The Skill-Based Resume–A “New Style”
Make Your Own and Get the Job You Want and Deserve!
Find the Job You Want and are Qualified For!
Not Just Another Job Like You’ve Always Had!
AND Incorporate Your Talents, Skills and Abilities,
and Even Your Spiritual Gifts.
The Following Pages Will Walk You Through The Process:
Create Your Own Impressive Resume (and Reference Page ALWAYS!).
Write an Impressive Cover Letter.
Sample Thank You Notes and Expressing Appreciation.
(whether following a phone call, interview, hired, or rejected).
by
Robert J. Vickers,
Founder and President, Artful Askers
P.O. Box 1225
Warrensburg, Missouri 64093
www.artfulaskers.com
© Copyright 2007 by Robert J. Vickers
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author, except as provided by United States copyright law. The exception is when the material is used consistent with its’ design for local use (without any charge) in which case liberal copying is permitted and encouraged. PLEASE use it to create your own resume and then use it to help someone else create theirs!
Please feel free to print this guide out and utilize it to help people help themselves. Our purpose is to assist people in moving from lives of dependency on others to living lives of independency and dependency being empowered to help themselves and others! Use this information and the sample resumes as guides to help prepare a resume for those that need help (after preparing one for yourself). “Borrow” from the resumes and “cut-and-paste” resumes as much a possible BUT always be sure to honestly represent yourself and others in a resume.
Introduction letter from Robert Vickers about Resumes, Click HERE.
The Following Outline is Presented and Discussed in Detail:
I. A Resume: Do I Need One? When Should I Create One? Is It Important?
II. "The KEY to A Successful Resume. . .
Expressing Who You Are and What You Do in Words!"
III. The BEST Style of Resume to Use: The Skill-Focused Resume
IV. What to Include in Your Resume? Here are the Elements?
V. Skill and Function Headings and Development
VI. Resumes Do's
VII. Resume Don'ts
VIII. How and When to Use a Resume
IX. Formatting Suggestions
X. Writing a Cover Letter:
You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a Good First Impression
XI. The Follow-Up and Follow-Through:
The Thank You Note (Including Samples)
I. A RESUME: Do I need one? When should I create one? Is It Important?
A resume is your autobiography on paper. It tells the reader who you are, what you do, where you have done it, with whom it was done, and more. It tells the reader of your character, your work ethic, and so much more.
It is a very important document and MUST be easy to read, MUST look nice, and MUST contain an impressive summary of your "occupational self" on paper! Your resume does several things including:
• demonstrates that you are capable of playing at a higher level.
• tells who you are as an employee and a person in the workplace.
• communicates values that are important to you through the words you choose.
• demonstrates your employment history by job title, company, job responsibility, duty, and more.
• communicates your strengths and weaknesses.
• defines your skills and abilities (both experiential and potential).
• answers questions a prospective employer has before they even ask.
• invites the prospective employer to call you for an interview.
• raises the bar for other applicants submitting resumes.
The information you choose to put on your resume AND the way you present your resume should boldly (but not arrogantly) build an argument as to why an employer should consider you as a prospective employee. The resume is a screening device for the employer. The average resume gets about 30 seconds of attention in the employer's initial review, so you must represent yourself briefly and concisely but do so in a way that invites the reader to read more. Every word must count! Be precise and “toot your own horn” but remember that employers often verify information on your resume so BE HONEST.
The resume is the tool that you should use as your best opportunity to be an advocate for yourself. Remember, the purpose of the resume is to get an interview for the type of job you want and making the kind of wage or salary you need to make. Always assess whether it is "working" or "not working" and don't be afraid to change it. If it isn't working, try something different until you can make it work. If it works, think in terms of "how can I change it to make it better." Ask someone to give you some honest and constructive criticism. But remember, it is your resume. Everyone that writes resumes has their own "style" based on their education, experience, training, opinions, perceptions, etc. . . Get other input but then YOU make the decision for your own resume. Draw from your resources and have people help you. Don’t be afraid to e-mail a copy to Artful Askers (bob@artfulaskers.com) and allow us to help you make a good resume even better!
Remember, two-thirds of the effectiveness of a resume is CONTENT. You must communicate in as few words as possible–but communicate VALUE! You must be able to convincingly and compellingly make an argument for yourself. You must honestly demonstrate that your qualifications are sufficient for the job you are looking at. You must make content be relevant, impressive, and most of all, communicate your desire to have the job and contribute to the team.
