Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Sample Guide [20+ Examples]

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Sample Guide [20+ Examples] Youre about to prepare youradministrative assistant cover letter.After weeks of searching, youve found the clerical job of your dreams.Youll manage their documents and paperwork, handle phone calls and correspondence, and greet visitors with a smile from your strategically-positioned ergonomic spinning chair.ButTo get that opportunity, youll need the bestadministrative assistant cover letter they've ever received.Dont stress.This admin assistant cover letter guide will show you:Administrative assistant cover letter examples better than 9 out of 10 other cover letters.How to write a cover letter for admin assistants that will land you more interviews.Tips on how to grab the recruiters attention on an administrative cover letter.How to sell yourself on a cover letter for office assistant jobs to get the one you want.Below is a sample AA cover letter made with our cover letter builder.Want to write your cover letter fast?Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover le tter templatesthat match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.Administrative Assistant Cover Letter for a ResumeSee more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowConsidering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:Administrative Cover Letter SampleReceptionist Cover Letter SampleOffice Assistant Cover Letter SamplePersonal Assistant Cover Letter SampleLegal Assistant Cover Letter SampleExecutive Assistant Cover Letter SampleSecretary Cover Letter SampleData Entry Cover Letter SampleCall Center Cover Letter SampleAccounts Payable Cover Letter SampleCustomer Service Cover Letter SampleOffice Manager Cover Letter SampleBusiness Cover Letter SampleCover Letter for Internal Position SampleWant to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career:Cover Letter Examples.1Whats the Best Structure for Administrative Assistant Cover Letters?Administrative assistants perform a wide variety of clerical work spanning almost every industry. Admin assistant jobs include recordkeeping, documentation, planning events, bookeeping, and scheduling meetings, among other tasks.You're applying to be the backbone of their company.As such, you'll need to format your cover letter for administrative jobs correctly, just as you did on youradministrative assistant resume.It's not as hard as it soundsHeres what to include on an admin assistant cover letter:Your name and contact information.The date of writing.The companys address details.A starting greeting / salutation.An opening, introductory statement that grabs their attention.A short paragraph on why youre the perfect admin assistant.A quick paragraph on why the administrative position is perfect for you.A closing statement that seals th e deal with a call to action.A complimentary close and your name.A postscript (P.S.), optionally.Here, were following our recommended structure on the elements of the perfect AAcover letter. To read more about the method behind our madness, see this article for the best cover letter format:What to Include in a Cover Letter?Pro Tip: Dont complain just yet! Though you should follow our professional cover letter structure, youll have freedom in the way you speak. On the administrative resume, youll often use fragmented sentences and phrases, but here, you can stretch a bit.Didnt get a chance to use our office administrative resume guide to make sure thats done right? Nows your chance: Administrative Assistant Resume Sample Complete Guide2How to Address Your Administrative Cover LetterFirst things firstWhether on a first-time office assistant cover letter or an executive assistant cover letter, the heading statement gets your attention first.(And, hopefully, will get their attention fi rst.)Here's how to start a cover letter for administrative jobs:Your DetailsFirst, add your contact info at the top of the cover letter. Must-haves include:your fullnameemail addressphone numberOptional items are your mailing address, branding statement, and a LinkedIn profile URL.Pro Tip: Dont add the rest of your social links, profile URLs, and portfolio information with your contact details as you did on your resume, unless the administrative assistant cover letter template you choose includes an area for them.Administrate That DateLike on any formal letter, an administrative support cover letter should include the date of writing:Thursday, March 15, 2018The Companys DetailsAfter the date, add the addressee.For admin assistant jobs, its the office or agency you are applying at. However, locate the specific name of the hiring manager or HR director to insert at the top of the company address.This makes it more personalized and compelling.Add the hiring managers name first, their d epartment, if applicable, then the companys name, and finally the company's address.Heres what a finished cover letter address area (heading) looks like:Not addressing it correctly is just as bad as not including one at all, whether its on an clerical assistant cover letter or one for an executive administrative assistant. Make sure you get it right: How to Address a Cover Letter: Sample Guide [20+ Examples]3Starting Off on the Right FootThe company's administrative assistant will be responsible for planning, scheduling, documentation, and other preliminary aspects.SoJust like