Cover Letter Design

Get advice from professional resume writers on how to design cover letters.

Formatting Your Cover Letter

ResumeEdge.com

by ResumeEdge.com - The Net's Premier Resume Writing and Editing Service

Because a cover letter is your first chance to make a lasting impression with a hiring manager, it must be professional. To accomplish this:

1. Always use the same heading for your cover letter that you have used in your resume.

2. Whenever possible, use the hiring manager's name. This personalizes the document and shows attention to detail.

3. Include in your opening paragraph what job you're interested in and a specific reason as to why you feel qualified for this position.

4. Include in the body of the letter the specific experience, skills or accomplishments from your past that dovetail with the requirements of the new job. This data should be bulleted, rather than presented in a solid block of text. The human eye is drawn to bulleted areas, and they provide the data in an easy-to-read format, so that the hiring manager can digest the information from one sentence before moving on to the others.

Examples of bulleted areas follow:

As my enclosed resume indicates, my background includes more than two decades of service at US Flight with significant experience in:

* Aircraft accident investigation as a member of the US Flight disaster team.

* Security checkpoints, where I handled countless calls for assistance.

* Training the Ground Security team to protect and promote public safety.

In addition to the above skills, I can also offer your firm:

* More than 30 years of experience in the airline industry.

* Expertise in dealing with government agencies, including the FAA where I facilitated communications to reduce company fines.

* Reduced absenteeism and occupational injuries -- standards I maintained at US Flight, where I achieved the best employee safety record of all US Flight cities.

5. If the letter is being addressed to a specific hiring manager, close your letter proactively indicating that you will be contacting the hiring manager's office within the next week to see if you might set up a time to meet.

Sending Your Cover Letter by "Snail" Mail

With today's technology, most resumes and cover letters are sent as attachments via email. However, if you have reason to send your cover letter and resume by "snail" mail, the documents should be printed on good bond paper (20 lbs.) with a watermark. Choose a color that evokes professionalism; the best choices are white or cream, though a light gray can also be considered.

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Career Change Resumes

Looking for a career change? Get helpful advice on how to write your resume.

I'm Changing Careers -- How Do I Format My Resume?

by Ann Baehr

The best resume format to use is the combination resume. This resume format is not chronological nor functional. It combines both! It is extremely flexible and allows you to use strategies in a way that would normally be considered wrong.

The difference between the combination format and the chronological format is that the chronological format resume is very easy to follow. The hiring manager will typically start to read the chronological resume at the bottom of the work history or professional experience section (heading depends on your career level) and will continue reading his or her way up towards the top to trace your career history. If there are employment gaps, it will be obvious because it is difficult to hide breaks in employment using this resume format. This is why most hiring mangers prefer the chronological resume format. It is easy to read and leaves little to the imagination. This can be a great advantage (marketing tool) if you have been in the same type of position because it shows continuity and progression in your industry.

But what happens when you've held different types of positions across several industries? Reasons for gaps in employment and holding too many or unrelated jobs include raising children, caring for a family member, illness, returning to college, corporate downsizing or merger, joining the military, and difficulty finding work for long stretches of time because of a tight job market or weak resume! So, the first thing you will need to do is toss your old resume. It will not help you to change your career. You need to make a fresh start!

Create a resume that clearly indicates at the top what type of position you are seeking.

Include a career summary section that highlights where you've been in your career. being careful to only mention what would be of most interest to this particular company. Emphasize your transferable experience and skills that match the qualifications of the position (if there is a job ad, study it and do your best to make a connection between the position's requirements and what you've done. Do not use the exact wording!).

Use a keywords section to list transferable skills so the reader can find them immediately. This is also important if the company uses resume scanning technology. This will ensure your resume is retrieved from the company's database in response to a keyword search.

Under your Professional Experience section or Work History (again, depends on your background), present your experience in functional sections such as General Management, Sales Management, Staff Training and Supervision, Budget Planning and Tracking , etc.

Take ALL of the experience you've gained over the years and categorize it into skill areas that the new position requires. If the company is seeking someone to manage budgets, and you managed budgets ten years ago and four years ago, but not in your last two jobs, then list the collective experience under a Budget category.

Continue this formula until each respective category has a minimum of four bulleted sentences or two two-lined sentences to support the name of the heading. It is a good idea to have at least three categories to show how well rounded you are.

Below this section, list the companies, locations, job titles, and dates. You can either create a separate section named Work History if you've already called the above section Professional Experience, or simply list the section without a main heading as part of the main section. It will be understood. Or, you can start the section off with the company names and dates followed by the functional categories. In other words, flip it.