But a full one-third of the effectiveness of a resume is FORMAT. What you say is most important BUT the way you say it is also important. It should invite the reader and be easy to read. It must be engaging, inviting, and readable.
EVERYONE NEEDS A CURRENT RESUME READY! You never know when you will need it! Create a resume, put it on the computer and update it once a year. It is THAT important! [Need an excuse to NOT have a current resume? Click HERE for common objections.]
II. "The KEY to a successful resume. . . expressing who you are and what you do in words!"
Identify who you are and what you've done and present it in a marketable format. . . There are many important aspects to a resume. Every person who writes a resume has a different way of putting one together and in most cases, there are no "right ways" versus "wrong ways." However, there are some common characteristics that appear to be most successful in getting people job interviews and jobs.
The strongest, most important, and most effective difference in a successful resume that works is how you describe your skills, abilities, and responsibilities from previous employment. Think about the jobs you have had. . . What were your responsibilities? What did you do? What skills and abilities did you utilize? List all of your previous work experiences and what you did on the job. Don't take anything for granted. Be specific!
Think about skills you have gained through training or leadership qualities that have been learned through your church experience, volunteer opportunities, or additional education outside of your employment history.
Also think about the skills that you have but have not had an opportunity to utilize them in an occupational setting. Categorically organize them and communicate them to the reader of your resume. Whenever possible, incorporate value into your statements by explaining not only what you did, but how well you did it. Consider the following two situations, for example:
Receptionist ABC:
• Answered phone and met people
• Greeted plant visitors
• Made appointments for others
• Sorted incoming mail
Receptionist XYZ:
• Received incoming calls on three business lines, determined nature of
call, and efficiently transferred caller to destination with 99% accuracy.
• Maintained log of phone calls, time of call, nature of business, and
person called upon.
• Monitored coming and going of staff ensuring that callers and walk-in
customers were directed to appropriate and available personnel.
• Collected, sorted, and distributed mail and phone messages to staff
members at regular intervals throughout the day.
• Greeted visitors to plant and issued visitor passes when necessary.
• Arranged for future appointments for staff upon request.
Which applicant would you hire? Receptionist ABC or XYZ?
III. The BEST Style of Resume to Use: The Skill-Focused Resume
A skill-focused resume puts the focus on the “categories” or “factors” of professional skills and experience that you have gained from employment, your formal education and training, other training opportunities, additional education, and generally on the transferrable skills and functions that you have previously acquired. In fact, this is the resume that would allow you to reflect your spiritual giftings and abilities. This is the "how" type of resume as it puts more emphasis on your skills and abilities and de-emphasizes your work history.
Many skill-focused resumes are one page in length. The MOST effective skill-focused resume should be 1½ pages long. If the information is relevant and it looks nice, one-and-a-half to two pages is the most preferred.
1. This will be the best resume for you if you. . .
• are reentering the job market after an absence of ANY kind.
• have had long time-gaps between employment.
• have had numerous job changes.
• are looking for another job in a very different field or industry.
• think your age is a barrier: Either too young (with limited work history), OR
too old (close to retirement but still some good years left!).
• haven't shown advancement in responsibility or have had lateral moves.
• have had several unrelated occupations.
• are a mature individual with a varied background and numerous areas
of expertise.
• are a new graduate from high school or college.
• are a dislocated worker who is retraining and or has retrained and wants
to use newly acquired education to make a career change.
• you have skills and abilities other than those you are currently using
and you desire to make a change.
• you have extensive military background and experience.
• you are self-employed and operate your own business.
2. The advantage of this resume is that it. . .
--highlights accomplishments and strengths.
--allows you to organize your skills in a way that best suits you.
--eliminates repetition and redundancy of similar jobs.
--allows you flexibility in how you present yourself.
--is an excellent resume to use for circulating through networks.
--allows you to draw from diverse volunteer experience, interests, and
skills, that have not been a part of your past employment.
In a pure skill/functional resume, you leave off work history. This is only
recommended if your work history is an absolute disaster.
3. The disadvantage of using this resume is. . .
It de-emphasizes specific job titles and companies you worked for.
It de-emphasizes longevity.
It shows limited job duties.
It may be unfamiliar to some employers.
4. CAUTION: Avoid making this resume too long!
We have other resources with other types of resumes. If you are interested or wish to order something, go to www.artfulaskers.com
IV. What to Include in Your Resume? Here are the Elements?
A. Personal Data in Your Resume Heading
First name, middle initial, and last name (use your legal name).
