1. Do not ignore your roots

Do not ignore your military service in your resume. Regardless of what type of job you are applying for and regardless of the field and the particular position, you should include your service. Be specific and include where you served, your rank(s), qualifications, and your responsibilities. Many times your resume will survive the first round of readings simply because the reader has a respect and honor for former veterans.

2. Avoid military speak

While you have spent many years of your past in the military, those reading your application probably have not done so. They will not understand most military ranks, classifications, terms, and wordings. You should assume that the readers of your application and your potential employers no absolutely nothing about the military. This will force you to be descriptive and speak in simple terms. They will be confused and will not take the time to research the meaning of the term you utilized. Therefore, avoid using complicated military words at all costs. Instead, in place of the military speak substitute civilian words that they can understand and relate to. This way the reader will be able to truly understand what you are writing about and will be truly able to appreciate what you did.

3. Leave out the gory details

If you were in direct combat leave out the concrete details of what occurred. Even if what you have done has been publicized, photographed, and videotaped there is no need to remind your future employer of them. However, be sure to mention that you were in direct combat and the basics of what you did there so that your future employer has an idea of what you did and how your pasts responsibilities can translate into future success.

4. Highlight relevant experience and minimize the minutia

Some aspects of your military career make great assets to your resume and are highly sought after in any job. Leadership, honesty, strength, and organization are all traits ingrained in all members of the military that will always be highly sought after. However, your skills with an M-16 Rife is something that in most jobs will not really do anything for you or the company. It’s important to be very selective in your resume when you choosing what to use from your military career. Be sure to include examples which obviously apply to the job you are seeking. For example, if you are applying for a job as a teacher and you spent time as drill sergeant teaching new recruits, absolutely include that past experience in your resume. However, if you are an expert at explosive devices that can be omitted as it is not related to the field of education.

When responding to an ad for a job, look it over carefully. Check for specific word and phrases—buzz words if you will. These are words which have been explicitly chosen over others to be put in the add. These constitute exactly what the employer is looking for. When you create your resume and list your knowledge, skills, and abilities include these buzz words when ever possible. Highlight exactly how you exemplify the words and phrases that they have put in there add. That way there will be no question as to whether or not you are qualified for the position. Make it easy for them to see that you are the right candidate.

2. Be Concise and to the Point

In this job market there are more applicants for a single job than ever before. Remember this. Remember that whoever is looking through the application has lots and lots of reading to do and simply does not have the time to cipher through long, complicated language and syntax. Be clear and to the point, so your application will be read in it’s entirety and not glossed over like those which appear too word and too long to actually get through. Often, employers just skim through all applications at first to remove any of those that even at first glance clearly do not have what they are looking for. Make sure that even on first glance, with a simple skim that your resume will look great and will make it to the next round of application sorting.

3. Be quantities whenever possible

Often times we try and be modest and unspecific when highlighting our accomplishments and we use adjectives to describe our tasks. Instead of being vague in stating your accomplishments and skills be specific, right down to the number. Show them the quantity as well as the quality of your past accomplishments. This will eliminate any questions as to what a vague noun or adjective was intended to mean. For example, instead of saying that you were a frequent participant in charity basketball games, say that you participate in monthly charity basketball games for a period of five years.

4. Formatting Matters

Your resume should look like the professional that you are and that you want to be. Make sure that the formatting of your resume follows a specific guide and that you follow this guide to even the most extraneous detail. This should not look like a simple grocery list that your husband or wife gives you when you go to the store. It should be a reflection of the polished professional that you are.

5. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Proofread frequently. Not only at the end of your resume right before you send it out. Take the time to proofread your resume as you create it, so that you do not become too overwhelmed and that you have the time to look at details separately. Remember, everything about this Resume speaks to your qualifications. A typo or misused word may make you come off as careless.

