irst Send a Resume, Then Follow Up
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Erin M. Hovanec
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You've found your dream job.
You spot the job posting, craft a winning resume and e-mail it to the recruiter. Then the waiting game begins.
After you've sent a resume, it's tempting to sit back and hope the recruiter will call. But -- make no mistake -- you SHOULD follow up. You just need to figure out when and how to do it.
Wait a Week, Recruiters Say
The ideal amount of time to wait before following up on a resume you've sent: One week.
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The majority of recruiters (53 percent) say candidates should wait one week before following up, according to a HotJobs survey.
Some recruiters prefer you act sooner: Twenty-one percent said candidates should wait less than one week. And others prefer you wait longer: Eight percent said candidates should wait two weeks.
And some even rather that you wait for them to call you. Nineteen percent of recruiters surveyed said they preferred to contact candidates, rather than for candidates to contact them.
Your best bet? Go with the majority opinion and wait a week.
Send a Short E-Mail Message
E-mail is a great follow-up tool because it not only lets you remind the recruiter that you've applied for a job, but it also lets you submit a resume again without seeming too pushy.
A week after you've submitted a resume, send the recruiter an e-mail to follow up.
Use these tips to write your follow-up e-mail:
* Put your full name and the title of the position you've applied for in the subject line.
* Write a professional note that reiterates your qualifications and interest in the job.
* Attached your resume again. (Don't make the recruiter have to dig though old e-mails to look for it.)
* Include your full name in the file name of your resume.
* Don't forget to proofread carefully before you hit "Send"!
Phone With a Friendly Reminder
If you decide to follow up on a resume over the phone, be sure to rehearse what you want to say to the recruiter.
Keep it short and sweet. Introduce yourself and remind the recruiter that you submitted a resume recently. Make sure you state exactly what job you're interested in. You can also ask if they received your resume and if they're still considering candidates for the position.
If you get a recorded message, you may want to call again later. Call a few times in hopes of speaking with a real, live recruiter before resorting to leaving a message.
You also need to know even to put down the phone. Calling recruiters repeatedly isn't going to make them more likely to call you back. It's probably just going to irritate them.
Almost half (47 percent) of recruiters claim that their biggest pet peeve is candidates who keep calling them, according to a HotJobs survey.
Should You Just Resend Your Resume?
Have a few weeks passed since you sent a resume and you still haven't heard from the recruiter? Are you considering simply reapplying for the position?
Don't.
Recruiters usually keep resumes on file, and they'll likely discover that you've already sent one. Worse, they may think that you didn't even realize that you'd already applied for a position.
Only resend your resume to a recruiter when you want to apply for a different position at a company. Otherwise, you should e-mail or call to follow up.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Words that weaken the resume
Words That Weaken Your Resume
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Caroline Levchuck
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More than just your accomplishments make your resume stand out. How you communicate them matters too.
A strong resume gives potential employers a concise, clear picture of your skills and experience. And, it's the crucial first step in securing an interview and hopefully a job offer.
For maximum impact, keep your resume as concise as you can. You need to include all your achievements in only one to two pages, so don't waste space on meaningless words. Plus, an employer doesn't want to spend time trying to understand vague phrases or decipher confusing jargon.
'Assist,' 'Contribute' and 'Support'
An employer won't know what you did if the wording on your resume is too vague. Words like "assist," "contribute" and "support" all say (or don't say) the same thing. They say you helped, but they don't say how. They beg the question: Exactly how did you assist, contribute or support a person or project?
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Use these words sparingly and always follow them with a description of your role and responsibilities. Let an employer know the part you played and how you affected the outcome.
'Successfully'
Of course you want to show all that you've accomplished on your resume. But your achievements will be more impressive if you give concrete examples of what you've done and how you're been successful.
You don't need to use words like "successfully" or effectively" to show an employer that you're a good worker; your experience should speak for itself.
Instead of explicitly saying that a project was successful, state your achievements clearly and factually. Then give examples of how or why the project was a success.
'Responsible For'
The phrase "responsible for" can make your resume feel like a laundry list. Instead of just listing your responsibilities, try to stress your accomplishments.
Your resume will also have more of an impact if you quantify your accomplishments. Use figures to show how you affected growth, reduced costs or streamlined a process. Provide the number of people you managed, the amount of the budget you oversaw or the revenue you saved the company.