Street address
City, State (spelled out), and zip code.
(Area code) and telephone number (Use a number where you can be reached during business hours.) If the number is something other than your home, identify it as such: For example, "message phone," "work," "parents," etc.
DO NOT LIST marital status, height and weight, NOR children’s names, etc.
B. Objective OR Profile
An objective is a statement of your search intentions. It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you know what you want to do. The Objective or Profile is important. It should always go on a skill-focused resume and in many cases on the other types as well. If it is not utilized on the actual resume, it should be a part of the cover letter.
Some prefer to put a header before the statement such as "Objective," "Position Desired," "Career Objective," or so on. You should choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Click HERE to see a couple of sample objectives and/or profiles.
In an objective, be specific! But use two or three lines maximum! Avoid being too general–it would be better to not have one. Consider these:
Bad Examples:
"I desire a job that is more stable than my last job."
"Seeking a career that offers potential for advancement."
"I want full time employment allowing me to provide for my family."
Good Examples:
"Seeking an assembly-line manufacturing position utilizing my technical
training and experience."
"Seeking a Home-Health Nursing position utilizing my education, training,
and previous nursing experience."
"Seeking a teaching and research position utilizing my communication skills,
classroom management background, and abilities to conceptualize
research models."
C. Work Experience or Work History
You need to account for your work history including the past 10 to 15 years. Start with the most recent first and work back. List the job title, employer's name, city and state, and dates of employment.
If you have no gaps in your history, you can list the month and year. For Example:
Waitress, Shoney's, Warrensburg, Missouri, August 1990 to May 1993
Assembler, Vickers Inc., Warrensburg, Missouri, May 1983 to June 1994
Supervisor, K-mart, Inc., Sedalia, Missouri, December 1987 to Present
If you have any gaps, list only the year! This is the preferred method! For Example:
Waitress, Shoney's, Warrensburg, Missouri, 1990 to 1993
Assembler, Vickers Inc., Warrensburg, Missouri, 1983 to 1994
Supervisor, K mart, Inc., Sedalia, Missouri, 1987 to Present
As a rule of thumb, don't list a job that was for less than three or four months unless it helps you. Capture the past 12 to 15 years or so at least.
D. Duties, Responsibilities, and Skill Identification
We have already stressed the importance of this portion of your resume.
• Use bullet statements
• Never use pronouns
• Begin each statement with an action verb
• Quantify and add value whenever possible
• Eliminate as many prepositions as possible
E. Education and Training
As with most other things, list the most recent first and work your way back through earlier ones. If you have attended a two-year college or university, or have received a college degree, there's no need to list your high school. Otherwise, it's better safe than sorry. Begin the entry with the name of the completed degree or certificate. Following that, list the formal name of the school, the city it is located in or branch campus you attended, and the state.
What about the year of your graduation? List it if you think it will work to your advantage or help you in some way. Otherwise, leave it off.
There are various levels of education. . .
Less than GED or Less than High School Graduate
General Educational Development Diploma, Currently Enrolled
General Educational Development Diploma, Received
High School Graduate
High School Graduate and slight amount of specialty training
Certificate from a Vocational-Technical School
Professional Development Courses
Some College--no degree
College Graduate--Associate's or Bachelor's Degree
College Graduate--Master's or other Graduate Degree
What if you have a lot of education and training but no degree? Try to show it.
What about your company-sponsored training? List it accordingly.
What if I want to leave education off completely? Bad Idea.
F. Activities, Organizations, and Community Service
You should be cautious whether you should list any or not. Some affiliations might not work in your favor. When you do list these, list broad categories rather than specific ones. A few good examples:
"Active in a Variety of Local Church Activities"
"Member and Vice-President, County Daycare Center, Incorporated"
"Active in Local United Way Annual Fund Drive"
"Member, Forsyth Chamber of Commerce"
G. Professional Affiliations, Associations, and Military AND/OR Church and Community Involvement
Say whether these are current or not. A few good examples:
Member, American Sociological Association, 1987 to Present
University of Oklahoma Alumni Association, Active Member
Parent Teacher Association, Warrensburg Public Schools, 1992 to 1995
H. "REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST"
Always put this phrase at the bottom of the last page of your resume. In the same way a period ends a sentence, this line says "this is the end of my resume." However, each time you send out or hand out a resume, attach with it a reference page using no less than three references nor more than five references. Be complete with the information!
Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr./Rev. first and last name
job title or position
company name or affiliation
street or mailing address
city, state, zip code
(area code) phone number (to be reached during the day)
Who should you use for a reference? Use someone who can talk directly about your work ethic, production capabilities, and personal commitment to your employment. Make sure that you contact this person and ask their permission before using them as a reference. Some examples of who to ask:
Supervisor or Foreman
Plant Superintendent
Assistant Manager or Manager
Pastor or Youth Pastor
Banker
Lawyer
Co-worker
Civic Contact
Life-long Family Friend
Note: Putting “REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST” at the bottom of a resume is like putting a period at the end of a sentence–it tells the reader, “The end.”
NEVER hand out your resume NOR send out your resume without accompanying a page of references. This tells the reader that you are a step ahead of others and ready to get the ball rolling!
SEE SAMPLES OF VARIOUS HEADINGS, Click HERE
See a sample of a Reference Page, Click HERE.
V. Skill and Function Headings and Development
This section is critical
Develop this a little bit more. . .
The following is a list of skill areas that you may use, or you may decide on other skill categories that are more appropriate for your experience:
Accounting Design Nursing
Administration Financial Organization
Advertising Food Service Personal Management
Agricultural Fund Raising Planning
Child-Care Health Care Production
Clerical Human Resources Program Planning
Communications Interpersonal Public Relations
Community Affairs Interviewing Sales
Computer Language Staff Development
Construction Leadership Supervisory
Consulting Management Teaching
Creative Manual Technical
Data Processing Marketing Training
Drafting Mechanic Writing and Editing
In order to assist you in the development of your particular areas, the following are a few of the most common skill headings and some of the skills associated with them. When you go over your own list of skills, group them into between one and four categories as well as you can. As you will notice in the examples that follow, some skills are associated with more than one category--you should try to place it in an appropriate category for your situation.
Administration: Communication: Financial:
Planned Reasoned Calculated
Organized Defined Projected
Scheduled Listened Budgeted
Directed Explained Analyzed
Interviewed/Hired Interpreted Recognized Problems
Analyzed Wrote/Edited Invested
Evaluated Public Speaking Accounting Procedures
Negotiated Strategies Facilitated Operated Business Machines
Resolved Conflict Motivated Record/Bookkeeping
Developed Programs Asserted Attention to Detail
Manual: Supervisory: Creative:
Operated Organized Interior Decorating
Monitored Assigned or Delegated Paint/Draw
Controlled Motivated Sewed
Set-up Evaluated Coordinated Colors
Maintained Researched Conceptualized
Safety Rules Coordinated Designed
Knowledge of Tools Scheduled Crafted
Precision Work Negotiated Remodeled
Work Under Hazardous Implemented Spatial Relations
Conditions Adaptable Gardened/Floral
NEED MORE IDEAS? First, look through the SAMPLES and use your imagination for your chosen area.
VI. Resumes Do's
1. Emphasize your assets--not your liabilities. Show how your skills meet the employers' needs.
2. Be truthful! Don't misrepresent yourself.
3. Keep it brief--one to two pages.
4. Use action verbs to begin statements. They create confidence in your ability to get things done and solve problems. However, it is important to keep the "tense" internally consistent from one statement to the next.
5. Read/re-read the resume before mailing/handing it out. Be sure there are no typographical errors or mistakes!
6. Keep it concise. Use bullet statements rather than complete sentences.
7. Reinforce the points that you are trying to make by being specific. Give figures to help demonstrate what you did, how much money, how many people, size of increase, etc.
8. Write and re-write. It will require many revisions to say precisely what you want to say. Don't be satisfied until it is the best you can do.
9. Have it critiqued by others. An objective reader can offer a critical review and make suggestions in areas you may have overlooked. You need constructive criticism and not just a "pat on the back."
10. Always accompany the resume with a complete reference page!
VII. Resume Don'ts
1. Don't begin with a vague employment objective. It is better to eliminate the objective than to write a bad one.
2. Don't begin statements with "I." Begin statements with action verbs instead.
3. Don't list irrelevant information such as height, weight, marital status, etc. Don’t include a picture.
4. NEVER FOLD A RESUME! Mail it out in a larger envelope–NEVER fold it!
5. Never abbreviate--with very few exceptions. This includes acronyms! Letters that stand for a business or organization are not appropriate--don't assume that everyone knows what you are talking about.
