7 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

7 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out by Selena Dehne, Jist Publishing <br /><br />Let's face it: There's only so much your résumé can do. In fact, it can be jam-packed with impressive stats, industry lingo and design elements that rival those showcased in job-search books and still end up in an employer's stack of rejections. <br /><br />To avoid this fate, it's essential to show employers that you're more than the bullet points and clipped phrases listed on your résumé. You've got a personality, passions, goals and career experiences that make you unlike any other candidate for the job. It's up to you to share this information in your cover letter in a way that dazzles employers and strengthens your résumé. <br /><br />Cover letters provide opportunities that résumés don't to inject your personality, says Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., author of "Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling to Get Jobs and Propel Your Career." "You can engage the employer, make an emotional connection, show results, and become instantly memorable by writing at least one paragraph in the form of a powerful story," Hansen says. <br /><br />She suggests that job seekers use their cover letter to tell stories about their interests or passions for a career field or to detail successful projects, accomplishments, solutions, results and more. In her book, Hansen outlines the following do's and don'ts for cover letters that tell such stories:<br /><br />Do make the letter as concise as possible. <br />Employers are spending less time reading cover letters than they used to. Ideally, your letter should be about four paragraphs, and one of those should tell a story.<br /><br />Don't neglect the "storyline" in the rest of the letter. <br />Even if only one paragraph in your letter is in story form, try to integrate the story's theme throughout your letter and tie it together by briefly referring back to the story in your final paragraph.<br /><br />Do make your stories specific and quantify results whenever possible. <br />It's always easier for the reader to picture you succeeding on the job when you describe a specific situation. In addition, employers are attracted to numbers that indicate results.<br /><br />Don't write your autobiography. <br />Telling a story doesn't mean describing your entire career; that's what your résumé is for.<br /><br />Do tell relevant stories. <br />Tell only the stories that are relevant to the employer's requirements, the problems you can solve, and the results you can achieve. If the relevance isn't immediately obvious from your story, help the reader make the connection by pointing out the skills and qualifications the story illustrates.<br /><br />Don't overlook story cues in want ads. <br />Study the want ad that describes the position that interests you. When writing your cover letter, strive to ensure that it responds to the ad's intent. To do this, incorporate the job posting's keywords and the tasks or responsibilities that are mentioned into your cover letter.<br /><br />Do use some of the employer's messages and language. <br />Go to the employer's Web site or pick up print publications about the organization. Pick out buzzwords and phrases. Play these back to the employer in your story. Employers who read language-mirroring stories conclude that the job seeker "gets it." <br /><br />Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/).

7 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

7 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out by Selena Dehne, Jist Publishing Let's face it: There's only so much your résumé can do. ...

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Basic Skills Resume

Basic Skills Resume - From 'The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book' by Michael Farr, Career and Job Search Author <br /><br />This resume is a good example of how a skills resume can help someone who does not have the best credentials. It allows the job seeker to present school and extracurricular activities to good effect. It is a strong format choice because it lets her highlight strengths without emphasizing her limited work experience. It doesn't say where she worked or for how long, yet it gives her a shot at many jobs.<br /><br />You'll get the best results from a skills resume by using it when you have a referral to an organization instead of using it to apply cold or to an ad. Since the skills resume usually doesn't list specifics of work history, many employers will toss it out in favor of your competitors' resumes that do. So, stick with using the skills resume primarily when you're networking for a job.<br /><br /><br />Lisa M. Rhodes<br />813 Lava Court - Denver, CO 81613<br />Home: (413) 643-2173 (leave message)<br />Cell: (413) 442-1659<br />lrhodes@netcom.net<br /><br />Objective<br />Sales-oriented position in a retail sales or distribution business.<br /><br />Skills and Abilities<br /><br />Communications -- Good written and verbal presentation skills. Use proper grammar and have a good speaking voice.<br /><br /><br />Interpersonal Skills -- Able to get along well with co-workers and accept supervision. Received positive evaluations from previous supervisors.<br /><br /><br />Flexible -- Willing to try new things and am interested in improving efficiency on assigned tasks.<br /><br /><br />Attention to Detail -- Concerned with quality. Produce work that is orderly and attractive. Ensure tasks are completed correctly and on time.<br /><br /><br />Hard-working -- Throughout high school, worked long hours in strenuous activities while attending school full-time. Often managed as many as 65 hours a week in school and other structured activities while maintaining above-average grades.<br /><br /><br />Customer Service -- Routinely handled as many as 500 customer contacts a day (10,000 per month) in a busy retail outlet. Averaged lower than a .001 percent complaint rate and was given the "Employee of the Month" award in second month of employment. Received two merit increases.<br /><br /><br />Cash Sales -- Handled more than $2,000 a day ($40,000 a month) in cash sales. Balanced register and prepared daily sales summary and deposits.<br /><br /><br />Reliable -- Excellent attendance record; trusted to deliver daily cash deposits totaling more than $40,000 a month.<br /><br />Education<br />Franklin High School, 2001-2004. Classes included advanced English. Member of award-winning band. Excellent attendance record. Superior communication skills. Graduated in top 30 percent of class.<br /><br />Other<br />Active gymnastics competitor for four years. Learned discipline, teamwork, how to follow instructions and hard work. Ambitious, outgoing, reliable and have solid work ethic.<br /><br />Excerpted from 'The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book' by Michael Farr. Reprinted with permission from Jist Publishing.

