Make your first impression count.
When do you think you get/give a first impression to a potential employer? At the telephone interview to set up an appointment? At the first contact interview?
WRONG!
Your first impression is your Cover Letter! Even your Resume is second, not first! It does not even matter if you are sending via snail mail or email - the first impression the employer or recruiter gets is from your Cover Letter. (see this week's article on Cover Letters) Remember - in sending via email your Cover Letter is (or should be) in the body of the email; the Resume is attached.
So why do so many people NOT take the same time on their Cover Letters as their Resumes?
I get the interview because I am able to interest the recruiter/employer in what I have to offer - and I make sure I do have all the skills mentioned, AND I mention all the skills. So often I have found that the employer really is only looking for one or two specific skills - I have them, so I get the interview - often over more experienced colleagues who are just lacking that one skill.
Don't leave the interview to chance - make a good impression the first time!
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Copyright March 3, 2008. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
