Your resume and the cover letter are sales letters to sell yourself to a successful career.
Do you really need a cover letter? Yes, you do. “Your cover letter is particularly important. It’s the job searcher’s opportunity to help the potential employer see that the applicant’s skills and experience match what the employer seeks.
In the current economic climate, with the scarcity of jobs, a well-written cover letter distinguishes your application,” says Susan Heathfield, About.com’s Guide to Human Resources.
Your resume cover letter is like your first impression when you enter the interview room. Imagine entering and meeting the employers shabbily dressed? UNIMAGINABLE! So how can you send your cover letter so shabbily dressed?
In a few words: Your cover letter is the shortest possible story about your career life.
You have to make the impression in the first few words itself. It’s like the first promo of the movie. The audience should be tempted to know more about you. You have to write your cover letter in such a fashion so that every word counts. Your audience should be hit directly with every word and should feel what sets you apart from the rest of the crowd.
Your resume cover letter is the first communication with your employer and you have to establish a voice with your cover letter. In short, it is the first towards your successful career.
If you have understood the importance of cover letter, I need not tell you that stereotyped cover letter available as free format are definitely suitable if you intend to make your mark. If you have to get an interview call you need to write an impressive cover letter.
You can even “season” you cover letter with quotes to either highlight your desires or to express your capabilities. For example, if you are applying for an accountant’s job, you can put “Accounting is far more than just numbers on a page to me. It is a way of life.” These quotes make your employer interested in your cover letter. He will give a serious glance at what you have to say and will then proceed to read on your resume at least once.
Cover letter is definitely a way to show your prospective employer that you are a strong and ideal selection for the job under consideration.
“Cover letters allow you—in narrative form—to tell the employer exactly why hiring you, instead of the numerous other candidates, is a good decision,” says Heather Huhman, Entry Level Career Examiner.
Same is with your resume. Remember, resumes differ with each industry. If you are applying for a sales job, the format of your resume will be miles apart from the format suitable for an IT guy. Learn about the best suitable format that reflects your capabilities as per your industry. Not many people know this trick.
Your resume should generate results. It is your interview winning tool and it has to be razor sharp with cutting edge to its format and over all presentation. It should intrigue and impress your employer from all corners.
A good resume should have all the basic ingredients like personal information, contact information, qualification and relevant work experience. Most importantly it should address the need of the employer. While writing a good resume, it is not important that you highlight your achievements and accomplishments. It is more important to highlight skills that will suit your employer’s requirements. You are more likely to receive an interview call if you write a resume as per the second option.
On the other hand an incomplete resume will either have missing information or gaps between chronological sequence of education or employment without any explanation.
Your resume should essentially carry a summary of your qualifications. You should use words like ambition, motivation, and commitment sparingly in your summary while highlighting your skills. These positive affirmations are often useful in leaving a lasting impression. Similarly, your work history should not be a history book but precise information about your skills acquired in chronological order.
Professional resumes also include associations with trade forums or their memberships. If you have been awarded any career awards, they should be mentioned as well.
In the end, let me emphasize once again, keep your resume short and crisp. An ideal resume is not more than two pages long.