Clever Cover Letters

Now that you have a better idea of where you would like to apply for a job, what comes next? As a college student or recent graduate, you have most likely written at least one cover letter and resume by now (and if not, now is the time to start practicing!). I know there are plenty of other exciting things you rather be doing with your time than, but having an awesome cover letter and resume can be a critical factor in determining whether you get a job or not. 

For those of you who are not familiar with a cover letter, it’s a three paragraph business formatted letter that you send to the hiring manager at a company. It explains your interest in working for the company, which position you are applying for, why you are the best person for the job, and that you are looking for an interview. The cover letter goes on top of your resume and gives you the opportunity to briefly introduce yourself. It also allows the employer to get to know you a little more than a resume can. So, the only problem now is figuring out what to write! 

The first paragraph in your cover letter should really STAND OUT to the reader. Well, not literally cap locking words to stand out, but your writing should be dynamic. It’s great to mention something positive you heard about the company, and why this company interests you over other companies. Hey, a little brown-nosing can never hurt, right! Also, remember my last blog about networking and making connections? Employers really like to see that you’ve already made a connection with an employee by using that person as a referral. It shows you have a deep interest in the company and it’s very important to mention this in the first paragraph, otherwise, manager might scan right over it. 

Now, you should sell yourself. And no, I don’t mean like the girls that hang out on the street corner! In the second paragraph, you want the employer to realize that you really have all ‘the right stuff’ for this job. Take a few minutes to think about what makes you special, and why hiring you, over the other hundreds of applicants, is a great idea. Think along the lines of what you can do to benefit their company. For example, explain a huge accomplishment you made in a few sentences, or experiences that qualify you for the position. Writing that you are “I’m a hard worker,” is not only boring, it’s pretty lame. I know you can come up with something a little more exciting than that! Try something more like this: “During my summer internship at WPRO, my experiences prove I work well as a team leader under strict deadlines.” A few strong sentences like that will want to make the employer call you. 

The closing paragraph is just as important as the first, not that the second paragraph isn’t important, but people tend to remember things they read first and last. For this paragraph, the most essential part is to not just ask, but declare that you want an interview. You can do this by simply stating, “I’m look forward to meeting you to discuss my qualifications…” After this, write your contact information (more than one preferably) and say something like, “I will be calling you on…” and name the day you will call for a follow up with the employer. 

And now… for the big finale! To make your cover letter complete, sign the letter with “Sincerely” and your name. Voilà, you’re done! Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? 

Perfect example of what NOT to put on your resume: 

Also keep in mind:

*Address the cover letter to a person, not just “To whom it may concern.” If you aren’t sure where to send the letter, search the company website or call them and ask.

*A cover letter should reflect your personality and have no errors

*Your cover letter is important because it’s the first thing an employer looks at

*The letter should be typed on the computer, and sign your name in pen at the bottom

*Keep the letter short, managers are busy people, and probably won’t read an essay length letter

For More information, follow these links I found on the University of Rhode Island Career Services page.  

The Internet: Your New Best Friend

I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times. That’s right, you’ve guessed it, ‘there are no jobs.’ The job outlook in the United States seems, well, almost hopeless at times. Whether you are a recent college graduate, or someone who has been endlessly looking for a job, there is hope for you yet! The trick is knowing where to look for a career. For this blog entry, I would like to write about utilizing social media and the Internet, networking with others, and getting organized. I am currently in this stage of my career search and I would like to share with you what I have discovered so far. 

Today, there is no doubt in my mind that the Internet plays a vital role in finding a career. For those of you who don’t already have a Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn account, I would highly recommend making one right now! Well, at least wait until you finish reading my blog. Social media and networking sites like Facebook practically scream opportunity! According to Facebook, there are more than 100 million active people using this site. Even larger than Facebook, LinkedIn reported their site has over 120 million users, making it the world’s largest professional network on the Internet. 

Networking websites offer endless opportunities for job seekers by making you more visible to potential employers, and gaining references for a job. Whoever came up with the expression “it’s all about who you know,” couldn’t be more correct. According to Barbara Safani, author of “The Ultimate Guide to Networking,” says most people get jobs from people they know. However, this doesn’t mean ‘friend requesting’ everyone that shows up on Facebook or LinkedIn and asking them for a job. Safani says to establish a relationship with someone first by asking for advice or information that will help your job search. Once you have established new relationships, ask your connections to recommend someone else to speak with. By talking with many different people, this expands your network, and possibilities for finding a job. 

With all the new friends you will be making through social networking, it may be hard to keep track of new contacts and referrals. To help keep your ‘oh so popular’ life well managed, try using jibberjobber.com (try saying that five times fast). Creating an account with this website allows you to not only organize your contacts, but follow up on jobs you are interested in. And the best part about it all? Jibber Jobber and the other networking sites I mentioned earlier are all free to use. Pretty cool, huh?