Archive for October, 2007
6 Professional Resume Tips: Know What Human Resources Really Want
If you know what Human Resources professionals want, you will have a better chance to be the next candidate called for an interview. Professional resume tips will definitely give you that much needed edge!
Professional resume tips #1 – Size really does matters
The length of your resume will be partially determined by how much working experience that you have, but length prevents your resume from standing out.
If you are new jobseeker or just do not have much experience in the field in which you are applying, Human Resources staff prefer to see just a one page resume. This is a brief way to sum up the qualities and work experience that you do have without wasting their time.
Of course, if you more experienced in the position for which you are applying, a two page resume may be more suitable. Of course, if you are just listing things to make the resume longer, you may not have the outcome you would like.
The bottom line is to be as brief as possible without ommitting something that the Human Resource people would like to know.
Professional resume tips #2 – Are the dates consistent
Many resume writers are worried about whether or not to alter the dates of their different jobs just to make a seamless chronology of their work history.
First of all, that is being dishonest. And you do not want to begin a new job with a lie that could be discovered.
Second of all, HR professionals prefer to see the gaps of your work history and how these breaks were filled by you. Perhaps you had a newborn baby or there was a family crisis that caused you to leave your career for a period of time. Whatever the reason, just be ready to explain the gaps.
Professional resume tips #3 – Discussing your previous positions
What you might need to do is describe positions that are related to the one that you are applying for. While you will still be asked how long you were in each position, showing the relevance is much more helpful to the HR people.
You must give your positions their correct titles or ones that express the same idea. Manager and Supervisor are frequently used interchangeably. For example, supervisor sounds slightly more professional.
As long as you are not fabricating titles, you are fine to smooth out their wording.
Professional resume tips #4 – What are your accomplishments
Hiring managers need to know what you have already done for your previous employers. You should have all the facts and figures that you could quote and discuss. Did you increase sales? Did you save the company money? Provide the HR person with things in black and white and you will see that you get better responses.
Discuss the positive things that you have done for your previous employers, and if there were any negative situations, find the positive side in them in case you are asked.
Professional resume tips #5 – Cover letter please.
Do you really need a cover letter? In many cases, hiring managers like to see something that demonstrates your individual personality. After several resumes, they will begin to look the same. This is not to say that you should begin with a something funny or send a photo of yourself, but you should use a cover letter to provide some indication of the kind of employee you are.
You want to show that you know what kinds of responsibilities is expected of you if hired and that you fully comprehend the goals of the company.
Show them that you really want this job and that you are more than ready for the challenge.
Professional resume tips #6 – 100% error free
Simple errors in grammar and spelling will hurt your chances of getting hired in any higher position. Take the extra time to have someone proof read your resume to make sure that you sound and look professional.
Just remember that hiring managers only have a limited time to read every resume that they receive. Get right to the point and your resume will get you the interview.
By: Andrew Chin
About the Author:
Professional resume tips #1 – Size really does matters
The length of your resume will be partially determined by how much working experience that you have, but length prevents your resume from standing out.
If you are new jobseeker or just do not have much experience in the field in which you are applying, Human Resources staff prefer to see just a one page resume. This is a brief way to sum up the qualities and work experience that you do have without wasting their time.
Of course, if you more experienced in the position for which you are applying, a two page resume may be more suitable. Of course, if you are just listing things to make the resume longer, you may not have the outcome you would like.
The bottom line is to be as brief as possible without ommitting something that the Human Resource people would like to know.
Professional resume tips #2 – Are the dates consistent
Many resume writers are worried about whether or not to alter the dates of their different jobs just to make a seamless chronology of their work history.
First of all, that is being dishonest. And you do not want to begin a new job with a lie that could be discovered.
Second of all, HR professionals prefer to see the gaps of your work history and how these breaks were filled by you. Perhaps you had a newborn baby or there was a family crisis that caused you to leave your career for a period of time. Whatever the reason, just be ready to explain the gaps.