1. The computer and the internet are you friend

First, use the internet to find resume formats online. That way you will have something concrete to fill in and the format will be perfectly correct. There will be no guesswork involved, you will just have to mimic what you found during your search. Now, use the Internet to search for common qualifications for the job you are applying for to give you an idea as to what specifics an employer may be looking for. You may be lucky and find actual resumes that can give you an idea of what others included. WARNING: Do not ever directly copy someone else’s resume it’s dishonest and you will be caught very easily.

2. Use action verbs and strong, descriptive adjectives

Be careful in your word choice do not chose boring and ordinary words. Chose words that exactly show and do not TELL what you did. Show them your qualifications through your actions and do this superficially with concrete action verbs and descriptive adjectives. Avoid words like did, accomplished, won, ran, et cetera. Be as specific as possible when listing what your prior experiences are. Do not say list “Basketball Coach” but write Coached Basketball for Special Needs Girls ages 5-12.”

3. Do not include something that you would not say

This is key for novice resume writers. Do not use words or phrases that you would not be comfortable saying in person and more importantly do not use phrases that you would see from someone else and they would make you uncomfortable or make you think ill of the person who wrote them. Be very careful with phrasing and avoid awkward syntax that one would not see in speech or other written documents. Avoid words that are overly stilted or biased. You will want to avoid from seeming over the top or “too good to be true” when someone is reading your resume. You will want to avoid too look cocky and over confident, but be careful you also do not want to appear reserved and incompetent either. It’s important to strike a good balance between humility and confidence when writing about yourself and your accomplishments and qualifications.

4. Appearance Matters

Looks absolutely, positively matter. This includes everything about how your documents look and will be perceived. Make sure formatting is done flawlessly. Margins are aligned, paragraphs indented when necessary, and lines skipped when needed. Fonts should be conservative in both size and style. They should be easy to read and should no have a lot of flair or artistic accents. Grammar and Spelling should be perfect. No word she is out of place. No period misused and no comma misplaced. Have someone you trust look over your article to ensure that everything looks perfect and that you have not missed anything yourself.

Make sure that your heading, date, and paragraphs all begin and end in the correct place. Make sure that your signature and salutation are properly placed. Look online or in books for a certain template and format and do not deviate from it. Do not create your own template; use one that is well known and is popular. Most importantly, make sure that the cover letter is properly addressed to the proper person and that you address the letter to that person properly. Make sure you use his/her full titles, including degrees and honors. This will show the receiver of the letter that you pay close attention to details and that you have researched the job to which you are applying.

2. Do your homework

It is your job to know exactly what your potential employer is looking for in a new employee. This includes skills, experience, and knowledge. In your letter you should specifically and explicitly describe how you meet the qualifications that they outlined. Do not simply tell them that you are proficient in something. Show them that you are great at it. Use specific examples, numbers, and industry-standard buzz words, that will allow the reader to perfectly understand what you have done in the past and more importantly how this makes you the best candidate for the job that they are looking for.

3. Don’t repeat and recycle your resume

If your potential employer was looking for a second resume, then they would be asking for a cover letter. Be sure that your cover letter does not simply repeat everything from your resume. It should not read like a list, but rather as a narrative of why you are the best for the job you are applying. It should ultimately build upon the qualifications you listed in your resume with more specific examples and descriptions.

4. Be clear and specific

You do not want someone to finish reading your letter and say “Huh? What did I just read?” There should be nothing that is confusing or unclear within the confines of your cover letter. Nothing should be implied or hinted at it. Everything should be explicitly outlined and written. This is not the time to me modest and vague. It’s the time to be detail oriented and descriptive down to the very last detail of why you would be a great asset to the company to which you are applying.

5. Proof Read!

Nothing comes off worse than a cover letter filled with spelling mistakes and errors in grammar and syntax. Any error you make is a direct reflection upon you. Often times this is a reflection of carelessness. Do not risk being put in the toss pile because you could not take the time to reread your cover letter. Constantly, proof read during the entire process of writing from start to finish. Edit small sections separately so that you do not become overwhelmed and have a friend or peer edit as well to get anything that you may have missed.

