Every résumé needs a cover letter. Cover letters are your chance to shine (or look like an ass). The following is an excerpt from my book No Mistakes Resumes. I know that most people don’t use cover letters. That should make you happy. Why? Because that gives you an edge. Using a cover letter is…
I know I already wrote about mistakes to avoid on cover letters, but that didn’t encompass all the common mistakes. It’s time to look at a few more of the common errors. More Cover-Letter Mistakes A cover letter opens up wonderful opportunities, but it is also where mistakes appear most often. In a cover letter,…
When to Use Compound Modifiers on Résumés Compound modifiers play an important part in the English language, particularly when written. Many people pay no attention to them, but it’s important to know when to use compound modifiers—especially on résumés—because some of the people who screen résumés do pay attention. And of all the places where…
It sounds ridiculous to say writing a résumé is difficult, but it is—difficult, not ridiculous. I realize that it shouldn’t be. It’s your life that the résumé reflects, and it’s only a couple of pages. But it’s your life encompassing many years, and you need lots of facts and figures. How to make your résumé…
Waiting to hear back from a company regarding your candidacy for a job can be frustrating. Sometimes the days stretch into weeks, and before long you’re convinced that they’re not interested, and you’re getting pissed off that they didn’t call or write to let you know. What could they be doing? you wonder. Maybe they’re…
I think it’s safe to say that the majority of people reading this have been on a date before. It may have been a long time, but I’m sure you remember the drill—or most of it. Your time for dating may be over, but probably not for interviewing. I know a job interview sends chills…
Formatting a Résumé If you want to know about formatting a résumé, the best way to do it is to make it as unobtrusive as possible. Don’t use special fonts or eccentric styling and, for God’s sake, don’t use pictures. Make the résumé as plain and simple as you can. The content is what’s important…
How can a cover letter do that? Suppose you want to apply for a position working for a medical device company that designs and manufactures devices for diabetics to monitor their blood sugar. The job description calls for experience that you don’t have, but you do have the skills. Don’t fret. Great cover letters can…
Communication or Communications Hardly a day goes by that I don’t see the following listed as requirements on a job description: candidate must possess good oral and written communications skills. But is it communication or communications. What’s wrong with that? Nothing is wrong with the requested requirement, but it should have read, candidate must possess…
The Dilemma of Putting Months on a Résumé? Why should I? No one else does. I know. It’s tough to do the right thing. But as my dear old mother used to say, ‘If Johnny jumped off the bridge, would you do it too?’ That’s the same kind of dilemma you face with the question, should…