Professional resume tips #3 – Discussing your previous positions
What you might need to do is describe positions that are related to the one that you are applying for. While you will still be asked how long you were in each position, showing the relevance is much more helpful to the HR people.
You must give your positions their correct titles or ones that express the same idea. Manager and Supervisor are frequently used interchangeably. For example, supervisor sounds slightly more professional.
As long as you are not fabricating titles, you are fine to smooth out their wording.
Professional resume tips #4 – What are your accomplishments
Hiring managers need to know what you have already done for your previous employers. You should have all the facts and figures that you could quote and discuss. Did you increase sales? Did you save the company money? Provide the HR person with things in black and white and you will see that you get better responses.
Discuss the positive things that you have done for your previous employers, and if there were any negative situations, find the positive side in them in case you are asked.
Professional resume tips #5 – Cover letter please.
Do you really need a cover letter? In many cases, hiring managers like to see something that demonstrates your individual personality. After several resumes, they will begin to look the same. This is not to say that you should begin with a something funny or send a photo of yourself, but you should use a cover letter to provide some indication of the kind of employee you are.
You want to show that you know what kinds of responsibilities is expected of you if hired and that you fully comprehend the goals of the company.
Show them that you really want this job and that you are more than ready for the challenge.
Professional resume tips #6 – 100% error free
Simple errors in grammar and spelling will hurt your chances of getting hired in any higher position. Take the extra time to have someone proof read your resume to make sure that you sound and look professional.
Just remember that hiring managers only have a limited time to read every resume that they receive. Get right to the point and your resume will get you the interview.
By: Andrew Chin
About the Author:
Andrew Chin is a recognized authority on the subject of Employment. His website Employment Exposed provides a wealth of information on Employment Opportunities. All rights reserved. Articles may be reprinted as long as the content and links remains intact and unchanged.
10 Top Tips for Writing a Resume or Cv
Have you ever submitted a resume or CV to an employer and not received a call for an interview? It’s frustrating and leaves you wondering what you did wrong.
Remember that your resume/CV and cover letter are the first things that an employer will see – they are the first impression your potential employer has of you, so make them good.
Here are 10 top tips on writing a resume or CV. Follow these simple guidelines and you will improve your chances of getting a call inviting you to an interview.
Tips For Writing A Resume Or CV
Upon first glance is the resume or CV easy to read?
Always use BLACK ink to print a resume.
Use a standard font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
The font size should be no smaller than 10, but no larger than 12
Use a good quality resume paper for your resume.
Do not use your typical white paper.
A good color choice in paper would be a light off-white or cream paper
Run spell-check and correct any grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors!
Have someone else read your resume if you do not have spell-check.
State previous job history in chronological order starting with most recent job first.
State Company name.
State your title.
State length of employment.
State responsibilities or duties.
If there are any large gaps in between jobs, explain them.
Concentrate on skills and achievement relevant to the position you are applying for.
Does your resume objective sell you? A good resume objective should state:
The job you’re applying for.
Why you’re the best candidate.
What you can bring to the company.
Keep your resume as short as possible.
If possible keep it to one page but not more than two pages.
You can make a statement that further information is available upon request or refer to an appendix for less relevant information.
Be honest.
Do not profess skills you do not have.
Do not exaggerate lengths of employment to cover up gaps.
Make sure it’s relevant.
Tailor your resume or CV to each job you’re applying for. Employers like to see you have singled their job out particularly.
Make sure to follow instructions.
If an employer requests a resume via regular mail, email, faxed, etc. submit your resume as requested.
In your cover letter make sure you make mention of the specific job you are submitting a resume for.
Keep your cover letter short and to the point.
State the position for which you are applying for and where you saw it.
Make a statement such as “I have” such and such experience.
Make a statement such as “I can” do such and such for your company.