Do your homework about the job

Do extensive research on the company to which you are applying. Go beyond what anyone else would do and gain something new and insightful that you could not have gotten off of the add they put out for the opening. Find out exactly what the company is like, how it is ran, who is in charge, and what kind of people seem to work there. Pay attention to the background, skils, and qualifications those higher up and those at the ground level. Pay even closer attention to the commonalities between each employee to give you an idea of what kind of people they hire and what kind of people they chose not to. Now go back to your resume and attempt to mimic these qualifications. Do not copy word for word. But modify what you have so that you fit the company’s image as much as you can.

Research Industry Buzz Words and Use them

Every industry and field has “buzz words.” Words that everyone knows and uses within the field. For example, in the field of education buzzwords include: “standardized testing, differentiation, direct instruction, cooperative learning, etc.” Often times these buzz words are just synonyms for words that are used elsewhere. After you have a list of these buzz words at hand, go back to your resume and edit and revise to include these buzz words, or allude to them if including them seems too obvious. For example, if you were applying for a teaching job with experiences of a coach, do not say that you were a “basketball coach for girls ages 5-18” say that you were a “basketball coach for girls of varying ages, abilities, and needs.”

Find out what a typical applicant for the job is and what/she has for qualifications?

This becomes particularly useful for career changers who are applying to a new job against others who likely are already experienced in the field. It is important to see what the competition offers for various reasons. First, by examining the qualifications of your “enemy” you can see what qualifications that you share with them or qualifications that you have that are just like the ones they do. This way you will not lack any basic qualification an employer is looking for. Also, you can use this as an opportunity to separate yourself from the crowd of other applicants. Here, you can show how your experiences are different than other applicants and that you bring something new and fresh to the table that they do not.

Recommendation

Bob Durand, President

IntroMedia Group

4180 Canton River Oaks Drive

Cleveland, OH 44120

Dear Mr. Durand,

My name is Carl Martin and I have had your name brought to my attention concerning employment with IntroMedia Group by a mutual acquaintance, Mr. Earl Davis. Mr. Davis and I have been neighbors for more than 10 years and he recommended that I contact you personally regarding my interest in IntroMedia Group.

In today’s challenged economy, having the right staff members in strategic places makes the difference between the success and failure of many company initiatives. I understand this methodology and welcome the opportunity to have a one-on-one power chat about how we might help each other achieve the core goals and objectives of keeping IntroMedia Group as a #1 organization with competitive staying power year after year no matter what condition the economy rises or falls to.

I am very interested in having a talk with you about joining IntroMedia in a mutually rewarding capacity for professional benefit. I believe I can bring to the table fresh and innovative ideas to advance the core objectives you have for the organization for the future. I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss these ideas with you when your schedule permits. Please contact me a (312) 408-7590 or email to CalMar@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from your office.

Sincerely yours,

Carl Martin, MBA

15324 Whitcomb

Cleveland Heights, OH 44121

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Cover Letter Example #5

Re-Entering Workforce After Absence

Director, Job Placement Services

Work Today Solutions

3591 Huron River Drive

Detroit, MI 48202

Dear Director,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mary Barnes and I writing this cover letter introduction to inquire about employment with Work Today Solutions as an office specialist. I have included my resume for your review. You will notice that there is no current work experience indicated. My absence from the workplace reflects having attended to my ailing father, who passed away recently.

Now that his affairs and estate are in order, I am interested in your company for re-entering the workforce. I believe I am an excellent candidate for working in your office because I am hard-working, experienced, dedicated, a quick learner and diligent team player. I understand the importance of punctuality and confidentiality. I believe we could create a mutually rewarding professional relationship between us.