'Interface' and Other Buzzwords
Don't flower your resume with fancy words.
By trying to sound intelligent or qualified, you may end up annoying or confusing your reader. You don't want an employer to need a dictionary to discover what you really did at your last job.
Avoid buzzwords that have become cliche and words that are unnecessarily sophisticated. "Synergy" and "liaise" are examples of buzzwords that have been overused and abused.
Say what you mean plainly and simply. For example, instead of "interface," say "work." Instead of "impact," say "affect." Instead of "utilize," say "use."
Here's what you always SHOULD include in your resume: Keywords. Recruiters use keywords to search for resumes. So choose some of the basic, important keywords in your field and pepper them throughout your resume.
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Caroline Levchuck
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More than just your accomplishments make your resume stand out. How you communicate them matters too.
A strong resume gives potential employers a concise, clear picture of your skills and experience. And, it's the crucial first step in securing an interview and hopefully a job offer.
For maximum impact, keep your resume as concise as you can. You need to include all your achievements in only one to two pages, so don't waste space on meaningless words. Plus, an employer doesn't want to spend time trying to understand vague phrases or decipher confusing jargon.
'Assist,' 'Contribute' and 'Support'
An employer won't know what you did if the wording on your resume is too vague. Words like "assist," "contribute" and "support" all say (or don't say) the same thing. They say you helped, but they don't say how. They beg the question: Exactly how did you assist, contribute or support a person or project?
ADVERTISEMENT
Use these words sparingly and always follow them with a description of your role and responsibilities. Let an employer know the part you played and how you affected the outcome.
'Successfully'
Of course you want to show all that you've accomplished on your resume. But your achievements will be more impressive if you give concrete examples of what you've done and how you're been successful.
You don't need to use words like "successfully" or effectively" to show an employer that you're a good worker; your experience should speak for itself.
Instead of explicitly saying that a project was successful, state your achievements clearly and factually. Then give examples of how or why the project was a success.
'Responsible For'
The phrase "responsible for" can make your resume feel like a laundry list. Instead of just listing your responsibilities, try to stress your accomplishments.
Your resume will also have more of an impact if you quantify your accomplishments. Use figures to show how you affected growth, reduced costs or streamlined a process. Provide the number of people you managed, the amount of the budget you oversaw or the revenue you saved the company.
'Interface' and Other Buzzwords
Don't flower your resume with fancy words.
By trying to sound intelligent or qualified, you may end up annoying or confusing your reader. You don't want an employer to need a dictionary to discover what you really did at your last job.
Avoid buzzwords that have become cliche and words that are unnecessarily sophisticated. "Synergy" and "liaise" are examples of buzzwords that have been overused and abused.
Say what you mean plainly and simply. For example, instead of "interface," say "work." Instead of "impact," say "affect." Instead of "utilize," say "use."
Here's what you always SHOULD include in your resume: Keywords. Recruiters use keywords to search for resumes. So choose some of the basic, important keywords in your field and pepper them throughout your resume.
Words to be used in resume
Words Every Resume Should Include
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Caroline Levchuck
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Every word on your resume counts in today's competitive job market. But some words count more than others -- especially those that refer to soft skills.
Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. In fact, 86 percent of employers considered soft skills to be among their most important hiring criteria in a recent survey by two University of Massachusetts economists.
'Teamwork'
Teamwork is more important than ever in the workplace.
The ability to work well with others to accomplish a common goal is vital for a harmonious workplace.
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Employees are often organized into teams to manage projects. And many employers believe collaboration increases the quality of work and improves productivity.
A team player is an attentive listener, a cooperative colleague and is willing to help others.
'Flexibility'
Employers value workers who are flexible and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. In other words, it's sometimes just as important to be a jack-of-all-trades as a master of one.
You can show that you're flexible by demonstrating a willingness to take on new and varied projects and an ability to handle changing priorities and deadlines.
Ultimately, being flexible doesn't only increase the odds that you'll get a job -- it also improves your chances of keeping it should layoffs occur.
'Detail-Oriented'
Employers want to know that they can trust workers to handle a project down to the last detail.
Being "detail-oriented" means being organized and meticulous about your work. It also implies that you can work without constant supervision and act independently.
