Cover Letters, Resumes & Interviews

Ok, so it is time to find a job and become a responsible adult!

Cover Letters: The Reality• 1. Usually read after the resume is looked at.• 2. The cover letter is not about you!

– It should be about:• The company• Your prospect (job)• Your target

• 2a. Take the time to fully reflect your:– understanding of the company– how you can meet their needs.

• 3. Used as a crutch to convince themselves that they are actually doing something. The reality is they are simply generating rejection letters.– In todays world the chance for success using only this method is

extremely low.

• Entry level resume’s and cover letters do little good on their own.

• Larger companies have recruiting programs to hire people.

• Unsolicited entry level resumes are often ignored

• The best hope is that the cover letter and resume may be filed away and resurrected later.

• But, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use them!

Using a Cover Letter: So when should you use one?

• Only as part of a:– Limited– Targeted– Specificcampaign to reach employers.Take the time to:

1.Research and2. Understand the company

If you have no idea what the company does, and don’t want to spend the time finding out, why send a cover letter/resume?

Specific & Personal• A successful cover letter should be

Specific & Personal:– A specific person– A specific company– A specific next step that you will be taking

• It usually requires a proactive response on your part to move the process along.

• If you make an effort to contact someone they will be forced to respond to you! (the squeaky wheel gets the grease)

• The cover letter should cover 2 important points:– 1. What you can do for the

company (personal value)– 2. How the company can

benefit from your employment (personal value to others)

• Research your background, make notes of where you excel!

Basic Format• Standard business letter address format: prospect

name, title, company, address top left.• Salutation: (yes, it should be to a real person) Take the

time to know who your target is.– Dear Mr./Mrs. ________________

• 1st paragraph: why are you writing? What specific needs/attributes do you fulfill/possess? Mention them here.

• 2nd paragraph: State 2-3 top skills, then the benefits these will have on the company.

• 3rd paragraph: Close! Give target specific contact information and back up by when you will contact if you do not get a response!

Sample Cover LetterRecent Graduate Entry Level position

Your nameStreet addressCity, State Zip codeDate

Recipient nameTitleCompany nameStreet addressCity, State, Zip codeDate

Dear :

Your ad for an entry-level position caught my attention as I prepare to begin my professional career upon graduation this spring from State University.I say “professional” because I have worked steadily throughout college, gaining valuable experience that equips me to present your firm with advantages others may not offer.

For example, as a resident assistant for a 250-person coed dorm, I acquired strong leadership and interpersonal skills. I am now able to think quickly in emergency situations and in those requiring quick assessment of many factors in order to make appropriate decisions. Dealing with the diverse concerns of students, parents, and faculty, I have become adept at operating with the proper mix of authority, diplomacy, and tact.

While working in this demanding position, I achieved a 3.75 cumulative grade-point average. My double major, communications and political science, provided me with a thorough foundation in principles that affect businesses every day.

I would welcome the chance to discuss openings at your firm. If you will contact me at (425) 555-0154, we can schedule a meeting.Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Enclosure

Dear [Recipient Name]:

Four years in college and what have I learned? Plenty! Plenty that I can apply directly to the entry-level position you advertised in this Sunday’s Elm Street News.

The drive and focus to achieve: Your firm’s success depends upon the ability of your staff to grasp a problem, evaluate the best way to solve it, and then work until the solution is in hand. This is precisely the process I followed all four years to graduate with a 3.80 grade-point average.

Flexibility and creativity: A business gets stale when it continually recycles the same ideas time and time again. When you hire me, you get someone who thinks for himself, and who is not afraid to suggest new ways to approach a task as I did as the student representative responsible for researching and updating State University’s ethics standards to reflect the difficult issues facing today’s students and faculty.

An interview would grant me the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities. I will call you soon to see if we might meet. Or you can reach me at (425) 555-0198 to schedule an interview.

Thank you in advance for considering me.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Enclosure

Your nameStreet addressCity, State Zip codeDate

Recipient nameTitleCompany nameStreet addressCity, State, Zip codeDate

Cover letter keys:• 1. Marketing tool• 2. Always personalize (who are you writing to)• 3. An example of your writing skills

» Spell check» Grammar checked» Proof read by someone else

• 4. Try not to copy a “canned” letter. Be some what original but stay within the confines.

» Take the time to use it right!

