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Archive for the ‘Resumes Cover Letters’ Category

The key to a good-looking online resume is in the formatting. Online resumes need to be simpler and more basic than resumes that you print.

If you plan on uploading your resume to a website, you’re also allowed to keep most of your formatting, as most websites can cater to that. However, sending your resume is different and you’ll have to make changes if you want to make the most of it.

Get the Format Right

The key to a good-looking online resume is in the formatting. Many places request the resume to be included in the body of the email, rather than as an attachment.

Because of the variations in settings and email servers, the best thing you can do is strip your resume of all formatting. Either choose “clear all formatting” if you’re writing on Microsoft Word or type your resume into Notepad.

You’ll end up with a resume in plain text, also known as a “text-only copy.” Go over the text and fix any weird formatting issues, such as missing spaces. Use capital letters to highlight important titles, since you won’t be able to use italics or bold.

Prepare the Email

If you’re sending your resume via email, you’ll need to include a short letter to “introduce” the resume. The letter doesn’t have to be long, but it needs to introduce you, mention why you’re sending the resume and say something your potential employer won’t find in your resume, such as your passion for travel if you’re applying for a position that requires frequent traveling.

Keep the letter short –You don’t want to bore a potential employer before they even get to your resume. Read the rest of this entry »

Writing a cover letter need not be your biggest challenge in your job search. It can be the sales pitch that gets you the job so it does need to be given your attention as a top priority.

Of all the different ways to do it, here’s one that is quick to put together and very effective.

1. Using your computer or word processor of preference, type in your full name on the upper left hand corner of your paper.

On the line immediately underneath that, you want to type in your physical address and telephone number.

2. Put down the date of submission of your cover letter two spaces below your name and address.

3. Write down, two spaces beneath the date, the name of your contact at the human resources department of the company.

As with your name and address at the top of the page, type in the company’s address immediately underneath your contact person’s name.

You can either skip this step if you don’t have any direct contact individual within the company, or you can simply put down the department and company address.

4. Begin with a greeting three spaces under your final line from the last step. If you have a contact name from the hiring department, use that.

5. Write down your reason for applying for work with the company two spaces below the greeting. Include how you heard of the position. Express enthusiasm at the opportunity.

6. Continue in the next paragraph to talk about your skills. Express how your experience matches the requirements for the position and what you can offer the company.

Do not summarize your resume; instead, explain how you and the job opening are a perfect match in your opinion.

7. Close your cover letter, in the final paragraph, by giving thanks for the hiring manager or other contact person’s time and for his consideration of you for the position.

8. Sign out, as though beginning a new paragraph, with a meaningful professional exit. “Respectfully” is a great one to use, and it’s more original that “sincerely.”