Posts Tagged ‘Cover Letters’

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Want Answers? Top 20 Current Trends in Resumes and Job Search

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What’s the “right” way to write a resume or conduct a job search?

People ask me questions all the time about how many pages a resume should be; whether to include an Objective statement; what the value is of a web portfolio; etc. The fact is, there is no clear cut answer to many of these questions, and the answers change year by year, even day by day. They certainly can change depending on who you are, what industry you’re in, and what your experience level is.

Ask the Experts

Given that resume writing and job search strategies are constantly changing, I feel fortunate that there is a coalition of experts who spend a lot of time thinking about these issues, and even more fortunate that they share their wisdom each year.

On December 30, 2010, a consortium of 156 career experts from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. met to brainstorm about career and employment issues. They published their findings on March 14, 2011 in Findings of 2010 Global Career Brainstorming Day: Trends for the Now, the New & the Next in Careers. As my readers, you are privy to the valuable findings of this group of Career Thought Leaders.

The latest trends in resume writing and job search strategies include:

  1. Your Google results are the new resume. Build a strong online presence so you look good when those results come up. And monitor your Google results routinely in case of anything fishy!
  2. Keep it short. Three-page resumes are discouraged, regardless of your experience level. Use “extras” or addenda if necessary for publications, technology qualifications, consulting experience, etc.
  3. Culture fit is more important than your skill set. Companies hire people, not resumes.
  4. Web portfolios are not as useful as you might think in most industries.
  5. Brand yourself! Keep your brand consistent throughout your job search documents.
  6. DO use a Core Competencies or Key Strengths section.
  7. DO put a testimonial or two on your resume.
  8. DO use tasteful graphic touches, including borders, text boxes or graphs when appropriate.
  9. Show the company what YOU can do for THEM. Write resume bullets that clearly show the problem you solved and how you solved it.
  10. If possible, write your intended job title instead of “Summary of Qualifications” above your summary. This structure makes your objective clear, and allows you to write a summary of your offerings instead of an objective.
  11. DO send paper resumes! They will make you stand out from the crowd.Career Thought Leaders
  12. DO send a cover letter. Do not expect that it will be read. However, in some cases it is read first, so assume it will be read.
  13. E-cover letters (in the body of an email) can be short and sweet.
  14. Have a bio available in addition to a resume as an alternative introduction to a resume.
  15. Format your resume in Microsoft Word .doc format. Have a plain text resume available as well.
  16. Use Twitres (www.twitres.com) to display your resume on Twitter. Use Box.net to display your resume on LinkedIn (Box.net is my personal tip)
  17. Networking is still the absolute best way to get a job. Job boards just are not an effective tool for job search, although you should use them as part of your strategy. Only 13.2% of external hires in Fortune 500 companies came from job boards, whereas 26.7% came from referrals and 22.3% came from employer career sites. Overall, somewhere between 65-95% of all new hires come as a result of networking. That’s a pretty staggering statistic!
  18. Social networking an essential job search strategy, and LinkedIn tops the chart. 80% of recruiters use social media to recruit candidates. You absolutely MUST have a strong presence on LinkedIn, “the #1 online networking platform for job seekers” according to the report.
  19. Clear skeletons out of your closet if you can. With so many candidates vying for each open position, any red flags mean your application is put in the “no”pile. Employers will go back 20-30 years to make sure your record is clean.
  20. Become savvy with virtual technology. You might be required to attend a virtual interview, or you might choose to create a web-based resume or portfolio to get some extra notice. Need help to manage it all? Many job seekers are hiring virtual assistants just to keep up with it all!

If you want to read more detail about these top 20 points, please go to the full article, Findings of 2010 Global Career Brainstorming Day: Trends for the Now, the New & the Next in Careers.

Were you surprised by any of the findings? What did you learn? Please share in the comments below.

