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Cover Letter Tips for New Graduates

Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:13:00 -0700

The employment outlook for new graduates is still gloomy, but you have a good chance of landing a job if you launch an aggressive search. A well-crafted cover letter should be part of this proactive strategy -- experts say that customizing your letter can open doors to new opportunities. Here’s how.

Know the Employer

While distributing the same cover letter to every employer saves time, you won’t stand out from the crowd of applicants doing the same thing.

“Research the company, learn about their culture and business needs, and speak directly to those needs, says Kim Mohiuddin, certification chair for the National Resume Writers’ Association and president of Movin’ On Up Resumes, a resume-writing firm in San Diego. “This personalized approach shows that you care about and are qualified for the opportunity.”

Louise Kursmark, coauthor of Cover Letter Magic also advises graduates to customize their letters. “Show your enthusiasm and connect your knowledge, experience and career interests to the specific employer and job opportunity,” she says.

Kursmark also suggests customizing not only what you say in your cover letter, but also whom you send it to. “Make a personal connection with someone who works at the company and ask for a referral to the hiring authority,” she says.

What to Include

You might lack real-world work experience, but your cover letter can be chock-full of activities that demonstrate your potential to succeed.

These activities could include “volunteer work, class projects and extracurricular activities, as well as special interests such as traveling or playing sports,” says Barb Poole, president of career-management firm Hire Imaging in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

New grads can also mention a high GPA, school leadership positions and seasonal jobs in their cover letters to stand out, says Betty Williams, a nationally certified resume writer and owner of BW Custom Resumes.

Williams suggests finding out what skills are important to the employer, then showing how you have used those skills.

For example, Williams assisted a graduate in the tourism field who was applying for outdoor recreation course instructor positions. She included the following in her cover letter to highlight the leadership skills that were vital to the job: “My leadership experience includes serving as a backpacking trip leader for an on-campus club that coordinated outdoor adventures. I also designed and implemented ropes programs for community groups of up to 100 participants.” (See a sample cover letter for a recent graduate.)

Be Passionate

Communicating that you’re genuinely into the kind of work you’re seeking is key, says Anthony Spadafore, director of Pathfinders, a Washington, DC-based career-consulting firm and coauthor of Now What? The Young Person's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career. “Show that you’re walking the walk by how you have already been doing what you want to do,” he says. “If you want to work for a company that builds Web sites, do you have a portfolio of Web sites or blogs that you designed for friends?”

Your passion and motivation for launching your career is a selling point -- this type of excitement isn’t always evident with more experienced workers. “In the cover letter, talk about one or two pertinent examples from your major life choices, lifelong interests, hobbies and passions, with the goal of showing how your proclivities and ideals are aligned with the employer’s projects and contributions to the world,” Spadafore says.

Cover Letter Format

Your cover letter is not your autobiography -- hit on the key points that would interest employers, but keep the letter short.

“Include a brief opening paragraph that mentions the specifics of the position you are targeting, followed by four to five bullets reflecting qualifications that are relevant to their requirements,” Poole says.

The final paragraph should end with a bang -- clearly state how you would contribute to the employer’s operation, and confidently ask for an interview.

Unsure of Your Career Goal?

Do some career exploration before writing a cover letter. “Hiring managers should not have to figure out how your skills meet their needs -- do that work for them,” Mohiuddin says. If you have more than one possible direction, write different cover letters for each objective.

“As you gain clarity about what you’re good at and most want, you’ll be ready to communicate from a genuine, confident space,” Spadafore says.

Don’t be afraid to ask for cover letter help either -- you can post your letter to Monster’s Cover Letter Tips forum for free advice.

See more career advice at Monster.com

Avoid Resume Analysis Paralysis

Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:03:00 -0700

Could you have resume-itis?

Resume-itis is “a mental condition where the job seeker assumes that all problems with their job search can easily be solved by changing a few words on their resume,” says Patricia Phillips, executive director of career management at the University of Rochester’s Simon Graduate School of Business.

Pennsylvania career consultant Ford Myers calls it something else: Analysis paralysis. That’s a seemingly endless stream of resume feedback from well-intentioned friends, relatives and colleagues who provide opinions but rarely offer any expertise.

Fortunately, there is a quick, two-step cure for resume-itis/analysis paralysis: Limit the number of people critiquing your resume, and be smart about the people you choose. Here’s how to do both.

Quality Beats Quantity

Stetson University business communication professor Katharine Hansen helps many students and alums with their resumes. But perhaps none stands out more -- for the wrong reasons -- than the young grad who took analysis paralysis to new heights.

