Members RSBro Posted March 4, 2009 Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 Ok guys, when submitting a resume via Monster.com, is it worth it to write anything in the blank "cover letter" spot? I mean you don't even know exactly (most of the time) what firm you're applying for as it's going to a recruiter, so it's hard to say "My values line up with your values, etc.." Or just a few sentences about how my experience prepped me for this type of job and based on my skills/experiences, I should be able to perform it well? My heart's really bumpin'. Could be a HUGE change in my life after today and in the coming weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted March 4, 2009 Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 Been a while since I have had a quick job... *runs off to find little black book* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JeffBass Posted March 4, 2009 Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 It's fine. I did it. Just something explaining your strong points and what you'll bring to the table. Do a Google search on "cover letters" and you'll find all sorts of examples. Also, update the resume every week or two even if you don't change much. Any "edit and save" re-positions your resume near the top of the search index so it will be found quicker by employers searching on keywords. Keywords include things like tools and skills that you have. For a techie like me, words like DB2, CICS, COBOL, XML, and JCL are keywords. Load your resume up with them. Another hint. Do a Google search on "interview questions". For me, I did a search on "DB2 Interview questions" and found it to be very helpful because many of them ask the same questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 It's fine. I did it. Just something explaining your strong points and what you'll bring to the table. Do a Google search on "cover letters" and you'll find all sorts of examples. Also, update the resume every week or two even if you don't change much. Any "edit and save" re-positions your resume near the top of the search index so it will be found quicker by employers searching on keywords. Keywords include things like tools and skills that you have. For a techie like me, words like DB2, CICS, COBOL, XML, and JCL are keywords. Load your resume up with them. Another hint. Do a Google search on "interview questions". For me, I did a search on "DB2 Interview questions" and found it to be very helpful because many of them ask the same questions. I don't need much and I have a good "paragraph" that's good for more "cold" jobs. Just didn't know if it was worth the time.And this is for actually uploading, applying and sending something to an open job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BottomHeavyKate Posted March 4, 2009 Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 I would throw something on there. I would think it's better to have put the effort into it for screeners who care. Others might dismiss it but at least you covered your bases... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Detox Posted March 4, 2009 Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 My boss used to have to sort through stacks of applications, and eliminated those that had any sort of statements that could even tangentially disqualify someone. Some of his criteria were pretty ridiculous, like tossing resumes of those who mentioned they played softball or bowling (possible conflict with positions involving frequent travel), but he used them to narrow it down to just a few candidates. After observing that for a while, I stripped my resume of any career goal, hobby or outside interest statements. All I list are position titles, dates, and specific responsibilities that I feel would be of interest to an individual company. My cover letters do nothing but direct the reader to my resume. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 My boss used to have to sort through stacks of applications, and eliminated those that had any sort of statements that could even tangentially disqualify someone. Some of his criteria were pretty ridiculous, like tossing resumes of those who mentioned they played softball or bowling (possible conflict with positions involving frequent travel), but he used them to narrow it down to just a few candidates. After observing that for a while, I stripped my resume of any career goal, hobby or outside interest statements. All I list are position titles, dates, and specific responsibilities that I feel would be of interest to an individual company. My cover letters do nothing but direct the reader to my resume. YMMV. I really only have "objective" on mine and nothing else extraneous. And it's really not even objective or goals, but specifically what I want my job to be, as within tax/accounting, there's lots of that around. "Tax preparation and review" doesn't really tell you anything, ya know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LouSpaceMonkey Posted March 4, 2009 Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 I thought Cover Letters went out of vouge a long time ago. I have a friend of mine that's a recruiter I could ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 They are. But, if applying by email, everyone just about I've talked to said at least put anywhere from 2-5 sentences just talking about your interest in the job, and why you want it and if possible why you want to work for that firm. My first one this AM was 4 sentences. My 2nd was 5. Short, sweet, and to the MF'ing point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 4, 2009 Well, turns out most of the firms I was even going to apply to are represented by 1 or 2 different staffing companies, one of which already called like 3 times today and set up a meeting with me and the recruiter next Tuesday AM.I'm going to send my info in to the 2nd one tomorrow. Of the 6 companies I was going to send info to, the one that called does 5 of them, so that's not bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JeffBass Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Put "Voted For George Bush" on their too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LouSpaceMonkey Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 They are. But, if applying by email, everyone just about I've talked to said at least put anywhere from 2-5 sentences just talking about your interest in the job, and why you want it and if possible why you want to work for that firm. My first one this AM was 4 sentences. My 2nd was 5. Short, sweet, and to the MF'ing point. Metal , sounds good BTW She said, officially they are played out, if anybody wants to know, they round file 'em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members perrydabassman Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 I can honestly say Monster works... I got laid off a couple of years ago, came home, got on monster and got the job I am at now. And I am happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LouSpaceMonkey Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Well, turns out most of the firms I was even going to apply to are represented by 1 or 2 different staffing companies, one of which already called like 3 times today and set up a meeting with me and the recruiter next Tuesday AM. I'm going to send my info in to the 2nd one tomorrow. Of the 6 companies I was going to send info to, the one that called does 5 of them, so that's not bad at all. Cool, Fingers Crossed. Tell me when to send you the mojo from Employment Valhalla, to rein down your pure animal sex power on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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