This activity should be approached with energy and enthusiasm!
The recruiter should be knocked over by the words that (though professionally written and layed out) demonstrate your energy, enthusiasm and most importantly relevant skills and talents. How we approach a writing assignment will often be felt by the reader. If you dread writing the document, your dread will come through in every word. Each becoming increasingly more and more difficult to endure until the reader finally gives up and puts your document aside. I admit it! It doesn't take long for me discard a document when I feel my energy shrinking while reading someone lackluster work--especially in resume and/or coverletter form.
If you are actively seeking employment, whether due to job loss, dissatisfaction or need for a change, you must sell yourself! Unlike in years past when there were far more jobs than qualified people to fill them, today there are not only fewer jobs than qualified people, there are oftentimes hundreds of highly-qualified people vying for the same job. How do you compete?
Your resume and coverletter should speak to the needs of the employer and have him saying,
"This is the one!"
Have you ever had a prospective employer say at the start of an interview, "I feel I already know you"? I have! I don't mean to imply that you should use pink paper, spray perfume on the envelope or any of the other countless unprofessional moves I have seen jobseekers make in an effort to stand out. You are looking to get hired, not to get a date! Allow your personality to shine through while demonstrating that you have the skills, talents and energy to exceed their expectations.
Here are a few tips:
- Read the job announcement two or three times. Then ask yourself these questions:
- Does this job fit into my overall career goal?
- Do I really have the skills they are looking for?
- Can I highlight in a coverletter at least two relevant experiences related to their needs?
- If you answer yes to each of these questions, you should apply!.
- Review your resume and make any necessary changes so that the recruiter can easily see your relevant skills and experience.
- Draft a customized coverletter. This is your opportunity to "speak" to the recruiter. Nothing is worse than reading a generic coverletter. When it comes to the job search (and most everything else), laziness is your enemy! Won't the 15-20 minutes that it will take for your to write, proofread and edit a customized letter be well worth it when you hear "You're hired"? So invest the time.
Michelle Nusum
The Word Woman