'Self-Motivated'
Employers value employees who are self-starters. These workers can generate their own ideas and follow them through to fruition.
A self-motivated worker goes the extra mile. She regularly takes on tasks that may not be part of her job description. She's inspired to work hard not just to reap rewards but also for personal satisfaction.
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Caroline Levchuck
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Every word on your resume counts in today's competitive job market. But some words count more than others -- especially those that refer to soft skills.
Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. In fact, 86 percent of employers considered soft skills to be among their most important hiring criteria in a recent survey by two University of Massachusetts economists.
'Teamwork'
Teamwork is more important than ever in the workplace.
The ability to work well with others to accomplish a common goal is vital for a harmonious workplace.
ADVERTISEMENT
Employees are often organized into teams to manage projects. And many employers believe collaboration increases the quality of work and improves productivity.
A team player is an attentive listener, a cooperative colleague and is willing to help others.
'Flexibility'
Employers value workers who are flexible and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. In other words, it's sometimes just as important to be a jack-of-all-trades as a master of one.
You can show that you're flexible by demonstrating a willingness to take on new and varied projects and an ability to handle changing priorities and deadlines.
Ultimately, being flexible doesn't only increase the odds that you'll get a job -- it also improves your chances of keeping it should layoffs occur.
'Detail-Oriented'
Employers want to know that they can trust workers to handle a project down to the last detail.
Being "detail-oriented" means being organized and meticulous about your work. It also implies that you can work without constant supervision and act independently.
'Self-Motivated'
Employers value employees who are self-starters. These workers can generate their own ideas and follow them through to fruition.
A self-motivated worker goes the extra mile. She regularly takes on tasks that may not be part of her job description. She's inspired to work hard not just to reap rewards but also for personal satisfaction.
Effective resume
How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Wayne Rainey
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Ask yourself, what do "The Lord of the Rings," "Catcher in the Rye" and your resume have in common?
If you consider them great works of fiction, then it's time to rethink your resume.
A resume isn't a list of exaggerations. It's not a hodgepodge of cut and pasted job descriptions printed out on nice paper. Nor is it a forum to advertise that you're 6 feet 2 inches tall, single, a non-smoker and willing to relocate.
Simply put, a resume is an advertisement that makes the reader act. And if your resume is well-written, the reader should want to interview you.
Get advice on how to create resumes that get interviews -- right from a recruiter himself.
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Keep It Simple
Recruiters want resumes that are simple to understand, especially when it comes to the skills needed to perform the job and employment history.
Be sure your resume clearly communicates that you possess the knowledge and experience needed to perform the job in question. Use the job description to tailor your resume to the position. Try to avoid industry jargon and Dilbert-esque words such as "facilitated" or "value-added" when describing your skills and experiences.
Your resume should also include your dates of employment. The absence of dates makes recruiters scrutinize your employment history even more closely.
Features Versus Benefits
Your resume should show how you can benefit an employer -- not just list your features and skills.
Past performance is often an indicator of future performance. Explain how you made a past employer money, saved them money or improved a process or product.
Think about instances where you went above and beyond the call of duty. Look at past performance reviews to refresh your memory. Employers want the best employees, and your resume should reflect your value.
Truth in Advertising
People say that it's the sizzle that sells the steak. That may be true but, when it comes to job searching, you have to have done what you claim on your resume.
Many employers today take steps to ensure that you have the background you claim. They have a wide variety of background checking tools at their disposal.
Background checks can include:
* reference checks,
* credit checks,
* criminal background checks,
* past employment verification,
* education verification and
* social security number traces to verify identity.
If you're dishonest in the hiring process, odds are that you'll be caught. Rather than waste the recruiter's time -- and your time -- be truthful on your resume. It's not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing.
It Takes Two
You can't create a strong resume alone. Everyone needs help.
Don't rely on automatic spelling and grammar checking programs. You need to find an editor you trust. If no one in your immediate circle of family or friends can help, try other resources. Yahoo! HotJobs offers valuable resume tips and advice.
Staff at your state's employment development office may be available to review your resume. Staffing agency recruiters may also volunteer to help you. And finally, you can even take advantage of a professional resume writing service.
Writing an effective resume requires practice and feedback. But once you get the basics down, interviews are sure to follow.
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Wayne Rainey
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Ask yourself, what do "The Lord of the Rings," "Catcher in the Rye" and your resume have in common?
