One of the reasons writing can be so hard is that we often dive into the writing part without a lot of thought to the strategy and purpose of our message. By giving yourself a slower start and working a bit on the overall picture of what you want to accomplish in your writing, you will likely finish with a much better message! Tip 1: It is all about ME! ME! ME! ME! ME! Actually, that is a joke. It is not all about you. When...

Although cover letters are a long-standing part of the job search, they are not outmoded. Cover letters or cover emails are more relevant today than ever. Job seekers are facing steep competition in today’s job market. A misstep will cost you a job. Some ask, “Why is the letter so important when much of the same information is in the résumé?” There are a few reasons why you can’t afford to skip the cover letter. Your c...

Some job seekers start to write a cover letter and don’t seem to know when to stop–or how to focus, for that matter. If that description fits you, I suggest you think seriously about what it is that you want and need your cover letter to accomplish. If it’s to bore the reader (employer) to tears or motivate him/her to turn the letter into a paper airplane, no problem. Your over-long, poorly focused cover letter will do the...

As promised in my previous post, this one will touch on cover letter trends and tips you might find useful. Some of the information–and any quotes–come from the Career Thought Leaders 2011 Career Brainstorming Day white paper mentioned previously. The idea is to get you thinking about cover letter issues that are fairly new or emerging as possible trends. Debate About Cover Letters–Are They Read? From the brainstorming sess...

One reason so many job seekers hate writing cover letters is because they find it difficult to write something unique. There is a lot of pressure to write that one-in-a-million killer cover letter, especially in a crowded job market. So, how do you write something original and captivating? Write a hook in the opening paragraph. ¡Start your letter with a startling fact or industry trend. ¡Congratulate the company or dep...

Everyone probably remembers the first time they heard about Twitter and about how young people were throwing around their one-liners about sitting on the porch, walking to the mailbox, walking back to the porch, sitting down …well, you get the picture. But since that time, Twitter has evolved into an amazing resource for companies seeking customers—and even job seekers looking for work.One reason that seekers have had succ...

One of my career coaching clients recently sent me a copy of his sample cold cover letter to inquire with companies about possible openings. These are companies where he doesn’t know anyone so it’s very cold. This process is still worth doing though! Remember you need to diversify your job search strategies. You never know what will help you get your foot in the door.His cover letter had one possible problem however; it sai...

In my career coaching practice I consistently hear from clients that they hate writing cover letters. They don’t understand what to include, they are annoyed they have to write one, and they don’t see the point. In our work together, I help them see how the cover letter is really their friend, and how they can use it to their advantage. There is one key reason why:A cover letter is how you connect the dots for the employer...

In this day and age with technology and instant communication at our finger tips, people pay less attention to details and the little things that create a final product. This is especially true in the current job market. People begin to skip steps and slack off on things such as resumes. I recently read this article from FOX Business news, "How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter."First impressions are critical, especially du...

If you’re an executive planning your next career move, it might surprise you to learn that you’ll be judged by more than just your resume during your job search. In other words, a full resume is not necessarily the best fit for each interviewer or contact.Surprised? You’ll find that recruiters, company owners, Boards of Directors, and other hiring decision-makers often look at your experience through a series of interviews...