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Posted in Cover Letter Tips, Job Search, LinkedIn, Resume Tips | 3 Comments »

$1.67 Billion Typo — Forgiven

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Seal of the United States Court of Appeals for...
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I’ve always thought that typos, so long as they are few and far between, are less egregious errors than misspellings and other errors that stem from lack of knowledge. Apparently a U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals judge agrees that people — and multi-billion dollar companies — who make typos should be given a second chance: Verizon $1.67 bln typo can be fixed: court I imagine my own typos and yours won’t have such monumental consequences. Our readers are our judges, and we can only hope they have the same understanding as our nation’s highest courts.

That said, if you are applying for jobs, your resume and cover letter are not the most ideal places to err. Make sure to read, re-read, and re-read again. There’s no need to risk judgment from a hiring manager that costs you a job.Enhanced by Zemanta

That said, if you are applying for jobs, your resume and cover letter are not the most ideal places to err. Make sure to read, re-read, and re-read again. There’s no need to risk judgment from a hiring manager that costs you a job. For editing help, contact The Essay Expert.

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Posted in Articles by Brenda Bernstein, Cover Letter Tips, Job Search, Professional Writing, Resume Tips, Writing Tips | 2 Comments »

Job Search Tips Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: Hiring Managers Give 21 Tips! – from Yahoo & US News

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Who else would you want to take advice from but a hiring manager? US News & World Report offers 21 tips straight from the people who judge your job applications. I wouldn’t argue with their advice if I were you! 12 Things Hiring Managers Wish You Knew – from Yahoo Finance and US News & World Report.

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Posted in Cover Letter Tips, Interview Tips, Job Search, Resume Tips | No Comments »

Job Search Myth: You Don’t Need a Cover Letter

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Just about every client I work with lately brings up the rumor they’ve heard that no one reads cover letters anymore.  This rumor is ONLY a rumor and if you take action based on it, you will shoot yourself in the foot in your job search.

In a recent article posted on Work Coach Cafe, “15 Job Search Tips from a Guy Who Just Got a Job,” a successful job seeker named John relates how the CEO of a company personally reached out to him to thank him for sending a cover letter!  In fact, John was the ONLY candidate to send a cover letter, most likely because everyone else believed the rumor that cover letters never get read.  John made an impression.

This topic is also covered on Great Resumes Fast in “Cover Letters: Does Anybody Read Those Anymore?” The author points out that the cover letter is your opportunity to show genuine interest and to make a case that you are specifically qualified for this job.

Why would you tailor your resume to a job and then write a generic cover letter?  If you are truly interested in a position, it is worth your time to write a unique letter to the company about who you are and why you would make a difference for that company.  Do not write a generic cover letter and send it along with a generic or somewhat tailored resume to zillions of job listings, hoping that you‘ll somehow win the numbers game. That is NOT the way to get a job!

Instead, begin building a relationship right from the start with the company that might be your future employer.  Imagine yourself in this job and write down what you will bring to the position.  Sell yourself.

Anyone can spot a cover letter that is really just a mail merge.  Remember…  you are a human being and, if you get past the computer scanners, so is the person who reads your cover letter.  By writing a custom letter, you reveal your humanity and respect the humanity of the HR person or hiring manager.  If you begin early to develop a relationship with that person, you are in great shape to be asked for an interview.

For help with a great cover letter and resume, contact The Essay Expert.

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Posted in Articles by Brenda Bernstein, Cover Letter Tips, Job Search | 1 Comment »

How to Get an Interview with Your Cover Letter: 3 Essential Cover Letter Tips

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I absolutely love the process of crafting great cover letters.  You may have heard that some recruiters don’t read cover letters, but I would emphasize “some.”  For the ones who do (and you don’t know who they will be), and for smaller employers, an impressive cover letter can make a huge difference.

Your cover letter can show recruiters and hiring managers a little bit about how you would show up in an interview.  Here are 3 tips that will get you in the door!

1) Impress your reader quickly. In the first paragraph, after you say what job you’re applying to, list briefly the major reasons you are the right candidate for the job. This task can be done in just a few words. Yes, really, it can! For example:

My experience as senior project manager at Blue Shoes, combined with my extensive coursework in business management at Green Vest University, give me the requisite skills for the Project Manager position at Purple Fashion Inc.

Note:  The reader doesn’t have to wonder whether you’ve got the training and experience for the position.  He or she has a reason to read further.

