Cover Letters, Resumes and the Job Hunter…What’s it All About?
-Are you looking for work?
-Do you have a resume?
-Do you know what a cover letter is or how to put one together?
-How about networking or interviewing skills?
It can all seem like it’s just too much. It can be hard to know where to start. You might feel like everyone else knows more than you and it’s just not fair. But that’s not true. You CAN get a job. It IS fair.
All you really need is a little help and some direction. That’s where Workforce Services can help you.
One of our Career & Employment Specialists can meet with you for a no cost, no obligation consultation where we will answer your questions, give you some suggestions on what to do and what not to do when it comes to finding work and getting back into the workplace. Just give us a call at (608) 243-8950 or stop in at 251 West Washington Avenue in Madison (next to the UW Credit Union) between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday to set up an appointment. You’ll be amazed at what you can do.
The following is a short introduction to some of the issues you will face as you search for a job or try to get back into the workplace. I have also included some links on other resources that can help with your job search and put this information in perspective so you know where to go for more information and where we can help if you need it.
Cover Letters, Resumes and the Job Hunter… What’s it All About?
The first thing that many people want to know when they start looking for work is what kind of cover letter or resume they should send out and how they are supposed to do it. There are all kinds of “how to” books and Internet sites that claim they can tell you all there is to know, but they don’t always have the right answers. It’s not just about writing a resume or cover letter, it’s about knowing how the job hunting process works so you get the most out of your effort. That’s where our Career & Employment Specialists can help.
When you start looking for work, it is important to remember not everything is going to be perfect in your work history or even in your current situation. If you have been out of work, it is not as important to highlight everything that you have ever done. Instead, focus on what you can do for the employer in the position and job that you are searching for. Remember, this is a business and people are making hiring decisions based on specific criteria – not all of them will be related to your past experience.
When you start looking for work, it’s important to remember that not everyone knows the same things or has even heard of everyone who might be looking for similar positions. If they do know someone who has the job or company that they want, they will probably tell them about it before actually hiring someone new. Think about what makes someone good at their job. Not everyone has to be formal and start every sentence with, “I am an experienced _____________.” It’s okay to be yourself and use first names - it does not make you less capable or qualified than the person who uses their last name only. You will get more interviews by being you than by trying to be someone else.
When it comes to resumes and cover letters, there are many things that you can do wrong but knowing how important it is to have a good resume or cover letter can help keep your search from being a complete waste of time. When you think about it, everything you do is a selling point and if you don’t sell yourself then who will?
Position Yourself…Find the Need and Meet it
When you are looking for work, it is important to understand the position that you are going to apply for. If there is more than one job opening, pick the job that is closest to what you have done or want to do in the future. If there are no openings with your exact skills and education, look at other options within your company’s structure where someone with your skill set would be a good fit. Don’t overlook opportunities because they are not exactly what you want - but could lead to something even better down the road. Your resume or cover letter is your foot in the door and if you don’t use it, it won’t get you what you want.
Follow the Money…Credentials Don’t Mean a Lot
A lot of people get caught up on things like degrees, licensure and accreditation when they are looking for work. These things do not necessarily make someone better or more qualified than anyone else. If your education helps with the job, great – but don’t count yourself out because you did not finish your degree or are licensed in a job that is not available in your local area.
If you see a job that looks like it might be something that you would be interested in but the company does not offer the type of credentials or credentials that match yours, you need to start thinking about whether or not this particular position is worth your time and energy. If you can use what you have now to get a foot in the door and are willing to take additional training or education to move up within the organization, it could be worth pursuing.
If your career path is something related to public service and there are no positions open with your current employer, consider looking at other non-profits or non-governmental agencies that do similar work in your community. If the experience you have gained through your current employment makes you a good candidate for something you have not yet had an opportunity to do, think about pursuing these opportunities in other places.
Someone with credentials that match your skill set might be a better fit than someone without them but it will be up to them to show what they can do with their experience. Although “When I was at Company A I did B, C and D” is not as compelling as “When presented with problem A, B and C, I (or we) were able to solve problem D” it can still make a good impression on someone who is looking for someone who knows how to solve a problem and get results.
If you have little or no experience, you will have to work a little harder to convince someone that what you say is true. The best thing is to be the best person possible in the role that you are trying out for – that way you can “sell” yourself even if there are no credentials or experience listed on your resume.
So how do you know how good somebody else is at their job? The reality is that until they start working for you they just don’t know. You need to know how your skills match up with the demands of the job and if you can come in and help them make more money or get more done than they can do with someone else.
Conclusion
When you are looking for work, you need to understand how the employer’s decision-making process works and what their criteria for making hiring decisions is. Follow the money, position yourself, learn about the position and follow it through with your resume or cover letter writing. When it comes down to it, everyone can put their best foot forward in a job interview but if you don’t know how to make a good impression you will not get the job. While no one wants to be told their resume or cover letter sucks, that does not mean that there is something wrong with yours. Find out why these employers think your resume or cover letter doesn’t match their needs and change your wording accordingly.