a good admin assistant makes all the difference in how projects progress, the cover letter opening is crucial to get right. Its top location gets the most eye time from the HR staff, and they'll either keep reading or move on.Greeting / SalutationYou wouldnt be the face of the office if youd just greet your coworkers with a hey you as they walk in.On administrative assistant cover letters, the same rule appli es.Finding the name of the HR head or hiring manager stops your cover letter from feeling like generic spam.Something like Dear Ms. Jackson, works just perfectly, but you can also skip the formality by calling them by their first name: Dear Jacqueline,.Now, what about that Dear part? Dear is one of the best cover letter salutations, but if youre not satisfied with it or you cant find a name, weve got other options for various scenarios: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample Guide [20+ Examples]An Administrative Introductory StatementLike the compelling summary or objective you composed for your AA resume, the opening paragraph on its counterpart cover letter should hook them immediately in a way that makes them want to read further.There are many ways to go about this, but you wont go wrong as long as it grabs the hiring managers attention and make them want to read on. Lets look at an example of a great admin assistant cover letter opening:As a longtime fan of Acmes company culture and products, I was excited to see the opening for an administrative assistant. With my lengthy experience as an administrative assistant with Fancy Malls, I know I can use my skill set and knowledge to become a valuable member of the Acme team.See that?This one is written about the company specifically, and it gives the HR manager reading it an enticing taste as to how you would be the perfect addition to their team. This makes a great opening paragraph, and it will make them want to read more.Pro Tip: Mention the companys name in the cover letter body, as well. This helps to make it feel more personalized, more tailored, and they know immediately that theyre reading a dedicated cover letter.Like I mentioned, there are other ways to go about your introductory statement, as long as they are immediately irresistible and entice them to continue. For other ideas, see: How to Write a Cover Letter for Any Job [20+ Examples]Here's an administrative assistant cover letter sample and a matc hing resume.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.4You + Office = Perfect PartnershipNow we get to the main event, the keynote to address - its time to sell yourself to them. Our HR statistics show that you're going up against a resume stack of 250 others, so yours needs to be perfect.The odds dont seem to be in your favor, but dont worry. The next two areas (we suggest a paragraph for each) give you plenty of room to make your case. Though theyre opposites, these sections have a symbiotic relationship.Why Youre Perfect for ThemYouve hooked them with your introduction.Now, reel them in with your admin asst. cover letter by showing them how you are the perfect fit for the office and team.Heres what to say on a sample admin assistant cover letter:I n my current position with Fancy Malls, Ive had many responsibilities and achievements that would serve me well in a role at Acme. Fancy Malls has a similar business structure and product lineup to those at Acme, so I believe I would make a smooth and quick transition. On top of that, my invoice management and directory maintenance were leading performance boosters for the company, and Im sure that I could achieve similar results at Acme, such as:I saved $3,000 a year in office supplies after negotiating a new deal with the current supplier.I increased sales by 7% after implementing an automatic follow-up approach using a CRM program.See that?With that paragraph and those quantifiable achievements, they easily see that your acquired skills and experience make you the ideal new hire for the job offered.Pro Tip: Remember using keywords on your resume to ensure that its tailored? Add them on your admin assistant cover letter, as well. Also, ensure your cover letter is easy to read by u sing the perfect cover letter font!Why Theyre Perfect for YouWe mentioned a symbiotic two paragraphs, so this next one is all about how theyre your ideal workplace. You told them why youre the best possible future employee, so now lets explain why this company is the perfect choice for you:Obtaining the administrative assistant position at Acme would be my dream come true. Ive long been a fan and personal user of several of your products. In fact, Acmes unique company culture is what prompted me to seek more challenging work. Though I love being in charge of a companys multifaceted office support, there is no other office that would make me as happy to work for. I know, should I be honored with the position, that Id be the envy of my circle of friends!How about that?You praised the company and explained why they are the center of your universe - thats hard to resist!This works for this experienced administrative assistant cover letter sample paragraph, but it would work equally well on entry-level admin assistant cover letters.Pro Tip: Tell a joke. Be sincere. Use an exclamation point! Display your wit. Convey your enthusiasm. Make sure that your honest interest in the position is immediately apparent.Weve got a wealth of tips on these two central paragraphs