"The quality of the opportunities you are considered for is a function of the quality of your résumé  and how to get it delivered." ("10 New Résumé  Secrets")

Always attach a cover letter to your résumé

• The cover letter should be addressed to a specific individual
  - to show you have done your homework
  - to show you are definitely interested in working for that particular company
  - to show you are not sending out the exact same copy to everyone under the sun
  - to show that this is the  specific place you really want to work & that you have taken every extra step
  - To show that you know cover letters are read by people, not by "Dear Madam." 
  • Take the extra minute to call I say, "I'm writing to the manager of X department. May I please have his/her name?  Would you spell that please.  Distinguish yourself & set yourself apart.
• Indicate which job you are applying for
  - Don't let the company wonder whether there is a chance you might possibly be interested in a particular job - when it already has numerous applicants expressing a desire for that particular job. The company will go for a sure thing.
• Indicate how you heard of the opening
  - a colleague, an internet posting, a professional journal, an advertisement on a particular day
• Briefly list that you have the skills and experience necessary to be successful at that position and restate particular skills that are mentioned in advertisements. quantify any successes you have had (increased production, retention, visibility, profits, attendance by 14%... by listing problems/ opportunities you've tapped into)
• Request an interview. Isn't that why you're writing.
  Remember: The purpose of a cover letter & résumé is to get you an interview
  The purpose of an interview is to get you a position
   - List  your phone number with area code
  - List your email address. 
    ------Make sure your email is professional looking, like JSmith @...com instead of CoolDude @...com
• How does your letter look?
  Is it pleasing to the eye?
  Is it somewhat centered on the sheet?
  Does it look too crowded? 
  Is there enough white space? If not, try bullets
  Is it on quality stationery?
  Is it unfolded, with your resume, ready to go in a large manila envelope?
  Is it somewhat brief - about one page - who wants to read more?
  Would this letter be visually appealing to you - something you would want to read?
• Has a friend looked it over?
• Can your friend show it to strangers for feedback?
• Call within a week
  If you haven't heard after one week, call yourself.  State, "I am call to to check on the status of my résumé."
  If you are unable to reach the individual, write a second letter. Remind the reader of your first letter.  Add something new. Restate your phone number.

• Target Résumé
  • Even the best résumé is worthless if it is not sent to the proper desk
• Job Objective Statement
  • Even the "best employee for the job" maybe overlooked if his résumé  does not contain a clear job objective statement
  • At the beginning of each résumé .a clear job objective must be included.  it is not up to the company officials to second guess what type of position you might be interested in - while hundreds of other prospective employees have clearly stated the position they want on the résumé .
• How-To for Job Objective Statement
  • Job objective statement must include:
    • The position you are looking for
    • Where you are planning on working
    • The level of responsibility
    • Without these 3 key ingredients, the employer may believe you are sending the same résumé  everywhere and that your heart is not in this particular position because you have not demonstrated a particular interest in it. You may be mediocre - not striving for perfection in all you do - even in résumé  writing.
• Summary Statement
  • Include a summary statement which states why  you feel/know  that you are the [best qualified] person to do the job
    You have the skills, ability, talent, and proven work history which  demonstrates success in previous assignments
• Importance of Résumé :
  • You cannot overvalue the worth of a résumé . This is the tool that sells you - that gets you in the door for an interview. Without a quality résumé , you won't have the opportunity to interview.
• Keywords
  • Your résumé  must be tailored to each specific position you are seeking by including key words from the job announcement .
• Appearance Counts
  • You should not only strive for quality information, but for quality presentation, as well.
    Show that you have a little computer savvy.
    Show that you care.
    Show that you are a cut above the rest.
    Show that you are a professional in all that you do.
    Try an attractive résumé format that Microsoft Publisher offers. Print  on quality, cotton paper. 
    Mail it, unfolded, in a large manila envelope.
  • Do NOT send this fancy  resume as an attachment, as it may not reproduce properly.
    Instead prepare a simple résumé on Microsoft Word for attachments to emails.

   

   

• Follow up all interviews with thank you letters
• Not sending a thank you can cost you a job per Rosemary Haefner, VP of Human Resources, career Builders.com. ("No Thank you could mean no job", Norwich Bulletin, October 19,2005 Page E1) The articles continues to describe hiring managers' preferences: "One-in-four hiring managers prefer to receive a thank-you note in e-mail form only; 19 percent want the e-mail followed up with a hard copy; 21 percent want a typed hard copy  only and 23 percent prefer just a handwritten note.... Twenty-six percent of hiring managers expect to have the letter in-hand two days after the interview, and 36 percent expect to have it within three to five days."
• The thank you letter offers you the opportunity to reinforce your strong points and to state items you may have omitted to say during the interview. You can state why you feel you are a perfect match for a job.
• Draft it out prior to writing it.
• Have it look unique rather than like a generic form letter that you've used a thousand times.
• Stick to three paragraphs
  1.  thanking for the interview
  2.  selling yourself highlighting your qualifications
  3.  restating your strong interest in the position

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Quick Fact:

Use technology.
"A digital résumé  is the main contact medium for 70 percent of the nation's employers. Not crafting your Résumé  consistent with Internet and search technologies will severely limit your reach" (Career Builder, "Ten New Résumé  Secrets" Norwich Bulletin March 9, 2005  page E1)