Make a strong resume

Have you ever thought of your resume as a personal marketing tool? If not, maybe it's time you do.
Your resume should be designed to electrify potential employers by highlighting your most valuable
skills and achievements. Get started by using our sure-fire tips.

Use Numbers

Quantify your achievements by using facts and figures that demonstrate results, such as dollars
saved or number of people supervised.

Spell out numbers under and including "ten" and use the numerical form for 100 and beyond.

Keep It Simple

Make certain the job title you use is easily understandable by your reader (ie: Tax Accountant vs.
Accounting Specialist II )

Don't bother using obscure vocabulary, select familiar words.

Utilize bullet points with short phrases.

Follow the Right Form

Instead of complete sentences, use short action phrases to list your accomplishments.

Avoid repeating the same action verb.

When describing a current position, use the present tense and vise versa when describing a past
one.

Keep the length to one or two pages.

Update It

Update your resume every six months, even if you aren't actively looking for a job.

Show your work experience for the last 10-15 years.

Make It Look Good

Use standard 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper.

Soft colors such as white or beige are recommended, especially for scanning and copying
purposes.

Don't forget to include matching envelopes.

Typeface should be easy-to-read (Courier, Times New Roman or Arial), so avoid the fancy scriptlike fonts. Stick to black ink.

Font size should be between 10-12 pts.

Highlight section headers with boldface type.

Be consistent by single spacing for individual sentences and double spacing between sections
and paragraphs.

Make sure your margins have at least one inch of white space on the top and no less than one
half-inch on the other three sides.

When printing your resume, look for a watermark. Hold your paper up to the light and you'll
typically see the brand of the paper. Make sure the mark is right side up when you print.

Consider sending your resume in a 9x12 inch envelope so it doesn't have to be folded.

How To Write A Cover Letter : A Step-By-Step Guide

Three to five short paragraphs are all you need to create a dynamic cover letter. By making your
cover letter as concise as possible, you demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and
effectively. Our guide takes you through each step of the letter-writing process.

Step 1 - The Salutation

Address the letter to a name: "Dear Sir" If you can't obtain the information by calling the company,
use a title: "Dear Advertising Manager."

Make sure the company address on your letter matches the one on your envelope.

Step 2 - Introductory Paragraph

Open with a sentence that grabs the reader's attention. For example, explain how your skills
uniquely qualify you for the job or that you are enthusiastic about the position or company.

State what position you are applying for and where you learned about the job.

Step 3 - Why I'm the Perfect Person for the Job Paragraph

Be specific without repeating everything that is on your resume.

Briefly explain important career achievements.

Define how you can contribute to the company's success. How do your skills make you stand
out?

Step 4 - Additional Background and Skills Paragraph

Talk about any additional skills that you have (be brief!).

Show you have done research on the company by demonstrating how your background can help
you meet current company objectives.

State your practical work experience (as it pertains to the job; no one needs to know your entire
teenage work history).

Use bullet points to highlight your greatest strengths (if you have not already done so).

Step 5 - Executive Level Information Paragraph

If you are applying to a higher-level or executive position (VP, Manager, etc.), you might want to
include a fourth paragraph that gives more details of your achievements and background.

For an entry-level job or non-executive position, you probably don't need another "background
paragraph."

Step 6 - Closing Paragraph

Don't ignore a request for salary requirements-but be cautious. Give a broad range or write
"negotiable."

Thank the employer for reviewing your materials.

Step 7 - Signature

Remember to sign your letter in black or blue ink! Other colors don't look professional.

List your phone number underneath your name. It makes it a lot easier to find.

What Your Cover Letter Should Say About You

If you've done your homework, perfected your writing skills and understand how to position yourself
against other applicants, you've got nothing to fear. Here's what a cover letter should say about you.

You Write Well

You'll make a good first impression by submitting a cover letter that is well-written and free of
mistakes. Be sure to avoid typos, grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. As your first contact with the
employer, the cover letter really serves as a writing sample and proof (or not!) that you can organize your
thoughts and write clearly.

You Understand and Respect the Employer's Busy Schedule

You'll win points immediately if you keep your letter short, sweet and to the point. Open with a
solid lead-in statement that grabs the reader's attention. Be sure to avoid extraneous personal
information. No one needs to know that in your spare time you also knit, juggle oranges and have won
several prestigious hula hoop championships.

You Know How To Sell Yourself

With any sales pitch, the buyer wants to know "what's in it for me?" The same holds true for a
cover letter. Use the cover letter to "sell" the employer on how they will benefit from your skills and
experience, not how you will benefit working for them. Explain how your skills will help meet company
objectives: "In my current job I developed an e-mail newsletter that increased donations by 40%. I am
confident this experience would help me assist you in your ongoing fundraising efforts."