and on writing a cover letter that will let you stand out: Successful Cover Letter Tips and Advice5A Strong Compelling FinishYoure just about there.You started off strong, and you kept that momentum going throughout. Now, dont slack off just yetits time to end it with a powerful closing statement.Use a powerful closing sentence or paragraph to briefly sum up:I would eagerly welcome the opportunity to discuss your current administrative objectives and show you how my successes at Fancy Malls can translate into growth for Acme.Bring it to a satisfying end by summarizing your admin assistant cover letter and then leaving the ball in their court.Complimentary CloseTo end your cover letter, simply add a closin g sentiment and your name.Heres how easy that is:Sincerely,Ann SmithThat closing sentimentis called a complimentary close, which is followed by your name to end the cover letter for administrative assistant jobs.Pro Tip: You can be creative in your cover letters content, but just as with the formal header, where you addressed your cover letter, keep the closing sentiment more formal, as well.Closing strong on a cover letter is just as critical as an attention-grabbing beginning. Read this for more examples: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample Complete Guide [+20 Examples]6A Postscript to Seal the DealHold up a sec! You said that was it!I know, I know, but hear me outAdding a P.S. after your signature isn't necessary. However, it is a great hack when writing a cover letter for admin assistants.Here's what I mean:P.S. - Id love the opportunity to sit down with you and go over how I can bring similar results to the 10% cost savings I achieved at Fancy Malls to the Acme office, as well.H ow about that?A P.S. at the bottom of your cover letter for administrative jobs always draws the attention of the reader, even if they dont read the rest of it.Its a clever way to get one last word in edgewise and one more opportunity to win them over.Worried you might have missed something? Double-check with our comprehensive list: What to Include in a Cover Letter?Key TakeawayAs you can see, writing a cover letter for administrative assistants is not as tough as you thought - and nowhere near as complicated as the constant juggling youll perform once you get the job.Remember to follow these key points for a successful AA cover letter:Start with a bang - Your opening statement on your cover letter is important because itll determine if the office hiring manager reads on.Show you belong together - Use the majority of the body area to show that youre a perfect fit for the office or agency and theyre the ideal workplace for you.Finish strong - You held their attention to the end, but use a strong ending so theyll be sure to move on to your admin assistant resume and grant you that all-important interview.Now just make sure you email your resume properly and prepare for your big day with some helpful interview tips!Do you have any questions on how to write an admin assistant cover letter? Not sure how to address a cover letter, start your body paragraphs, or end your cover letter in a strong way? Get at us in the comments below, and well answer your question. Thanks for reading!

Attracting Truckers with Employer Branding

Attracting Truckers with Employer Branding How do you attract retain talent for a specialist role that is threatened by the march of the robots and one that is probably not the first career that springs to mind for millennials? Jason Crowell is the Recruiting and Retention Manager at Brady Trucking in Colorado. In this episode, he shares how they sell the experience to prospective talent. Have a listen to the episode below, keep reading for a summary and be sure to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. Listen on  Apple Podcasts,  Stitcher Radio,  Google Play  or  SoundCloud. In this episode youll learn: About  Brady Trucking and how it started in Colorado. What challenges the trucking industry faces with the development of artificial intelligence. How you can use employer branding to competitively  attract the best truckers around. What Amazons virtuous  sales cycle has to do with Jasons employer brand strategy. How to find truckers online and more importantly activate your employer brand to do so. Why you shouldnt  spend too much money on a video for employer branding and instead tell a story about a real employee without too much equipment. How Jason calculates the return on investment on his employer branding tactics. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn Job Preferences Doubles Your Visibility with Recruiters

LinkedIn Job Preferences Doubles Your Visibility with Recruiters Wouldn’t it be nice if you could sendrecruitersa signal that you’re open to hearing about opportunities? And wouldn’t it be nicer if you could do that without broadcasting the information to your boss and the rest of the world?In 2016, LinkedIn launched a feature, Job Preferences, that does just that. They say that switching it on makes LinkedIn Recruiter users twice as likely to look at your profile.If you use Linkedin Job Preferences, heres how you will show up in LinkedIn Recruiter search results:How to Use LinkedIn Job PreferencesGo to LinkedIn and clickJobs/Preferences/Update Your Preferences. Note the red arrows:Once there, you can specify your:Desired location.Experience level (trainee to executive).Industry preferences (from LinkedIn’s