Q TIPS:
Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
Job-hunting tips from the February 13, 2006 issue of
QuintZine.
Robin Ryan, author of Winning Cover Letters, reports that a top result that came out of her national survey of 600
hiring managers and human resources personnel was best summarized by Melanie Prinsen, a vice president of human
resources, who said: "Applicants must use a cover letter!"
"Cover Letters are very influential," says Jim, a Cingular human resource manager, "and a well written letter can
grab an interview just on its own merit. It's too bad most job hunters are so lazy they don't write one."
Deb Walker (Alpha Advantage)
offers advice on avoiding one of the top cover-letter mistakes:
"A cover letter that begins nearly every sentence with 'I' is as
boring as a conversation with someone who only talks
about himself. That kind of person one avoids at all costs.
Is that the way you want your reader to see you?
Focusing all the attention on yourself may seem like a
good way to sell your skills. But it can also reflect lack
of interest in the company, in the job, and in making
a real contribution to that workplace. There's a good
balance to be drawn between selling yourself and selling
what you can do for the company.
Creating variety in the sentences of your cover letter
is an easy way to show your interest without being
self-centered. By shifting the emphasis to the
recipient/company -- and away from yourself --
you can prove that your main interest is not just in
winning the job but also in doing it effectively. Try to
rewrite sentences that start with 'I,' 'me,' or 'my,' to start with
'You,' or 'Your.' Show how you can make a difference for them."
One of the many advantages of sending a cover letter is its flexibility. You can do more than just sell an employer
on interviewing you, says Teena Rose of Resume to Referral.
You can, for example, use a cover letter for:
Articulating relocation choice or willingness to travel;
Stating salary requirement, if requested by company;
Robin Ryan, author of Winning Cover Letters, reports that a top result that came out of her national survey of 600
hiring managers and human resources personnel was best summarized by Melanie Prinsen, a vice president of human
resources, who said: "Applicants must use a cover letter!"
