Cover
Letters are standard business etiquette; when mailing or faxing don’t forget
to sign! You want to tell them you're interested, qualified and would appreciate an
opportunity to talk (it is not the time to discuss your requirements, specialized
abilities or your uncle's work release program candidacy near their new
location). Mail your résumé in a large manila envelope regardless of format, so
that it looks best on arrival --without folds.
Follow-Up
Letters indicate professionalism (you not only initiate and direct action-- you follow
up and don’t let things fall through the cracks!). It should be sent
several days after initial mailing, again with résumé in a large manila
envelope. Your prospective employer will not assume you're dropping these out of
airplanes!
References
are excellent ways to end interviews, indicating you are confident they should continue
talking with you. Your interviewer will likely say there are other interviews,
they'll get back to you (only in Busby Berkley flicks [see pagetop] do you see anyone
hired on the spot). It's a crucial and strategic time to let them know you're game
(likely, your impressive references are being read when a scheduled loser schleps in for
the next grilling) you are indicating your interest, getting past that awkward
"dismissal" and you've anticipated their needs! Be thorough, with area
& zip codes, and email addresses, if possible.
The
Sample Cover Letter gives you the help you need in customizing your cover letter;
it’s free with package orders. When customizing cover letters, stay within the script
of the one provided (don't disqualify yourself by being too specialized: "you're
expert on the Wazoid but we'd have to train ya' on the Yaddablat!").
The
Sample Networking Letter is also free with a package order; gives you
confidence for contacting former coworkers, family, friends and associates who may know of
opportunities in your field (instead of cornering them [oh geez, he's heading our way...]
at biz & social functions). The more résumés you send out, the more responses
and options you will have.
The
Sample Thank You Letter also comes with a package order, and will always triumph over
the "nuisance call" most people make after the interview; "the girl"
(you're not gonna' get your interviewer) gets inundated with calls from people who mailed
résumés and didn’t even get interviews! If you interview that morning, get it
in the mail the same day so that interviewer receives it while in the decision-making
process (it's polite and let's face it: it's the old no-fail One/Two punch).
Salary
Histories are available but ill advised; why send personal information which may disqualify
you? Possible assumptions may be that you are overqualified or underqualified (and
we ALL know people who are overpaid or underpaid). It is the most common screening
technique. Negotiate pay once the position has been offered. If your
qualifications are what they're seeking, a true match, you will be contacted.
Résumé
Formats which are distinctive and "stand-out" are critical, because the
screener is going through stacks of them --and you'll want to ensure that you're not just
wasting time and postage. Clients tell us they mail ten out and get ten responses
with our Modified Brochure (see page top) --so they're definitely
worth the extra trouble to us. Other hard copy, striking formats have flexibility
--perfect for faxing, or emailing digitized versions, or for pasting at posting sites.
Why not call today, to determine what's most effective for your particular job search and
career goals?
Smile-- Keep Your
Humor-- Relax, be confident and be yourself.
People are hired because the interviewer liked them!
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