raising for the American Marketing Association XYZ collegiate chapter.

3. With your resume and the job description in hand, explain how you are qualified. Use the verbiage on the job description regarding qualifications and expand on how you meet those listed by referencing your resume with work experience. For example:
I have experience with writing sponsorship proposals through the American Marketing Association. Last year our chapter collaborated on creating a proposal and sent them out to Austin-area marketing firms. We raised $2,000 and received many in-kind donations.

4. Write your closing paragraph thanking the reader and addressing how the reader can contact you. Rewrite your contact information, such as phone number or email, so that the reader does not have to look for this information elsewhere. End with a salutation and typed name with room enough to sign it once printed. For example:
I appreciate your time for considering me for the marketing coordinator internship. You can contact me via email at janedoe@mail.com or 512.555.5555 between 8 am-5 pm Monday through Friday. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,

Jane Doe