“It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that he brought me his resume 100 times for review,” says Hansen, author of several career-related books, including A Foot in the Door.

Turns out he was getting resume critiques from other professors at the same time, Hansen says. So the student would end up changing things Hansen had already fixed on another critiquer’s advice and then would bring his resume back to Hansen, who would once again point out trouble spots she’d addressed previously -- or so she thought. “It was definitely counterproductive,” Hansen says.

Solution? Limit both the number of people critiquing your resume and the number of times they critique it, says Carly Drum, managing director of New York City executive search firm Drum Associates.

“I recommend having one individual who understands what you do critique the accomplishments and achievements you list on your resume,” Drum says. “From a knowledge standpoint, have this person critique whether the information flows and/or describes accurately what you do and the level that you are at.”

Then you can have your resume evaluated by someone who doesn’t really understand you or your skills but still has plenty of corporate experience. “He or she can look at your resume to see if it shows what you do and what type of position you’re looking for,” Drum says.

Seek True Expertise

One of the inherent problems in asking people to critique your resume is that all of them believe they’re qualified to do so. “Seemingly, it’s one of those ‘guy things’ -- all men seem to think they know how to a) start a charcoal fire, b) score inside the 10 and c) write a resume,” says organizational psychologist Jim Hazen, president of Pennsylvania-based Applied Behavioral Insights.

Not true -- on all counts. So when you want to have your resume critiqued, find someone, preferably in your chosen field, who knows what he’s talking about.

“A critique by an industry expert helps, especially if your skills fit into several categories,” says Carol Vellucci, assistant to the president for communications at Towson University and former director of the school’s career center.

Once you’ve gone through resumes checklists and had your resume evaluated by two or three knowledgeable people, it’s time to start sending it out to the critiquers who matter most: Prospective employers and agencies.

“Ask a trusted source to critique your resume, then get going on your job search,” advises human resources consultant Roberta Chinsky Matuson, president of Massachusetts-based Human Resource Solutions and a former Monster contributor. “It’s about results, not perfection.”

Originally published at Monster.com

Get Your Military Resume in Shape for a Civilian Job Search

Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:58:00 -0700

You're leaving the service and are faced with the daunting task of developing your resume. Your military career is filled with accomplishments, but even the most decorated veteran needs to figure out how to effectively communicate and sell those successes in civilian terms. Follow these tips to draft a high-impact resume that shows how your military experience is transferable to a civilian job.

Define Your Civilian Job Objective

You can't effectively market yourself for a civilian job if you don't have a clearly defined goal. Because so many service people have diverse backgrounds, they often make the mistake of creating resumes that are too general to be effective. Before writing your resume, do some soul searching, research occupations and pinpoint a specific career path. If you're having trouble with this step, tap into your local transition office or solicit the help of a career coach. If you're torn between two or more potential goals, set up different resumes.

Create a Resume That Speaks to Employers' Needs

Now that your objective is defined, you're ready to create a winning resume. Consider a resume's purpose: To answer the employer's question, "What can this person do for me?"

A great way to start thinking about employers' needs is to research your target job. Search for jobs on Monster, scour company Web sites and read as many job postings as possible. What types of skills and experiences are employers seeking? What aspects of your background are most relevant?

Any information that does not relate to your goal should be eliminated or de-emphasized, and this includes any unrelated military awards, training and distinctions. For example, that medal you won for rifle marksmanship doesn't belong on a civilian resume. This is often the hardest step for ex-military personnel, which is why it's so common to see their resumes span five pages or more. As you decide which information to include, ask yourself, "Will a potential employer care about this experience?" Include only the information that will help you land an interview.

Assume No Knowledge of the Military

Demilitarize your job titles, duties, accomplishments, training and awards to appeal to civilian hiring managers. Employers with no exposure to the military don't understand the terminology and acronyms, so translate these into civilianese. Show your resume to several nonmilitary friends and ask them to point out terms they don't understand. Refer to job postings and Military.com's skills translator for help substituting civilian keywords for military terms.

Showcase Your Accomplishments

Your military career has offered you excellent opportunities for training, practical experience and advancement. Tout these accomplishments on your resume so the average civilian understands the importance of your achievements and the measurable outcomes.

Here's an example of a demilitarized accomplishment statement:

Increased employee retention rate by 16 percent by focusing on training, team building and recognition programs. Earned reputation as one of the most progressive and innovative IT organizations in the Army's communications and IT community.

Here's an example of incorporating a military award so employers understand its value:

Received Army Achievement Medal for completing 400+ medical evaluations and developing patient database using MS Access. Database improved reporting functions and tracked patient demographics, records, medication, appointments and status.

