This was one of our most popular blog posts this year, and we think the advice is so good it should be repeated!  If you’re looking for some awesome cover letter advice on how *NOT* to start your cover letter (and some great examples of how you should be starting it) then read on!

On a weekly basis any hiring manager probably receives between 50 and … well, probably hundreds of resumes and cover letters.  The key is to catch his or her attention from the start; and the best place to do that is in your cover letter.  So I am going to tell you about the worst possible way to start your cover letter—and then give you some creative alternatives to use instead.

Here is the most boring intro line because everyone uses it:

Please accept my resume for consideration of the (XYZ) position within your organization.

What a snoozer!  Everyone uses that line; let’s see … being like everyone else isn’t going to get you very far in your job search now is it?  No, it’s not.  So you need to be different.  But not just different—you need to be unique and appear more valuable than the average joe.  Let’s take a look at some more creative and attention grabbing opening lines:

Administrative:
If you are spending too much time compiling tedious lists of general office duties and administrative tasks, then I have the solution for you.  Try this: “My experiences in office administration and client services have equipped me with a multitude of skills including office management, business operations, and exemplary customer service.  I am confident that my application of these and my many other skills would be an asset to your company.”

Customer Service:
It’s twice as hard to attract a new customer as it is to maintain an existing one.  Unfortunately, this fact is often overlooked by many businesses.  So exploit this reality.  Here’s an example of what you should write:  “Delivering high-quality, responsive service is vital in (industry x).  And that’s exactly what you’ll get when you hire me.  As my resume indicates, I have worked in client services for more than (number) years, so you won’t have to incur great expense while training me.

Nonprofit:
Try something like this: “In today’s challenging economic climate, many people will respond to your advertisement.  Few will be interviewed.  One will be hired.

However …

Of the many who will respond, few will be as qualified as I am, having in-depth experience in community and public outreach.  No one else will bring my track record and the expertise I offer—expertise that equips me to immediately begin delivering results for you with maximum positive effect to your bottom line.

General:
“Integrity.  Innovation.  Initiative.

If you have these qualities in mind for the position of (position title) then I suggest we meet to discuss the numerous qualifications I would bring to your organization.  With my demonstrated track record of successfully directing pharmacy operations and introducing initiatives that directly impacted the bottom line, I am confident that I would be an excellent fit for the position at (company name).

Of course, these are only a few sample introductions, and the remainder of your cover letter needs to be just as dynamic as the introduction.  But nothing is more important than that initial first impression; and you are sure to win them over when you choose something unique, creative, and captivating.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.

We recently had an open position we were trying to fill and I was amazed—or should I say appalled—at the blanket responses we received from job seekers.  Potential candidates sent us cover letters describing experience they possessed that was completely irrelevant to our opening; it was the same as someone having a degree in veterinary medicine but seeking employment as an IT director.  Did these job seekers really think that going on and on for paragraphs about irrelevant experience was going to make me want to read their resume—or even more so—interview them?

I think I understand the dilemma here: Truly active job seekers are sending out countless job applications as quickly as humanly possible—probably exasperated by the sheer volume of applications they feel pressured to submit.  It’s not a shot-in-the-dark game, people.  Or a game of numbers.  I truly don’t believe it’s a situation where you have to submit 200 applications to receive two call-backs.  What it comes down to is a matter of focus and relevancy.  Can you make the correlation between your experience and career background and what the employer truly needs?  I’ll give you a perfect example.

We occasionally will have openings for certified or professional resume writers.  We place an ad for the opening online with some very specific requirements and ask that the candidate respond with valid and convincing reasons why he or she would be the best fit.  Some candidates go on and on—almost endlessly—about having authored books, written articles for medical journals, or their technical writing experience.  None of which has anything in common with resume writing—other than the word “writing”.  This is frustrating to hiring managers as they are wading through hundreds of job applications.  It almost seems like a waste of time.  I find myself thinking, “Why can’t they tell me what I need to know?”  I specify in the ad that I need to know about criteria A, B, and C—and whether you possess those skills.  Ninety-nine percent of job seekers fail to address their experience in these areas.  Why?  I am not sure if it’s laziness or  a result of being overwhelmed—but what I can tell you is that you’re only hurting yourself and your chances for an interview.

I know that when you’re submitting as many applications as you can you may feel hurried, rushed, or like you don’t have the time to make a customized submittal.  Truth be told, you’re wasting more time if you don’t.  Take the time to specifically address each requirement, and provide the hiring manager with the absolute most relevant experience you have that matches the requirements of the position.  You may be surprised at the results.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.

