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The Lion’s Pride: Resumes

Under Cover (Letters, That Is)  

                                                                   

Cover letters are one of the biggest job-seeking stress producers. What do I put in it? How do I start? How long should it be?

 

Relax! Try this easy three paragraph formula (which serves as a primer for next Monday's post):

 

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First Paragraph. Mention the job title and requisition number (if applicable), how you heard about the position (or who referred you), and state your belief that your skills set seems to fit well with the stated job description. This paragraph should be no more than 3 sentences.

 

Second Paragraph. Put some pizzazz in your topic sentence while stating your interest once more. Spend a few sentences mentioning a few work-related experiences that demonstrate how the position matches your skills. Then a short conclusion. Keep this section to a maximum of 5-6 sentences.

 

Third Paragraph. Restate your interest. Mention your phone and email availability and supply your contact information (even though it's at the top of your letter). Close by reminding the hiring manager that there's a resume enclosed for his or her review. Keep this part to three sentences.

 

IN THE CARAVAN: Keep your cover letter stress low by keeping it simple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Resumes

 

Make Bullets Hit the Mark / Too Much Information Is Too Much Ammo / One Page?...Two?...Three? / Cover Letters / How to Make an Impact With Your Electronic Resume / Paper Resumes vs. Electronic / Sending Methods / White Space Rules of Thumb / How to Hire a Professional Resume Writer / Death to Ready-Made Templates! / Bulk Mailing / Now You Can See Me, Vol I: Other Resume Options / Now You Can See Me, Vol. II: Online Portfolios / Giving Yourself Enough Credit / Anatomy of a Chronological Resume Disaster / How Much Contact Info Is Too Much? / Under Cover (Letters, That Is) / Under Cover (Letters, That Is) II: Word Smithing the First Paragraph / Under Cover (Letters, That Is) III: Word Smithing the Second Paragraph / Under Cover (Letters, That Is) IV: Word Smithing the Last Paragraph / Companion Pieces / New Year, New Resume / Quantification /  When to be Intentionally Vague / How Resume Lies Hurt / If You Really Must Use a Resume Template… / Including Freelance and Part-Time Employment / References 102: Letters vs. Lists / References 101 / Little Tweaks Go a Long Way / “…Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That” / Putting Your Prose on a Diet: The Fishmonger's Tale / If Hurley from “Lost” Wrote His Resume / Getting Funky / Be Complete, But Leave Questions / Blogs to Beat the Band: The Best Sites to Start a Blog or Website / Blogs to Beat the Band II: What to Include / Blogs to Beat the Band III Posting Content / Mid-Year Check Up / Highlight Your Hidden Talents / Preparing to Change Companies / Summary or Objective? / Bullets vs. Paragraphs / Break It Up - OR - There's Nothing to See Here / Continuous Updating / Dragnet Resumes: Taking the Joe Friday Approach / 10 Essentials for Every Job Hunt Website or Blog /