preset list).Company size preferences.Preferred field/functional area (from LinkedIn’s preset list).Preferred job title (up to three from LinkedIn’s preset list).Type of desired employment from full-time to five other options.Availa bility (now or a specific month).Permission for LI to tell recruiters you’re open to new opportunities.Permission for LI to share your detailed job preferences with recruiters.OK for LI to share your profile with recruiters when you apply to jobs.Items 9 through 11 stay switched on for 90 days, at which point you have to revisit your preferences page and reset them.Will Your Employer See Your LinkedIn Job Preferences?Maybe. LinkedIn doesn’t give you any guarantee of protection. However, be sure your current job is linked to your employer’s LinkedIn company page. When you do that, LinkedIn will try to hide you from Recruiter users at your company and its affiliated companies (more here).If your company’s logo shows on your profile for your current job, then you have linked yourself to its company page.ReducesFriction in Job Search Recruiting CyclesThis tool takes a little more friction out of job search and recruiting cycles. It lets you put out a stronger signal of availabi lity with mitigated risk. It lets recruiters prioritize viewing and contacting “warm” prospects if they want to do so.I like it! You’ll decide if it’s right for you.Speaking of signals, you might also like:How to Make YourResume LinkedIn Profile More BelievableIncrease Your Visibility by Following Companies on LinkedInHow to Decline an InterviewLet’s Connect on LinkedInPlease don’t hesitate to invite me to connect on LinkedIn here. The more I know about my readers, the better I can make my blog.Fotolia/Destina Updated May 2019 2016 2019, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.Donna SveiDonna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, writes all of AvidCareerists posts. She has written for and been quoted by leading business, general, and career media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Lifehacker, Ask.com, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, Payscale, Business News D aily, and the Muse. Let her background and experience inform your job search strategy and decision making.Learn more about Donnas executive resume writing service or email Donna for more information. LinkedIn â€" SEO (6 Posts)

VA Secretary Scandal Tempest in a Teapot - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

VA Secretary Scandal Tempest in a Teapot - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I’m clearly on record as being a strong advocate for always telling the truth on one’s résumé, as well as when making any other statements or claims about one’s work history. (See Go Ask Brian: ‘Fudging’ Résumé Risky.) But in my opinion, the latest “scandal” involving VA Secretary Robert McDonald merely rises to the level of a “tempest in a teapot.” If you happen to be one of the three or four Americans who may not be familiar with the latest “scandal” surrounding the new VA Secretary, here is a brief recap: While conducting a nationwide count of homeless veterans, McDonald and his staff visited a rundown neighborhood in Los Angeles in January. He asked one of the veterans he encountered there what unit he had served in and the veteran told McDonald he had served in Special Forces. “Special Forces? What years? I was in Special Forces!” McDonald responded. McDonald’s statement was later proven to be technically false, and he quickly acknowledged that fact and apologized for his misstatement. His admission of misstating a fact about his service and his subsequent apology, however, were not perceived as quite adequate by either the media or some veteran groups, particularly veteran organizations such as Stolen Valor, which monitors and reports upon false statements and/or claims people make about military service. To clarify, U.S. Military “Special Forces” are usually considered to consist of the following: U.S. Army Rangers U.S. Army Delta Force U.S. Army Special Forces (“Green Berets”) U.S. Navy SEALs U.S. Marine Corps Force Recon OH, WHAT A DIFFERENCE PHRASEOLOGY MAKES Although McDonald completed the extremely challenging U.S. Army Ranger course and earned the coveted “Ranger Tab,” he never actually served in the U.S. Army Rangers, so his statement about being in Special Forces was indeed technically incorrect. The bulk of McDonald’s U.S. Army service was in the 82nd Airborne Division, certainly not exactly a military unit for the faint of heart by any stretch of the imagination, but admittedly, not officially classified as one of the Special Forces. Here is the irony in all of this, as far as I’m concerned: Had McDonald said something like, “I qualified to be in Special Forces (by virtue of his having completed the U.S. Army Ranger Course), though I never actually served with them,” the story of this “scandal” would never have seen the light of day. MCDONALD SERVED, CONTINUES TO SERVE, HONORABLY I believe McDonald did the honorable thing, by quickly and completely taking responsibility for his misstatement of fact and offering a sincere apology to those whom he may have offended or who may have construed his statement as being intentionally misleading. (I don’t believe it was intentional.) Secretary McDonald certainly has nothing to apologize for when it comes to his service to our country. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1975,[1] he served for five years in the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer, primarily in the 82nd Airborne Division, before resigning his commission. While a member of the 82nd Airborne, he qualified as a senior parachutist and airborne jumpmaster, no mean accomplishments. Following his military service, McDonald had a long and successful career at consumer products giant Procter Gamble, retiring as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. He accepted the administration’s nomination last year to serve as VA Secretary, replacing General Eric Shinseki, who resigned amid reports of an organization in apparent chaos and even suspected malfeasance. VA, OUR COUNTRY NEED  PEOPLE LIKE MCDONALD TO SERVE I believeâ€"and hope that those of you reading this post also believe!â€"that our country and the VA desperately need people like Robert McDonald to serve. I mean, after all, at this stage of his life, after a long and very successful career in the private sector, did he really need the potential hassle and microscopic focus that usually comes with public service these days? Yet he accepted the challenge and willingly entered the lion’s den because he had a strong desire to once again serve our country and its military veterans. Since he has taken the reins of the VA the morale of both VA employees and the veterans they serve has improved significantly and substantively. The VA certainly is not quite perfect yet, but it is improving across a number of important programs and initiatives, as attested by the other half of my editorial team, Michael Garee, a disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and someone who has interacted, and continues to interact, regularly with the VA. Many veteran groups have already agreed to give Secretary McDonald the benefit of the doubt, accept his sincere apology, and move beyond this issue, in order to address far more important and crucial issues faced by our country and the VA. I believe the rest of us Americans should do no less. What are your thoughts on this issue? [1]FULL DISCLOSURE: I graduated from West Point one year later than McDonald, in 1976, although I never had the pleasure of meeting him while there. ________________________________________ Check out Career Stalled?, Skip’s latest job-hunting book in the “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets Series of Career Development Management publications  featured on Amazon.com. Going on a job interview soon? Know someone who is? Download Skips FREE How to ACE the Job Interview! publication by clicking HERE. Learn how to interview the way Superstars do!

6 Team Building Activities That Dont Suck CareerMetis.com

6 Team Building Activities That Don’t Suck â€" CareerMetis.com Source: Unsplash.comThe team that plays together stays together, so if you’re heading up a team at work or manage personnel then investing in some quality team building exercises can pay dividends in strengthening group dynamics and improving morale at work.Although there’s a lot of dubious psychological waffle around the subject, excellent team building activities can:Improve trust amongst participantsBring shyer individuals out of their shellsMake team members more likely to feel comfortable making contributions at workHowever, if you’re not careful, it’s effortless to organize a team building activity that is more of a chore than a fun event, where participants may not enjoy themselves or get any benefit out of the exercise.evalYou also have to be careful when choosing an activity to make sure that it won’t put individuals in embarrassing situations that, at best, will make them dread further team building activities and, at worst, will make them more withdrawn from the group.Here’s a selection of unique activities that you can’t go wrong with, and are sure to leave you with a happier, friendlier and more effective time at the end of them.1) Escape RoomsevalSource: Unsplash.comEscape rooms are specially designed facilities where competing teams must pass through a series of rooms each containing a different puzzle or challenge to be overcome.Escape rooms tend to mix up some light physical exertion with brain-teasing logic puzzles, so that lateral thinking, as well as physical effort, is required to win the day. Whether someone’s strengths lie in spatial awareness, maths, or creative thinking, there should be a challenge where their skills can shine.Divide your group into two teams and see who can complete the escape room quickest, but even without a competitive format, these puzzles themselves are still great fun to overcome.2) Urban OrienteeringSource: Unsplash.comUrban orienteering It’s a fun and relaxed activity that you can also break u p with stops for food and drink along the way, and allows everyone to get involved without creating stressful amounts of pressure to succeed.3) Scavenger HuntSource: Unsplash.comThis is an easy activity that won’t cost the company a penny and can be done in or out of the office. Just draw up an original list of things for people to find and photograph in the shortest amount of time. You can split your group into different teams to encourage cooperation.Plus, you can have pretty much anything on the list. This could range from, say, a picture of the ICT manager’s bicycle, to a mug from the office’s nearest coffee shop. The sky’s the limit with this game, so use your imagination to make it more enjoyable for everybody