You Are Qualified for the Position

Your cover letter should outline the ways you specifically fit the qualifications needed for the
position. However, don't just repeat what is on your resume. Offer concrete details demonstrating why you
are the perfect person for the position: "My solid marketing background and four years of supervisory
experience make me an ideal candidate for your Marketing Manager position.

You're Smart Enough Not to Send a Form Letter

How do you feel about the form letters you receive? Do they bore you? Offend you? Do you
consider them junk mail? Human Resources professionals feel the same way. Customize every letter to a
specific company and a specific position. Don't waste postage and paper on a pre-written form letter.
They can be spotted a mile away.

Tips For Creating Great Cover Letter Content

Begin with an attention getter.

State immediately why you are qualified and what makes you stand out from the other job
applicants. Don't drone on with irrelevant facts or useless fluff in the first paragraph. Your reader might
never get to the "good stuff" further down.

Keep the tone professional.

Written correspondence requires more formality than everyday speech. Be courteous. Don't use
abbreviations or slang terms: "I've worked in CTG.(abbreviation) five years ago and it would be really cool
(slang) to work in Dhaka." Unless you're a professional comedian applying for a stand-up gig, don't joke
or try to be funny. You want the employer to know you will take the job seriously.

Be clear, not clever.

You may think you'll sound intelligent if you use large vocabulary words and lots of lengthy
sentenceswell, maybe. But you might also wind up appearing long-winded and bore your reader to
tears. Stick with common words and crisp, concise sentences.

Don't be afraid of action verbs.

Liven up your writing by using lots of action verbs to describe your career. Words like
implemented, achieved, developed and created convey a sense of accomplishment.

Customize each letter you write.

Whatever you do, don't use a form letter that sounds as if you mailed it to 100 employers. Always
take the time to customize each letter for a particular position or company. If you send an obvious form
letter, you'll look like someone who doesn't care what job you get.

Use the active voice.

The active voice takes responsibility. The passive voice, however, passes the buck. For example,
"I accomplished this" sounds more direct than "it was accomplished." Here is an example of a passive
voice sentence: "Accounting services and financial advice were provided for several clients over a period
of three years." Try the active voice instead: "As an accountant and financial advisor for the past three
years, I've worked with diverse clientele." Whenever possible, choose the active voice over the passive
voice. It will give your writing more punch.

Use bullet points.

Highlight your greatest strengths and biggest career accomplishments by setting them off with
bullet points in the second or third paragraphs. By using bullet points, you'll attract the reader's attention
to your best achievements, rather than letting them get lost in the text.

Embrace the power of the P.S.

Marketing studies have shown that most people will read the P.S. on a sales letter. Use this
device to emphasize an important point: "P.S. I was recently honored at an annual corporate-wide
meeting for perfect attendance." Hint: If the P.S. is handwritten, there's an even greater likelihood that it
will be read.

Check your spelling and grammar.

We can't stress this enough: Spelling and grammatical errors are not acceptable! Use reference
books if you're not sure about something. Check all spelling carefully and don't rely on a computerized
spell-check as your sole means of proofreading. Even computers make mistakes. Proofread your letter at
least twice and ask a friend to take a look at it.

Tips For Top Cover Letter Mistakes

Make sure you don't commit any of the following errors. Some of these are obvious mistakes while
others are easier to miss. But they all have one thing in common, you should avoid them at all costs!

Address the letter to a name: "Dear Sir" If you can't obtain the information by calling the company,
use a title: "Dear Advertising Manager."

Sending a form letter.

Attaching a Post-It Note to the resume in lieu of a cover letter.

Forgetting to sign your cover letter.

Including personal information that is not pertinent to the job you're seeking: "I haven't worked in
eight months and I really need this job."

Including personal statistics more suitable to a dating service than a job: "Single, Catholic, male,
who enjoys bungy jumping in my spare time."

Confessed shortcomings ("I know I don't have the experience you're looking for").

Mismatching company information; you send the letter to ACME Corporation but it makes
reference to ABC Insurance.

Food stains or grease marks on the paper or envelope.

Incorrect spelling of names.

Handwriting the cover letter instead of typing it. Unless you are requested to give handwriting
cover letter.

Failing to enclose your resume.

Messy corrections.

Stapling instead clipping the cover letter to the resume, which causes undue hassle.

Ignoring a request for salary requirements when the ad specifically asks for it. You don't have to
name an exact figure, but do include a range.