Basic Skills Resume

Basic Skills Resume - From 'The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book' by Michael Farr, Career and Job Search Author This resume is a g...

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Warning: Social Networking Can Be Hazardous to Your Job Search

Warning: Social Networking Can Be Hazardous to Your Job Search by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor <br /><br />That cute, affable guy who brags of his drunken exploits on FaceBook.com may be meeting a lot of other partiers online, but he's probably not getting added to the "friends" lists of many corporate recruiters. A recent study by the executive search firm ExecuNet found that 77 percent of recruiters run searches of candidates on the Web to screen applicants; 35 percent of these same recruiters say they've eliminated a candidate based on the information they uncovered. <br /><br />"You'd be surprised at what I've seen when researching candidates," says Gail, a recruiter at a Fortune 500 company who recently began looking up potential hires on the Web. "We were having a tough time deciding between two candidates until I found the profile of one of them on MySpace. It boasted a photo of her lounging on a hammock in a bikini, listed her interests as 'having a good time' and her sex as 'yes, please.' Not quite what we were looking for."<br /><br />"Another time I went to a candidate's site and found racial slurs and jokes," Gail continues. "And there was yet another instance where a candidate told me he was currently working for a company, yet he left a comment on a friend's profile about how it 'sucked' to be laid off, and how much fun it was to be unemployed!"<br /><br />As the amount of personal information available online grows, first impressions are being formed long before the interview process begins, warns David Opton, ExecuNet CEO and founder. "Given the implications and the shelf-life of Internet content, managing your online image is something everyone should address -- regardless of whether or not you're in a job search," he says. Because the risks don't stop once you're hired. <br /><br />Twenty-three-year old Kara recently took a job as a management consultant at a high-profile practice in the Los Angeles area. An Ohio native, with no friends or family on the West Coast, Kara put up a profile on MySpace in the hopes of meeting new people.<br /><br />Kara was judicious in how she set up her site: "I didn't fill out that cheesy questionnaire many people post, where you describe your best feature and say whether or not you shower every day." she says. "I used a photo that was flattering but not at all provocative and was even careful what music I chose."<br /><br />Within a few months, Kara met many others online who shared her interest in biking and water sports. One Friday morning, Kara decided to call in sick and go surfing with a few of her new pals. That weekend, unbeknownst to Kara, her friend posted some of the day's pictures on her profile and sent Kara a message saying, "We should call in sick more often." <br /><br />Unfortunately for Kara, her boss happened to be patrolling MySpace to check up on her college-age daughter and came across Kara's site and the dated photos!<br /><br />Mortified, Kara says she learned an important lesson -- not only about honesty, but about how small the world of online social networking can be and how little control you have over any information put out there.<br /><br />Not all employers search candidates and employees online, but the trend is growing. Don't let online social networking deep-six your career opportunities. Protect your image by following these simple tips:<br /><br />1. Be careful. Nothing is private. Don't post anything on your site or your "friends" sites you wouldn't want a prospective employer to see. Derogatory comments, revealing or risqué photos, foul language and lewd jokes all will be viewed as a reflection of your character. <br /><br />2. Be discreet. If your network offers the option, consider setting your profile to "private," so that it is viewable only by friends of your choosing. And since you can't control what other people say on your site, you may want to use the "block comments" feature. Remember, everything on the Internet is archived, and there is no eraser! <br /><br />3. Be prepared. Check your profile regularly to see what comments have been posted. Use a search engine to look for online records of yourself to see what is out there about you. If you find information you feel could be detrimental to your candidacy or career, see about getting it removed -- and make sure you have an answer ready to counter or explain "digital dirt."<br /><br />Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Warning: Social Networking Can Be Hazardous to Your Job Search

