Many companies will not even look at your resume if you don't include a cover letter. Writing a cover letter will show the company that you really want the position and will allow you to show why you are a good fit for the job. Here are eight cover letter "faux pas" that you will want to avoid when composing a cover letter.1.) Don’t address the wrong person or company in your cover letter. This will likely disqualify you fr...

When writing a resume, your job is not just to write an amazing document but also create an amazing component known as the cover letter. Sometimes job seekers forget that these two documents work together, especially if they’ve written a resume, and are then told at the last minute they need a cover letter.Because the two are intertwined it’s a good idea to make sure that they are indeed working well together. Here are so...

Creating a proper introduction is perhaps the most important part of writing a cover letter because it introduces hiring managers to you and helps them decide whether they want to know more about you. There are often a lot of mistakes made when writing cover letter introductions. To help you avoid them, let’s look at what some are and how you can make the changes necessary to improve your cover letter.Avoid Starting with “H...

Let’s face it, a blanket cover letter just isn’t going to cut it these days. So how can you make the best use of your time while maximizing your results? Here are a few simple steps to customizing your cover letters. (And if you don’t think you SHOULD customize your cover letter for each application you submit, then we have bigger problems than I thought …)A MEMORABLE OPENERHere’s a mistake I see more and more job seeker...

Sending a résumé without a cover letter is like driving at night without your lights on. (You know, you will get a ticket for that!) So what are the dynamics of an effective cover letter? How can you determine the major points and entice recruiters and hiring managers to take a closer look?The Salutation: If you know the hiring manager’s name, use it; this is always preferable than the all too common: “To whom it may concer...

When you are job searching, you want to be prepared from all angles. Once you apply for a job, the microscope zooms in and you must be prepared to be examined. Putting your best foot forward when you are being so closely inspected involves more than presenting an error-free resume and wearing a nice smile. Here are the three pieces that fit together to shape how employers see you. Are you lacking in any of these areas? 1. O...

The calls often begin with an apologetic “never needed a programmer resume” admission: “I’ve never had to get a professional resume before.” Or, “I never dreamed of hiring a professional resume writer. I’ve always been able to land a programming job.” Or, “I never even had to look for jobs. They found me.”Software wizards have seldom needed help from resume wizards. Engineers and programmers have a desired set of skills th...

Unlike what your college adviser or career counselor may have told you, there are very few hard and fast rules regarding resume length. There are guidelines, but these can be broken at the drop of a hat if the end result, your resume, would be bettered by dropping them. Especially in times of high unemployment, professional resume writing is an art that demands a near-psychic connection with whoever is going to be reading y...

In September, I had the pleasure of attending (and speaking at) the National Resume Writer¡¦s Association¡¦s annual professional development conference in Fort Worth, Texas. There were several really good sessions that gave me new tools to bring back to my clients and one of the "biggies" that I am sharing with you was the 2 hour panel discussion featuring hiring managers from four major industries. In this article, you wil...

These days, the professional cover letter has taken a backseat to its much more popular cousin, the resume. Although it is often seen as stuffy, antiquated, and even frivolous, the cover letter actually has the power to establish the all-important first impression. And what you put in that letter could be the catalyst that sets you apart and gets you an interview. Though many people underestimate the importance of a cover l...