If you consider them great works of fiction, then it's time to rethink your resume.
A resume isn't a list of exaggerations. It's not a hodgepodge of cut and pasted job descriptions printed out on nice paper. Nor is it a forum to advertise that you're 6 feet 2 inches tall, single, a non-smoker and willing to relocate.
Simply put, a resume is an advertisement that makes the reader act. And if your resume is well-written, the reader should want to interview you.
Get advice on how to create resumes that get interviews -- right from a recruiter himself.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keep It Simple
Recruiters want resumes that are simple to understand, especially when it comes to the skills needed to perform the job and employment history.
Be sure your resume clearly communicates that you possess the knowledge and experience needed to perform the job in question. Use the job description to tailor your resume to the position. Try to avoid industry jargon and Dilbert-esque words such as "facilitated" or "value-added" when describing your skills and experiences.
Your resume should also include your dates of employment. The absence of dates makes recruiters scrutinize your employment history even more closely.
Features Versus Benefits
Your resume should show how you can benefit an employer -- not just list your features and skills.
Past performance is often an indicator of future performance. Explain how you made a past employer money, saved them money or improved a process or product.
Think about instances where you went above and beyond the call of duty. Look at past performance reviews to refresh your memory. Employers want the best employees, and your resume should reflect your value.
Truth in Advertising
People say that it's the sizzle that sells the steak. That may be true but, when it comes to job searching, you have to have done what you claim on your resume.
Many employers today take steps to ensure that you have the background you claim. They have a wide variety of background checking tools at their disposal.
Background checks can include:
* reference checks,
* credit checks,
* criminal background checks,
* past employment verification,
* education verification and
* social security number traces to verify identity.
If you're dishonest in the hiring process, odds are that you'll be caught. Rather than waste the recruiter's time -- and your time -- be truthful on your resume. It's not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing.
It Takes Two
You can't create a strong resume alone. Everyone needs help.
Don't rely on automatic spelling and grammar checking programs. You need to find an editor you trust. If no one in your immediate circle of family or friends can help, try other resources. Yahoo! HotJobs offers valuable resume tips and advice.
Staff at your state's employment development office may be available to review your resume. Staffing agency recruiters may also volunteer to help you. And finally, you can even take advantage of a professional resume writing service.
Writing an effective resume requires practice and feedback. But once you get the basics down, interviews are sure to follow.
email resume
How to Create and E-Mail a Plain Text Resume
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Christopher Jones
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Unlike Microsoft Word and other word processors, plain text does not allow bold, italics or different fonts. While it may seem boring, this simplicity allows recruiters to view resumes the same way regardless of the software they use.
Tools You'll Need
If you don't already have a text editor (and most people with computers do), you can get one for free online.
As far as text editors go, I like two in particular:
1. Notepad: If you're running Microsoft Windows software on your computer, chances are you have Notepad, which is Microsoft's default text editor.
2. NoteTab Light: If you don't have Notepad or can't find it on your computer, you can download NoteTab Light for free here: http://download.com.com/3000-2352-8235248.html?tag=lst-0-4
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Creating Your Plain Text Resume
There are two ways you can enter your resume into a text editor.
* From scratch: Once you've found a text editor, start it up and begin typing in your resume. Keep the organization clean and simple as you will not be able to use bold, italics or fonts in different sizes.
* Copy and paste: If you cut and paste a formatted resume into a text editor, you'll notice that a lot of the formatting will be lost. Your font will be uniform and any text with bold or italics will be replaced with plain text.
If you are using a text editor, your document should automatically be saved as text. Double check this by making sure your document has a ".txt" file extension.
Also, text editors do not typically have spell check. So, copy and paste your text resume into Microsoft Word or another word processing program with spell check. Spell check the document. Be sure to make any necessary changes to the text document and save it again.
Creating a Plain-Text E-Mail
If a job description asks you to include a plain-text resume in the body of an e-mail, make sure your e-mail software is set to send plain text. Otherwise, your e-mail browser will add formatting to your resume and the recruiter may assume you didn't follow instructions.
The method for sending a plain-text e-mail depends on the e-mail program you're using. I've included directions for some major e-mail programs below. If your e-mail program isn't listed, look in the "help" section of your e-mail or consider calling your Internet Service Provider.
