What Does Your Email Cover Letter Say About Your Job Search?

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Four Keys to a Great Email Cover Letter

While most of my articles are aimed at the executive resume writer, we must not ignore the importance of the cover letter. It introduces your resume and should create excitement about you. Since many resumes are delivered using email, I wanted to touch on what I believe are the four keys to a successful email cover letter.

Be neat - Avoid those cute gadgets offered on most email programs. A "stationary" full of daises does not present you as a professional. Neither do the "emoticons" used to create smiley faces. Consider each email as a clean, crisp sheet of white paper. The only marks are your words.

Having said that, some email options, like font choices, can add value to your email. Select a font that is a standard font, like Times New Roman, Tahoma or Arial. If offered a "plain text" format, do not use it. This option usually removes all formatting and adds a hard return at the end of each line. This can lead to emails that look choppy and are difficult to read. Finally, avoid use of formatting, like bold or italics. Excessive or improper use of these cheapens your email.

Be brief - You are writing to someone who probably reads hundreds of email and resumes each day. Since this person will probably decide resumes' fate, you really want to make his or her workday easy. Brevity will help you accomplish this.

All emails begin with a subject line. Combine the words used by the employer to describe job with your unique qualification. An example might be, "MBA Applying for Sales Manager Position." This catches the reader's attention.

Your email message must build on this information using impactful sentences and paragraphs. Impact is created by using a very few words to deliver a powerful message. The "few words" part of this is extremely important. Apply the following questions to each of your sentences: Is this information important and valuable to this reader? Is there a way to shorten the sentence, but retain all the important information?

Use keywords - Whether your email and resume are scanned electronically or read by a person, including the key terms used to advertise the job is critical. This tells employers that you are attuned to their needs. Study the job advertisement and the potential employer's website for insights into these important key terms.

Look professional - Look at what you have written and ask, "Would I invest in this person?" A professional format, combined with a well-shaped and delivered message improves your chances. Finally, use a professional, like "Dear Mr. X." If you lack the person's name, consider "Dear Personnel Director," or "Attention Hiring Manager." Conclude your email cover letter as you would any other letter, with "Sincerely," or "Cordially."

Email cover letters can be a challenge, but they are also a way of getting your resume in the hands of a decision maker as quickly as possible. Be sure you take time to make that all-important good first impression.

J. Peter Grant is passionate about and writes articles on business opportunities and career management. For more information on the executive resume writer, be sure to visit http://www.executiveresumesecrets.com/

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Job Hunting 101: How to Write an Email and Get Your Resume Read

Have you ever received an email that you couldn't read? I mean you really couldn't understand what the person was trying to say? Or did you receive an email but did not open it because the senders name was offensive and you know that no one you know would have an email address that sounded like they were the next up and coming porn star? It is that time of year again when high school and college graduates will be updating their resumes and emailing them to hiring managers. My tips below will ensure that your resume does not get deleted before it is even opened.

Five Tips for Email Success

1. Professional Email Address - now is not the time to have a sexy, silly, or vulgar email address. If you are job hunting I recommend you keep your email address your name. When you are job hunting unless you are porn star drop the sexy email names. No one wants to call looking for "2sexy4u". It is also easier for the hiring manager to scroll through his or her email account and recognize your email after he or she has networked with you on LinkedIn than to have to open various emails to try and find your resume. If he or she cannot easily find your email he or she may not even bother to look for it.

2. Spelling and Grammar - use proper English when writing your emails. Now is the time to show off your writing skills. Also make sure you spell words correctly. Do not try and appear creative by spelling words wrong. You want the prospective employer to know you did graduate from high school or college. Do not - I repeat do not - write an email using the spelling short cut you use when typing a text message to your friends. I have heard from several employers that they have returned the emails asking the person to speak English. When they get the email returned again in the same text message style format they delete the email and do not look at the resume. Do not let this happen to you.

3. Sentence structure - use proper sentence structure when typing an email. This means you capitalize the first letter of a sentence and you end a sentence with a punctuation mark. You do not want to have run on sentences or fragmented sentences. Remember, this may be your only attempt to show off that you are the right person for the job. You will also want to keep your font crisp and clear. Ensure it is large enough to be read by the reader. This is not the time to use cursive or spooky font. It is recommended that you use black ink for the color of your font. Again, now is not the time to be cutesy or show off your creative streak.

4. Signature block - use your signature block to highlight your expertise. Use an appropriate salutation followed by your name and degree conferred. Below the signature block list your phone number so that t he reader can contact you. If you use social media it is permissible to use the social media icons under your signature. This will direct the reader to learn more about you. If you have a website or blog also list the urls in your signature block.