Job advertisements sometimes ask you to specify salary requirements when submitting your application.  But many job seekers feel uncomfortable revealing their desired salary before they’ve even scheduled an interview.  If you’re one of those people, don’t worry—there are some ways to comply with the employer’s request while avoiding having to immediately provide a specific answer.

One technique is to list a range of salaries you’ve earned throughout your career.  For those who have been in the workforce for a while, it is common for this range to be fairly wide.  So you could say, “I’ve earned between $50,000-$75,000 in previous positions, and I would be happy to discuss salary after an interview.”

Another way to address the issue is to offer a ballpark figure.  For instance, you could say, “My current salary is in the low six figures.” Or, “My current compensation, including bonuses, is in the $80s.”  Remember to factor in bonuses, 401(k) matching, mileage reimbursement, and other additional forms of compensation when providing them with a number.

Sometimes employers will specifically ask you what you earn in your current position.  Non-employee workers (subcontractors) can easily avoid this question by stating, “As a contractor, my compensation varies from month to month.”  If you suspect that a position for which you’re applying pays less than you currently earn, you can say, “My current salary is $65,000, but I am willing to negotiate if that is out of the hiring range for this position.”

When asked about salary, the most important thing is to not sell yourself short.  Unless the number you stipulate is significantly above what an employer is willing to pay, it shouldn’t prevent you from getting an interview.  In addition, providing a somewhat general answer about salary requirements can aid you in appearing flexible and willing to negotiate.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.

In a world where many job applications seem to disappear into a “black hole”, job seekers often wonder if there is any point in sending a cover letter with their application.  The answer is absolutely yes!  An effective cover letter communicates to an employer why you’re specifically interested in the open position.  With so many job seekers indiscriminately applying for hundreds of jobs, your application will automatically stand out if you can demonstrate that you truly have a personal interest in a particular position.

Effectively explaining to an employer why you want the job requires you to cite those qualities and skills that personally make you a good candidate.  Generally, the likelihood that you would be a good fit for the position is directly related to your relevant experience and education; for example, a CPA could perform accounting duties for any number of companies.  But, telling a hospital that you’ve considered obtaining a master’s degree in health administration makes your interest in the job personal.

In an attempt to personalize their cover letters, job seekers often research a company by examining its Web site.  While it’s good to know things such as what a manufacturing company makes or the volume of business a store does every year, including facts like these in a cover letter is ineffective.  Hiring managers already know all about their own company; what they don’t know is why you’d be an asset to them.

Your willingness to write a cover letter confirms for the employer that you have a serious interest in a specific position.  However, to be effective a cover letter should demonstrate your knowledge of the company by relating your personal achievements and qualities to that specific business.  The people reading your application don’t know anything about you.  Your cover letter needs to sell you as a candidate, while your resume supports your assertions with details.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.

This week we’re exploring strategies and best practices for writing cover letters.  So take out your cover letter, dust it off, and let’s go.

The purpose of your cover letter is not to bore the hiring manager with your entire life story, explain and justify every gap in employment, account for your career path, and so on and so forth.  Your cover letter has one purpose—and one purpose only.  Get the hiring manager’s attention so that he reads your resume!  It’s your opportunity to make a great first impression and let him know you deserve his time.  Here are a few points to remember to ensure your cover letter is a success:

-         Be concise.  Enough said.

-         Be specific.  Focus on the specific job opening.

-         Be relevant.  What have you done previously that is an exact match for what they need?

-         Showcase, Sell, and Brag – Oh my!  (Just kidding.)  Seriously, talk yourself up (but be truthful and professional).

Be sure to reference the specific position in which you are interested, and work the company’s name in there at some point.  Also, mention the source where you heard about the position.  (It’s always nice as a hiring manager to know which sources bring you the most qualified candidates.)

I know most of you are applying for countless positions every week, and that it takes time to customize each individual cover letter.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again … if making five minutes worth of adjustments now saves you days or weeks in your job search, that five minutes will have been well worth it.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.

I could complicate this blog article and make it ten times longer than it needs to be.  But I know you’re busy trying to find a job, so I’ll keep it short and sweet.  If you want to make sure the hiring manager reads your cover letter, don’t attach it to the e-mail—just copy and paste it into the body of the e-mail.