* Yahoo! Mail: Create a new e-mail. At the bottom of the e- mail, click the "plain text" button. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the e-mail. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.
* Hotmail: Create a new e-mail, in the pull-down field labeled "Tools" make sure the "Rich Text Editor" is off. You'll be able to tell if you've successfully turned the Rich Text Editor off as all the formatting options will disappear from your composition screen. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.
* Microsoft Outlook: Create a new e-mail, click on the "Format" button and choose the "Plain Text" option. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the new e-mail. You may have to make some minor changes, but most of your formatting should remain intact.
Helpful Formatting Tips
* Use all caps to make headers stand out from body text. Since plain text does not allow for bold and italics, it can be difficult to distinguish between resume sections. I use all capital letters for "OBJECTIVE," "WORK EXPERIENCE" and "EDUCATION" to give them prominence.
* You can use bullets in a plain-text document, but it's not as easy as clicking a button. If you want to use a bullet point in your plain-text resume, copy and paste this bullet (
* ) without the parentheses into your resume. Otherwise, you can use an asterisk (*) or dashes (--).
* Avoid using the "Tab" key, because plain text when saved may not retain the tab command. Instead, use the space bar.
* Always e-mail a copy of your plain-text resume to yourself before sending it to a recruiter. This gives you a chance to see the resume as the recruiter will see it.
Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive
By Christopher Jones
IM
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Unlike Microsoft Word and other word processors, plain text does not allow bold, italics or different fonts. While it may seem boring, this simplicity allows recruiters to view resumes the same way regardless of the software they use.
Tools You'll Need
If you don't already have a text editor (and most people with computers do), you can get one for free online.
As far as text editors go, I like two in particular:
1. Notepad: If you're running Microsoft Windows software on your computer, chances are you have Notepad, which is Microsoft's default text editor.
2. NoteTab Light: If you don't have Notepad or can't find it on your computer, you can download NoteTab Light for free here: http://download.com.com/3000-2352-8235248.html?tag=lst-0-4
ADVERTISEMENT
Creating Your Plain Text Resume
There are two ways you can enter your resume into a text editor.
* From scratch: Once you've found a text editor, start it up and begin typing in your resume. Keep the organization clean and simple as you will not be able to use bold, italics or fonts in different sizes.
* Copy and paste: If you cut and paste a formatted resume into a text editor, you'll notice that a lot of the formatting will be lost. Your font will be uniform and any text with bold or italics will be replaced with plain text.
If you are using a text editor, your document should automatically be saved as text. Double check this by making sure your document has a ".txt" file extension.
Also, text editors do not typically have spell check. So, copy and paste your text resume into Microsoft Word or another word processing program with spell check. Spell check the document. Be sure to make any necessary changes to the text document and save it again.
Creating a Plain-Text E-Mail
If a job description asks you to include a plain-text resume in the body of an e-mail, make sure your e-mail software is set to send plain text. Otherwise, your e-mail browser will add formatting to your resume and the recruiter may assume you didn't follow instructions.
The method for sending a plain-text e-mail depends on the e-mail program you're using. I've included directions for some major e-mail programs below. If your e-mail program isn't listed, look in the "help" section of your e-mail or consider calling your Internet Service Provider.
* Yahoo! Mail: Create a new e-mail. At the bottom of the e- mail, click the "plain text" button. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the e-mail. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.
* Hotmail: Create a new e-mail, in the pull-down field labeled "Tools" make sure the "Rich Text Editor" is off. You'll be able to tell if you've successfully turned the Rich Text Editor off as all the formatting options will disappear from your composition screen. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.
* Microsoft Outlook: Create a new e-mail, click on the "Format" button and choose the "Plain Text" option. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the new e-mail. You may have to make some minor changes, but most of your formatting should remain intact.
Helpful Formatting Tips
* Use all caps to make headers stand out from body text. Since plain text does not allow for bold and italics, it can be difficult to distinguish between resume sections. I use all capital letters for "OBJECTIVE," "WORK EXPERIENCE" and "EDUCATION" to give them prominence.
* You can use bullets in a plain-text document, but it's not as easy as clicking a button. If you want to use a bullet point in your plain-text resume, copy and paste this bullet (
* ) without the parentheses into your resume. Otherwise, you can use an asterisk (*) or dashes (--).
