I’ve found that cover letters are just as important as the information on your resume. I’ve been in the position as the interviewee and the interviewer. I’ve hired and trained replacements for two jobs I’ve held. I’ve recently decided to change my cover letter. It was written well and had the catchiness I wanted, but it didn’t stand out. I am going to tell a bit of a story in my cover letter. A short story. Just to let them know that I am a free thinker, but can stay within the lines when necessary. You can really demonstrate your interdisciplinarity on your resume by listing some core courses under a section labeled, maybe, skills or strengths. A huge mistake people make is thinking a small typo won’t matter. It does matter. It matters a lot. If you can’t take the time to have someone else look over what you’ve done and find these mistakes, it makes it seems like you feel the forest will hide some trees. Also, when someone asks you if for a 500 essay. Make it 500 words. Not 505, not 499. If they say “at least 500 words” then it doesn’t matter. But they are looking to see if you can follow instructions. In my cover letters, I’ve always mentioned being as asset to a company, multi-tasking, team member and information about the company. Why do you think would be most important on a cover letter?
Here is the only cover letter I've ever written...
Dear Human Resources Director:I am writing about the Lab Assistant position at the Osceola Regional Medical Center in West Kissimmee found when searching jobs on the Osceola Regional Medical Center website. I will be graduating from the University of Central Florida in December 2009 with my Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor’s of Science degree. My areas of study within this degree are Behavioral/Social Sciences and Life/Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Health Sciences.I am currently employed by Friendly’s Restaurant as a server. Though not the medical field, it is a very fast paced environment and it has prepared me for anything fast paced. Being a server has also given me a chance to become very personable and sensitive to the needs of others. I have obtained lab experience when I was a teacher’s assistant for my biology/anatomy teacher, Mrs. Nancy Evers at Osceola High School. She had me do several tasks such as helping students in her classes dissect different specimen and cleaning lab equipment, as well as preparing different equipment for different labs done in class.My major at the University of Central Florida has prepared me for various different scenarios. Having experience in more than one area of study has made me very well rounded and has given me the chance to view things from several different points of view instead of just one.I appreciate the time taken to look over my resume and I look forward to speaking to you in person. I can be reached by phone at 407-XXX-XXXX as well as by email at rekcarcenutrof@gmail.com. Thank you again for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, Shellee King
Other insights...As someone with little experience in the medical field I thought it to be helpful to include other life experiences such as gaining the ability to work in a fast paced environment through serving. I may later on include my knowledge of healthcare from the patient's perspective through my life experiences as a diabetic. I would love other suggestions on how to improve my cover letter, as well as my resume.
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Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you chose to tell them about your current job at friendly's and incorporated it towards the personality characteristics it has given you. I've always wondered what would be the best way to relate working as a hostess at a restraunt to medical school or employer. Thanks for the idea!
I think it's really important that you let an employer know that you don't think any job is too small or any company insignificant. Your degree with help show that you are above others and that you can do the job you are working towards. So, it might be helpful to let them know that even if you were doing a job that a lot of others can do, you added an element that they couldn't. You have to point out what makes you unique from others. Giving 110% at any job for any company demonstrates a consistent work ethic and work morals. Because in real life, you sometimes have to do the filing and answering phones, too!