Flaunt Your Military Background

You might have heard you need to develop a functional resume to mask or downplay your military experience, but the opposite is true. Your military experience is an asset and should be marketed as such. Many employers realize the value of bringing veterans on board. Attributes honed in the military include dedication, leadership, teamwork, positive work ethic and cross-functional skills. If you fear a potential employer won't realize the significance of your military experience, make sure your resume clearly communicates the value you bring to the table.

If You Were in Active Combat, Leave out the Details

Defending your country and its interests is among the most admirable pursuits, but the sad truth is actual references to the horrors of combat leave many employers squeamish. While you might have worked in a short-range air defense engagement zone, this experience might not relate to your future goal. Tone down or remove references to the battlefield.

Test-Drive Your Resume

For some veterans, developing a resume that works in the civilian world is an ongoing process. After you've polished your resume, start your distribution and keep track of your resume's response rate. Solicit feedback and listen carefully to suggestions for improving your resume. Continue modifying the document until it successfully generates job interviews.

See more career advice at Monster.com

Five Resume Mistakes You Should Avoid

Jaime Weinstein | Writer for Institutions of Higher Learning — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:45:00 -0700

Everyone’s made a mistake or three at one point or another in their career. The mistakes that sting the most are ones that can cost a job, or a potential job. My mistake involves a resume with a typo.

Over the course of a few months I interviewed several times with the same company. Prior to my final interview, the HR Recruiter asked for an updated resume. I happily obliged her request and made the update. At the same time a rogue key, courtesy of my laptop’s over-sensitive keypad, inserted itself in my resume as well. Luckily, I was able to catch this mistake before walking into the interview and explain what happened before losing the opportunity to continue the interview.

Learn From Other’s Mistakes
Thousands of other applicants are not as lucky when it comes to avoiding the #1 resume mistake – typos and grammatical errors (as cited in a Monster.com resume article). The last thing you want is for an employer to think you cannot communicate well, or that you don’t care about your job. To ensure that your resume gets the attention it deserves, here are four mistakes to avoid:

2. Don’t lack specifics. A resume with vague references will not get noticed. Employers want to know what you’ve done and any notable accomplishments.

3. Don’t take a one size fits all approach. Using one resume for all job applications will not help your resume stand out of the pile. Employers want to see how you will be an asset to their company.

4. Don’t highlight duties instead of accomplishments. This goes hand-in-hand with point number two. By making sure that your accomplishments are attached to the duties that led to your achievements, you are able to show a positive cause and effect relationship with your work.

5. Don’t create your resume too long or too short. There isn’t a specific standard when it comes to how many pages a resume should be. If you utilize points one through four, you’ll be on your way to a healthier-looking resume. Monster.com recommends two pages as a good starting point, and if you go over that amount it’s okay. You can always trim your wording down. Just make sure it’s not lacking specifics or lists an accomplishment without a duty, or vice versa.

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By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the proper strategies, you’ll be on your way to a stronger resume. Another way to strengthen your resume is through listing your credentials. Experience coupled with education makes the strongest impact to resumes that catch employers’ eyes.

Well-respected universities such as Florida Tech offer a wide variety of convenient degree programs. Florida Tech, for example offers a variety of 100% online degree programs ranging from associate’s level all the way to master’s. The online degree programs allow you to work your classes around your busy schedule while achieving your academic goals.

By keeping points 1-5 in mind, you can avoid the same resume mistakes that I, along with many other people have made along the way. Before you get started on writing that resume, go ahead and check out what Florida Tech can do for you!

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By Jaime Weinstein, Writer for Institutions of Higher Learning

5 Signs Your Resumé is Passé

Tania Khadder | GovCentral — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:27:00 -0700

The workplace is not what it was five years ago. Neither is the job hunt.

The most successful candidates are those who are ready and willing to adapt to a changing landscape. But it doesn’t matter how ready you are for the modern workplace if your resumé’s straight out of 1994.

And sometimes, it's the most minute details that make all the difference.

Does your resumé speak to the modern hiring manager? Or does it need a serious makeover?

Your resumé might be passé if…

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#1: You’ve forced it to fit onto one page

You’ve reduced your font size to eight, eliminated margins altogether and left out key information about yourself, all to conform to that age-old “one page resumé” rule. Big mistake. After all, would a recent college grad really need the same amount of resumé real estate as someone who’s been in the workforce for 20 years? Of course not.

Don’t get me wrong: Your resumé should be concise. Recruiters are busy people – they don’t have time or the patience for long-winded career chronologies. But if your experience warrants two pages, by all means, don’t limit yourself to one.