* Avoid using the "Tab" key, because plain text when saved may not retain the tab command. Instead, use the space bar.
* Always e-mail a copy of your plain-text resume to yourself before sending it to a recruiter. This gives you a chance to see the resume as the recruiter will see it.
Cover letter
By Todd Anten
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Recruiters read thousands of resumes over their careers. After a while, all those resumes start to blend together.
So how can you, an anonymous job seeker, catch a recruiter's eye? Introduce yourself with an effective cover letter.
Sure, a resume lists all of your achievements, but a resume can't capture your personality, passion or desire for a particular job. A cover letter is the perfect place to let potential employers know you as a person: What you've done, what you can offer and how you express yourself. And there's an added bonus: You can write in full sentences instead of fragments or bullet points.
Many job seekers spend hours crafting each item on their resume. Then they whip out a quick-and-dirty cover letter full of mistakes -- not realizing that a cover letter is just as important as a resume.
One common cover letter goof: Typos and spelling errors. To avoid spelling errors and typos, write your cover letter using a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word. Next, spell-check the document. Then read the document out loud -- you may catch spelling errors the computer missed (such as accidentally writing "jog" instead of "job"). Only after you have double-checked your cover letter should you attach it to your resume and send it off.
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Here are some other all-too-common cover letter blunders and how to fix them.
Name That Job
What's one of the first things you should do after greeting the reader of a cover letter?
State exactly which job you're applying for. Include the exact name of the position. If the ad provided a job ID number, then include that too. It's also a good idea to mention where you heard about the opening.
There's a good reason for being so specific: Many recruiters handle hundreds of job openings, so they won't automatically know which one you're gunning for. By reminding them of the specific opening for which you're applying, you'll make it more likely that your resume will be read by the right person. And besides, anything you can do to make a recruiter's job easier will put you on their good side.
The Danger of Form Cover Letters
Do you send the exact same cover letter to every employer, only changing the name of the person to whom you're sending it?
Big mistake.
The point of a cover letter is to make a personal connection with the reader. So to write a successful cover letter, you should tailor it specifically to each company you send it to. For instance, display a knowledge of the company history or write about recent events or projects the company has undertaken. This will show that you have taken the time to research the company before sending in your resume -- and prove that you really want the job.
Don't Repeat Yourself
A common trap that many job seekers fall into when writing a cover letter is to simply regurgitate everything that's in their resume.
But if it's already in your resume, then you're just wasting your breath ... and a chance at the job.
A cover letter should not be a rehash of your resume; instead, it should offer deeper insights into what your resume does NOT say. Provide an in-depth explanation of some of your key achievements at your last job, for instance, and how those accomplishments could help the company. Or tell a story about a tough problem you solved. The point is: The recruiter already has your resume; the cover letter should add to it, not repeat it.
So when writing a cover letter, make sure it elaborates on what's already in your resume or provides some new information.
What Can You Do for Me?
When writing a cover letter, many people discuss why they need the job ...
* "I need the money."
* "I find the position interesting."
* "I've wanted to work for you since I was a kid."
* "I need more experience in the industry."
* "Since your company is the best in the industry, a job there would help my career."
Here's a newsflash: Companies don't really care about your needs. They're not hiring you to enrich your life or provide you with an income. They're hiring you because they need a job done.
That means your cover letter should focus on the company's needs and how you can fulfill them, not what the company can do for you.
A good way to start: Look at the requirements for the position in the job ad. Then, in your cover letter, discuss point by point how you meet (or even exceed) those requirements. By using the job ad as a guide, you'll show the company how hiring you benefits them and not just you.
One last note: Try to be both confident and humble when discussing what you can offer the company. While you certainly want to appear competent, arrogance can turn off a recruiter. Show enthusiasm and keep a positive attitude, and your cover letter will take you far.
IM
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Digg
Recruiters read thousands of resumes over their careers. After a while, all those resumes start to blend together.
So how can you, an anonymous job seeker, catch a recruiter's eye? Introduce yourself with an effective cover letter.
Sure, a resume lists all of your achievements, but a resume can't capture your personality, passion or desire for a particular job. A cover letter is the perfect place to let potential employers know you as a person: What you've done, what you can offer and how you express yourself. And there's an added bonus: You can write in full sentences instead of fragments or bullet points.
