Creating your Resume
Your resume is the piece of information that lets a potential employer know what your skills are and whether or not you would be a good fit for the available position and/or the company. For this reason, your resume must be as detailed and informative as possible without reaching too far beyond a one-page limit.
A second function of the resume is to be as attractive as possible. This is not meant in a purely aesthetic way; it simply means that you must create a resume that will draw as much attention as possible. Remember, getting noticed is the only way to get the job.
Traditional Resume
A traditional resume is the document full of pretty fonts and formatting that you most likely think of when you hear the word resume. In the past, it was just this sort of resume that you would send along to a potential employer. While this type of resume is becoming less common, it is important that you keep an updated version of a traditional resume on hand; you should bring it with you to every job interview.
Scannable Resume
A scannable resume is a basic resume—stripped of any fancy fonts or formatting —that will be fed into a scanner and spit out in the form of an electronic database listing. When employers are hiring for a specific position, they will type in a set of key words to search for, and the computer will respond with a list of possible candidates. The key to a great scannable resume is to create as many key words as possible. Think about the skills, buzz words and characteristics that an employer might seek out when researching potential employees, and make sure you include these words in your resume. Remember, the more key words, the more likely your name will turn up in a search.
Electronic Resume
An electronic resume is a scannable resume that is sent via e-mail. Because everyone’s e-mail program is different, you’ll want to make sure that there is absolutely NO FORMATTING on this resume. Even boldfaced and italicized words can ruin the overall look of your resume in this case, so it is best to employ capital letters to separate sections. Unless otherwise specified, it is best to send electronic resumes in the body of an e-mail rather than as an attachment. This is done for at least two reasons. First, with the number of computer viruses that are always circulating, people are often reluctant to open e-mail attachments from unknown senders. And second, regardless of the word processing program the receiver may use, including your resume in the body of the message can help ensure that it remains readable.
Writing an Effective Cover Letter
In the job search, many people tend to shrug off the idea of a cover letter as a mere nuisance. They’re wrong! Ask any recruiter or hiring manager and they’re likely to tell you “no cover letter, no interview.” Even if you are sending your resume via e-mail, take the time to compose a compelling cover letter that really sells your skills.
Taking the time to put together such a letter shows the employer that you are interested in the position that they have to offer, not just any position that will bring home a paycheck. The cover letter also offers you the change to fill in any holes in your resume. For example, if you’ve been out of the work force for several years, a cover letter offers you the opportunity to explain why: e.g. “Having spent the past six years at home with my daughter, I now feel it is time to re-enter the work force, and I look forward to doing so with much vigor.” Another advantage to a cover letter is that it lets you offer up a bit of your personality. This it not to say the cover letter is a showcase for your personality,; you may be the class cut-up, but a cover letter is neither the time nor the place to try our your latest comedy routine. Keep the tone polite and professional.
Writing the Follow-up or Thank-you letter
Although many people think of the thank-you as not necessary, it is quickly becoming a mandatory part of the job search process. Many recruiters even claim that the thank-you letter, which is essentially the same as a follow-up letter, is sort of a last test of a candidate’s suitability. If they receive the letter within the next few days, the candidate scores some definite points with the interviewer. If they do not receive a letter, the job may go to another candidate who had the courtesy to thank the interviewer for his or her time.
Aside from being a recruiter test, sending a thank-you letter to the person or people with whom you met during your interview can be a way for you to underscore your continued interest in the position and the company. If you’ve ever been in the situation where you’ve come up with the perfect response to a question—three hours after the fact—the followu-up letter is the way in which you can express such a response.
Though it should be short and sweet, you should feel free to (tactfully) mention any details you may have forgotten in the course of the interview. If the interview didn’t go as well as you had hoped, the thank-you letter is also the time to win back some lost points.
Be polite and make sure to express your continued interest in the position, as well as your ability to perform the duties the job requires. Make sure to proofread the letter carefully and, if you’re unsure of how to spell the person’s name, call the company and ask the receptionist or someone else who migh know. While a handwritten letter on a piece of nice stationery is the best way to do it (providing your handwriting is legible), sending a quick e-mail is okay, too. If the interviewer’s e-mail address is listed on his or her card, use it. If not, don’t ask for it. Make sure to write and send this thank-you letter immediately following the interview so that your meeting is still fresh in the interviewer’s mind. It will help to put a face to the letter and, it is hoped, a face to the position they’re hiring for.
For a rough idea of how to write a thank-you letter to an interviewer, look at the sample included in this material. Remember, you should send a note to each person you spoke with during your visit to the office. If sending multiple letters, make sure that each one of them reads a little big differently, you certainly don’t want all these people to get together, compare notes, and question your creativity.
When closing the letter, be sure to use “Sincerely,” Contrary to popular opinion, “Love” will not score you any points. Also, be sure that you both type and sign your name to the letter. Proofread the letter carefully and make sure there are no errors. If you find mistakes or types, rewrite the letter completely. Pen scratches and correction fluid are completely inappropriate.
