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Resumania: Be confident but not overbearing

Submitted by SHNS on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 18:09

Your cover letter is the first snapshot a prospective employer sees of you. Make sure it's a flattering one:

COVER LETTER: "Look, I rock. Seriously, I am just awesome."

It's always a good idea to show confidence and enthusiasm when applying for a job. Companies want to hire people who are passionate about what they do and confident enough to handle any challenges that arise. But be careful; it's easy to go overboard.

COVER LETTER: "You will be the luckiest person in the world to have me on your team."

How can we say no?

COVER LETTER: "Nobody can work any harder or smarter than me. I simply cannot be outworked."

You're hired!

COVER LETTER HEADLINE: "Your future Employee of the Month!"

We'll reserve the parking space.

At the same time, keep in mind that employers want to hire people who see themselves building long careers with their organizations. What they don't want are workers who see the job as a stepping stone to something else. To make sure they hire the best match, companies are investing more time in the hiring process. Here is an example of what not to say to a prospective employer:

COVER LETTER: "I may be leaving in a few months to follow my dream of opening my own shop."

Thanks for the heads-up.

And, of course, always remember to proofread your resume and cover letter before submitting them. Research we've conducted shows time and time again that even a single typo can be reason enough for a hiring manager to remove an applicant from consideration.

"QUALIFICATIONS: I have a multirange of skills."

We're not sure what that is.

"SKILLS: I'm good at many things, such as computers, sales, communication, and I have patients."

The doctor is in.

"DUTIES: Handle paperwork, customer service and computer soft wear."

For the fashion-forward PC.

For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998.

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