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Cover Letters, Resumes And The Job Hunter...What's It All About?

Any good job hunter needs a resume package. The cover letter and resume always go together and do the same basic thing in slightly different ways. A job hunter without both of them will probably not get very far in the search for a good career position.

With that in mind, let's take a look at what these crucial documents should do for you. The first part, the cover letter, is a short one page letter consisting of three or four paragraphs. It serves as an introduction to the resume. It is the part that will always be seen by the gatekeeper.

The second part is the resume itself. Many job hunters make the mistake of thinking they can just leave a resume without a cover letter. That is like putting on a suit and tie, but forgetting the shirt or the pants. They are a package and they go together.

The resume itself may be in either functional or chronological format. The functional format concentrates on skills. The chronological format concentrates on employment listings. The most effective resumes use elements of both formats to create a combination resume that gets results. It should be laid out in a graphically appealing style, with adequate use of white space, bullet points to draw attention to important parts, and conservative fonts used. While you will occasionally bold face or italicize a font to draw attention to a point or break up a large section of type, changing fonts often makes it hard to read, so stick with one basic font. Also never go smaller than ten point type, and if possible stick with twelve or eleven point. Those sizes are easier to read. If your cover letter and resume are in a small type and hard to read, they simply will not be read, and will not help you.

Many job seekers wonder how they should present the resume package to the decision maker. There are several acceptable methods. If mailing it, use a large nine by twelve white envelope to avoid folding your materials. The white envelopes look nicer than the tan manila commonly used in business. Also large envelopes are generally the first thing people open when they get their mail. If not the first then they may save the large envelope for last. Since people tend to remember the first and the last - the alpha and the omega - while forgetting much of what is in the middle, either first or last is a good thing.

If you are hand delivering your documents stop by an office supply shop and pick up a clear plastic folder with a pressure binder spine and place your cover letter and resume in it. It makes a great presentation and will complement it perfectly. Use these tools well and you are on your way.

About the author: Heather Eagar provides reviews of the top resume writing services that put you in charge of your career so that you can get the job you deserve. sign-up for your free Job Search Tips E-course.

Author: Heather Eagar


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Tips on finding a Job!

 

Below are tips to help you with any job search.

 

Network: Most people find jobs through word-of-mouth. Talk to the people you know, including relatives, friends, professors, and former co-workers.  Let them know that you are looking for work; ask their advice; seek out introductions to people in the field that interests you.

 

Customize: Create a custom version of your resume for each job or industry that interests you. Your resume is usually an employers first contact with you. Make sure it highlights your skills that relate to the job that employer is seeking to fill.

 

Know yourself: Identify your skills. Work on communicating them effectively. You need to be able to lay out your skills, and explain how they relate to the job you're seeking. 

 

Organize and prioritize: Make a list to help keep track of your job search efforts. Preparing a list also helps you to organize your priorities and keeps you focused on your goal -- finding your perfect job.

 

Do your homework: Read the newspaper and trade journals to remain current on developments in your field of interest. Knowing the latest trends and mergers will help set you apart from other candidates in an interview. 

 

Practice, practice, practice: Preparation is the key to a successful interview. Know your skills and be ready to illustrate how they relate to the job in question. Practice with a friend to get comfortable with your responses and to formulate strong answers to questions you might not anticipate. Remember you are selling yourself so practice being a great salesperson.

 

Follow up: Follow up on all leads as soon as possible. If you don't, your competition may. Try and fallow up at least once to twice a week. You want to stay fresh in their mind and at the same time show how much you want the job. And, following an interview, always send a thank-you note the same day.

 

Keep your head up: Looking for a job can feel like a job in itself.  Don't let it get you down. With patience and hard work, you will find the right job.

 

Last but not least: Dress the part! Always dress professional. Now, you may not want to wear a 3 piece suit when applying for a position as a forklift operator but at the same time never apply or ask for an application wearing shorts, T-shirts,  flip-flops...and so on. Be well groomed, wear nice clean cloths and always remember that you only have one opportunity to make a first impression.