• Video highlights:• Less is more! A little goes a long way!• Personalize it to each recipient• Make it visually different

Cover letter check list

One page and 3-4 paragraphs Written to someone specific (name and title) Company name and address are correct and

complete Full spell check and proofing 3-4 focused paragraphs on readers needs not

yours Closing with “Sincerely” Follow up after mailing

The Resume• Resumes should be sent to a person by name

(stated on cover letter)– Find company name, title, name of

individual, specific job opening, specific dept.

• Always send resume with a cover letter!– For every 1,000 resumes expect to

get 2 interviews• Follow up with a phone call• When filling out an application attaching a

resume is a good idea. Complete entire app!• Give a copy to references (Great idea!!!)• Always bring extra copies with to an interview

Basic Resume tips:

• Keep it brief (> 2 pages)• Focus: target job search

and occupational goals• Provide a visual impact

• A resume has 10 seconds to convince a mgr./employer to interview you!

• Check grammar and spelling

• Ensure integrity

• Use high quality paper• Make clear

reproductions• Use a laser printer

General resume tips: the essentials to all resumes

• Lead with the strongest statements related to the job or goal– To obtain a …….– To secure a position as …..– To be able to…..

• Emphasize your skills!• Keep it brief (no more than 2 pages)

• Correct all errors (typos, spelling, grammar)

• Include employment related accomplishments

• Target your qualifications• Communicate purpose and value

to employer

• Make resume relevant to the job that you are applying for.

• Always include references.

The language of resumesMake yourself standout from others by using “Strong skill statements”

• Use action verbs that demonstrate responsibility, leadership, integrity

• This helps make your abilities sound more diverse and adds depth to the resume

Examples:• Instead of:

– “Answered telephones”

• You could say:– “Responded to a # of service inquiry

phone calls per day in a helpful and professional manner”

• Instead of:– “Waited tables”

• You could say:– “Managed and maintained 8 tables,

using interpersonal skills to ensure customer satisfaction through prompt and cordial service.”

• Instead of:– “Drove truck”

• You could say:– “Responsible for ensuring safe and

efficient delivery of goods to more than 15 vendors while driving a highly sophisticated vehicle”

Things to avoid:

• Using abbreviations• Personal pronouns ( “I”)• Wage history• Using elaborate fonts,

papers, binders.• Making statements you

cannot prove• Personal info. (ht, wt,

age, family status)

• Religious or political affiliations.

• Using “Resume” at the top.

• Stapling or folding resume

Strategies: Promote yourselfMake sure your resume gets in the hands of:

• Employers with advertised openings

• Employment agencies• Placement offices• Personal and professional

networking contacts• Employment counselors and

instructors

Finally:• Follow-up, follow-up,

follow-up• True test is if you are

offered interviews• If not getting any

response/interviews…. change it!

InterviewsBe prepared:

• Take the time to prepare for any question

• Extra copies of resume and references

• Letters of recommendation, licenses, transcripts, etc.

• Portfolio, work samples

Day of interview:• Arrive 10-15 min. early• Go by yourself• Look & dress professionally• Turn phone off!!!

– All attention to the interview

• Bring a sense of humor and most of all smile.

• Be interested in the prospect of having this job!!

Interviews:This is your chance to sell your skills and abilities!

Emphasize your:

• Strengths• Willingness to work

and flexibility• Leadership skills• Ability and willingness

to learn new things• Contributions that

you have made to other organizations

• Creativity in solving problems and working with others

Questions to ask at the interview:• Day to day

responsibilities• How will my

responsibilities and performance be measured?

• What computer equipment/ software do you use?

• What is the organizations plan for the next 5 years?

Other things to remember:Be confident: send a positive message through body language

• Shake hands firmly when offered to you

• Maintain eye contact• Listen carefully and

welcome questions• Give honest answers• Develop answers in your

head before you answer (preparation)

• If you don’t understand ask if it can be repeated.

End with a good impression:

• Be courteous and allow the interview to end on time.

• Restate any experiences/strengths you might have

• Mention accomplishments that relate to the job

• If you want the job say so!!• Any additional interviews?• When to make decision?

– What is the timeline?

• When can you contact them?• Send a thank you note!!!

– To your interviewer

OK, so you didn’t get the job. Why??• App or resume is sloppy or incomplete• Dress is inappropriate for interview• Overly aggressive, confident, cocky• Lack of maturity• Lack of interest/enthusiasm• Nervousness or lack of confidence & poise• Responding vaguely to ?’s• Genuinely not interested in Co. or job• Lack of planning/preparation

– Job/career– Goals– Purpose

• Overemphasis on money• Unwillingness to start at the bottom• Negative attitude about past employers• Failure to express appreciation for interviewers time