This strategy ensures about a 99% guarantee the hiring manager will read it.  People are drawn to e-mails … something about them (much like the allure of receiving a greeting card) inherently says “must read”.  So next time you’re applying for a position online (or elsewhere) and you’re submitting your resume and cover letter via e-mail, make sure you copy and paste the cover letter instead of attaching it to the e-mail.  Now, whether the cover letter is effective in getting him to read your resume is a whole other story.  (Here’s a hint: “My resume for your review” does NOT qualify as a cover letter or adequate e-mail text.)  For additional advice on cover letters, subscribe to our blog posts via e-mail because in the next few days we’ll be starting a series that will focus on cover letters.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.

Most job applications are submitted through the Internet today, either through an online application system or by e-mailing cover letters and resumes as attachments.   Sending electronic cover letters is very convenient, but it precludes the applicant’s ability to sign the letter.  Unless you want to print out, sign, scan, and then e-mail every single cover letter you write, it’s easier to just send them without a signature.

One way you can make your cover letters stand out is to insert a digital image of your signature.  You can create this for yourself at home by neatly signing a piece of paper, scanning it, and cropping the image down to just the size of the signature.  There are also Web sites such as www.interfolio.com that will help you create a digital version of your signature.  Interfolio allows users to draw their signature with a mouse, or to fax a copy of their handwritten signature.  Interfolio then returns a free digital image of your signature via e-mail.

Many online application systems won’t be able to process the digital image of your signature.  In those cases, none of the applicants will have any sort of signature on their cover letters.  However, for situations where submitting a signed letter is possible, using a digital signature helps you stand out as a professional, technically-competent candidate.  Anything that provides a competitive edge is a way to stand out from the crowd and be noticed.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.

How many times have you replied to a job ad via e-mail by shooting them a copy of your resume and cover letter?  I’m going to venture a guess and say at least 20 (but more likely hundreds of times) if you’ve been searching for any significant length of time.  Here are some of the most notorious mistakes we’ve seen—and what you can do to greatly improve your chances of being noticed.

Attaching the cover letter to the e-mail.

What’s wrong with that, you ask?  Most hiring managers aren’t going to open the cover letter and read it.  They’ll go straight to the resume instead.  Want to ensure your cover letter gets read?  Copy and paste it into the body of the e-mail.  Whoever received the e-mail will be much more likely to read it if it’s already right there in front of their face.

Writing your whole life story in the body of the e-mail.

Don’t go overboard with details; keep it short.  The hiring manager won’t be willing to invest a lot of time reading your e-mail.  Keep it short and to the point.

Providing information that is not relevant to the position.

Here is a great example.  When I want to bring an additional resume/cover letter writer on staff, I’m not looking for someone with technical writing expertise, article writing skills, or journalism savvy.  Those forms of writing aren’t relevant to what we do here.  I want a writer who has extensive expertise and certification in resume writing.  If someone goes on and on in their cover letter (or in the body of the e-mail) about all their other writing experience, they will lose my interest.  Instead, I want them to tell me about their most relevant experience as it relates to my needs.  I want them to tell me about any resume writing experience they have.  Give the hiring manager a brief overview of the most relevant experience you have, appropriate to the position they are trying to fill.  This will pique their interest—rather than lose it.

Excluding information they’ve specifically asked you to include.

Depending on the position, the employer may ask you to submit a sample of your work, portfolio, hours of availability, or even salary requirements.  Whatever it is they’ve asked you to include, make sure you include it in your cover letter.  If not, you will most certainly be removed from consideration for failing to follow instructions.  Following instructions and acknowledging everything the employer has asked you to address in the job ad not only saves the employer time but makes you look good.  I can tell you this from experience because 9 out of 10 applicants will fail to address every stipulation the employer has listed.  It happens to us all the time.

Not using a cover letter at all.

We’ve received e-mails from applicants, and the body of the e-mail provides either little or no information whatsoever.  Some simply state, “Here is my resume for your review.”  You are selling yourself short by not including at least a brief introduction.  Especially if the employer outlines specific requirements.  Take the time to write, “I see you need someone with availability to work nights and weekends; I would enjoy working these hours and am available to do so.”  Or, “I have included a sample of my work for your consideration along with my resume.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

Forgetting to tell them why you’re the best fit.

Let me tell you about one of THE BEST cover letters I’ve ever seen: I could tell this person put effort into it—and she took the time to specifically and meticulously review our job requirements.  She scrutinized our requirements and detailed in her cover letter how she had experience meeting those needs.  It was applicable, relevant, and attention getting.  It was probably one of the only cover letters that actually made us want to read the corresponding resume.

