What are the steps to creating a
letter that will complement and add genuine value to your resume? Your letter
must be concise. Since recruiters spend about 10 seconds on each resume, they
often don’t read cover letters. If they do, they look for information they can
absorb quickly. Letters longer than one page are too long. Consequently, it’s
wise to start with a rough draft that you revise until only words that are
vital to its content remain.
Put your name, address, phone and
fax numbers and e-mail address at the top of the page. Check the spelling and
numbers several times. You don’t want employers to discard your resume or cover
letter because they can’t reach you.
A recruiter would rather talk with
you during the day, so if you can take calls at work, include a work phone
number. If a beeper is the best way to reach you, be sure to note that number
in your resume and cover letter, in case they become separated.
If your address changes during your
job search, send another resume and cover letter for the positions that
interest you. A recruiter won’t bother to change data on your first version.
The first paragraph of your letter
should state how you learned about the job opening. Most companies keep records
of which sources are best at attracting promising candidates. If you saw the
job in the classified ads, mention the newspaper and date the ad appeared.
State your objective and the specific position you’re seeking. Recruiters work
too rapidly to guess your objective. To say you’re applying for a
"telecommunications position" is too general.
If you’ve researched the company, be
sure to mention why you’re interested in it. Alluding to its products,
philosophy or reputation, coupled with sending the letter to the correct recruiter
(if you can determine who this is), gives you an opportunity to stand out from
the crowd.
If you know someone at the company,
feel free to mention that person, but remember, your acquaintance with a
director or manager can help -- or hinder -- your search. Drop a name only if
the person appreciates your work and will speak highly of your abilities. You
also should get advance permission from your contact to use his or her name.
Cover letters must provide
customized information beyond what’s in your resume. "Value added" is
the buzzword these days. How can your cover letter add value to your resume?
Talk about some of your soft skills, such as team-building, being a
self-starter and organizational abilities. Cite a specific reason why you’re
the ideal candidate for the position, then customize your letter to prove your
point.
Recruiters would rather read about
actual accomplishments than see trite phrases such as "excellent
communication skills." They want specifics about your achievements. For
example, to illustrate your communication skills, you might mention your weekly
sales briefings to top management or a speech you gave to an audience of 500
people.
Using lists or bulleting your
relevant accomplishments is another way to highlight your experience. The
following example provides a readable way to match your qualifications with the
position’s required criteria:
Your
Needs
|
My
Qualifications
|
Prefer MBA with technical
undergraduate degree
|
BSEE, MBA
|
Minimum of three years sales experience
|
Five years technical sales support
in an engineering environment
|
Marketing experience
|
Designed and implemented four
marketing campaigns
|
Excellent communication skills
|
Adept at public-speaking and
writing, especially involving the roll-out of software products
|
Before closing your letter, tell the
recruiter you’ll follow up to confirm receipt of your resume and set an
interview appointment, if appropriate. Employers often are impressed by
candidates who show initiative and perseverance. Unless you’ve been told not to
call, taking this action may increase your chance of gaining an interview.
Persistent enthusiasm will generally take you farther than benign neglect.
Which Soft Skills to mention and how to mention them?
You'll likely see these "soft
skills" popping up in job descriptions, next to demands for technical
qualifications. Employment experts agree that tech skills may get you an
interview, but these soft skills will get you the job -- and help you keep it:
Communication Skills
This doesn't mean you have to be a brilliant orator or writer. It does mean
you have to express yourself well, whether it's writing a coherent memo,
persuading others with a presentation
or just being able to calmly explain to a team member what you need.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Employers want employees who play well with others -- who can effectively work
as part of a team. "That means sometimes being a leader, sometimes being a
good follower, monitoring the progress, meeting deadlines and working with others across the organization to achieve
a common goal," says Lynne Sarikas, the MBA Career Center Director at Northeastern
University.
Adaptability
This is especially important for more-seasoned professionals to demonstrate, to
counter the (often erroneous) opinion that older workers are too set in their
ways. "To succeed in most organizations, you need to have a passion for
learning and the ability to continue to grow and stretch your skills to adapt
to the changing needs of the organization," Sarikas says. "On your
resume, on your cover letter and in your interview, explain the ways you've
continued to learn and grow throughout your career."
Problem Solving
Be prepared for the "how did you solve a problem?" interview question with several examples, advises Ann Spoor, managing director
of Cave Creek Partners. "Think of specific examples where you solved a
tough business problem or participated in the solution. Be able to explain what
you did, how you approached the problem, how you involved others and what the
outcome was -- in real, measurable results."
Critical Observation
It's not enough to be able to collect data and manipulate it. You must also be
able to analyze and interpret it. What story does the data tell? What questions
are raised? Are there different ways to interpret the data? "Instead of
handing your boss a spreadsheet, give them a business summary and highlight the
key areas for attention, and suggest possible next steps," Sarikas
advises.
Conflict Resolution
The ability to persuade, negotiate and resolve conflicts is crucial if you plan to move up. "You need to have
the skill to develop mutually beneficial relationships in the organization so
you can influence and persuade people," Sarikas says. "You need to be
able to negotiate win-win solutions to serve the best interests of the company
and the individuals involved."
When It Comes to Soft Skills, Show
-- Don't Tell
How do you prove you're proficient at, say, critical observation? Demonstrating
these soft skills may be more difficult than listing concrete accomplishments
like $2 million in sales or a professional certification. But it is possible to
persuade hiring managers that you have what they need.
To demonstrate communication skills,
for example, start with the obvious. Make sure there are no typos in your
resume or cover letter. Beyond that, enhance your communication credibility by
writing an accomplishment statement on your resume or cover letter, says Cheryl
E. Palmer, president of Call to Career. "Instead of stating, 'great oral
and written communication skills,' say, 'conducted presentation for C-level
executives that persuaded them to open a new line of business that became
profitable within eight months.'"
Learn Soft Skills
The good news is that, like any skill, soft skills can be learned. The better
news? Boosting your soft skills not only gives you a leg up on a new job or a
promotion, but these skills also have obvious applications in all areas of a
person's life, both professional and personal.
- Take a Course: Some colleges are mixing technology with areas such as
effective written and verbal communication, teamwork, cultural
understanding and psychology. Take a writing or public speaking course to
boost your communication skills. Look for a conflict-resolution course or
"leadership skills" class at your local community college.
- Seek Mentors:
Be as specific as you can about your target skill, and when you're
approaching a potential mentor, compliment that person with a specific
example in which you've seen him practice that skill, advises Ed Muzio,
the author of Make Work Great. "Then ask whether that person would be willing
to share ideas with you about how you might achieve the same level of
capability," he says. "Maybe it will grow into a long mentoring
relationship, or maybe you'll just pick the person's brain for a few
minutes."
- Volunteer: Working
with nonprofit organizations gives you the opportunity to build soft
skills. And listing high-profile volunteer work on your resume gives you
an excuse to point out what you gained there. For example, "As chair
of the environmental committee, planned and carried out a citywide park
cleanup campaign. Utilized team-building, decision-making and cooperative
skills. Extensive report writing and public speaking."
