Searching for a New Job?

     If you've taken some time off to raise a family and now find yourself going through a divorce and in need of a job, a well-written resume is probably your most powerful job search tool. The cover letter that typically accompanies it should properly introduce you as a viable job applicant, capture the reader’s attention, and showcase your qualifications – all in a few short paragraphs. This objective might sound simply, but in reality, it’s not.            

Visually, a cover letter should compliment your resume. Thus, it should be typed and printed (never hand-written) using the same type of paper, and same easy-to-read font and ink color as your resume, in order to demonstrate continuity. In terms of length, keep it short and to the point – never more than a few paragraphs that fit on a single side of one 8.5-inch by 11-inch page.  

HAVE A CLEAR PURPOSE           

According to Resume Resources (www.resume-resource.com/coverwriting.html), a free online resource that offers resume and cover letter creation tips, “The cover letter is the formal introduction that provides a brief explanation of your job field, experience, areas of expertise and relevant knowledge in relationship to the job being applied for. The cover letter should highlight key points in the resume and specifically should address all items within the summary of your resume.”            

Your resume also serves as a writing sample for the perspective employer. It should be able to demonstrate your ability to communicate well in writing, which is a valuable skill in the business world. Thus, this document should be proofread carefully before it’s sent, so it contains absolutely no spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. Misused words are also a resume and cover letter no-no. For example, using the word “witch” when you meant “which.” If the reader (your potential employer or the human resources professional) catches even a simple error, which is something they’re typically on the lookout for, it could take you out of the running for the job you’ve applied for. Keep in mind, the employer has probably received dozens of resume and cover letter packages from other equally qualified candidates that contained no errors. Resume Resources reports that your cover letter is all about “taking the best of your qualifications and characteristics, and making them exciting and enticing to the prospective employer. It’s a carefully crafted letter that leads the employer to the resume to see why you are the best candidate for the job.”