ShareThisBy MAX MESSMER
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The purpose of a cover letter is to pique the interest of a hiring manager enough to call you for an in-person interview. You can accomplish this by crafting a compelling document that links your experience and skills to the requirements of the open position, outlines your biggest career successes, and showcases your knowledge of the company where you want to work.
In short, the cover letter is your opportunity to demonstrate to a prospective employer what you can bring to the table; it's not a venue for asking what's in it for you. The following two candidates did not get the memo:
COVER LETTER: "I'm keeping my options open. I would entertain the idea of an exceptional opportunity with corresponding compensation in outside sales or sales management only. I'd be interested to hear how you will tempt me away from my rewarding career. Initiate your interest through e-mail."
A not-so modest proposal.
COVER LETTER: "Find the best job for me!"
We thought that was your job.
It's critical that you proofread your cover letter and resume for typos and punctuation errors.
"SKILLS: HighlycreativeQuicklearnerGoodcommunication."
And a space bar that sticks.
In addition, carefully look over your documents to make sure you haven't overused certain words, which could distract the hiring manager from focusing on your qualifications.
"JOB DUTIES: I handle two outside customer service reps! Whenever they call, I handle them! I also handle customers!"
Don't fly off the handle!
"JOB DUTIES: To clear conditions I could clear before they go to the underwriter to clear the conditions they need to clear and contact the broker when they clear to close."
We're still not clear.
"SKILLS: I'm willing to admit when I don't know the answer, but I'm unwilling to stop looking for the answer until I find the answer or the person with the answer."
Hopefully, that was your final "answer."
(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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