When you have had a moment to peruse my resume, I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you by phone or email to further discuss the possibility of joining your staff at Work Today Solutions. Thank you for allowing me to make this brief introduction. I anticipate hearing from you soon. You can reach me at (313) 298-2077 or email to MarBar@yahoo.com.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Barnes

15324 Whitcomb

Detroit, MI 48217

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Cover Letter Sample #4

Recent MBA Graduate

Arthur Kinkaid, Recruitment Manager

Johnson Technologies Center

1208 West Wind Drive

Chicago, IL 44130

Dear Mr. Kinkaid,

My name is Dale Wilkins and I am a recent MBA graduate from University of Chicago’s Ross School of Management. I am interesting in exploring the possibility of bringing my education, skills and respect for your organization to Johnson Controls for a mutually rewarding professional relationship.

I have maintained the highest grade point average of 4.0 during my entire studies and hail from a background rich with internships and volunteer experiences that have well rounded my education and learning curriculum. As I have mastered business administration studies, I have learned the importance of globalization, international policies and domestic planning and strategic thinking just to name a few.

I am very interested in meeting with you to discuss your current employment needs at Johnson Technologies Center and would appreciate an opportunity to speak with you in person, over the phone or by email. I have attached my resume and can be reached at 734-697-7041 or email to DaleWil@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Dale Wilkins, MBA

14021 Haggerty Road

Belleville, MI 48111

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Cover Letter Sample #3

COVER LETTER SAMPLE #2

Professional Entry Level Solicited

Human Resources Director

Your Next Company

124 Main Street

Anytown, USA 12345

Hello Human Resources Director,

My name is Ellen Tillery and I am writing in response to your advertisement in The People’s News for a B-Shift Secretary. I realize this is an entry level position and would like you to consider me a serious candidate for the opening. A recent graduate from the Learn Better Business School here in Anytown. I graduated at the top of my class with a Certified Secretary achievement.

I am very interested in working at Your Next Company as I believe it is one of the best company’s in the city. Your mission statement “To meet the people where they are” describes one of my greatest strengths, which is to reach people in a professional manner and address their business needs.

I would like very much to have an opportunity to interview for B-Shift Secretary position in person. Following this cover is my resume which outlines my experience, education, strengths and abilities. After you have reviewed my qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience. I can be reached (222) 401-0401, which is my cell phone, or by email at: ETillery1@msn.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss my qualifications further and answer any questions you may have.

Yours truly,

Ellen Tillery

412 Hope Avenue

Anytown, USA 12345

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Cover Letter Sample #2

COVER LETTER SAMPLE #1

Professional Unsolicited

Greetings,

My name is Dr. Samuel Wilson, Sr. and I am writing to take a moment of your time to introduce myself. I am a Board-Certified Physician who has been practicing for more than 10 years here in the city of Canton at my own practice. I have helped to maintain the good health of many patients over the years and enjoyed the freedom of making my own decisions in private practice.

As the economy has continued to ebb and flow (mostly ebb) under the constraints of the recession, business has not been good for me. It is for this reason that I am closing the doors of my private practice and would like to have you consider me as a well-qualified candidate to join your staff at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. I have the highest regard for your organization’s standards of excellence

When you have reached the level of professional service I have attained, you understand the importance of building long-term relationships with patients, staff and other doctors. I would like to take the opportunity to explore the possibility of creating a mutually rewarding relationship between St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and myself. It is expressly for this purpose that my cover letter has come to your attention.

Please take a few moments to review my attached curriculum vitae, after which I would appreciate hearing from you. While my qualifications are a clear and present qualification for your organization, I also welcome the opportunity to discuss the benefits my joining your staff can bring to my table.

Sincerest regards,

Dr. Samuel Wilson, Sr.

5461 Dartmoor Circle

Canton, MI 48188

C:734-796-3031

Skype: DrHouseCall

Twitter: @DrHouseCall

LinkedIn: Dr-House-Call

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Cover Letter Sample #1