6. Don't overuse italics, underlining, etc.
7. Don't send out a resume that is disorganized or crammed onto a page in a sea of words.
8. Don't send it if it is poorly typed or reproduced.
9. Don't use poor descriptions of experiences or try too hard! Don't try to get too cute--employers are looking for a business-like presentation. Be professional!
10. Don't send out a resume with incomplete references or no references at all!
VIII. How and When to Use a Resume:
• Attach it to a completed company application form (it seldom replaces it).
• Send it with a cover letter to companies that hire people into positions that interest you.
• Take it with you when to make direct contact with an employer. Either hand it to the company representative during your discussion with him/her or leave it with a secretary.
• Send it with a cover letter in response to a newspaper advertisement.
• Bring it with you to the interview and offer it to the interviewer to remind him or her of your experience and qualifications.
• Give copies to people you know who are part of your networking circle: A Pastor, a respected leader of your church or community, or a friend of one of your parents.
• Give a copy to each person whom you would like to use as a work reference.
IX. Formatting Suggestions:
• Make sure you use good quality paper, measuring 8 1/2" x 11," with a weight of between 18 and 25 lbs.
• Stay with a white, off-white, or cream colored paper.
• Always send a clean, crisp resume. If possible, send an original. If you use a copy service, however, be sure to send one that is free of "stray copy marks."
• Avoid stapling, folding, or faxing your resume. Don’t do this unless they ask you to do this.
• Put your name on the first line of your resume, and put nothing else before it.
• Use a laser-jet or desk-jet (NOT a dot-matrix) printer to get the best possible print quality.
• When choosing a typeface, stick with common ones such as Universal Scalable, Times New Roman (this is the number one preferred font!), Palatino, Optima, and New Century Schoolbook. Avoid fancy or exotic typefaces. Keep point (font) sizes between 11 (throughout) and 15 (for the heading and subheadings). Never use cursive. Rarely, if ever, use italics.
• If you choose to use boldface, underlining, or all capital letters, use them primarily for headings (but certainly sparingly).
• Your cover letter should be written on paper that matches your resume.
• Send (or hand deliver) your resume, unstapled/unfolded, in a 9" x 12" envelope and type the label and return address. Hand address their name and mailing information. Place the cover letter on top, followed by the resume, the reference page, letters of recommendation, and any other requested attachments or information.
• ONLY USE ONE SIDE OF THE PAPER–NEVER DOUBLE-SIDE!
• Other recommendations: Use 11 point Times New Roman font; .3 to .5 indentations; bold only headings and subheadings; .9 line spacing; .8 inch to no more than 1 inch marhgins all around the pages; periods at end of sentences and phrases; BE CONSISTENT.
X. Writing a Cover Letter: You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a Good First Impression.
Whenever you send a resume to a prospective employer, you also should ALWAYS include a cover letter. Even if you hand deliver it to someone you know, a prospective employer in your community, or other “hot prospect,” you should ALWAYS include a cover letter!
The cover letter should accomplish four things:
1. connect you to the reader.
2. explain the purpose of sending your resume.
3. convince the prospect to be interested in your resume and check your supplied references.
4. target the resume to a specific position, field of interest, or prospective job.
Effective cover letters are compelling, convincing, and concise. Clear, to the point, and brief. The cover letter should achieve its purpose in three to four paragraphs which consists of the greeting, the opening, the body, and the closing. Communicating IN WRITING–either through a Cover Letter or Thank You Note will make ALL the difference in the world! You will be competing only with yourself from there on! The follow-up is the key to gaining employment!
The Greeting: Address the letter to a specific person. Never use "To Whom It May Concern:" or "Dear Sir or Madam:". You can find out the name and title of who will be hiring or interviewing for a position by making a simple phone call to the company or business. However, it is sometimes impossible to do this or the advertisement may state "no calls, please." In these situations, either use the "RE:" approach or address it to the position as in the following examples: "Dear Director of Manufacturing:" or "Dear Personnel Manager:".
The Opening: Begin your letter by directly stating why you are writing the employer. If you are applying for a specific opening, indicate the position you would like to apply for and how you learned of the opening.
Example: “I would like to apply for the marketing position advertised in the May 28 edition of The Kansas City Star.” [In italics because it is a newspaper.]
If you are writing to inquire about job openings, simply state why you are writing and give the employer an idea of the type of position in which you are interested. Example: “I am interested in prospective mechanic openings with A & C Auto.”
