Which is more important to the job search - a strong Cover Letter or strong Resume?
A couple helpful how-to guides:
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-write-a-cover-letter
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-write-a-resume
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M$9 Answers
I've been a professional resume writer for 4 years now, and have some experience in the recruiting and hiring fields.
And in my experience - both casual and professional, on both ends of the hiring stick - the resume is the most important.
REASON: The cover letter is a mere introduction. And to boot, it's often wordy and subjective. A lot of employers will give a fleeting glance to a cover letter, but really only DIG into a resume.
RESUMES: Resumes are summaries of us. Our experience, our professionalism, our work ethic. This is what really matters. And making sure you have your resume organized in a clear, easy-to-read, professional format is the difference between landing the interview and getting passed over.
However, I don't want to cut down the cover letter too much! They are a necessary pain in the butt...I mean, hiring tool. A clear, concise, and thoughtful cover letter makes a great dressing for your resume and can provide information (such as business contacts and previous ) that your resume cannot.
All the same, I'd rather spend 3 hours on my resume, and then spend 40 minutes on my cover letter. Give each some due time and consideration, but make sure you know where your priorities are - with the BIG SHOW! The resume!
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M$
I've also done my share of Hiring and I don't spend much time on cover letters. Unless there are names of people who are recommending them to me, it's nothing more than a sales pitch. I'd rather let the cV do that, and then the applicant his/her self.
My $0.02
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M$
Of course if your are qualified for a position, a well written cover letter can be a helpful way to garnish extra attention. Remember to always make sure cover letters are well written and NOT to exaggerated. You want to boast a bit in a cover letter, but too much can make you seem either like you are over-confident or lying.
With all of that said, if I were to receive many resumes for a particular position, I won't usually pay anymore attention to the resume with a cover letter than I would to one without... that is of course if there is not a cover letter required.
Hope that helps!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
If you believe that the purpose of your resume is to help get you an interview, then having a resume that speaks volumes without having to read a word is key.
I've worked at placement agencies, I've searched extensively for my own jobs and have helped many while hunting for a job with great success. The key I find to getting noticed and your resume read lies in how your resume LOOKS. It's all about marketing and selling yourself. A great resume can sell you before you ever meet for an interview.
You could be perfect for the job, but if for some reason your resume is over-looked or never read both you and the potential employer are missing out.
To learn more about how to improve your resume, job searching tips and more please feel free to visit my site below.
Best of luck with your search,
Annette :)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Some jobs don't even require a cover letter, and at times it is just a polite extra. Your resume needs to show that you meet the needs of the position, something your cover letter can only help, not prove.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
The remarks from people in the recruitment biz seem to be all the same.
Cover letters less important than one might think.
I've never been in a position where I even have to read cover letters. Applications would always have been filtered before I got to see them.
And when I've written a cover letter - or more accurately in these last ten years a cover email! - all it really says is a few lines like: "As you can see from the attached CV I'm a very strong blah with extensive experience of yada. Looking forward to hearing from you."