Warning: Social Networking Can Be Hazardous to Your Job Search by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor That cute, affable guy who brags of ...

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Have Employers See Your Resume First!

<p><span style="font-size:130%;">Have employers see your resume first!</span></p><p>How do you benefit?</p><ul><li>Stand out among the other 30 million resumes on CareerBuilder</li><li>Increase your resume’s visibility by up to 92%</li><li>Move to the top of employers’ resume search results lists to be seen FIRST</li><li>Immediate results</li><li>See which employers are viewing your resume</li><li><p>Save time and skip to the head of the line. <a id="mxsrLanding__ctl0_cbhlUpgradeNow" href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Resumes/PostResumeNew/PostResumeStart.aspx?cblid=scpruhmpg1&ResumeUpgrade=true&lr=cbrockl"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Upgrade your resume now</span></strong></a> </p></li></ul>

Have Employers See Your Resume First!

Have employers see your resume first! How do you benefit? Stand out among the other 30 million resumes on CareerBuilder Increase your resume...

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Five Ways College Gave You More Training Than You Thought

Five Ways College Gave You More Training Than You Thought by Laura Morsch, CareerBuilder.com writer <br /><br />According to CareerBuilder.com's 2006 college survey, one-in-four hiring managers say relevant experience is the top thing they look for in a new graduate.<br /><br />If you can find a paid internship or can afford to take an unpaid one, more power to you. You have a head start on the job market.<br /><br />For the rest of you -- even if you've never worked in an office -- your college days have given you more experience than you might think. You just need to strategically market your campus activities. Before you write your résumé, consider your:<br /><br />Coursework<br /><br />Remember those weeks you spent in the student center working on that group advertising project? That's experience. So is that 3,000-word investigative journalism story you researched all semester. If you worked on a project or report in the classroom that directly relates to a certain field, by all means include it on your résumé.<br /><br />Sometimes, creating a strategic list of classes you've taken can give you an edge. For example, say you're a premed-turned-journalism major. You'd be a great candidate if you came across a posting for a science reporter job. Create a "Relevant Coursework" section on your résumé, and list your important journalism classes alongside the biology and chemistry classes you took as an underclassman. <br /><br />A word of caution: Don't list classes for the sake of listing classes. The section is called "Relevant Coursework" for a reason.<br /><br />Part-time jobs<br /><br />Meticulously folding T-shirts into identical stacks at the Gap or bussing tables at Red Lobster might not seem like the kind of experience employers are looking for. But your part-time gig taught you some important skills that can translate to any workplace. <br /><br />Think about when you waited tables: You probably learned to diplomatically handle all sorts of people -- even the difficult ones. Plus, working your way through school (especially if you didn't let your grades suffer) shows dedication and impressive time-management ability.<br /><br />When you include these jobs on your résumé, the key is to not just list your job duties. Focus on accomplishments (like when you increased sales by 10 percent at the hot dog stand) or skills learned on the job.<br /><br />Campus leadership positions<br /><br />It's impressive to be dorm president. It's even more impressive when you show how you successfully managed a $10,000 budget and created and implemented a plan to reduce dorm vandalism, reduced cleaning costs by 50 percent year-over-year. Don't rely on a fancy title -- show how your time and hard work made an impact on your organization.<br /><br />Clubs and other extracurriculars<br /><br />So, you couldn't get a job because you spent all your non-class time on the basketball court? Your time as a varsity athlete likely taught you leadership, teamwork and some serious time-management -- all things employers consider to be important. <br /><br />Or maybe you were in charge of your sorority's recruitment. You now have experience managing a budget, supervising a staff and coordinating PR efforts to make your sorority's image as positive as possible. <br /><br />Volunteer work<br /><br />If you spent a day or two a week helping out at a nursing home or writing up fliers for a political campaign, don't discount the value of your work. More than 60 percent of hiring managers say they count volunteer work as relevant experience, according to CareerBuilder.com. Again, keep in mind that a list of accomplishments and skills is much more compelling than a list of job duties.<br /><br />Laura Morsch is a writer for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Five Ways College Gave You More Training Than You Thought

Five Ways College Gave You More Training Than You Thought by Laura Morsch, CareerBuilder.com writer According to CareerBuilder.com's 200...