#2: You list an objective

Of course you’re looking to gain more experience in the field/sector/type of company to which you’re applying. Your interest in the job implies that. Do you really need to say it at the very top of your resumé?

At this point in the selection process, hiring managers are far more interested in what you can do for them than what they can do for you.

If you want to explain why you’re applying for the job, say so in your cover letter. Resumé space is far too valuable to waste on information that is both redundant and inconsequential.

Continue reading on next page →

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#3: You write “References available upon request” at the bottom

Once again, a waste of valuable space. Do you really need to say so? The hiring manager can only assume that if they ask you for references, you’ll provide them. What, are you going to say “no?”

Instead, prepare a list of references with contact details and your relationship to each. Hold onto it until you’re further along in the selection process — you don’t want to annoy your references with repeated contact by employers who are less than serious about you. Most respectable employers wouldn’t bother to contact a reference until they are fully ready to make you an offer.

#4: You attach it to your email as a Word document

While you’re unlikely to be penalized for emailing a Word document, there’s a lot to be said for converting it to a PDF before sending.

A PDF document just looks neater. And even if you’ve gone crazy with the formatting, it will show up correctly on the hiring manager’s computer no matter what their settings, Word version, or font inventory. Besides, do you really want those squiggly red lines showing up under your former company’s name?

Stick to PDF. It’s the only surefire way to display your resumé exactly as you intended it.

#5: You list every job you’ve ever had in chronological order

In the olden days, the person with the most experience got the job.

Nowadays, the person who’s most talented, has the most relevant skill set, and has proven to be most valuable to his or her former employers gets the job.

If you want to be that person, make sure your resumé says so. Don’t list jobs that are irrelevant to the one you’re applying for just to fill up space. Instead, expand on the jobs that are relevant. Focus on measurable achievements in each role as opposed to a play-by-play of your daily responsibilities.

Learn More: 10 Worst Time Wasters at Work

Federal Resume Writing Checklist

Jason Kay | KSA Doctor — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:49:00 -0700

A federal resume is a tool for gaining or advancing one’s career in the government arena. At its core, it is similar to the standard private sector resume. However key differences exist in the type and amount of information provided. Therefore, in order to be successful with federal employment, it is necessary to be mindful of these differences.

Application Differences

Unlike the private sector, federal resumes are reviewed by people rather than software. Further, these individuals are seeking information that demonstrates that the application has direct knowledge or experience of the position he/she has applied for. Therefore, it is necessary to:

• Review the specific job announcement for the skills and knowledge required.

• Include previous experiences, often accompanied by quantifiable results and accomplishments

Organization Differences

Information in a federal resume is most commonly presented in chronological format. List:

• Educational history before work history

• Highest level of education attained followed by earlier schooling (including high school)

• Number of course hours completed if college coursework has been completed but a degree was not received

• Work history in reverse order with most recent experience listed first

• Summarize work history for at least the last 10 years

Formatting Differences

Once the content of the resume is drafted, it is necessary to ensure that it is properly formatted. Use:

• Commonly accepted font such as Times New Roman or Arial

• Main text in 11 point type

• Margins no less than 1 inch

• 3 to 5 pages in length (typically longer than private sector resumes)

Information Differences

There are several key pieces of information that must be included on a federal resume that are not typically utilized on a private sector resume. Vital content to include:

Beginning of the resume

• Announcement number

• Title

• Grade of the job

Further down...

• Include your social security number

• Veteran’s preference

• Number of hours worked per week for each position listed

• Hourly or annual salary for each position listed

• Specify GS numbers and Grades for current or past federal jobs

Also provide or attach:

• Supervisor’s name, phone number, and address for each position on the resume

• Whether the recruiter has the candidate’s permission to contact the supervisor

• No permission granted? Address this issue in the cover letter that accompanies the resume

• Typically, candidates must address knowledge, skill, and abilities (KSA) factors specified in the job announcements on separate attachments submitted with the resume

By observing a few stylistic and information differences, candidates for government employment can create a resume that speaks strongly to their abilities to perform the duties of the job to which they are applying.

Military to Federal Resume Tips

Kathryn Troutman — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:14:00 -0700

After leaving the military, many servicemen and women must find their first private-industry job or consider using their combat experience to advance their previous careers. One of the most difficult challenges in making this transition is translating military experience into marketable private-industry skills on your resume.

Military experience can be simplified by the following four straightforward principles:
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h3. Skip the Acronyms

Acronyms exist in every career path - doctors, computer scientists and military generals all use them to simplify communication with colleagues. However when switching fields, you need to bear in mind that acronyms are not universally understood. Even within the services - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard - the same acronym can mean different things. Try to avoid acronyms, or, if absolutely necessary, be sure to spell them out the first reference.

