Yes, your resume is crucial to landing the job interview. And yes, it's true that the employer will only take a few seconds to glance at your resume before deciding whether it goes in the consider pile or the rejected pile. Yes, there's a lot of pressure to make your resume stand out. But let me ask you, how does your resume get even that short look from the employer?
That's right! Your resume cover letter has to be top notch. It's the very first thing they know about you. If your resume cover letter doesn't wow them, they'll toss your resume and the cover letter in the reject pile without even looking at the resume. You may have just completed the world's best resume but if the resume cover letter doesn't match up, that resume may never get read.
So, please don't write a resume cover letter that goes something like this:
"Dear Hiring Manager,
Enclosed is my resume in response to your ad in the classfied section of the Super Duper Journal from this Sunday.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Ivanna Job"
No way. That's just not going to cut it. The resume cover letter has to wow them just like the resume does.
If it's at all possible, you have to find out who your resume will be sent to. You do not want something like 'Dear Hiring Manager' or 'To Whom It May Concern.' Address your resume cover letter to a real person.
In the first sentence or two explain how you learned of the position. This will let the reader know how well you know the company or position.
Now you will want to draw the reader's attention to your resume by pointing out your top two or three qualifications for this particular position. Don't rewrite your resume but summarize the most important points.
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! I know it seems silly that your future employment could hinge on a typo or the use of the wrong word (you're instead of your, for example) but it can and does. Let's face it, if you can't take the time to proofread a simple one page letter, what kind of mistakes are you going to make on the job? Mistakes that could cost the company thousands, if not millions of dollars. An employer won't take that chance. Give your resume cover letter to someone you trust to proofread it as well. It's a lot harder to see our own mistakes.
Keep these simple points in mind and you'll be writing an effective resume cover letter in no time.
Learn more about resume cover letters
Learn more about how to plan an effective job search with Freddie Johnson's free articles on resumes, cover letters, interview and job search tips at http://www.resume-cover-letter-and-career-tips.com
Source: www.isnare.com