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Starting From Scratch - Job Search Tips for New Grads

Starting From Scratch - Job Search Tips for New Grads by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor <br /><br />College graduation can be a mixed blessing. While students look forward to finally pursuing their career aspirations, it's not easy to leave behind the safety of academia. And, if you're like many recent grads, you probably have only a vague notion of what you want to do with your life. While charting your own path is always a challenge, there are steps you can take to help make the big decisions a little easier.<br /><br />Deciding on a direction<br /><br />The initial bump young professionals often encounter on the road of life is caused by too narrowly defining the career options available to them. For example, if you do not want to become a researcher or professor, you may worry that your anthropology degree leaves you ill-prepared for other careers. But chances are your coursework exposed you to many other skills that employers seek, such as knowledge of statistical analysis and strong writing abilities. Viewed through this lens, your potential professions range from market researcher to journalist.<br /><br />In fact, a college degree provides you with a number of transferable skills, including critical thinking abilities, research capabilities and knowledge of a variety of computer software. The beauty of a college degree is that it opens doors. <br /><br />If you don't know where to start following graduation, consider the things you enjoy. What do you find yourself talking to friends and family about? What is the first section of the newspaper you turn to? What are your favorite Web sites? Answers to these questions can provide you with some insight into the professions you might want to pursue.<br /><br />As you consider potential career paths, be realistic. Too often graduates are blinded by an idealized version of their dream job. For example, a career in television production generally begins with a low-paying position that's long on hours worked and short on creative independence. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Everyone before you most likely followed the same path, learning the business from the ground up. Just be sure you are aware of all the steps you need to take to get where you want to be.<br /><br />Research different jobs or industries by reading as much as you can about them in newspapers, magazines, trade publications, blogs, message boards and Web postings. Also consider arranging informational interviews with those currently employed in a profession of interest. During these meetings, you can ask about how the person you're meeting entered the field, what types of things make the job exciting and what challenges you should expect, among other things. Your friends, family and even former classmates or professors may be able to help you arrange informational interviews.<br /><br />Finding the job of your dreams<br /><br />One of the best tools in your job search is probably right under your nose: your school's career center. Don't forget that the counselors there can help you write a résumé, assist you in preparing for an interview and provide you with job leads. Often, you can continue to receive guidance from the career center after you graduate. Alumni associations also are valuable resources. They frequently hold job fairs and host networking nights where you can meet working professionals who have graduated from the same school as you did. <br /><br />In fact, networking can be the most effective way to find your first job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 80 percent of available jobs are never advertised, and more than half of all employees land their jobs through networking. Taking part in industry events, volunteering with local nonprofit organizations and visiting online networking sites can help you expand your list of professional contacts. Simply keeping in touch with people you've met at school is another good way to hear of job leads and gain referrals.<br /><br />Despite the effectiveness of networking, the most successful job seekers use of a variety of approaches, from searching the Internet to browsing trade publications to cold-calling companies of interest. Just remember not to rely on one method too heavily and to continually evaluate the effectiveness of your efforts. For example, if you've applied to dozens of jobs you found online and have yet to be called for an interview, step back before applying to dozens more. You may need to revamp your résumé and make it more targeted to each opportunity. Or, you might consider following up with a prospective employer a couple of weeks after sending your application materials. In a survey by Robert Half International, 82 percent of executives polled recommending touching base with a hiring manager after submitting a résumé. <br /><br />And don't forget about temporary work. Working with a staffing firm to find short-term assignments allows you to build additional skills, explore new fields and organizations, and meet people who may be able to help you in your career. Also, it's not uncommon for a temporary assignment to turn into a full-time opportunity. Employers are increasingly relying on project and contract professionals to help them meet current hiring demands. If you find these opportunities, don't hesitate to put them on your résumé: 56 percent of executives polled by Robert Half International said they consider steady temporary experience to be equivalent to full-time work. <br /><br />The best advice when starting your career: Remain confident. You bring a high level of energy and motivation, as well as the desire to succeed, to a new job. Employers will value your enthusiasm and willingness to take on any challenge.<br /><br />Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Starting From Scratch - Job Search Tips for New Grads

Starting From Scratch - Job Search Tips for New Grads by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor College graduation can be a mixed blessing. W...