_How It Would Look on a Resume_: I arranged housing for new families on the base and assisted with soldiers making a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).

h3. Focus on Verbs, Not Nouns

Military jobs tend to be very specific, leading many military applicants to focus too much on nouns. Private industry resumes focus more on verbs. For example, if you were a helicopter mechanic, you do not need to list every type of helicopter you repaired. Instead, you should find strong verbs that convey your transferable skills. For help translating your military skills to the civilian job market, check out Military.com's MOS Decoder.

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_How It Would Look on a Resume_: Diagnosed mechanical problems in aviation equipment. Installed, maintained, calibrated and repaired sensitive navigation devices.

h3. Highlight Your Core Competencies

Core competencies are also known as soft skills and help form the big picture of your skill set. How do all your skills relate to each other in a way that advances your organization’s mission? Transporting materials, coordinating logistics and ensuring timeliness are all aspects of being results-driven and detail-oriented. Highlight the core competency by making it the headline of your job experience narrative. You can use capital letters.

_How It Would Look on a Resume_: PEOPLE SKILLS: Prepare and present oral and written briefings, reports analyses and recommendations to senior managers. Effectively communicate team strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, work products and services.

h3. Campaigns and Operations = Projects

In private industry, people spend much of their time focused on projects. These projects may include a marketing initiative, new store opening or regular delivery of service to a customer. In the military, such projects are called campaigns or operations.

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In a resume, campaigns and operations can be highlighted just like a private-industry project. When describing your service, don’t be afraid to mention the overreaching operations in which you participate. You can also include a special “Record of Accomplishments” section to illustrate your dedication and ability to contribute to a broader mission.

_How It Would Look on a Resume_: RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Operation Iraqi Freedom - Supervised three personnel engaged in managing the scheduling of more than 13,000 passengers and 30,000 pounds of equipment for air transportation. Manifested, prioritized and scheduled all flights for personnel and equipment moves in and out of Baghdad.
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h3. The Takeaway?

Translating your military experience for private industry is challenging but not impossible. These four principles can help you overcome roadblocks. Remember that your contribution in the service was part of a much larger campaign and mission. If you can serve your nation, you can do anything.

How Are Federal Resumes Different?

Monster Federal Career Coach by Kathryn Troutman — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:59:00 -0800

How are Federal Government resumes different then your usual job resume? We've got the answers for you.

_Monster member twilliams 406 asks_:
I have a private-sector resume that I think looks pretty good; can I keep anything from it when I write my federal resume, or is it better to start from scratch?

_The Federal Career Coach responds_:
You might be able to keep some of the language, but chances are you'll need to build and add more content to your resume for it to match government vacancy announcements as well as make the most of your federal job search. If you find two or three jobs that look interesting, look at the language that outlines the duties and try to use some of those words as resume keywords.

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Submitting a private-industry resume is a common error. The job seeker knows he's qualified ou'll have to describe your work in more detail. The one-line bullet point that you might have used in your private-sector resume will become four or six lines or four sentences.

For example, on a private-sector resume, you might have a bullet that says: "Led a team of 12 project coordinators, writers and editors." On your federal resume, you can say: "Led a team of 12, delegated tasks to the various team members, planned agendas for meetings, reviewed work, trained staff in carrying out project loads, resolved problems, prepared briefings for senior officials based on project deadlines, established benchmarks."

_It almost sounds like your federal resume should sound like what you would say in a private-sector interview, where someone reads a bullet point on your resume and says, "Could you explain this?"_

That's a very good point. It's more of an expanded written/verbal resume. In fact, a government resume is considered to be the application, an examination, because they examine the resume to ensure you're qualified. And sometimes government hiring managers don't interview -- they hire based on what they see on the resume.

Next Page: Can you send a resume and get a job offer from it?

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_So you could send a resume and get a job offer from it?_

Yes, absolutely.

_What other forms do I have to fill out? I've heard about something called KSAs._

KSA stands for Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. These are narrative statements that the agency asks you to write to support your resume. The narratives provide examples supporting your ability to plan and coordinate, for instance. So you would give an example of how you planned and coordinated a meeting, conference or a travel schedule for someone, and you would write about that example to demonstrate that you can plan and coordinate.

_How long are these, and how many do you have to fill out?_

One page or less. Two-thirds of one page is OK, and there could be three to eight KSAs. But they're not required for all jobs. Most federal announcements are two steps: Resume plus something else. The "something else" is sometimes KSAs, sometimes questions or a supplemental statement.

Originally published on monster.com.