Jobs Magazine November 14 – 20, 2014 | Page 8

JOBS RESOURCES

3 THINGS
A COVER LETTER MUST DO:
Most job seekers hate writing a cover letter. The
process can be awkward. Some applicants even skip
writing one whenever it is an optional, or even suggested, part of an application. The cover letter gives
applicants a unique opportunity in the hiring process
to catch the attention of the hiring manager. Here are
three things a killer cover letter must do.

1. EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE
APPLYING FOR THIS JOB
Hiring managers want to know why you are interested in the position. If you heard about the opening
through an employee of the company, mention their
name directly. If not, try to explain what about the
position piqued your interest. You need to think
beyond, “I want to make money,” “I need to pay my
bills,” or “I want to get away from my current terrible
job.” Those may all be true, but they do not explain
your interest in the particular job opening. Think
beyond the pay, benefits, or perks, and try to engage
with why the work itself appealing.

2. GIVE CONCRETE EXAMPLES
OF YOUR RELEVANT
ACHIEVEMENTS
Your resume should be achievement focused,
detailing what you achieved at particular jobs rather
than just a listing of job titles and dates. However, in
order to stay within one page (two if you are more
experienced), you typically cannot go into detail
regarding your achievements. Pick one that you think
illustrates a quality the hiring manager would like. If
the job requires someone with intense attention to
detail, give a concrete example of how you have done
this in the past. Many job seekers try to list out their
best qualities, without giving examples. Using examples of past achievements shows the hiring manager
that you have the particular traits, and makes for a
more engaging letter.

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NOVEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 20, 2014