involved.4) Gaming BarsSource: Unsplash.comEveryone plays video games nowadays, so it’s no surprise that video game bars have started popping up all over the place. Like the arcades of old, they usually have a massive selection of multiplayer titles to choose f rom so everyone can have a go. Blessedly, however, they haven’t retained the smell of sweat or the scary guy in a corner selling drugs to teenagers.evalGaming bars offer a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere where you’re team can choose from a wide variety of titles to compete and cooperate with. People can also order food or have some drinks, so you can’t go wrong with gaming bars for a fun, casual and stress-free day out.eval5) Board Game SessionsSource: Unsplash.comDespite the odds, board games are experiencing something of a renaissance of late, and are no longer seen merely as something to do after dinner at family gatherings. Order in some takeout and pick a range of titles old and new for your staff to play. It’ll create a relaxed environment for them to get to know each other better, and the staff can improve cooperation in figuring out the rules and trying to win their games.If you don’t want to go for board games, you can also pick traditional favorites like Picti onary and charades for staff to play, that, at most, only require a pen and paper. Games like this will often get people laughing as well, which is always a sure-fire icebreaker.6) Community ServiceSource: Unsplash.comThere’s nothing like coming together for a good cause, and getting your team involved with some local community service initiatives can help a team bond while doing some good in the world, and help bolster your company’s image and social values.Some community service initiatives you could participate in might include reading to people in hospitals, helping with an environmental cleanup program or working a shift at a soup kitchen.Sure, it might demand more involvement from your team, but the more they invest in the work, the more they’ll get out of it, and helping other people does make you feel good. Plus, it provides a great alternative to a lot of the standard cringe-worthy team-building exercises that can feel insincere and self-serving. You’ll often find t hat people are more likely to invest themselves in good causes than they would be for the majority of office exercises. These are just some ideas to get you started. There are a ton ofteam building activitiesfor every situation, so remember to prepare ahead of time to find the right kind of activity for your group.Coming up with great team building activities can be a fun exercise in itself, and there are enough games to suit the makeup and temperament of any team. Just be sure to let your staff know that it’s meant to be fun and not taken too seriously, and if they don’t prosper at a particular challenge or activity, then it’s nothing to feel ashamed about.You can also use the opportunity to see how different individuals react to people, situations, and challenges, which can help you get the most out of your staff as a team moving forward.

Top 4 tips to write a cover letter that gets you interviews - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Top 4 tips to write a cover letter that gets you interviews I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about cover letters. Are they important? Do hiring managers/recruiters read them? And what does a good cover letter look like? Ive already written an article about tailoring your resume to get more interviews and you can read it here. A well-written, compelling cover letter can show the hiring manager that you are a must-interview candidate.  I see lots of cover letters on a daily basis in my recruitment job, and unfortunately a lot of them are very forgettable. Many are too long and most are very generic. Some mention achievements but they have zero relevance to the role the candidates are applying for. And many don’t bother writing a cover letter at all. Your cover letter is your best chance to show the employer why they should invite you for an interview. Here are my 4 top tips on how to write a stand-out cover letter that works: Keep it concise Nobody is going to read a long cover letter, so keep it short and sweet. Succinct and hard-hitting is MUCH better than a long essay. If you only had 15 seconds to tell them what they needed to know about you, what would you say? Put THAT in your cover letter. All you need to include is: Why you are writing (your interest and general qualifications) Why you are qualified (highlighting specific accomplishments) Thank you (and a request for information on the next step in the hiring process) Customise your cover letter Your cover letter needs to show, at a glance, why you’re a suitable candidate for the job. Recruiters view job seekers who send out generic cover letters as unmotivated and out of touch â€" so if you don’t take the time to customise your letters, you might as well not bother sending them. You need to make sure you connect your qualifications to the job requirements for your target job in your letter. Make sure you include references to the specific accomplishments and results you achieved. You might want to even make a table with two columns.  On the left, under the heading, Requirements,” list several key requirements using language taken directly from the job description. On the right, under the heading, “My accomplishments”, list an achievement to correspond with each requirement.  