ReplyDeleteI never had a job where I needed to submit a resume or cover letter. I have written resumes before as assignments for past classes, but they've never been seen by potential employers. I took a Career Planning class in my junior year of high school. This class proved to be extremely useful. We were taught how to research job information, such as outlook and salary, and the best colleges for individual career goals. We were taught how to write cover letters, resumes, and thank you letters for future interviews. We kept all these documents in an organized binder. I still have the binder to this day. I figured it would be incredibly helpful in obtaining a job after I graduated college. Even if I hadn't saved my binder, there are plenty of websites that offer sample resumes and templates. My resume can highlight my interdisciplinarity just by listing my accomplishments and interests. I have been involved in activities that are not related to my career of choice. I feel that as long as I show that I am well-rounded, it will also exemplify my interdisciplinarity. I have no particular strategies when it comes to writing resumes. I just make sure to mention all my significant accomplishments and positive personal qualities. As for cover letters, I do one simple thing: I write what I feel. I write exactly what's on my mind in an appropriate and professional manner. I have never written a cover letter that I've submitted to anyone, but here is a sample letter from my binder:
ReplyDeleteDear Director of Human Resources:
I am interested in working for Winthrop University Hospital this fall in an entry level position as a Nurse Technician. I am graduating from the University of Central Florida this coming August. Please consider me as an applicant for the "Nurse Technician" position you advertised in Winthrop University Hospital's Career Opportunity program. Along with my nursing education, I can offer your compan a combination of computer, filing, and social skills. Enclosed is my resume so that you may be able to review my qualifications. I am available for an interview at your convenience and am eager to discuss how I can become part of Winthrop University Hospital's staff.
Sincerely,
Jillian Cruz
(561) 598-****
jilliancruz@knights.ucf.edu
enclosure
That's all I have so far. I'm pretty sure I'll edit it somewhere along the way, so I consider this a rough draft. Any suggests to improve it will be greatly appreciated.
The cover letter is very organized and informative. I might suggest telling a bit more about yourself in the cover letter. They can derive some of that information from your resume. Let them know about you. Instead of saying that you bring filing skills and social skills, give them context. I gained social skills by . . . There are going to be others applying for the same position with the same background. Make yourself stand out. What do you think makes you unique?
ReplyDeleteThank you Rhonda for sharing your cover letter. It really helped to make it clear. I had just always heard that a cover letter should include the purpose for why you're applying to this job. I liked how you stressed the importance of showing what you can add to the company and how any previous job has taught you certain skills which you can then contribute.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main things I always wonder about resumes is how much to include in terms of activities. I have been involved in some things freshman year, but am no longer in some of the same clubs. Should I include these or not? Is it better to show my involvement or does it show better commitment if I only include the things I have done for several years?
My question is, how do you write an informative cover letter without completely reiterating what is on you resume? I don't want to repeat myself. I didn't get to much into my personality traits because I figured thats what my resume was for. I suppose I could add more qualities. I don't really know what sets me apart from everyone else, but I'll do my best.
ReplyDeleteJillian, I've always wondered about the same things. I thought a resume already showed what you've done and completed and some of your skills. I don't want to sound too repetitive or just feel like I'm saying the same thing each time. I thought a cover letter really showed your intent for applying and then a resume showed why you are the best applicant for the job. Does a cover letter just allow you to better explain how your experiences tie in to the potential job?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure on the difference between the two.
Your cover letter is what gets them to read your resume. You are letting them know who you are and why you are suited for that specific job. You want to let them know some things that your resume doesn't say. Your resume might say your volunteered; your cover letter will give a quick shot of why and how it relates to this position. Tell your short story of you so that they are interested enough to see your qualifications!
ReplyDeleteI have certainly had to present resumes, however I have never needed to write a cover letter. Most of what Rhonda had in her letter is the information contained within my resume, just in a different format. I think the most important thing to include is exactly what you did, tell it as a short story, and seem personal yet professional. The relation of the facts of your life to the job through a short story on your profile seems to be the best route to take.
ReplyDeleteMy resume highlights my interdisciplinarity mostly through my very diverse job history. My cover letter does not display interdisciplinarity as much because I do not have a well established cover letter. My cover letter is more of a paragraph on the top of my resume which states that I am a motivated student searching for a job which could aid in development of a future career. I’m not sure exactly how long or what is supposed to be included in a cover letter. Other than this I believe I have a well written resume.