The most common problem with this resume format is identifying where your experience was gained. But, that's the whole idea. If they are interested in what you can do, they will call you in for the interview. It is at that time you can explain the how, when, where, and why of it all. It will make for great conversation--which by the way, a job interview should be. A meeting between two people with a common interest (the position) who engage in conversation in a professional manner.

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Looking for a Job - Conduct a Self Assessment and Appraisal

When it comes time to look for a job or gainful employment – whether it be an entry level position or a major upgrade up the corporate or career ladder one major step that is often overlooked is a clear self evaluation and assessment of a person’s own skills and abilities. After all who knows your inner strengths and personal weaknesses better than yourself and none other?

Self evaluation is often a most difficult process. That is why is so often gets overlooked. If it is hard to take criticism from others – whether it be at a baseball or football game , a spouse or a boss in what is so supposed to be a most positive and learning experience – the oft feared "yearly or even quarterly "evaluation" it is never pretty nor a fun task to enjoy or endure. It is the same and similar as to why people usually miss this step in the job seeking process – that is the self evaluation.

Yet a self evaluation can make the difference between you getting or not obtaining that offer of employment – be it that promotion you never seem to get or that entry level job which gets you up the ladder from that ordinary "Big box" store somewhat menial and certainly lower paying job.

The product that you are selling in job interviews is "you". Most likely you spent a fair amount of time and expense preparing that resume and cover letter. Yet the general and overall purpose of a resume is not to get a job – few people ever got a job offer simply by submitting a resume. If they did gain employment its most likely because either the firm or the field was desperate for employees or it was not a good place – indeed a terrible place to work. The purpose of the resume and cover letter is to get the product into the door – into an actual face to face interview situation.

Most people in an interview situation generally only think of the skills and attributes that they have used in the last while or in their current or last job. They short change themselves and even the potential employer. Most people have skills and attributes that may never have thought of to portray or mention. It is a situation analogous to the iceberg that hit the Titanic – only a small percentage of any people being interviewed actual and inherent skills and talents come to the surface and are visible to the naked eye – the interviewer and indeed the interview subject.

A full self appraisal may well identify these traits, talents and attributes to you, before that actual interview – perhaps even before the resume is made and updated as well. By being forewarned and informed you are in a much better situation to identify yourself as self as the talented soul best suited for the job at hand and as well market yourself well and hopefully better.

As well if you do have faults or shortcomings that either have not been identified by yourself , or need explanation a self evaluation is the best place to start either becoming comfortable to an answer to that situation or questions or take steps to rectify any situations or provide yourself with extra training or education.

It’s about getting that job, seeking employment, getting ahead in life - all by presenting yourself in the best possible light and manner.

If you do not take the time and effort to present yourself in the best way and means in order to either get better employment and remuneration who else will ? It’s all up to you.

A genuine and real self assessment and appraisal is one of the best things you can do. It is more than worth the time and effort spent in the ordeal. Believe it.

By Syd Nohcud

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Should You Opt for Extreme Job-Hunting Tactics?

There is no doubt that the job market is tougher to squeeze into than ever. For some, finding a job has turned into a month-to-month, or even year-to-year process. When you are out of employment for an extensive amount of time, you may feel tempted to take some extreme routes to get your foot in the door of a company, but is this something you should really consider?

What Are Extreme Job-Hunting Tactics?

Extreme job-hunting tactics are those that have probably never crossed your mind before. Okay, well maybe they have. Let’s test this theory. Have you ever thought about writing up a sign on a huge piece of construction paper that displays your name, phone number, and skills, then walk up and down your city’s downtown? Well then, have you ever thought about taping copies of your resume all over the outside of your car?

If you have thought about doing either of these then you may have been a sanely desperate job seeker ready to work. However, if you have actually done either of these then you are an extreme job hunter – and someone who may be a bit insanely desperate. At least this is what some think of those who have taken on similar strategies to find work. Now the real question is does this really work?

Should You Take This Route?

Depending on the career you’re looking for, it may not hurt to take this route. For instance, a cab driver living in New York taped his resume to the back of his cab’s passenger-side seat in case any occupants were looking for help. While his attempt was bold, it still was subtler than other tactics and could actually work.

But it’s good to keep in mind that there’s no proven track record showing that extreme job hunting works. Essentially, you will probably hear about the rare cases where the bold individual was able to snag the job of a lifetime only to become a successful businessperson and millionaire (everyone’s dream, right?). But this is by no means the norm. Most employers aren’t going to take you seriously if you stand on the corner with your resume taped to your chest. Instead, they may toss you some change and keep walking by.

