Anyone good with cover letters?

[Spittin Game]

Ive had a generic one Ive been using since I was in college a few years ago. Ill past the one up I have, but if anyone is good with them, could you help me write a new one? Its just short and sweet for an intro into my resume. This is just a generic template someone drew up for me.


****
Dear ________,

I am very interested in the ______ position with _______. Throughout my career I have been goal oriented and I have demonstrated my abilities to develop business and long-term strategic relationships. I believe that with my background and experience I would be the perfect candidate for this position. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
abc
xxx xxx-xxxx

Attachment: Resume
****

[marlinspike]

Originally Posted by Spittin Game

Ive had a generic one Ive been using since I was in college a few years ago.

I spent the past 2 summers in part working in legal HR (the other part is working for the law firms themselves). Honestly, that's the kind of cover letter recruiters like. It's short, it says what it needs to say, and it gets out of the way. Some people like to make these big fluffy things, and those are always considered a point against. Another thing...on the resume itself, we don't care if you were in the battle of the bands (yes someone actually put that specific example, but I think you know what kinds of things I'm talking about), and in fact if you put that we say "unprofessional" and unless the work experience is exceptional, it goes in the trash.

[Spittin Game]

cool, thanks marlin. I know not to make the cover letter so long, but just short and sweet. I havent needed a cover letter really in a couple years, so I was just thinking cause that one was so old, it would be better to replace it. Sounds like I wont need to now though. And about the resume thing, I dont put anything in there that isnt related to the job or the job Im applying for. Its very professional, and thats how it is going to stay. Thanks again marlin!

[Rambit]

When I read a cover letter/resume I mainly skim over it. I go for the meat of what's in it. What I do look at is, can this person even structure a sentence and spell reasonably well. Forget the fancy paper, lengthy narratives and all the BS of trying to sell yourself in the wrong areas. If it's too long, it's usually full of BS. Just tailor the resume for the position you're seeking, not hand out generic ones. It should be up to date as well. Make sure also when you're dropping a resume off you don't go in looking like a bum otherwise it may never get beyond the garbage can. First impressions are lasting.

If you're using MS Office, there are many templates in the MS Template Gallery you can download from the application itself and add your specific qualifications and taylor it to your needs.

Rambit

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by marlinspike

I spent the past 2 summers in part working in legal HR (the other part is working for the law firms themselves). Honestly, that's the kind of cover letter recruiters like. It's short, it says what it needs to say, and it gets out of the way. Some people like to make these big fluffy things, and those are always considered a point against. Another thing...on the resume itself, we don't care if you were in the battle of the bands (yes someone actually put that specific example, but I think you know what kinds of things I'm talking about), and in fact if you put that we say "unprofessional" and unless the work experience is exceptional, it goes in the trash.

I think we speak the same language Richard. You summed things up well!!!

Rambit

[marlinspike]

Originally Posted by Rambit

Just tailor the resume for the position you're seeking, not hand out generic ones.

I think that's industry specific. I know law firms want every "real" job, and government requires every single job you've ever held, even if it was a paper route when you were 14 (well...assuming it was reported), even if you only had it for a week. Also, don't have any gaps in your employment without being able to explain them. And for the women out there, if you took a few years off to be a mom don't say you were a "Domestic household engineer, allowing me to hone my multi-tasking and time management skills" or some nonsense like that (you wouldn't believe some people), just either leave the gap and be ready to say you took time off to raise your kids, or at most put homemaker (it's fine...really, HR people are humans too and understand the way life works).
Oh, and I'm going to add to Rambit's suggestion to not look like a bum that you should also act with some class...which means if they ask for ID don't pull it out from your bra (HR is an...interesting...world).

[Spittin Game]

Originally Posted by Rambit

When I read a cover letter/resume I mainly skim over it. I go for the meat of what's in it. What I do look at is, can this person even structure a sentence and spell reasonably well. Forget the fancy paper, lengthy narratives and all the BS of trying to sell yourself in the wrong areas. If it's too long, it's usually full of BS. Just tailor the resume for the position you're seeking, not hand out generic ones. It should be up to date as well. Make sure also when you're dropping a resume off you don't go in looking like a bum otherwise it may never get beyond the garbage can. First impressions are lasting.

If you're using MS Office, there are many templates in the MS Template Gallery you can download from the application itself and add your specific qualifications and taylor it to your needs.

Rambit

Oh ya, I hear you 100% rambit. When I am going in for an interview I go all out, and I am very good at interviews. My resume is tailored to each specific job I want also. But mainly its still in Real Estate industry for now so Im fine.

As for the resume, I had a girl at my internship create it using a program and it does look very professional. The resume I am not worried about. I was just concerned with my cover letter, but that seems to be ok.

[crhemi]

Just make sure...
you don't...
let them see your AVATAR!...

[srt8danno]

Originally Posted by Spittin Game

Ive had a generic one Ive been using since I was in college a few years ago. Ill past the one up I have, but if anyone is good with them, could you help me write a new one? Its just short and sweet for an intro into my resume. This is just a generic template someone drew up for me.


****
Dear ________,

I am very interested in the ______ position with _______. Throughout my career I have been goal oriented and I have demonstrated my abilities to develop business and long-term strategic relationships. I believe that with my background and experience I would be the perfect candidate for this position. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
abc
xxx xxx-xxxx

Attachment: Resume
****

Man I was really getting into this read and when I went to turn the page to read the resume BAM….not a damned thing. Oh well.

I think you’ve been given sage advice. Keep it simple and direct and for Godd’s sakesssss wichout fur them their spellin erors az they thunk yourawn idioooooot!

[Spittin Game]

Originally Posted by srt8danno

Man I was really getting into this read and when I went to turn the page to read the resume BAM….not a damned thing. Oh well.

I think you’ve been given sage advice. Keep it simple and direct and for Godd’s sakesssss wichout fur them their spellin erors az they thunk yourawn idioooooot!

hehe. Danno if you would like, I can email you my resume for some good ol reading.

As for the spelling, typing on the internet in some forum is one thing, but when it comes to business, I always check the spelling not only once but twice.

Like I told my friend I sold a house to, When we hang out its one thing, but when I am writing your contracts and have your money in mind, Im a whole other person. And I actually got a very nice compliment from one of his buddies about how professional I was and he was so surprised by how good I did. And that just made me feel so good hearing that, especially coming from a friend who thinks your just gonna mess around and not do a good job. Cause I mean Im young, my friends are young, and when we get together, we have good times. But work and play are 2 different things for me. While I do play around and mess around at work, but when it comes down to it, Im very professional with my clients, whether it be a friend or someone I dont even know.