Many job seekers spend hours crafting each item on their resume. Then they whip out a quick-and-dirty cover letter full of mistakes -- not realizing that a cover letter is just as important as a resume.
One common cover letter goof: Typos and spelling errors. To avoid spelling errors and typos, write your cover letter using a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word. Next, spell-check the document. Then read the document out loud -- you may catch spelling errors the computer missed (such as accidentally writing "jog" instead of "job"). Only after you have double-checked your cover letter should you attach it to your resume and send it off.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here are some other all-too-common cover letter blunders and how to fix them.
Name That Job
What's one of the first things you should do after greeting the reader of a cover letter?
State exactly which job you're applying for. Include the exact name of the position. If the ad provided a job ID number, then include that too. It's also a good idea to mention where you heard about the opening.
There's a good reason for being so specific: Many recruiters handle hundreds of job openings, so they won't automatically know which one you're gunning for. By reminding them of the specific opening for which you're applying, you'll make it more likely that your resume will be read by the right person. And besides, anything you can do to make a recruiter's job easier will put you on their good side.
The Danger of Form Cover Letters
Do you send the exact same cover letter to every employer, only changing the name of the person to whom you're sending it?
Big mistake.
The point of a cover letter is to make a personal connection with the reader. So to write a successful cover letter, you should tailor it specifically to each company you send it to. For instance, display a knowledge of the company history or write about recent events or projects the company has undertaken. This will show that you have taken the time to research the company before sending in your resume -- and prove that you really want the job.
Don't Repeat Yourself
A common trap that many job seekers fall into when writing a cover letter is to simply regurgitate everything that's in their resume.
But if it's already in your resume, then you're just wasting your breath ... and a chance at the job.
A cover letter should not be a rehash of your resume; instead, it should offer deeper insights into what your resume does NOT say. Provide an in-depth explanation of some of your key achievements at your last job, for instance, and how those accomplishments could help the company. Or tell a story about a tough problem you solved. The point is: The recruiter already has your resume; the cover letter should add to it, not repeat it.
So when writing a cover letter, make sure it elaborates on what's already in your resume or provides some new information.
What Can You Do for Me?
When writing a cover letter, many people discuss why they need the job ...
* "I need the money."
* "I find the position interesting."
* "I've wanted to work for you since I was a kid."
* "I need more experience in the industry."
* "Since your company is the best in the industry, a job there would help my career."
Here's a newsflash: Companies don't really care about your needs. They're not hiring you to enrich your life or provide you with an income. They're hiring you because they need a job done.
That means your cover letter should focus on the company's needs and how you can fulfill them, not what the company can do for you.
A good way to start: Look at the requirements for the position in the job ad. Then, in your cover letter, discuss point by point how you meet (or even exceed) those requirements. By using the job ad as a guide, you'll show the company how hiring you benefits them and not just you.
One last note: Try to be both confident and humble when discussing what you can offer the company. While you certainly want to appear competent, arrogance can turn off a recruiter. Show enthusiasm and keep a positive attitude, and your cover letter will take you far.
Resume
Chronological Resume
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"Chrono" is Greek for "time," so it's no surprise that a chronological resume is organized by your employment timeline.
Chronological resumes are the most common choice for job seekers -- and for good reason:
* They're easy to write. The organization is predetermined, so it's one less thing to stress over.
* Recruiters prefer them. A recent HotJobs survey revealed that 84 percent of recruiters prefer chronological resumes.
So unless you have a good reason, you should generally stick to the chronological resume format.
To create a chronological resume, begin with your most recent experience and work your way back. For each job, list the name of the company, your title, where the job was located, your dates of employment and a few bullet points discussing your major achievements and responsibilities.
Functional Resume
Chronological resumes are great if your career path has been sure and steady. But there are circumstances where a chronological resume may not be the best choice. For instance, maybe you have ...
* a major time gap on your resume,
* a hodgepodge of experience without an overall focus,
* or a desire to change career fields.
In these situations, a functional resume might prove more useful than a chronological one.
Functional resumes highlight your skills instead of the companies you worked for. Functional resumes also downplay time gaps and career missteps.
A functional resume generally splits your work history into two sections. In the first section, list the skills and experience you have that relate to the job you're applying for. In the second section, provide a list of the places you have worked, as well as the dates you worked there.
