ShareThisIn today's overcrowded employment market, you can set yourself apart with your cover letter. Be proactive and find out the name of the hiring manager, then write him or her a targeted letter expanding upon key points in your resume. Your cover letter should consist of three or four focused paragraphs that spotlight your professional skills, strengths and successes that are most relevant to the open position.
It should go without saying that divulging your biggest shortcomings and character flaws won't lead to many job interviews. These candidates seemed to go out of their way to give potential employers reasons not to call:
COVER LETTER: "I can be reckless and irresponsible because I will jump at something new before I weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Tolerance is required with me."
We don't doubt that.
COVER LETTER: "I don't know what skills I could offer you or your company."
Sorry, we don't know either.
This person attempted to put a positive spin on chronic tardiness:
COVER LETTER: "I'm likely to always be running late, but it's only because I am so forward-thinking that I forget about the present."
That will make scheduling an interview difficult.
Being demanding won't help you secure a job. These job seekers inexplicably concluded their cover letters by displaying attitudes of entitlement and arrogance:
COVER LETTER: "After writing all this, I better get an e-mail."
Will a rejection letter suffice?
COVER LETTER: "If you aren't firmly decided by the end of this letter, re-hitch the mule and move along."
We can only hope that you're horsing around.
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.
Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm, and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies(r) and Job Hunting For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition. His most recent book is Human Resources Kit For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition.
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RESUMANIA
