Cover Letters – A Dying Art Form?

Kevin Kermes — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:38:31 +0000

In the age of the fast and highly impersonal on-line application process, it seems the art of writing a cover letter has gone by the wayside for many. But, like so many other things in this challenging economy, now more than ever is the time to perfect the cover letter – not neglect it. Here are a few reasons to consider:

Reflection of Your Interest – the ease with which you can apply to jobs on-line is the exact reason that a cover letter is paramount. It is a strong indicator that you are serious about your candidacy, not just slinging your resume out there to see where it sticks.
Template versus Boilerplate – Having a standard cover letter is a starting point, not something to arbitrarily cut-and-paste each time you apply. Make sure the document reads like it is written for the reader and only the reader. Ask yourself this – aren’t you more apt to take the time to read a letter you can tell was written just for you versus one that is clearly generic? I know I am.
It’s All About Standing Apart from the Crowd – as unemployment continues to increase, so does your pool of competition. Differentiating is the name of the game now more than ever. Your cover letter is the perfect platform to do just that.
The Interview Before the Interview – Every C level executive I work with says the same thing. They use the cover letter as a barometer to gauge a candidate’s ability to effectively communicate. This is an ideal time to showcase your written communication skills.
Recruiters Don’t Read Them – Yes and no. The good ones do and the others should. For all the reasons listed here plus it gives them pre-packaged selling points for their clients, should they consider you a candidate. They, after all, are another example of an interview before the interview. Remember this though - for all the advice you might get from recruiters, they are never the one who hires you.

Are cover letter sometimes overlooked? Yes. On the other hand, they are quite often a deciding factor as to whether or not you will get an interview. So, take the time to put together a document that reflects you and why you should be considered over the other hundreds of applicants. This attention to detail could be the first step towards getting you the interview you want and the job you deserve.

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Twitter as a “Twool” in the Job Search

Kevin Kermes — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:38:00 +0000

While Social Media platforms like LinkedIn have gained increasing popularity with today’s job seekers, many are still on the fence regarding Twitter. Not too long ago, I was one of those wondering if and how this tool might assist job seekers. While I had my own ideas, I thought what better way to uncover how it can really help those in the midst of a job search than to find people who had success using it. So, I interviewed two women who found their jobs using Twitter.

To listen to these two interviews and learn tips on how to incorporate Twitter as a “twool” in your job search, use the links below:

How I Found My Job with Twitter – Interview #1

How I Found My Job with Twitter – Interview #2 (this one is missing the first few minutes, but still has tons of great how-to information)

After listening, please share your thoughts and feedback below and, of course…

Interested in learning more about social media and your job search? Read about my Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp where this is just one piece of the puzzle to uncover the "hidden" job market and get you ack to work quicker - all without job boards or recruiters.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com

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Cover Letters – A Dying Art Form?

Twitter as a “Twool” in the Job Search