Using a boring closing statement.

Instead of using the same old boring line, spice it up a bit.  One of the more daring cover letter closings I have read closed with, “Call today, don’t delay.”  I applauded her boldness and had to call her.  The closing was confident, feisty, and it certainly grabbed my attention.  Not to mention the entire cover letter addressed everything she brought to the table as a potential employee and how these elements were relevant to meeting our needs.

What I am trying to get you to see is that boring the hiring manager with details  not relevant to the opening—or not making the most of the space and time you’re getting is really to your detriment.  Instead, take the time to write something catchy, relevant, and targeted to the position for which you are applying.  Sure, it may take a few extra minutes—but in the end, if you get the interview, won’t it be worth it?

For a free resume analysis submit your resume via e-mail to info@greatresumesfast.com. You can also view professional and executive resume samples at http://www.greatresumesfast.com/Samples.htm.

I once worked with a woman who was pregnant and was rapidly approaching her due date. In an effort to prepare clients for her absence she sent out a mass email detailing who would be handling their accounts while she was gone on maturity leave. Yes, you read that right. She sent out an email to many, many clients telling them that she would be taking maturity leave. Apparently in twelve weeks she would return more mature than when she left. Yikes!

She quickly realized her mistake and sent out another mass email letting them know that she didn’t think she was in need of maturity leave but that maternity leave might be in order after she had her baby. Except for a bit of embarrassment over her mistake there was no damage done. On a cover letter or resume however, the damage will be your resume ending up in the garbage can of many, many recruiters and hiring managers.

I cannot stress how imperative it is to send out a flawless resume. One little mistake can speak volumes to a hiring manager. It tells them: you’re lazy, you rush through things, you don’t value quality, the end product is not important to you and on and on! None of those things may be true but your resume is the first impression prospective employers have of you and like it or not they will judge you!

If spelling and grammar are not your strongest skills, ask someone else to take a look at your resume before you send it out. Ask two people. The more eyes on it the better. Don’t rely on spell check to catch all mistakes. If you used ‘there’ instead of ‘their’ or if you meant to type increased sales but instead typed increased ales, spell check won’t flag it. (If you’re still not convinced refer back to the first paragraph.)

If you don’t think you’re up to the task of creating an error-free, results-producing resume you may want to consider a professional resume writing company. It’s worth the investment for a resume that will make a great first impression. Receive your free resume analysis at http://www.greatresumesfast.com

After reviewing over 150 resumes in a three day time span I decided that there is a serious epidemic out there.  A plague so harmful it is costing millions of people thousands of dollars every month. It is called the responsibility virus and it is infecting millions of resumes all across the nation. Think I’m kidding? Take a look at your resume.

Does your resume include any of the following statements?

Responsible for XYZ…Held responsibility for….Ability to….adept at…. duties included….

Well, does your resume have any of those phrases? If you answered yes I’m sorry but you’ve been infected and it is costing you weeks in your job search and hundreds of dollars in salary while you are unemployed. If your resume does not include these phrases shout for joy – you’re immune. Just make sure you don’t catch it anytime in the future. Protect your resume from these harmful phrases at all costs!

I have heard more hiring managers and recruiters then I can count say how much they loathe those words. **FLASHING LIGHTS AND SIRENS** avoid those choice words. All you are really doing is shooting yourself in the foot before you ever really get a chance to start. Using those phrases are harmful for several reasons.

(1) They are boring. I don’t know many people who leaped from there chair to make a call to a candidate who used the words responsible for or duties included on his resume.

(2) They are inferred. When you are listing accomplishments and information on your resume if you did it, it is inferred that you were responsible for doing it or it is one of your job responsibilities. No need to state the obvious.

(3) They lack power and the all important WOW factor. They even lack substance for that matter. There are more concise ways to say you did something. Here are a few other choice words you can try:

Pioneered, Spearheaded, Implemented, Launched, Championed, Marshaled, Initiated and Developed.

These are just a few of the many colorful, powerful, and concise alternatives to catching the responsible virus on your resume. It is amazing how one small change can have a huge impact on your resume. Go through your resume and cover letter and look for all instances of the words responsible for, duties included, ability to, and adept at then replace them with appropriate strong action verb choices like those listed above. I think you’ll be surprised at the feedback you’ll receive.