ReplyDeleteMost cover letters are quite short. Shellee King authored the letter above. It is probably best just to post one. Mine is a bit shorter as to not overwhelm the reader, but her letter is quite informative. When I had the role in HR to interview, I appreciated a shorter letter. I had hundreds to sort through!! A cover letter is not always necessary. I think it is just a tool to supplement information that doesn't quite have a place in the resume. Not everyone will read the cover letter. It's like your foot in the door. It's the resume that gets passed along.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm guessing it's okay to to embellish your cover letter a little bit. I was worried that getting too much into my life story in my cover letter would be unprofessional. Should I go over a brief anecdote or would that seem too "essay-ish" ? I thought cover letters were supposed to be short and to the point. I suppose it couldn't hurt to make myself seem more personable and not so much the rigid working stiff.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I agree with you and think that it's easier to display your interdisciplinarity through your resume. It is easier to list all the different activities and interests which fall into your different areas, yet connect to show your overall passions and goals. I think it's super important to show your interdisciplinarity in your cover letter though, as it's a very important characteristic which can stand out to a future employer. I don't know how to really point this out though, without just saying, "I'm an Interdisciplinary Studies Major." But maybe then embellish this with explaining your areas and how you've worked to integrate them and how this could in turn be a plus for the company. I think it's important to tie it all back to the job and how it will benefit you there.
ReplyDeleteI have worked long and hard on my cover letter. Most hiring managers who have had the opportunity to read my cover letter has at least offered me an interview. Here is my best:
ReplyDeleteDear --,
I am responding to the posted job opening of Patient Care Technician I-Pediatrics, which I found via Florida Hospital’s employment website on February 17, 2009.
For the past year I have worked in medical settings, such as the Orlando Center for Neurology and Winnie Palmer Hospital, which I have acquired many qualities I am sure you are looking for in a patient care technician. Also, my continuing education is further building my character to include skills that would be beneficial to your establishment, which includes accrual of CNA licensure which supplements my BLS for Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association.
Attached you will find my resume, which further describes my education, experience and background. Please pay particular attention to my experience as a liaison of communication between medical professionals and patients/guests. I am sure you will find many of the qualities you are looking for in a patient care technician for pediatric patients during the third shift, who is committed to the quality of patient care.
I would like to further discuss my qualifications for this position with you. I would be available for an interview at a mutually convenient time. I may be contacted via email at --, or by phone at --. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best Regards,
Reshma Balmick
The cover letter still seems quite vague, it seems like you could go so many ways with it. I have yet to draft mine, but I have difficulty with repetition in my resume. Its like Rhonda said, HR usually does enjoy a shorter cover letter and a concise resume. Repetition shows a lack of intellect in many cases. It worries me that I would seem to not be able wrap my accomplishments and past into a single comprehensible outline, rather than having to outline the outline in a cover letter.
ReplyDeleteFrom reading Shellee's cover letter, I have found some points that I would like to incorporate into my cover letter. I was unsure as to how to address my major in my cover letter. I also really liked Rhonda's explanation of the purpose of a cover letter. I have heard on numerous occasions how important cover letters are to employers. I use a cover letter for any professional submission I have to make.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your suggestion Jeske. I know that I still have much more work to put into a perfect cover letter. I have heard before that most of my writing is a bit vague, and it is something I am actively working on. Honestly, I purposely made it vague because I use it for a wide spectrum of things. It has been very beneficial for the variety of things I used it for, but I will make changes to fine stream it for more specific purposes. From reading many of the ones on here, I will be able to make the adjustments needed.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my experiences are much different, I too have gotten some ideas from Shellee's letter. I also think it is smart to keep it somewhat short seeing as though the employers do have a lot to read through. Did you guys use those pre-made resume websites or did you make your own?
ReplyDeleteI made my own based on models from different sources, mainly school related. Many of my teachers have had me create resumes for class and for potential employers. I have also checked out the websites and brought interdisciplinarity into my resume building with molding all the formats into one that works for me.
ReplyDelete