Successful Job Seeking ? The Importance of Your Cover Letter

As an employer I receive many job applications each week. Some cover letters are so well written that I am compelled to review the attached resume even if our company is not currently hiring. I don't want to miss an opportunity to contact an outstanding individual. Other cover letters are sufficiently interesting that I will file them away and review them later in the week, while others simply beg to be deleted immediately.

What makes the difference? For me, there are three factors; understanding, argument and attention to detail.

Understanding. Here's what I am looking for. Did the job seeker spend time to find out about our company, our products and services and our markets? As an employer it's easy to identify the level of understanding of job seekers and classify them into three areas ? those who understand our company, those who have some understanding of our industry and those who have no understanding at all. I dispose of e-mails from this last group immediately. However, if the job seeker clearly takes time to understand us, I'll take time to read about him or her. As for the group in the middle? I'll usually take some time to read their cover letter, but unless they make a compelling argument with excellent attention to details they too, will be deleted.

Argument. Even if the applicant clearly demonstrates some knowledge of our company I'm still looking for a compelling reason why I should take time to review an accompanying resume. I'm interested in the applicant who clearly goes the extra mile ? one who understands us and persuades me to find out more. This is the type of person I want working for our company!

Attention to Detail ? Grammar and Spelling. It goes without saying that grammar and spelling are important. They are cornerstones of written communication. Since we are a client-focused company, every employee must possess good communication skills, both written and oral. I'm looking for well-constructed paragraphs and sentences, together with correct spelling. Details count.

Find more job hunting resources at www.jobhawk.com.

Bruce Sutton is president of Jobhawk Inc., an online job search site based in Toronto Canada.

---

How To Choose The Right Resume Format

After a thirty (30) second glance lots of resumes get... Read More

Traveling for An Interview? 10 Tips to Get You From Here to There

You've just been granted an on-site interview in another town.... Read More

Job Search 101

The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at... Read More

Hey, You Cant Ask Me That! (How to Respond to Inappropriate Job Interview Questions)

I received the following questions from a visitor to my... Read More

Get In The Game With a Stellar Resume

During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were... Read More

9 Tips on Creating a Professional Emailed Job Application

With the advent of the Internet, many of us have... Read More

De-Bunking The ?Follow Your Bliss? Myth

Hello Fellow Seekers!I don't know about you? but I'm pretty... Read More

The 6 Stages of Modern Career Development

Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs)... Read More

How to Make Your Career Change Easier

Despite what your grandmother told you, life is not supposed... Read More

Finally The First Online Job Agency in Mauritius

Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with... Read More

What Your Guidance Counselor, Career Counselor, and Own Mother Probably Never Told You...

The alarm clock jars you awake at some insanely... Read More

Your First Job

"Your first job is an extension of your education"Fresh out... Read More

Managing Emotions During Career Change and Job Search, Part Two

Half the battle in successfully managing your emotions during a... Read More

Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?

Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today's market place nursing... Read More

Overcoming Inertia in Job Change

If you can hold on to an optimistic belief in... Read More

Driver Team Solo Positions: The Nitty Gritty On Truck Driving Jobs

Trucks and truck drivers are a constant presence on US... Read More

Air Liquide: Driving Liquid Air

Have you ever heard of liquid air? The process of... Read More

Looking for Work in All the Wrong Places

The Question: After identifying a potential employer, I get contact... Read More

Handing in Your Resignation and Serving Notice

Have you made the right choice? Before deciding to resign... Read More

Finding a Career in Harmony with Your Life Path

Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More

One Cover Letter Secret You Cant Afford To Miss

Suppose you were the hiring manager, your desk piled high... Read More

Look in the Mirror

Take a moment to step outside yourself. Now, be honest... Read More

The Global Work Marketplace - The Revolution Of How Work Gets Done

Will cubicles be a distant memory for today's workforce? Will... Read More

Six Sure-Fire Ways to Get Yourself a Pay Rise

Many employees do not care too much for their bosses... Read More

Job Interviews: Succeeding With Panel Interviews

These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More

The Group Interview

Sometimes, when going on job interviews, you might end up... Read More

Risk-taking - Get Your Feet Wet!

We often use the phrase, "Get Your Feet Wet" when... Read More

Mystery Shopping - An Excellent Part Time Job Or Additional Income Source

Though the name itself may seem a bit mysterious, the... Read More

9 Secrets to Career Success

Are you miserable at your job (or what you are... Read More

The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising

An interesting combination of factors at this time in history... Read More

How to Tell if You are Fired and Just Dont Know It

No one should be fired and be surprised about it.... Read More

Should I leave My Job?

Most of us have to work for a living. Since... Read More

How to Manage Your Career Like a Business

Look upon yourself as a company with a product or... Read More