5. Tag line - an email tagline gives the reader an opportunity to learn more about you. If you are job hunting it can be an abbreviated professional summary. Your last sentence should direct the reader to learn more about you at your LinkedIn profile, website or blog.

When you use my five tips for email success you increase your chances of getting your email read and the resume you attached opened. Do not miss out on getting your dream job because your email was not even opened.

Dream Catcher, Business & Life Coaching is a Veteran Owned Business. Coach Jaynine is a retired United States Marine and former psychotherapist who works with Veterans and those on Active Duty. Jaynine will show you how to increase your visibility while developing your expertise. Whether you are a Veteran Business Owner or still on Active Duty, Coach Jaynine is the coach for you. She will teach you the systems and strategies needed to grow your business, have a successful military career, or transition into civilian life. You can start turning your dreams into reality by downloading her FREE 15 Resume Success Tips.

Read more ...

Four Keys to a Great Email Cover Letter

While most of my articles are aimed at the executive resume writer, we must not ignore the importance of the cover letter. It introduces your resume and should create excitement about you. Since many resumes are delivered using email, I wanted to touch on what I believe are the four keys to a successful email cover letter.

Be neat - Avoid those cute gadgets offered on most email programs. A "stationary" full of daises does not present you as a professional. Neither do the "emoticons" used to create smiley faces. Consider each email as a clean, crisp sheet of white paper. The only marks are your words.

Having said that, some email options, like font choices, can add value to your email. Select a font that is a standard font, like Times New Roman, Tahoma or Arial. If offered a "plain text" format, do not use it. This option usually removes all formatting and adds a hard return at the end of each line. This can lead to emails that look choppy and are difficult to read. Finally, avoid use of formatting, like bold or italics. Excessive or improper use of these cheapens your email.

Be brief - You are writing to someone who probably reads hundreds of email and resumes each day. Since this person will probably decide resumes' fate, you really want to make his or her workday easy. Brevity will help you accomplish this.

All emails begin with a subject line. Combine the words used by the employer to describe job with your unique qualification. An example might be, "MBA Applying for Sales Manager Position." This catches the reader's attention.

Your email message must build on this information using impactful sentences and paragraphs. Impact is created by using a very few words to deliver a powerful message. The "few words" part of this is extremely important. Apply the following questions to each of your sentences: Is this information important and valuable to this reader? Is there a way to shorten the sentence, but retain all the important information?

Use keywords - Whether your email and resume are scanned electronically or read by a person, including the key terms used to advertise the job is critical. This tells employers that you are attuned to their needs. Study the job advertisement and the potential employer's website for insights into these important key terms.

Look professional - Look at what you have written and ask, "Would I invest in this person?" A professional format, combined with a well-shaped and delivered message improves your chances. Finally, use a professional, like "Dear Mr. X." If you lack the person's name, consider "Dear Personnel Director," or "Attention Hiring Manager." Conclude your email cover letter as you would any other letter, with "Sincerely," or "Cordially."

Email cover letters can be a challenge, but they are also a way of getting your resume in the hands of a decision maker as quickly as possible. Be sure you take time to make that all-important good first impression.

Read more ...

Job Hunting 101: How to Write an Email and Get Your Resume Read

Have you ever received an email that you couldn't read? I mean you really couldn't understand what the person was trying to say? Or did you receive an email but did not open it because the senders name was offensive and you know that no one you know would have an email address that sounded like they were the next up and coming porn star? It is that time of year again when high school and college graduates will be updating their resumes and emailing them to hiring managers. My tips below will ensure that your resume does not get deleted before it is even opened.

Five Tips for Email Success

1. Professional Email Address - now is not the time to have a sexy, silly, or vulgar email address. If you are job hunting I recommend you keep your email address your name. When you are job hunting unless you are porn star drop the sexy email names. No one wants to call looking for "2sexy4u". It is also easier for the hiring manager to scroll through his or her email account and recognize your email after he or she has networked with you on LinkedIn than to have to open various emails to try and find your resume. If he or she cannot easily find your email he or she may not even bother to look for it.

2. Spelling and Grammar - use proper English when writing your emails. Now is the time to show off your writing skills. Also make sure you spell words correctly. Do not try and appear creative by spelling words wrong. You want the prospective employer to know you did graduate from high school or college. Do not - I repeat do not - write an email using the spelling short cut you use when typing a text message to your friends. I have heard from several employers that they have returned the emails asking the person to speak English. When they get the email returned again in the same text message style format they delete the email and do not look at the resume. Do not let this happen to you.