2) Say not what the company can do for you, but what you can do for the company (they couldn’t care less how great a match they are for your interests!)

Do NOT say:  “I have always been interested in fashion and the position at Purple Fashion Inc. will give me the experience I seek.”

Aaargh!!  Companies are not in the business of giving you the experience you seek.  They hire people who will make a contribution, not suck the life out of them!

Instead, say something like:  “I have been studying business and working in the fashion industry for the entirety of my academic and professional career, and I look forward to contributing my skills and passion to Purple Fashion Inc.”

3) Tell a good, brief story (this tip applies more to smaller organizations who take time to read your cover letter). The person reading your cover letter is a human being, and human beings like stories. If you do a good job with your cover letter, the reader will be enthralled and left wanting more — that’s the effect you want!

Here’s a sample story:  “In 2008, I worked with our product design and marketing teams to implement a new product campaign.  After 3 months, our marketing plan was on track but it became clear that certain production costs would have to be reduced.  Through my leadership, our team reduced those costs by 30% without any labor reduction and the campaign became profitable in the sixth month of operation.  I will bring this capability for incisive and effective decision making to Purple Fashion Inc.”

My clients have great success getting interviews, and I know at least part of that success is due to their effective, engaging cover letters.

Don’t forget the resume of course, which must be tailored to the job and packed with your accomplishments!

For assistance with writing cover letters and resumes that will get you interviews, contact The Essay Expert.

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Posted in Articles by Brenda Bernstein, Cover Letter Tips, Job Search | 2 Comments »

Worst Cover Letter Advice: Use a Quote in Your Cover Letter

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I came across an article in my travels, Season Your Cover Letter with a Great Quote, that recommended to job seekers that they use an inspiring quotation in their cover letters. In case any of you encounter the same advice, I want to warn you now NOT to follow it. I strongly discourage anyone from including a quotation in a cover letter, unless that quotation comes from you, a client or supervisor.

“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.” (Albert Einstein)

The cover letter in question stated regarding the above quote, “You can count on me to live these inspiring words. I know the importance of influencing people for good and that is what I want to be known for. I’d welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person so you can judge for yourself.”

Some other suggested quotations from this article:

“Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” Norman Vincent Peale

“Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.” David McCullough

“Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone.” Unknown Author

The problem with using these borrowed words is that just because you like a quotation does not mean you will live up to it! In your cover letter, give inspiring examples of what you have done and then say you will live up to your own examples. Hard facts always speak louder than flowery language.

When I was a hiring manager I never received a cover letter containing a quotation, but if I had I would have mistrusted it immediately. Anyone can do a Google search for inspiring quotations. Not very many people truly meet the high standards set by those words.

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Cover Letters – The Icing on the Cake – from EmploymentDigest.net

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I couldn’t agree more with this plug by Dawn Rasmussen for the importance of writing a great cover letter. I would go so far as to say your cover letter is the chocolate mousse filling in your triple layer cake. Yum! If you are applying for jobs and your cover letter can use a boost in richness and depth, consider a Cover Letter Package from The Essay Expert. You can read the article here: Cover Letters – Icing on the Cake.

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6 Ways to Optimize Your Email Cover Letter – from Susan Ireland’s Job Lounge

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Are you unsure about what to put in an email cover letter? Here’s one way to approach the task from Susan Ireland. 6 Ways to Optimize Your Email Cover Letter

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Common Grammatical Errors: Between You and Me

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Let’s start with a pop quiz:

Is there a grammar mistake in the title of my blog?

If you answered “Yes” and believe that “Between You and I” would be correct, you have a lot of company. However, “Between You and Me” is actually the correct structure.

Why do so many of us say “Between you and I”? My guess is that at some point, maybe around age 8, you may have said to your mother something like, “Jimmy and me are going to the store.” She corrected you: “It’s ‘Jimmy and I’” and something clicked in your head, and you thought that if you’re talking about yourself and another person, you should always say “I” instead of “me.”

I’m here to set the record straight.

There are pronouns that belong as the subject of a sentence. They are: I, you, she, he, we, you, they, it.

Then there are pronouns that belong as the object of a sentence. They are: me, you, her, him, us, you, them, it.