An effective opening would also get the employer's interest by touching on your qualifications or skills. Example: “I would like to apply for the mechanic position advertised in the May 28 edition of The Kansas City Star. [In italics because it is a newspaper.] I believe my experience in repair and maintenance of farm machinery and equipment qualify me for further consideration and will call next Thursday to schedule an appointment.”
The Body: Don't repeat all of the information in your resume. Direct the employer's attention to the skills, characteristics, and experience that make you right for the job. Point out what you can contribute to the company or business. You should also mention that your resume is attached for further details.
Example: “As indicated in my enclosed resume, I have more than twenty years of experience maintaining and repairing a variety of equipment and have recently completed a vocational course in engine repair. In addition, as a community leader, I am experienced in serving the public and working as a team-player. I believe my skills and experience would enable me to be an immediate asset to your organization.
The Closing: In closing, you should indicate that you want to meet with the employer. Take the initiative and let the employer know how and when you will contact him or her to set up an appointment. Use phrases like "get together" or "meet with you" instead of "interview" in the closing. Example: “I would like to meet with you to discuss my qualifications. I will call you next week to find out when we might get together. Thank you for your attention and consideration.
FINAL POINTS About Cover Letters:
• Keep the letter short, clear, and business-like. "Gimmicky" letters do not impress most employers.
• Type the cover letter using paper that matches your resume. Check carefully for typographical errors, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Keep a copy of the letter for your records.
• Put the cover letter, the resume, and the reference page all together. Place them in a large envelope–either a Priority Mail or 9 X 12 envelope. Do not fold or staple them and type the label. Mail with first-class postage to the same person and address as is on the cover letter. Even if you are hand delivering the resume, utilize a cover-letter for additional "impress-ability."
• Be sure to follow-up as indicated in your letter. If you said "I'll call your office next week," then call the office next week!
Use the cover letter as an opportunity to add additional relevant qualifications, personal qualities, or information not addressed in your resume. Especially concerning the objective. . . The cover letter is an opportunity for you to state that you know you are about and what you want.
SAMPLE COVER LETTERS Click HERE.
XI. The Follow-Up and Follow-Through: The Thank You Note (Including Samples)
The resume and cover letter are samples of the ways for you to set yourself apart from the crowd of applicants competing for jobs.
Another way is through the Follow-Up: The Thank You Note. The letter of thanks for a job interview is the last chance you are likely to get to make a lively and vivid impression on the person who may hire you. Over and over, employers say they are influenced favorably toward an applicant by a thank-you letter. Yet, 49 out of 50 job hunters overlook it entirely or squander the opportunity with a colorless form letter.
Approximately one-third of all people who accept a job–will not complete their move and start the job for which they were hired. You often can open the door to a follow-up interview (after being initially rejected) simply by writing a Thank you note for the initial interview.
The first step in writing a worthwhile letter is to understand that the employer may be busy, tired, preoccupied, or just plain indifferent when your letter reaches their "in" basket. Employers respond to fresh approaches that are convincing, compelling, and concise!
There's no business law that states you must write your thank-you note only on standard size, white stationery, and phrase your introduction and close in the same language everyone else uses. You make yourself look average by conforming. Try to give your thank-you letters an original twist and watch how interest in them perks up. The possible rewards far outweigh the risks, and your future boss will be grateful.
Keep up your enthusiasm for the job. It is refreshing for employers to see genuine enthusiasm for the job and its responsibilities. Too often, they end up trying to decide between dozens of job seekers who seem willing to take anything. Enthusiasm for the job is the mainspring of opportunity.
Keep your letter brief. You can't be boring if you're concise. Don't beg or plead and avoid closing with meek or passive phrases such as "Hoping to hear from you" or "I look forward to hearing from you." If you really want the job, then ask him/her for it and stop. BUT, Do what you say you are going to do. If you say, “I’ll call next week to schedule an appointment,” then, call next week to schedule an appointment!
There's no harm in signing off with "Sincerely," but there's no advantage in it either. Most of your competitors will use it too. Why not "Yours with appreciation," or simply "With gratitude," “Respectfully Submitted,.” OR just, respectfully.”
Write genuine and authentic Thank You Notes a LOT:
Write a Thank You Note for their consideration.
Write a Thank You Note for their time on the phone.
Write a Thank You Note for the Interview and Opportunity.
Write a Thank You Note for the Rejection Letter.
Write a Thank You Note for them responding to your Thank You for the Rejection Letter!
SAMPLE THANK YOU Notes and Letters, Click HERE