Make a statement such as “I am” looking for a position that …
Make a closing statement thanking the employer for their time and saying you look forward to hearing from them.
If you follow these simple guidelines when writing a resume or CV, you will present yourself in a favorable way. Employers are looking for employees that can stand out above the rest of the applicants that are vying for the same position. By catching their eye with a professional, relevant and interesting resume, and presenting the facts in a way that the employer does not have to search for them, you are showing the employer that you take pride in your work. This is what every employer wants.
By: Catherine Z Jones
About the Author:
Remember that your resume/CV and cover letter are the first things that an employer will see – they are the first impression your potential employer has of you, so make them good.
Here are 10 top tips on writing a resume or CV. Follow these simple guidelines and you will improve your chances of getting a call inviting you to an interview.
Tips For Writing A Resume Or CV
Upon first glance is the resume or CV easy to read?
Always use BLACK ink to print a resume.
Use a standard font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
The font size should be no smaller than 10, but no larger than 12
Use a good quality resume paper for your resume.
Do not use your typical white paper.
A good color choice in paper would be a light off-white or cream paper
Run spell-check and correct any grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors!
Have someone else read your resume if you do not have spell-check.
State previous job history in chronological order starting with most recent job first.
State Company name.
State your title.
State length of employment.
State responsibilities or duties.
If there are any large gaps in between jobs, explain them.
Concentrate on skills and achievement relevant to the position you are applying for.
Does your resume objective sell you? A good resume objective should state:
The job you’re applying for.
Why you’re the best candidate.
What you can bring to the company.
Keep your resume as short as possible.
If possible keep it to one page but not more than two pages.
You can make a statement that further information is available upon request or refer to an appendix for less relevant information.
Be honest.
Do not profess skills you do not have.
Do not exaggerate lengths of employment to cover up gaps.
Make sure it’s relevant.
Tailor your resume or CV to each job you’re applying for. Employers like to see you have singled their job out particularly.
Make sure to follow instructions.
If an employer requests a resume via regular mail, email, faxed, etc. submit your resume as requested.
In your cover letter make sure you make mention of the specific job you are submitting a resume for.
Keep your cover letter short and to the point.
State the position for which you are applying for and where you saw it.
Make a statement such as “I have” such and such experience.
Make a statement such as “I can” do such and such for your company.
Make a statement such as “I am” looking for a position that …
Make a closing statement thanking the employer for their time and saying you look forward to hearing from them.
If you follow these simple guidelines when writing a resume or CV, you will present yourself in a favorable way. Employers are looking for employees that can stand out above the rest of the applicants that are vying for the same position. By catching their eye with a professional, relevant and interesting resume, and presenting the facts in a way that the employer does not have to search for them, you are showing the employer that you take pride in your work. This is what every employer wants.
By: Catherine Z Jones
About the Author:
We are 4 interviewers with over 67 years of recruitment experience between us and we want to help you snag a job — your dream job. Our website provides free help and advice on all aspects of finding a job, from cover letters and resumes, to sample interview questions and answers.
Writing a Cv; Tips for Success
Different countries have different opinions about the length a CV should be, but there is a general consensus nowadays that it should be condensed into a single page with both sides included. This is because the CV was never intended to be a full account of you as a person, but rather a brief summary of your key points in a style which is easy to read. It’s worth remembering that the CV won’t get you the job, but the interview instead.
To consider this from the employer’s point of view, they are only interested in whether you can answer the question of what you can do for them. Whilst concentrating on, ensure that your CV looks presentable, is well structured and has all the information an employer needs to put you through to the next stage. Make sure to include the following six paragraphs;
The first paragraph refers to your personal information, and should include your name, postal address, email address (preferred method of contact) and telephone number. Photos are optional and sometimes very useful, but be careful with other information. Details like marital status, age and health can actually be negative factors and its best not to include them.
In the second paragraph you should write a professional statement. This should explain the type of positions you are interested in, wrapped up in language that sells your particular skills, and ideally no longer than two sentences. You might also describe your career goals, but try not to be too specific or vague.
Following that, the next paragraph relates to your education. It’s usually clearest to list your experiences chronologically with the most recent first. Include information like the name of the institution, qualification and level of achievement, and any major courses. For most graduates, the lowest level of education included should be university or college unless higher education was never undertaken.
Work experience comes next, and again should be written chronologically with the most recent first. The company name, dates of work and position held are essential pieces of information. You should then expand on the details in additional sentences, explaining your main responsibilities and what you did on an average day. It’s a great chance to write about your skills and abilities with extremely positive language, and you should make the most of it. If you lack any paid work experience, make sure to include voluntary work instead.
The fifth paragraph pertains to your personal hobbies and interests, and is the other main chance to sell your skills to the employer. For those with little or no work experience, this section is the most important part of your CV, so time and attention should be given to it. Try to prove to the employer that you are confident as an individual but also a great team player, so include information like languages and instrumental abilities for the former, and memberships of sports clubs for the latter. You should also list any additional achievements and qualifications not earlier mentioned.
The last section to include is your references, and must be as objective as possible. The usual style is to include two referees, a professional and an academic. If a professional is not possible due to lack of work experience, a personal reference is possible provided that personal holds a respected job in society (teacher, lawyer, doctor, etc.) and is not a relative.
You should include their names and contact details, as you did in your own personal information, as well as their job position. For politeness, make sure to inform them ahead of time that they may be contacted from the employer.
As was described, a CV is a brief summary of experience and abilities and should aim to be easily absorbable to the employer. Any of these areas may be questioned in an interview so it’s vital to tell the truth, but feel free to use creative and positive vocabulary to enhance the overall effect and selling potential. Good luck.
By: Luke Holden
About the Author:
To consider this from the employer’s point of view, they are only interested in whether you can answer the question of what you can do for them. Whilst concentrating on, ensure that your CV looks presentable, is well structured and has all the information an employer needs to put you through to the next stage. Make sure to include the following six paragraphs;
The first paragraph refers to your personal information, and should include your name, postal address, email address (preferred method of contact) and telephone number. Photos are optional and sometimes very useful, but be careful with other information. Details like marital status, age and health can actually be negative factors and its best not to include them.
In the second paragraph you should write a professional statement. This should explain the type of positions you are interested in, wrapped up in language that sells your particular skills, and ideally no longer than two sentences. You might also describe your career goals, but try not to be too specific or vague.
Following that, the next paragraph relates to your education. It’s usually clearest to list your experiences chronologically with the most recent first. Include information like the name of the institution, qualification and level of achievement, and any major courses. For most graduates, the lowest level of education included should be university or college unless higher education was never undertaken.
Work experience comes next, and again should be written chronologically with the most recent first. The company name, dates of work and position held are essential pieces of information. You should then expand on the details in additional sentences, explaining your main responsibilities and what you did on an average day. It’s a great chance to write about your skills and abilities with extremely positive language, and you should make the most of it. If you lack any paid work experience, make sure to include voluntary work instead.
The fifth paragraph pertains to your personal hobbies and interests, and is the other main chance to sell your skills to the employer. For those with little or no work experience, this section is the most important part of your CV, so time and attention should be given to it. Try to prove to the employer that you are confident as an individual but also a great team player, so include information like languages and instrumental abilities for the former, and memberships of sports clubs for the latter. You should also list any additional achievements and qualifications not earlier mentioned.
The last section to include is your references, and must be as objective as possible. The usual style is to include two referees, a professional and an academic. If a professional is not possible due to lack of work experience, a personal reference is possible provided that personal holds a respected job in society (teacher, lawyer, doctor, etc.) and is not a relative.
You should include their names and contact details, as you did in your own personal information, as well as their job position. For politeness, make sure to inform them ahead of time that they may be contacted from the employer.
