By H. Kim
It's interesting to read all the different articles on writing cover letters and how to make it more effective. I wonder, though, whether any of it is really effective - effective in actually getting that coveted job interview that is.
I know I have written a lot of articles on writing an effective cover letter, and for most part, I believe it can help. Still, in the current job market, I wonder if too much emphasis is being placed on cover letter writing, and for that matter, resume writing?
It's a rhetorical question obviously; you need a good resume and a great cover letter attached to it. Your cover letter is a concise sales pitch of you. The resume is the marketing ad sheet of what you have done in the past, so as to demonstrate what you are capable of doing in the future.
Your objective with a cover letter is simple, it's to get a date. It's not to get married, although, marriage may be the ultimate objective. You just want to get the first date.
So, is sending out resumes to classifieds and job postings the best path for getting that first date? Or what about going to job fairs? Job fairs work, right? You get to meet the recruiter face to face and hand your resume to a live, breathing human being. Can beat that, right? We all know the answer; again, these are rhetoric questions.
The challenge is not so much that these routes are ineffective, but that you have so much competition. With that much competition, your cover letter and resume must be the cat's meow for you to get that first date.
Or, what about networking? How much effort have your really put into networking? How much effort have you really put into keeping in touch with past co-workers and employers that you are on good terms with? How much effort have your put into leveraging your hobbies and interests to build your network?
Put your cover letter and resume down for a moment.
Build your network.
Start by reading books by people like Harvey Mackay and Richard Bolles; learn the best ways to network from the real guru's.
Then, do the following:
- Join Toastmasters and begin their program.
- Contact your local chamber of commerce for information on networking groups and meetings.
- Contact your alumni association for the same information.
- Search out your local community college and its career support department.
- Join a local job group and develop a support team.
- Join your favorite hobby group and find like minded people to brainstorm with.
- Join your local running group (not so much to network but to stay in shape and be healthy)
- Buy a rolodex and add a new name every day. Meet someone new every day - not easy but neither is being unemployed.
Build your network.
Meeting new people not too far from root canal, read 4 Simple Steps to Meeting Someone. Plus, find info for writing your best and most effective resume with free advice, guidelines, and examples at http://www.LandingOnYourFeet.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H._Kim |
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