So How Can You Find a Job?

The tried-and-true ways to find work include applying the traditional way and networking. While the economy is going through a tough time, leaving many employers at a stand-still when it comes to hiring, there are still jobs available. This means, if you’re qualified, you can get hired. Tweaking your resume, building a professional presence online through social networking, and stepping away from the computer to network in person can help get your foot in the door. If you take all of these steps, you are more likely to find a job faster than participating in an extreme job-hunting strategy.

So are you ready to get out there and snag the job you want? Then don’t wait another minute. Get started on your resume and cover letter, catch up with your old contacts for networking purposes, and update your online profiles. You’ll get that job you want in no time flat.

By Heather Eagar

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Presenting Yourself as a Brand During Your Job Search

When you are in a place where you want to make sure that you are going to get the job that you need, you will find that you are going to have to find the best way to ace that job interview. Your job interview is going to be the time when you wow your prospective job employers and more than anything else, it is going to decide whether you get a job or not. Why, then, do so many people prepare badly for this event or fail to prepare at all? This is something that can make a huge difference when you are looking at moving forward and at the end of the day, you will discover that this is the best time in the world to market yourself as a brand.

A brand, even more than a person, is something that any interviewer is going to be interested in. Isn't a brand more exciting and doesn't it stand for more in the mind of the viewer? For instance, are you someone who is interested in moving forward and getting the right kind of attention? How do you feel when you recognize the brands that you like and respect when you are on the job hunt? What brands make you interested in what you are doing, and what brands are going to teach you a lot more about the kind of work that you are looking into doing? Take some time and learn more about branding and what it can help you do.

With the right kind of branding under your belt, you are going to be able to make a much deeper impression on the interviewers in questions. When you are going to find the career that suits you and when the career of your dreams is on the line; remember that you are looking at something that can make a huge difference in the way that you are moving forward. Take some time and learn more about your job and what kinds of brands are most important.

For instance are you in an industry that values a lot of off the wall creativity or are you in an industry that needs reliability and steadiness above everything else? When you are looking at moving forward in your industry, you are going to have to look into how things are marketed and how you can market yourself. The more you learn about the industry and the more that you look into what is necessary, the better your options are going to be. Take some time and make sure that you look into how you are going to be able to brand yourself and how you would market your services.

Also remember that you are going to need to know yourself. Are you someone who is interested in moving forward and in making sure that you are going to be at the top of your field? What are your interests and where do your strengths lie? The more you know about the work that you are doing, the more you are going to be able to really sell yourself. Marketing is for everyone these days, so look into how your brand is going to affect the way that you can get work.

By Elizabeth Martinez

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Top 10 Job Search Mistakes to Avoid

It is easy for any Job Seeker to launch out into a job search market with great enthusiasm but no real plan to help see them through to their goal. Take time to look at plans for finding your next job and make sure you are avoiding these 10 Job Search Mistakes.

1. A job search requires much time and research to find job openings and many job seekers make huge mistakes when they do not put in enough time. Without doing the job research they do not send out enough resumes to get call backs for interviews. A. Harrison Barnes recommends his job research website Hound. It can provide the job research so the job seeker has plenty of opportunities for which he can apply.

2 It is a mistake when job seekers confine their job search to one media like newspaper advertisements. CEO of Hound, A. Harrison Barnes, offers his clients every job that can be posted by anyone, any where in the free world. A team of researchers and high end servers locate and post jobs continuously for Hound members.

3. Mailing or posting resumes for jobs everyone else is competing to get is a limiting effort. A huge mistake for a job seeker is to apply to a job that is being bombarded by resumes from all the classified ad readers. When applying for a well advertised position there will be competition for the job opening. Your chances for landing the job are greatly decreased.

4. Many job seekers make a big mistake when they use a cookie cutter resume style which is not tailored to a specific employer and a specific job. The A. Harrison Barnes website will coach members at Hound.com that a resumes should be very unique because it describes skills, experience, and who the applicant is as a person.

5. A job seeker applying to positions for which he has less than minimum requirements, experience or education is a mistake.

6. The job seeker does not have a system for organizing and tracking job search materials. This is a mistake and can result in missed interviews and missed opportunities.

Job seekers accumulate a lot of information and notes for specific job opportunities. Candidates can have different resumes, multiple cover letters, and a long list of jobs to which they applied. The applicant may get several business cards while networking with contacts or doing research on different companies. A Harrison Barnes suggests it is important for the job seeker to stay organized and have notes and business cards at hand should a call back come after an interview.