Recruiters tend to be wary of functional resumes, but if you suspect that a chronological resume won't get you through the door, a functional resume is a good second choice.
Curriculum Vita
When most job postings ask for a resume, the implication is that they want a chronological or functional resume -- one page long, work experience, all that jazz.
But some jobs out there -- especially in the education and research fields -- require a curriculum vita (CV).
CVs are not resumes. Commonly used among academics in the U.S., CVs are much more comprehensive than resumes. A CV lists almost every work-related accomplishment you've ever had, from papers published to presentations given to classes taught to awards won. In short, they're long. Some CVs extend over 30 pages.
CVs for non-education related fields are sometimes used in other countries. In Europe, for example, CVs are generally accepted for everyday jobs. In the U.S., however, you should never send a CV unless the job ad specifically asks for one.
Candidate Profile: The Anti-Resume
You may be surprised (and relieved) to learn that there is some movement away from evaluating job seekers only by their resumes.
Some employers, faced with a stack of resumes, are using an alternative: Candidate profiles.
Candidate profiles ask online applicants to rank themselves on job related characteristics, including the ability to manage stressful situations, creativity and problem-solving ability, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Employers use the results to find qualified candidates and reserve traditional resumes for later in the selection process.
While candidate profiles probably won't mean the death of the resume, it may take some of the pressure off having a perfect one.
As you decide which organization works best for you -- chronological resume, functional resume, curriculum vita or candidate profile -- keep in mind that employers don't hire pieces of paper. They hire people. So do your best to let the real you shine through.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Chrono" is Greek for "time," so it's no surprise that a chronological resume is organized by your employment timeline.
Chronological resumes are the most common choice for job seekers -- and for good reason:
* They're easy to write. The organization is predetermined, so it's one less thing to stress over.
* Recruiters prefer them. A recent HotJobs survey revealed that 84 percent of recruiters prefer chronological resumes.
So unless you have a good reason, you should generally stick to the chronological resume format.
To create a chronological resume, begin with your most recent experience and work your way back. For each job, list the name of the company, your title, where the job was located, your dates of employment and a few bullet points discussing your major achievements and responsibilities.
Functional Resume
Chronological resumes are great if your career path has been sure and steady. But there are circumstances where a chronological resume may not be the best choice. For instance, maybe you have ...
* a major time gap on your resume,
* a hodgepodge of experience without an overall focus,
* or a desire to change career fields.
In these situations, a functional resume might prove more useful than a chronological one.
Functional resumes highlight your skills instead of the companies you worked for. Functional resumes also downplay time gaps and career missteps.
A functional resume generally splits your work history into two sections. In the first section, list the skills and experience you have that relate to the job you're applying for. In the second section, provide a list of the places you have worked, as well as the dates you worked there.
Recruiters tend to be wary of functional resumes, but if you suspect that a chronological resume won't get you through the door, a functional resume is a good second choice.
Curriculum Vita
When most job postings ask for a resume, the implication is that they want a chronological or functional resume -- one page long, work experience, all that jazz.
But some jobs out there -- especially in the education and research fields -- require a curriculum vita (CV).
CVs are not resumes. Commonly used among academics in the U.S., CVs are much more comprehensive than resumes. A CV lists almost every work-related accomplishment you've ever had, from papers published to presentations given to classes taught to awards won. In short, they're long. Some CVs extend over 30 pages.
CVs for non-education related fields are sometimes used in other countries. In Europe, for example, CVs are generally accepted for everyday jobs. In the U.S., however, you should never send a CV unless the job ad specifically asks for one.
Candidate Profile: The Anti-Resume
You may be surprised (and relieved) to learn that there is some movement away from evaluating job seekers only by their resumes.
Some employers, faced with a stack of resumes, are using an alternative: Candidate profiles.
Candidate profiles ask online applicants to rank themselves on job related characteristics, including the ability to manage stressful situations, creativity and problem-solving ability, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Employers use the results to find qualified candidates and reserve traditional resumes for later in the selection process.
While candidate profiles probably won't mean the death of the resume, it may take some of the pressure off having a perfect one.
As you decide which organization works best for you -- chronological resume, functional resume, curriculum vita or candidate profile -- keep in mind that employers don't hire pieces of paper. They hire people. So do your best to let the real you shine through.
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