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Posts Tagged ‘resume’

More tips to Write an Impressive Resume and Cover Letter

The first thought that comes to my mind after looking at the title is to look for free resume help. Quick, easy, fast and not a dime spent! Look on the internet and type “free resume format”, you will have 1,280,000 results popping up on screen on Google.

Even if you sit down for a week, I am sure; you will be definitely able to find the most suitable one for you. I am also sure that you will be a resume writing genius after the end of the week.

Same goes for the cover letter as well. You can easily find free sample format for your cover letter and all you need to do is to change the personal information and you cover letter is ready.

So if you have firmly believed that everyone did not judge a book by its cover, you were wrong. Employers and job recruitment agencies belong to a different category. They definitely judge the book by its cover. In this case, I am referring to your stereotype cover letter. It is about time that you realized that your cover letter is the most impotent document when you are applying for any job.

You can start with a short introduction about yourself and the job you are applying for. Please don’t mention your degree, your dissertations, your fellowships, etc in the cover letter.

You have duly attached a resume to showcase the same. You will be wasting valuable space and definitely missing the mark. Use simple and short sentence. Stick to your point and refrain from adding useless details. Your resume will fill in the gaps. It is not story writing rather it is a sales letter. Keep it crisp and keep it engaging so that recruiter is interested in knowing more about it.

Write your letter in proper business format. Use the second paragraph as a link builder with your resume and the job you have applied for. The content of your cover letter should appeal to the employer making him believe that recruiting you will satisfy the job requirements and you will be an ideal choice.

 

When you start writing your resume, you have to first decide the position for which you are applying for. Next, you write a summary suitable for that job and highlight your capabilities such that you look like the most ideal candidate for the job.

Opt for a step down approach. This means your employment should start from current and then track back to the first employment details. Your resume should also state your objectives and ho you wish to progress in your career. In rest of the resume you can add you details as necessary for the job requirement.

Mark Twain once wrote “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” Being concise is an art.

Lengthy is not always impressive rather it is cumbersome and boring. Crisp, instant, ready-to-eat are the watchwords of modern era. So, why resume should be left behind? In the wake of global downturn, employers are overwhelmed with the response they receive for even one single job opening in their organization. Don’t add to their sorrows by giving them a five page resume. They will not glance at it second time. An ideal resume is restricted to not more than two pages.

These short pieces of information in your resume will get you your most coveted job. Don’t make your resume too lengthy. Nobody has time to read a history book and nobody is interested either. Keep it crisp, keep it short and you will see the magic! The old-fashioned generic resumes are out-dated and no one is interested in a long career history or life history of yours.

Employers are more interested in how you and your career skills can make a difference to their organization. Modern resume just fill the need aptly.

Your grammar should be good even if not perfect. It is not an English term paper but yes, it will make a difference in getting your good grade in life. After all you intend to be successful, so this means that you want to attain the best grades in life’s exam.

It is not easy to sell yourself. You have to look at your resume and your cover letter as the sales letters of your career. In order to get the best bargain, you have to have both of them nothing but the VERY BEST!!!


Resume and Cover Letter

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.


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