7. Many job seekers do not realize it is a numbers game to get an interview and to get hired. They do not apply to enough employers to get any interviews. The mistake is underestimating the amount of contacts and interviews that need to be made before the fish will bite.

Research has found the average job seeker in the market for an annual salary range of $30,000 to $100,000 talked to 26 different people about jobs and hiring before they were actually hired.

8. It is a mistake to take rejection personally. The self confident job seeker knows she has got to kiss a lot of frogs before the prince of a job appears. A good way to deal with the rejection of a job opportunity is to have the next one lined up.

9. No plan to get the job. There are many things a job seeker can do to research and make contacts for jobs. Meet with a recruiter? Interview a person already doing a similar job in which there is interest? A. Harrison Barnes suggests putting 20 hours a week into the job search, unless working and looking for a job at the same time. Then, 10 hours a week is a good goal for job searching.

10. E-mail communication only can be a mistake. There have been several articles written on the mistakes that can happen when only using email as the communication tool. To avoid making most mistakes, call the hiring firm or business and verify their e-mail address so a hefty security system does not send communications into Spam when it comes into your mail box.

In conclusion, there are many mistakes to avoid when searching for the perfect position. Remember, whether the job hunt is a do-it-yourself project or whether assistance is hired in the form of a job research website, the search is yours. The results depend upon the job seeker and his investment in the organization and steps required when completing every goal necessary to land the job. Good luck in the job search!

By Elizabeth Martinez

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Smart Job Search - How to Find The Perfect Job in Employment Websites

Smart online job search is defined as the process of mastering the job search tools in employment websites and then using those search tools to find the perfect job for you. Thereafter you apply and take the job interviews.

Why would you want to spend valuable time in employment websites? Why master the art of online employment search?

The reason is pretty obvious.

Without a job, you're likely to be in a big mess. People who are unemployed end up being broke and unable to meet their financial commitments to their family as well as stakeholders.

Yes, being gainfully employed and getting regular consistent income is absolutely important. That is why job search sites or employment websites are the best place to relax and unwind . . . if you are unemployed or badly need to change your job.

Who are the stakeholders that you can't afford to disappoint?

Some of those key stakeholders are . . .

1. Your landlord or home owner . . . he wants his rent paid as and when due or you're out on the streets cold and hungry

2. The utilities company . . . you won't get gas or electricity if you don't pay your utility bills as and when due

3. Your bank . . . your home will be foreclosed if you don't pay your mortgage commitments as and when due

The list goes on and on.

Bottom line.

Staying out of job is not an option. To be happy and proud, you need to have regular consistent income. You need a decent paying job. And employment websites, otherwise called job search sites, are the best place to hang out and make your dreams come true.

How do these job sites work? And how can you get the most value from them?

Employment websites are essentially employment databases or job banks devoted to hosting job openings posted by employers.

Who are the customers or clients of these job banks?

They consist of the unemployed who desperately need jobs and employers who want the best hands for the job vacancies in their organization.

However, the employed also visit these job banks fairly regularly especially when they are bored or pissed off with their current employer and desperately need a job change.

Job sites recognize that they need to provide user-friendly and easy-to-use tools to continue to enjoy patronage of job seekers. So, most do just that . . . they provide simple search and navigation tools that entice customers to keep coming again and again.

So, how do you get the most from these job search sites and find your perfect job?

I recommend you do three basic and simple things.

1. Understand how the database is organized and start your search with this basic structure of the database. For example, global employment search sites may be organized in three broad categories, namely, . . .

* jobs by country

* jobs by profession and

* jobs by industry

Country employment websites may be organized by profession and also in terms of state-by-state job categorization. That is, job categorization in terms of the states in the country in question.

2. Use the job search sites employment search tool.

Virtually every job bank or job database has a search tool that can be used to search the entire database to find specific jobs. The good news is that the employment search tool of most job search sites are simple to use and visibly displayed so it is difficult to miss.

Use this job site search tool to narrow your search and find that dream job you've prayed for all year.

3. Subscribe to the RSS feed of the major employment opportunity web sites. The beauty of RSS feed is that you get notified every time a new job vacancy hits the job market. That way, you won't miss your preferred job when it becomes available.

Job search sites offer great value especially in these days of global economic recession with fewer jobs. Therefore the smart thing to do is to keep your ears to the ground by staying connected with news from job opportunity web sites.

Do this right and you're likely to find that dream job sooner than later.

By Samson Itoje

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy