| I sometimes daydream that career and job seeking | | | | few of the most important descriptive words about |
| clients from around the country might write something | | | | yourself that are required on this particular job. For |
| that sounds a little like the following imaginary | | | | example, right under your heading, you could have |
| correspondence. I hope it helps give YOU ideas about | | | | about 3-4 words such as "Excellent People Skills," |
| how to strengthen your own job search efforts: | | | | "Empathetic," "Friendly," etc. This way, right off the bat, |
| "Dear Resume and Cover Letter Help Center, | | | | the company sees that you are what they are looking |
| Please help me get more interviews! I recently applied | | | | for. They are looking for a Medical Equipment Service |
| for a position as a service technician at a medical | | | | Technician - and those very keywords are right up |
| equipment center. The job description stated that they | | | | front in your own resume! |
| needed someone who could assemble and maintain | | | | Now, on to cover letter writing: |
| specific mobility products such as wheelchairs, | | | | If you just wrote a basic "To whom it may concern" |
| scooters, etc. There was also supposed to be a fair | | | | letter, you probably never even caught their attention. |
| amount of interaction and evaluations with customers | | | | Who, exactly, at the medical equipment center should |
| at their homes. I have plenty of mechanical experience | | | | you have written the letter to? Did you ever even visit |
| - I've worked with small engines, construction, and can | | | | the center? Introduce yourself as someone who might |
| take apart and put together just about anything. I am | | | | be interested in applying once you had an opportunity |
| physically able to do the work. I'm also good with | | | | to see the facility? Hint: This is a GREAT way of |
| people, and don't look scary - so I know that I'd be fine | | | | getting your foot in the door! Don't visit with the |
| around some of the more elderly individuals that would | | | | intention of applying on the spot - just visit to see if the |
| likely be my customers. But, I didn't even get a call for | | | | place is of interest to you in the first place! |
| the interview. In fact, I haven't had a call for an | | | | At the start of your cover letter: |
| interview for any of the last five jobs I've applied for! | | | | I'd like you to write something like this - in very bold |
| Can you help? | | | | letters: "5 Excellent Reasons why (Store Name) should |
| Sincerely, | | | | consider me for the Medical Equipment Service |
| Bob the Job Hunter" | | | | Technician:" and then address the person by name |
| Now, as you can imagine, since this is only an example, | | | | (Dear Mr. Jones or Dear Ms. Smith). |
| there is a great deal more to the job than our sample | | | | Finally: |
| cry for help offers. | | | | Bob, I don't see any evidence that you have actually |
| But let's see how - given this little bit of information - I | | | | asked the store for an interview! If you ask, you just |
| might answer. And see if it fits your own resume and | | | | may receive! And, it's easy to ask! In your cover letter, |
| cover letter help needs. | | | | why not simply say something like this: |
| "Dear Bob, | | | | "So, Mr. Jones, as you can see, I am very excited |
| Yes, I believe I can help you. If you know, with 100% | | | | about the potential for this position, and I would like to |
| absolute certainty that you have the qualifications for | | | | come in to speak with you directly about this job as |
| the jobs you are applying for, and haven't gotten any | | | | soon as we can set up a date and time for an |
| interviews, then there is something wrong with your | | | | interview. Can we meet within the next week about |
| initial approach. | | | | this?" |
| Let's start with your resume: | | | | You see, Bob, when you use techniques like this, you |
| At the very top, right under your name and contact | | | | are giving your potential employer the most important |
| information, did you put a headline - loud and clear - | | | | information they need right away, in a way that they |
| that stated, in no uncertain terms that you are a | | | | cannot miss it. You've addressed their needs, you've |
| qualified Medical Equipment Delivery and Service | | | | stated that you are the solution to their needs, and you |
| Technician? Even if you have never worked directly | | | | have asked for the interview! |
| with medical equipment, but this is of great interest to | | | | I believe that if you try these resume and cover letter |
| you, why not start your "headline" with: "Experienced | | | | help strategies, you will start getting job interviews as |
| Service Technician with Great Interest in Medical | | | | never before! I hope this has been helpful to you. |
| Equipment." Then, right under that line, you could put a | | | | |