I was recently asked to review résumés for a position requiring a high level of education and experience. Given the nature of the position, my expectations were high and I imagined résumés and cover letters that were crisp and polished. Instead, I was faced with documents that were too long and too wordy with glaring oversights.
One set of documents included a cumbersome nine-page cover letter accompanied by a four-page résumé. Apparently, this applicant hadn't heard that résumés have only 30 seconds to make an impression. At that rate, this applicant could be dismissed before the reviewer gets beyond page two.
Another résumé was submitted without a cover letter. To makes matters worse, the introduction to the résumé read like a sales pitch and did not include the applicant's name! This person missed a key opportunity in a cover letter to cite specific skills and background information relevant to the job.
Even though reference letters were not requested in this phase of the application process, one person included several letters with her documents. That was not a bad idea, except for the fact that the letters spoke to her appropriateness for a totally different position. One letter was years old and the copy was so poor it was difficult to read.
Saving the worst for last...One applicant tried to make an impression by using four different fonts, three ink colors and a variety of highlighting options on her résumé to get her point across. Instead of favorably impressing the reader, this résumé looked like a mishmash of words with too much going on to allow the reader to pull out relevant information. As if the aesthetics weren't bad enough, the applicant misnamed the organization to which she was applying!
No matter what the position or the level of education or training required, the following six points should be considered as you prepare your application documents:
1. Keep your résumé or CV (curriculum vita used for academic positions) to one or two pages. A CV could have an addendum to include additional pages for publications and professional presentations.
2. Always write a customized cover letter and address it to a specific person. Call the organization to find the name of the appropriate person if it is not included in the job posting. The cover letter should complement, not copy, your résumé. Use it to effectively highlight specific qualifications that match your background and expertise.
3. Note carefully the documents that are requested by the prospective employer. Even if they are not required, reference letters, providing they are current, add to the professional look of your packet and specifically address your ability to fill the position, can be a good addition.
4. Keep to one or two different font styles. Choose only one option such as bold, underline, capital letters or italics, per word or phrase to highlight it.
5. Review all of your documents carefully, especially if you are applying for several positions at the same time. Make sure you are citing the correct job, organization and requirements in each application packet.
6. Don't rush through the process and forget to sign your name!
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One space remaining! Women's retreat in southern France, led by Barbara for the eighth year.
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