As was described, a CV is a brief summary of experience and abilities and should aim to be easily absorbable to the employer. Any of these areas may be questioned in an interview so it’s vital to tell the truth, but feel free to use creative and positive vocabulary to enhance the overall effect and selling potential. Good luck.
By: Luke Holden
About the Author:
Luke Holden is an experienced English teacher living and working in Beijing, and is the proud owner of two websites dedicated to helping students. AEnglish.net, a collection of learning resources and advice run exclusively by English native speakers and CVsolution.net, helping recent graduates by providing online work experience
Cover Letter Tips That Touch More Than Just The Tip Of The Employment Iceberg
Employment today is more diverse, but competition is stiffer than ever before. Not only do you have to be well-educated, you also have to be a well-rounded employee with a lot of experience, not to mention personality. Such traits can be difficult to deduce from someone’s resume or transcript: after all, a resume is only a list that shows how much education was given to you, and how many times you have been employed, while a transcript will show what grades you got. All these records will not show how much you learned, what you did with your education, and if you have learned anything from your past forays into employment.
In a job application, a cover letter can show your prospective employer all these and more. Sadly, today’s job applicants, although more competitive, also tend to be lazier than usual. They will look for generic cover letters online, change a few facts, print it out, and send it to only one employer. They will address the letter to no one in particular, and will usually stick to the safe, “Dear Sir or Madame,” or worse, “To whom it may concern.” Lastly, the applicant will wait for a reply, often for weeks on end, before repeating the cycle.
This self-defeating cycle is something that you want to avoid if you are applying for a job. Your goal is not simply to get the application over with: you should shine and stand out above all the other job applicants, and you should get a job interview, at the very least. A few cover letter tips should get you going, so follow these cover letter tips and you just might find yourself getting the job that you want.
First, do as much research as you can about the company. Sure, they have a job opening that you think you will excel at, but are the company’s goals also your own? Is the company’s mission and vision in line with your own mission and vision? How well do you know the company? Have you visited its website? Who is your employer?
You will need to take note of all these facts before you even craft your letter. Moreover, address your letter to the person who will hire you, not to anyone in particular. Remember, the more personalized your letter is, the easier it will be for you to get a job. However, do not go overboard on being personal: you also want to look professional, not sensational, childish, or hyperactive. As long as your values, goals, vision, and mission are aligned with those of the company, then you can be sure that you have one foot into their doors already.
Next, make your letter brief. Usually, a single page of about four short paragraphs of text will do the trick. Employers have little time to browse through piles and piles of letters all saying the same thing. You need to stand out, so say as much in as few words as possible. Your goal is to take the employer’s attention within the first few lines of your letter, and to make the employer read all about you and want to hire you – or, at the very least, call you in for an interview.
State specifically that you are available for an interview, then provide all your contact details. Make sure that your email address is up and running, and that you will be available to answer all telephone calls. Send the letter according to the information provided in the job opening, and wait patiently – for about two weeks.
If you have not heard from the company, send a fresh cover letter and another resume, and indicate that you are making a follow up. This might increase your chances of getting an interview, or even getting the job, if the employer sees how persistent you can be. If this doesn’t work out, keep applying, and never say die! If you work hard enough, you will get the job that you want in no time.
By: Mario Churchill
About the Author:
In a job application, a cover letter can show your prospective employer all these and more. Sadly, today’s job applicants, although more competitive, also tend to be lazier than usual. They will look for generic cover letters online, change a few facts, print it out, and send it to only one employer. They will address the letter to no one in particular, and will usually stick to the safe, “Dear Sir or Madame,” or worse, “To whom it may concern.” Lastly, the applicant will wait for a reply, often for weeks on end, before repeating the cycle.
This self-defeating cycle is something that you want to avoid if you are applying for a job. Your goal is not simply to get the application over with: you should shine and stand out above all the other job applicants, and you should get a job interview, at the very least. A few cover letter tips should get you going, so follow these cover letter tips and you just might find yourself getting the job that you want.
