ShareThisBy MAX MESSMER
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
When crafting your cover letter, you always want to paint yourself in a positive light by touting your strongest attributes. But before you place one finger on the keyboard, think about the message you want to send to a prospective employer. It should be focused, persuasive and, above all, enthusiastic.
Ask yourself the following questions to get you started: In which areas do I excel? What are my most noteworthy career accomplishments? How did I improve a job that I held in the past? The following candidate hurt his cause by emphasizing the negative:
COVER LETTER: "When I go to college, I will learn about and study a field I want to be a part of. This might help me quit my bad habit of slacking."
A "relaxation studies" major.
In addition, if you were let go from a previous job, it's best not to highlight this information on your resume or let any hint of anger or resentment shine through.
"REASON FOR LEAVING: They fired me for not coming to work during a snowstorm!"
An icy reception.
The next three applicants should have added some depth to the "Skills" section of their resumes.
"SKILLS: I am aware of deadlines."
But do you meet them?
"SKILLS: Can drive a vehicle to and from locations."
Not exactly the type of "drive" we're looking for.
"SKILLS: As a lunch aid, I watched children eat lunch."
Didn't that make you hungry?
As always, proofread your job-search materials for simple grammatical errors.
"SKILLS: Ability to work in fast-paste environments."
It sounds like you can handle sticky situations.
Finally, this candidate's typo indicates that management positions might not be as lucrative as most people think:
"EXPERIENCE: Store manager, January 1999 to Peasant."
When it comes to proofreading, there's no time like the present.
(Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc., a specialized staffing firm, and author of 'Managing Your Career For Dummies' and 'Job Hunting For Dummies.' For more Resumania, please visit www.resumania.com.)
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