The resume writers from ResumeEdge, a Nelnet company and leading online provider of resume writing services, today shared a new resource, “Tips for an Impactful Cover Letter.” Hiring managers routinely receive hundreds, perhaps thousands, of responses from applicants for any given job. To land a job in today’s marketplace, it’s essential to make a great first impression. A persuasive and well-written cover letter is the key to convincing a hiring manager to read an accompanying resume.
“A cover letter should make a hiring manager crave more information,” said Nina Freier, Director of ResumeEdge. “Be selective with word choice and overall approach. I highly encourage people to use these tips from our skilled resume writers to ensure success.”
Unless otherwise instructed, a cover letter should accompany every resume; it allows job seekers to add value to their marketability. Here are some of the suggestions offered by ResumeEdge resume writers:
· Pay attention to appearance
A resume and cover letter must be aesthetically pleasing and consistent. This would include using the same heading and fonts in each document. Save expensive stationery and hip fonts for writing letters to friends. A professional employment package never sets a casual tone.
· Set the stage with a strong opening
A vibrant opening paragraph is critical to capture and retain a hiring manager’s interest. It should be pared down to essentials for a quick and effective read and include reference to the position being sought. Include a brief statement explaining why you are qualified for the job. Emphasis should be placed on what you can do for the company and don’t neglect to provide any quantifiable proof.
· A vague salutation can be detrimental
If possible,use the hiring manager’s name in the salutation. If the contact’s name isn’t provided in the job posting, a bit of Internet research or a well-structured phone call can produce results. In using the contact’s name, the cover letter is personalized, while also showing the applicant’s interest in the company. A letter addressed to ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ or worse, ‘To Whom It May Concern,’ has the same impact as one addressed to ‘Dear Occupant.’
· Bullet out accomplishments
Include a bulleted section to emphasize accomplishments pertinent to the position. This technique breaks up daunting, large blocks of text and draws the eye toward the most important part of the cover letter—what you have to offer.
· Be proactive in the closing
Remember to initiate further action at the end of a cover letter. A proactive closing indicates that you will call within a few days to see if a time can be scheduled to meet. Don’t wait for a hiring manager to take that first step and risk losing the opportunity.
Depending on the type of job posting a job seeker is responding to, applicants should generally use one of these three types of cover letters: those sent to a specified person (e.g. the hiring manager), those sent in response to a "blind" advertisement (e.g. only a P.O. Box or a job-reference number is provided), and those sent to recruiters. There are subtle nuances to each kind of cover letter. To learn more visit http://www.resumeedge.com/resume-writing/letters/cover-letter-types/index.php?nav=rc.clc.
For help crafting a resume and cover letter, ResumeEdge, a company that specializes in professional resume services, can help. The certified resume specialists at ResumeEdge embrace the art of resume writing and are instrumental in helping job seekers connect with hiring professionals between hiring professionals and job seekers.
To learn more about ResumeEdge’s resume writing service, resume editing services and career resources, visit ResumeEdge.com.
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