The first thing you need to know is not to mix these two groups together! “Him and I” for instance takes one pronoun from the object group and one from the subject group. Mixing and matching is always incorrect no matter where in the sentence the pronouns fall.

“Between you and me” is a little trickier because our language uses “you” as both subject and object. Which group are we in here? Think about it: Would you say “Between us” or “Between we”? Of course you would say “Between us.” Now you know you’re in the object group which includes both “us” and (would you believe it?) “me.”

A nice easy way to determine what pronouns to use, when you want to include two subjects or objects, is to try out the sentence with just one of the subjects or objects and see how it sounds. For example: “I [not me] went to the store.” “He [not him] went to the store. Therefore, “He and I went to the store.” Notice “he” and “I” are in the group with “we.” “We went to the store” is of course also correct.

Another example: “Dave went to the store with him [not he].” “Dave went to the store with me [not I].” Therefore, “Dave went to the store with him and me” is correct.

I realize for some of you that last sentence might sound completely wrong and ungrammatical. Between you and me, I think it’s time to change that perception.

There’s a little quiz you can take at UsingEnglish.com: Quiz: Subject and Object Pronouns.  For more on this topic, see the article The English Personal Pronoun System.

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Posted in Articles by Brenda Bernstein, Cover Letter Tips, Writing Tips | 1 Comment »

What Color is Your Cover Letter? Cover Letter Tips from The Essay Expert

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What Color is Your Cover Letter?

The content of most cover letters that come across my desk, both at the University of Wisconsin Law School and in my business, are bland and unexciting.  They sound like everyone else’s letters.  I call them gray. And gray doesn’t stand out. It just blends into the background.

A Little Gray is Okay

I don’t expect a lot from the first paragraph of a cover letter. That’s where you tell them what job you’re applying for, where you found out about it, and something very basic about you and your goals.

I don’t expect a lot from the last paragraph either. That’s where you tell them your resume is attached and that you look forward to discussing your qualifications for the position.

Time for a Paint Job

It’s the middle paragraph or two where color comes into play.

The “gray” cover letters I tend to see look something like this:

“I have spent the last ten years gaining experience in X. At job A, I did B, where I gained experience in C. At job D, I did E, and gained experience doing F. At job G, I did H, and learned J. I therefore feel that I would be an asset to your company.”

I hope you agree with me that it’s time for a makeover!

Painting Your Passion

Stop blending into the background! The cover letter is your opportunity to paint yourself in bright, eye-catching colors — as someone who would bring personality and flair to a position, or true problem solving or negotiating skills, or, at the very least, some passion.

How do you do that? Tell a story that shows them who you are.

If I were writing a cover letter, for instance, I might talk about how I won the trust of a contract manager who had been ready to pull a contract from my organization. One of my clients wrote about how he successfully negotiated a conflict at work and obtained payment from a customer who was refusing to pay. Another wrote about his quest for the perfect problem to solve.

These stories will catch an employer’s eye and paint a picture of a real person, with experience and attributes that reach beyond a list of resume bullets.

Take My Advice!

I’d like to share with you the following letter, which I received from a student at the University of Wisconsin:

Thanks for our talk earlier today. I appreciated your straightforward honesty. I felt like a naive kid who was suddenly given a cover letter awakening.

Now, I took your advice withOUT a grain of salt. I took it straight and changed most everything. I am ashamed to call the last documents I sent you “cover letters.” I wouldn’t have wanted to interview me. Sad. In these new cover letters, every sentence gives information that cannot be quite gathered from my resume. I really tried to pour some personality and passion into these and keep the reader’s attention. I can actually be proud of these letters.

This student says it well. Give them new information, NOT a regurgitation of your resume. Pour in some personality (purple?), passion (red?) Throw in some anecdotes (green?) And you too will be able to say you are proud of your cover letters.

You’ll be a lot more likely to get that interview, where you really get to show them who you are.

Want help with your cover letters?  Go to The Essay Expert’s Cover Letter Services

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Posted in Articles by Brenda Bernstein, Cover Letter Tips, Job Search, Writing Tips | 3 Comments »

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