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Job Searching on Company Time? Six Tips

Job Searching on Company Time? Six Tips by Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com<br /><br />You're told to treat your job search like a full-time job. But when do you have the time to look with a schedule that includes working 50-plus hours a week, going to school, caring for a family, running errands and trying to squeeze in some shut-eye? Simple. You do it at work.<br /><br />Whether scouring job boards, searching company Web sites or monitoring list servs, 11million people on average look for jobs online every week. One-quarter of workers who use a computer at work admit to searching on company time, according to a survey by staffing company Hudson Highland Group. And, job site traffic spikes on weekdays during lunchtime hours.<br /><br />But proceed with caution when searching for a job on company time; the key is to keep your current job, and income, until you find a new one. Follow these tips:<br /><br />Know the rules.<br /><br />A growing number of employers have established policies on employer Internet use including monitoring employee personal e-mail abuse, personal instant messenger use, operation of personal Web sites on company time, personal postings on corporate blogs and operation of personal blogs on company time. Those companies are putting their policies into action: 26 percent of employers have fired workers for misusing the Internet and another 25 percent have terminated employees for e-mail misuse, according to a 2005 survey by the American Management Association (AMA).<br /><br />Play it safe.<br /><br />The AMA study found 76 percent of businesses monitor employee Web use and 55 percent keep and review e-mail messages. Use a personal e-mail account when discussing job search-related items and applications. Plus, employers would rather receive correspondence from personal accounts than from competitor addresses. And most importantly, you don't want to send a message to a potential new employer that you conduct job searches on company time.<br /><br />Don't advertise your search.<br /><br />Don't wear your interview suit to your biz-casual office. Nothing sets off a red flag like wearing a suit to your dressed-down office. So how should you handle the wardrobe dilemma? For both men and women, suit bottoms (i.e. pants, skirts) are always passable for business casual. Bring a shoulder bag/duffle with a jacket in it, and change en route to/from the interview. For women, it is especially easy to wear a casual shell under a suit -- once a jacket and stockings are removed, no one will detect an afternoon interviewee. For men, make sure your shirt stands on its own without a tie and you can easily make the switch.<br /><br />Choose references wisely.<br /><br />Former co-workers who have left to go elsewhere are usually the first ones to turn to if you want to keep your search confidential. But current co-workers are really the ideal names to pass along to your potential employer. Put a significant amount of thought into who will keep your confidence at your current job. Oftentimes, people find peers rather than managers to be safer bets. As long as your reference can speak to your work ethic, enthusiasm, drive and accomplishments, you don't need to search high and low for a senior executive to speak on your behalf -- go with who knows you best.<br /><br />Timing is everything.<br /><br />The breakfast interview is an ideal forum. Meetings scheduled at 8 a.m. are often finished in time to arrive at work by 9 a.m. If they run over, any number of reasons can be offered for a delayed arrival, but don't go over the top. "Personal time" for a relaxing respite is still an acceptable reason for taking vacation time. Claiming sick runs you the risk of being asked to log on and work from home, or at least making yourself available. The best maneuvers are those when an interview can be tacked onto other pre-planned time off (long weekends, etc.) or non-work hours.<br /><br />Never stop giving your all at work.<br /><br />Job seekers can experience intense paranoia at work. If you devote yourself fully to what you're doing in the hours you're there (and job search with a vengeance in the hours when you're not), you'll continue to get the praise and recognition to keep you on track at your current job. In the end, the possibility always exists that you'll stay. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by making co-workers suspicious and then maybe not landing a new job.<br /><br />Rosemary Haefner is the Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com. She is an expert in recruitment trends and tactics, job seeker behavior, workplace issues, employee attitudes and HR initiatives.

Job Searching on Company Time? Six Tips

Job Searching on Company Time? Six Tips by Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com You're told to trea...

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