First, do as much research as you can about the company. Sure, they have a job opening that you think you will excel at, but are the company’s goals also your own? Is the company’s mission and vision in line with your own mission and vision? How well do you know the company? Have you visited its website? Who is your employer?
You will need to take note of all these facts before you even craft your letter. Moreover, address your letter to the person who will hire you, not to anyone in particular. Remember, the more personalized your letter is, the easier it will be for you to get a job. However, do not go overboard on being personal: you also want to look professional, not sensational, childish, or hyperactive. As long as your values, goals, vision, and mission are aligned with those of the company, then you can be sure that you have one foot into their doors already.
Next, make your letter brief. Usually, a single page of about four short paragraphs of text will do the trick. Employers have little time to browse through piles and piles of letters all saying the same thing. You need to stand out, so say as much in as few words as possible. Your goal is to take the employer’s attention within the first few lines of your letter, and to make the employer read all about you and want to hire you – or, at the very least, call you in for an interview.
State specifically that you are available for an interview, then provide all your contact details. Make sure that your email address is up and running, and that you will be available to answer all telephone calls. Send the letter according to the information provided in the job opening, and wait patiently – for about two weeks.
If you have not heard from the company, send a fresh cover letter and another resume, and indicate that you are making a follow up. This might increase your chances of getting an interview, or even getting the job, if the employer sees how persistent you can be. If this doesn’t work out, keep applying, and never say die! If you work hard enough, you will get the job that you want in no time.
By: Mario Churchill
About the Author:
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on cover letter tips checkout his recommended websites.
Strategies For Employment Cover Letters That Sizzle!
There is a saying in sales that you do not sell the steak, you sell the sizzle. This is every bit as true in writing an employment cover letter. Here are some tips that will help you write a cover letter that sells the sizzle.
Your Personal Sales Letter
Above all else, your employment cover letter is your personal sales letter. This is your chance to show the hiring manager that you are the one for the job. This is not the place to be timid. This is where you stand out form the crowd. Your cover letter needs to scream “Look at me!”
Thanks to the internet, it is possible for a hiring manager to receive hundreds of applications for a job posting. With that amount of volume, most applications will only get a quick glance. If there is nothing to grab the attention of the person hiring, your application will end up in the circular file without getting a second look. Your cover letter must grab the manager’s attention, and make them look deeper into your qualifications.
Target Your Cover Letter
One of the biggest things you can do to make your employment cover letter sizzle is to target it to a specific job at a specific company. This starts at the very beginning. If you want to show that you’ve done your research address the cover letter to the person who is reviewing it. “Dear Ms. Jones” has much more power than “Dear Hiring Manager”. While most classified ads don’t include this information, sometimes it just takes one phone call to find what you need.
When you write the body of your employment cover letter, keep a copy of the classified ad in front of you, and write the letter as an answer to that ad. If the ad mentions specific skills and qualifications, you can write about how you have the experience to meet those qualifications.
Do a little research on the company. Look at their web site and try to find out about their philosophy and values. As you write about your qualifications, be sure to word it in a way that reflects those values. For instance, if the company values strong customer service, you can give examples of your strength in providing strong customer service. The point is, make sure you target your employment cover letter to a specific company.
Let Your Passion Show
Another tip to make your employment cover letter sizzle is to make it sound alive. Many cover letters come across to the reader as being a lifeless list of qualifications. That’s not what the cover letter is for. This isn’t meant to be a reflection of your resume. A good employment cover letter is a chance to show that you are a live person, and that you truly want to use your skills to fulfill a need within the company.
Use wording in your cover letter that shows what you are passionate about. If there is something about the job you are applying for that you really love to so, say so. “I am a qualified teacher” doesn’t carry the same energy as “I am passionate about helping young people learn”.