Nothing beats this for quickly and clearly demonstrating how well you match up. Be Specific About Your Qualifications Use the cover letter to connect your skills, experience, and education directly to the employer’s advertised requirements. When applying for a position, prepare a cover letter that picks up 3 4 key qualifications listed in the job description and be very specific with regards to what you can offer pertaining directly to those qualifications. Make it as easy as possible for the potential employer to see that you are qualified for their job. You are much more likely to receive an invitation for an interview if you do the work for them. Close Your Cover Letter With a Call to Action Don’t close with something cliché like, I hope to hear from you soon. Being assertive at the end of the letter can be beneficial. Consider something along the lines of, “I believe I can be a valuable addition to your company, and I look forward to hearing from you. A lot of job seekers feel it is too much work to customise their resume and cover letter for each position to which they are applying. However, if you aren’t landing job interviews now, but you could start getting them by spending 20 minutes customising your application, wouldn’t it be worth it? If you are struggling to get interviews and need my help with tailoring your application and getting clarity on what your unique selling points are, just a single session can make all the difference. Please feel free to schedule a no-obligatory phone chat to see if I could help:  http://www.vcita.com/v/daba43a1   ______________________________________________________________________________________ Margaret Buj  is an  Interview Coach  who’s helped hundreds of professionals across Europe and the US to get the jobs and promotions they really wanted. Margaret also has 9 years of experience recruiting for a variety of positions at all levels across Europe and in the US, primarily in technology and e-commerce sectors. If you want to find out how recruiters read resumes, why you are not getting hired, how to sell yourself successfully in a job interview, and how to negotiate your best salary yet, you can download her  FREE “You’re HIRED!” video course.

How to Improve at Writing a Resume - Five Easy Tips For Great Resumes

How to Improve at Writing a Resume - Five Easy Tips For Great ResumesThere are many great tips on how to improve at writing a resume. A lot of people think that you just have to write a resume that no one will see, but that isn't always the case. The first step is to come up with a cover letter and a resume. If you follow these simple tips, your job application will be a lot easier to read and to understand.The best way to start thinking about how to improve at writing a resume is to put yourself in the shoes of a potential employer. You want to first think about who you are applying to. Your resume should take a good look at what qualities you have and highlight those that you possess that make you an ideal candidate for the position.Before you start coming up with ideas for your resume, you should create a list of the things that you enjoy most. Make sure that you include this in your resume. Then think about what you do not like doing the most. These include things like internet s urfing, watching television, sports and so on. You can always get your priorities straightened out as you go along.Now when you are looking at your list of hobbies, you should first ask yourself what kind of things your prospective employer does when they are working on their computer or television. Perhaps they work long hours and usually get their work done late at night or early in the morning. If this is the case, try to get into the habit of jotting down at least one thing that your prospective employer did while he or she was working that could highlight why you are the best person for the job.You should also put in some thought about how much time you have available each day to spend doing things you enjoy. You will find that once you start to get more detailed answers to these questions, it can actually make it a lot easier to keep from procrastinating. You don't have to answer everything you can, but you do want to be able to give them some examples of your hobbies. If you get more specific, they will be a lot more impressed by your efforts.Consider another area of your life that you can work into your resume. Perhaps you have the ability to quickly jump online and research different aspects of a subject you are trying to learn about. If this is the case, you might want to consider putting in that you are currently studying to become a lifeguard.It is important to remember that what you would really love to do with your life. You do not want to make this seem like a weakness. There is nothing wrong with being a good lifeguard and anything you put in your resume to make yourself sound like a job hopper is not going to be very appealing. You want to be able to show the prospective employer that you have other interests that are important to you.This is a great tip on how to improve at writing a resume and it is something that a lot of people overlook. Everyone has a dream in their life and it is important to realize that when it comes to applying for a job. Getting them into writing a resume that shows your love for a job can help to make them like you much better than they may have otherwise.