Job Search Letters For Dummies

Chapter 14

Writing Your Way to a Job

In This Chapter

Feeling blocked? Overcoming word jams

Getting a leg up with powerful messages

Knowing what to do in any situation

When should a resume risk its reputation by going unescorted into the mean streets of the job search without a cover letter? Almost never. One exception is when your resume is parked on a job site database where you hope it’ll be the reason for a recruiter’s aha moment.

But when your resume is making the rounds of prospective employers, send along a bodyguard — a cover letter or note. I mean whether you’re communicating in response to a job post/ad, or sending an unsolicited prospecting letter, or making a networking effort. Cover letters forever!

Today’s cover letter for a resume usually arrives via computer or other digital device, but occasionally it shows up on paper. Whichever medium you use, the important cover letter — as well as its extended family of job search letters — is a vital tool you definitely need to grow your future.

Zooming In on the Basics

“Not so fast!” you say. You can barely write your name, much less a killer job search letter. I’m betting you can do much better than you ...