What is a Cover Letter and do I have to have one?

January 20, 2009

A cover letter serves as your letter of introduction to the employer, and is also a valuable marketing tool in the job search process.  So the answer is yes, you should definitely include a cover letter when applying to job or internship opportunities.  Also, think of it this way:  your resume lists your credentials…your education, experience, training, skills.  But the resume doesn’t communicate WHY you are interested in the specific company to which you are applying, WHY you are interested in this specific job or career field, WHY you would be good fit for the position, or WHY this opportunity fits your interests and career goals.  The cover letter needs to address those questions. 

So how do you go about writing a cover letter?  Look carefully at the job listing – it usually lists the requirements and duties of the job.  Take a highlighter and mark the key words in the job description and the qualifications or requirements.  Now, how do you fit those requirements?  Have you gained experience and/or knowledge of some or all of the job duties?  (Don’t forget about your classes and class projects – you may have gained experience and skills from those as well as from internships or jobs!)  Try to tailor the letter to the job description as much as possible, because these are the key points for the employer in looking at candidates to interview.

Another tip:  When emailing your resume to an employer, your cover letter should be the actual message you send, not sent as an attachment (unless you are instructed to send the cover letter as an attachment).   When applying to a position via email, it is critically important that the employer see something which entices them to read your resume – and a well crafted cover letter can provide this information.

For more information, including sample cover letters and a sample email cover letter, download our Help Guides at:  http://www.cofc.edu/careercenter/tipsheets.html.

Also, for a great article, with additional tips and another sample cover letter, go to JobWeb at www.jobweb.com.  This site contains a wealth of career and job search advice for college students!

And remember, once you have draft of your cover letter, the Career Center will be happy to review and critique it and provide you with feedback and tips for improvement.  Just call our office for an appointment or come in during our drop in hours Monday – Friday, 1 – 4 pm.

The International Resume

November 3, 2008

At the College of Charleston, many students decide to seek employment (either permanently or temporarily) in a foreign country. This is a great idea but each country has its own customs and rules when it comes to resumes. So how do you prepare for the global job search with an American resume? You don’t! If you are seeking employment in a foreign country you need to learn what they expect from a resume because there are key differences.

One of those differences is the listing of personal information (marriage status, age, place of birth, or a picture) is not acceptable on an American resume. It provides too much liability when the organization is hiring. They are supposed to hire you based on your qualifications not your age or skin color. But in some European or South American countries (among others) this information is essential for the hiring organization and they expect it on your resume.

There are other differences that may present themselves. In order to become better prepared for the global job search the Career Center has a print resource, “The Global Resume and CV Guide,” that you are welcome to come and view (sorry the book can not be taken from the Career Center). This book provides you with details (including examples and other resources) about writing resumes for 40 different countries. The guide also lists advice and help on interviewing in a foreign country as well as cultural advice. So when you are preparing your resume for the global search please stop by the Career Center and look at our resources!

Do you know of other resources to help with the global job search? If so, please share in the comments below!

The Subjective Resume

September 22, 2008

What is a resume? According to most dictionaries, it is a written summary of a person’s education, experience and other important information. But a resume goes far beyond that for you, the job seeker. A resume needs to be a marketing piece or advertisement for you to prospective employers. And what do all great advertisements have in common? They focus on the best feature of the product and put all the other information in fine print (or not mention it at all).

So what does this mean for you and your resume? Your resume needs to focus on your best features and qualifications for the position. If you have relevant experience you need to focus on that information, not your stint as a bag boy in high school. Information like that becomes part of the fine print (or not mentioned at all). But the entire time you are exalting your best features, remember to remain honest at all times. Lying in a resume will not help in the long run. Not only will they expect things you cannot deliver but they may call you on it and not hire you.

Need to know more about writing that great resume. Check out the Career Center’s resume handout, “Developing an Effective Resume,” on our website.

And don’t forget to attend the Career Center Resume Workshop on October 15 or 16 at 3:00!  For more details look at then events calendar on the Career Center Website.

Who Needs A Reference?

July 29, 2007

Everyone that’s who. These are the people who will vouch for you and hopefully praise you to potential employers. What they can say can make a lot of difference on whether or not you are hired.

So how do you choose who to use as a reference. First and foremost do not use any kind of familial relation, so no parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Potential employers may question the validity of the reference when talking with someone who you consider a family member. In other words, if you went to a family reunion with this person try not use them.

Who you can use:

  • Professors
  • Past employers
  • Supervisors
  • Business Associates

Remember to ask these people for permission and how they best want to be contacted. If you do not ask your reference will be blind sided and perhaps not give you a great reference. This also allows you to discuss with your reference what type of positions you are applying for and to help your reference remember some of the different accomplishments you have achieved. For more tips on reference go to http://www.cofc.edu/%7Ecareer/References.pdf to learn more about layout and who to choose.

Resumes that Make an Impression

July 23, 2007

When writing a resume you want to stand out, not blend in with a crowd. Most positions you apply for are going to get numerous applications and you need to ensure the employer looks at yours. Plus, you need to impress the employer or they will not give you an interview.

Make sure your resume not only reflects you, but also reflects the position you are applying for. You should not have a generic resume that you send out to every organization you are applying to (resumes for career fairs are the exception). Each position you are applying for is different so each resume you send should be different. When applying for a position look at the skills, qualifications, and duties of that position, if you have any of that in your experience make sure that is highlighted in your resume and cover letter.

The majority of people do not consider changing around their resume when submitting it to different positions. So be different and make an impression!

Here are some more tips to make an impression on potential employers:

  1. Spell check—employers will be put off by resumes with even the slightest grammar or spelling error. And do NOT rely on spell-check!
  2. Use high quality paper in a soft neutral color tone.
  3. Do NOT use a template! You want to be unique not have your resume look like everyone else’s.
  4. Be concise. If the resume is too long then you will lose the employers attention. One page is always a safe bet.

For more guidance on writing a resume visit our Prepare My Resume, Cover letter, & Job Search Strategy page. You can also visit our office in the Lightsey Building during Drop-In hours: 1 pm to 4 pm on weekdays.

Skip to toolbar