The Real World: Cover letter tip #1 - Don't say "dude"
A cover letter, resume and interview:
for many students in search
of the Holy Grail of jobs, they are
often thought of as a trio of necessary
evils. In fact, many students
simply throw a Hail Mary pass
when seeking employment, rather
than fearlessly tackling this trio.
I'm guessing that since the first day of classes, your professors have trumpeted the importance of getting your cover letters and resumes in order, as well as the importance of preparing for job interviews. Rather than offer a complete list of dos and don'ts for finding that perfect job, allow me to offer some stories from my experiences with career advancement — consider them part of that good, bad and ugly I wrote about in an earlier column.
As a self-employed freelance communications professional, I have years of experience in both seeking jobs and in hiring employees. Here are a few tales from the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction department.
Shortly upon my graduation from Fanshawe College in the early 1980s, I spotted an advertisement in The London Free Press for an executive assistant in the sports management field. This was during an era when most want ads appeared in our daily newspaper, rather than online. I polished my resume and my faux leather shoes (complete with tassels), penned what I thought was a clever cover letter, put on a skinny leather tie (cut me some slack, this was the early '80s) and marched confidently into that executive's office, ready to take on the world.
What I wasn't prepared for was that prospective employer's combative attitude. As I sat down to chat, I was met with a spiel something like this: "Why are you here wasting my time? People are applying for jobs with an extraordinary amount of experience that you don't have. (She waived a pile of resumes in my face). I don't have a job for you, sorry." And that was the end of that job interview.
The lesson learned from this experience: expect the unexpected when entering the job market. A well-written, concise cover letter can help you get a job interview. A solid, well-written resume outlining valuable education and job skills will help your chances of gaining employment. And a confident, professional persona will see you do well during the interview process. But, to quote Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
Last month, my own editorial assistant took a four-month leave of absence, so I advertised for a temporary replacement and received numerous applications via email. As I am with my own students here at Fanshawe College, I was awestruck by many of their qualifications and job experience. However, the e-mail introductions and cover letters were another story. I actually had one applicant address me as "Dude." I'm not operating a surf board shop, so I passed on that one.
I'm sure my own students are sick of me saying each class, "If you are a strong writer, you will always have a job," but it's true. For many, writing is a lost art — like cover letters and resumes, a necessary evil. A well-written cover letter will open the door to a myriad of opportunities. It's the written equivalent of a strong handshake and smile. First impressions are imperative in today's job market.
No matter how well prepared you are for a job interview, timing and a little luck also go a long way in the hiring process. Not too long ago, I sat down with an employer who wished to hire a contract worker for a position starting in less than one week. After a brief information session, I was handed a contract and hired on the spot. Although I entered the meeting confident (not cocky), I was still surprised at how quickly I was offered the job. Perhaps it was because I had long ago discarded that skinny leather tie and ugly faux leather shoes.
There's nothing ugly about being prepared for a job interview. The most important elements to finding a job that's right up your alley are being prepared for the expected and unexpected; creating a thorough, well-structured resume; writing a concise, professional cover letter; and walking into a job interview with a smile, firm handshake and confident attitude.
Just make sure you don't address your prospective employer as "dude."
Award-winning journalist Jeffrey Reed is a Fanshawe College professor with the Corporate Communication and Public Relations post-graduate program and an instructor with Fanshawe's Continuing Education department. E-mail him at jreed@fanshawec.ca.
I'm guessing that since the first day of classes, your professors have trumpeted the importance of getting your cover letters and resumes in order, as well as the importance of preparing for job interviews. Rather than offer a complete list of dos and don'ts for finding that perfect job, allow me to offer some stories from my experiences with career advancement — consider them part of that good, bad and ugly I wrote about in an earlier column.
As a self-employed freelance communications professional, I have years of experience in both seeking jobs and in hiring employees. Here are a few tales from the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction department.
Shortly upon my graduation from Fanshawe College in the early 1980s, I spotted an advertisement in The London Free Press for an executive assistant in the sports management field. This was during an era when most want ads appeared in our daily newspaper, rather than online. I polished my resume and my faux leather shoes (complete with tassels), penned what I thought was a clever cover letter, put on a skinny leather tie (cut me some slack, this was the early '80s) and marched confidently into that executive's office, ready to take on the world.
What I wasn't prepared for was that prospective employer's combative attitude. As I sat down to chat, I was met with a spiel something like this: "Why are you here wasting my time? People are applying for jobs with an extraordinary amount of experience that you don't have. (She waived a pile of resumes in my face). I don't have a job for you, sorry." And that was the end of that job interview.
The lesson learned from this experience: expect the unexpected when entering the job market. A well-written, concise cover letter can help you get a job interview. A solid, well-written resume outlining valuable education and job skills will help your chances of gaining employment. And a confident, professional persona will see you do well during the interview process. But, to quote Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
Last month, my own editorial assistant took a four-month leave of absence, so I advertised for a temporary replacement and received numerous applications via email. As I am with my own students here at Fanshawe College, I was awestruck by many of their qualifications and job experience. However, the e-mail introductions and cover letters were another story. I actually had one applicant address me as "Dude." I'm not operating a surf board shop, so I passed on that one.
I'm sure my own students are sick of me saying each class, "If you are a strong writer, you will always have a job," but it's true. For many, writing is a lost art — like cover letters and resumes, a necessary evil. A well-written cover letter will open the door to a myriad of opportunities. It's the written equivalent of a strong handshake and smile. First impressions are imperative in today's job market.
No matter how well prepared you are for a job interview, timing and a little luck also go a long way in the hiring process. Not too long ago, I sat down with an employer who wished to hire a contract worker for a position starting in less than one week. After a brief information session, I was handed a contract and hired on the spot. Although I entered the meeting confident (not cocky), I was still surprised at how quickly I was offered the job. Perhaps it was because I had long ago discarded that skinny leather tie and ugly faux leather shoes.
There's nothing ugly about being prepared for a job interview. The most important elements to finding a job that's right up your alley are being prepared for the expected and unexpected; creating a thorough, well-structured resume; writing a concise, professional cover letter; and walking into a job interview with a smile, firm handshake and confident attitude.
Just make sure you don't address your prospective employer as "dude."
Award-winning journalist Jeffrey Reed is a Fanshawe College professor with the Corporate Communication and Public Relations post-graduate program and an instructor with Fanshawe's Continuing Education department. E-mail him at jreed@fanshawec.ca.