When you are done writing your cover letter read it out loud to yourself. If it sounds boring to you, it probably is. Go back through and look for words and phrases that can be replaced by more energetic words.
Say It Like You Want It
Do you want this job? If you do, your employment cover letter must say so. One failing of many cover letters is that the writer never gets around to asking for the job. They express interest in the position, but that’s not quite the same as specifically asking for it. Also, don’t forget to give your contact information, and not just in the header. Tell the person hiring “I can be reached for an inter view at…”, and then give them you phone number. Make this as easy on them as possible.
As far as tone, confidence is the key. Run a grammar check on your cover letter to check for passive voice. “I have experience” is not passive. “My experiences have been” is passive. Make sure your statements are positive and confident.
Your employment cover letter can sizzle. All it takes is some time and effort to make it a unique reflection of yourself. Show the hiring manager that you are a live, passionate person, and that you can help fulfill a need. Show them that you sizzle.
By: Mario Churchill
About the Author:
Your Personal Sales Letter
Above all else, your employment cover letter is your personal sales letter. This is your chance to show the hiring manager that you are the one for the job. This is not the place to be timid. This is where you stand out form the crowd. Your cover letter needs to scream “Look at me!”
Thanks to the internet, it is possible for a hiring manager to receive hundreds of applications for a job posting. With that amount of volume, most applications will only get a quick glance. If there is nothing to grab the attention of the person hiring, your application will end up in the circular file without getting a second look. Your cover letter must grab the manager’s attention, and make them look deeper into your qualifications.
Target Your Cover Letter
One of the biggest things you can do to make your employment cover letter sizzle is to target it to a specific job at a specific company. This starts at the very beginning. If you want to show that you’ve done your research address the cover letter to the person who is reviewing it. “Dear Ms. Jones” has much more power than “Dear Hiring Manager”. While most classified ads don’t include this information, sometimes it just takes one phone call to find what you need.
When you write the body of your employment cover letter, keep a copy of the classified ad in front of you, and write the letter as an answer to that ad. If the ad mentions specific skills and qualifications, you can write about how you have the experience to meet those qualifications.
Do a little research on the company. Look at their web site and try to find out about their philosophy and values. As you write about your qualifications, be sure to word it in a way that reflects those values. For instance, if the company values strong customer service, you can give examples of your strength in providing strong customer service. The point is, make sure you target your employment cover letter to a specific company.
Let Your Passion Show
Another tip to make your employment cover letter sizzle is to make it sound alive. Many cover letters come across to the reader as being a lifeless list of qualifications. That’s not what the cover letter is for. This isn’t meant to be a reflection of your resume. A good employment cover letter is a chance to show that you are a live person, and that you truly want to use your skills to fulfill a need within the company.
Use wording in your cover letter that shows what you are passionate about. If there is something about the job you are applying for that you really love to so, say so. “I am a qualified teacher” doesn’t carry the same energy as “I am passionate about helping young people learn”.
When you are done writing your cover letter read it out loud to yourself. If it sounds boring to you, it probably is. Go back through and look for words and phrases that can be replaced by more energetic words.
Say It Like You Want It
Do you want this job? If you do, your employment cover letter must say so. One failing of many cover letters is that the writer never gets around to asking for the job. They express interest in the position, but that’s not quite the same as specifically asking for it. Also, don’t forget to give your contact information, and not just in the header. Tell the person hiring “I can be reached for an inter view at…”, and then give them you phone number. Make this as easy on them as possible.
As far as tone, confidence is the key. Run a grammar check on your cover letter to check for passive voice. “I have experience” is not passive. “My experiences have been” is passive. Make sure your statements are positive and confident.
Your employment cover letter can sizzle. All it takes is some time and effort to make it a unique reflection of yourself. Show the hiring manager that you are a live, passionate person, and that you can help fulfill a need. Show them that you sizzle.
By: Mario Churchill
About the Author:
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on employment cover letter checkout his recommended websites.