3. Sentence structure - use proper sentence structure when typing an email. This means you capitalize the first letter of a sentence and you end a sentence with a punctuation mark. You do not want to have run on sentences or fragmented sentences. Remember, this may be your only attempt to show off that you are the right person for the job. You will also want to keep your font crisp and clear. Ensure it is large enough to be read by the reader. This is not the time to use cursive or spooky font. It is recommended that you use black ink for the color of your font. Again, now is not the time to be cutesy or show off your creative streak.

4. Signature block - use your signature block to highlight your expertise. Use an appropriate salutation followed by your name and degree conferred. Below the signature block list your phone number so that t he reader can contact you. If you use social media it is permissible to use the social media icons under your signature. This will direct the reader to learn more about you. If you have a website or blog also list the urls in your signature block.

5. Tag line - an email tagline gives the reader an opportunity to learn more about you. If you are job hunting it can be an abbreviated professional summary. Your last sentence should direct the reader to learn more about you at your LinkedIn profile, website or blog.

When you use my five tips for email success you increase your chances of getting your email read and the resume you attached opened. Do not miss out on getting your dream job because your email was not even opened.

Dream Catcher, Business & Life Coaching is a Veteran Owned Business. Coach Jaynine is a retired United States Marine and former psychotherapist who works with Veterans and those on Active Duty. Jaynine will show you how to increase your visibility while developing your expertise. Whether you are a Veteran Business Owner or still on Active Duty, Coach Jaynine is the coach for you. She will teach you the systems and strategies needed to grow your business, have a successful military career, or transition into civilian life. You can start turning your dreams into reality by downloading her FREE 15 Resume Success Tips.

Read more ...

Job Hunting 101: How to Write an Email and Get Your Resume Read

Have you ever received an email that you couldn't read? I mean you really couldn't understand what the person was trying to say? Or did you receive an email but did not open it because the senders name was offensive and you know that no one you know would have an email address that sounded like they were the next up and coming porn star? It is that time of year again when high school and college graduates will be updating their resumes and emailing them to hiring managers. My tips below will ensure that your resume does not get deleted before it is even opened.

Five Tips for Email Success

1. Professional Email Address - now is not the time to have a sexy, silly, or vulgar email address. If you are job hunting I recommend you keep your email address your name. When you are job hunting unless you are porn star drop the sexy email names. No one wants to call looking for "2sexy4u". It is also easier for the hiring manager to scroll through his or her email account and recognize your email after he or she has networked with you on LinkedIn than to have to open various emails to try and find your resume. If he or she cannot easily find your email he or she may not even bother to look for it.

2. Spelling and Grammar - use proper English when writing your emails. Now is the time to show off your writing skills. Also make sure you spell words correctly. Do not try and appear creative by spelling words wrong. You want the prospective employer to know you did graduate from high school or college. Do not - I repeat do not - write an email using the spelling short cut you use when typing a text message to your friends. I have heard from several employers that they have returned the emails asking the person to speak English. When they get the email returned again in the same text message style format they delete the email and do not look at the resume. Do not let this happen to you.

3. Sentence structure - use proper sentence structure when typing an email. This means you capitalize the first letter of a sentence and you end a sentence with a punctuation mark. You do not want to have run on sentences or fragmented sentences. Remember, this may be your only attempt to show off that you are the right person for the job. You will also want to keep your font crisp and clear. Ensure it is large enough to be read by the reader. This is not the time to use cursive or spooky font. It is recommended that you use black ink for the color of your font. Again, now is not the time to be cutesy or show off your creative streak.

4. Signature block - use your signature block to highlight your expertise. Use an appropriate salutation followed by your name and degree conferred. Below the signature block list your phone number so that t he reader can contact you. If you use social media it is permissible to use the social media icons under your signature. This will direct the reader to learn more about you. If you have a website or blog also list the urls in your signature block.

5. Tag line - an email tagline gives the reader an opportunity to learn more about you. If you are job hunting it can be an abbreviated professional summary. Your last sentence should direct the reader to learn more about you at your LinkedIn profile, website or blog.

When you use my five tips for email success you increase your chances of getting your email read and the resume you attached opened. Do not miss out on getting your dream job because your email was not even opened.

Dream Catcher, Business & Life Coaching is a Veteran Owned Business. Coach Jaynine is a retired United States Marine and former psychotherapist who works with Veterans and those on Active Duty. Jaynine will show you how to increase your visibility while developing your expertise. Whether you are a Veteran Business Owner or still on Active Duty, Coach Jaynine is the coach for you. She will teach you the systems and strategies needed to grow your business, have a successful military career, or transition into civilian life. You can start turning your dreams into reality by downloading her FREE 15 Resume Success Tips.

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Nursing Cover Letters By Email: Things to Remember

While the Internet is a great tool, allowing us to connect almost instantly with anyone in the world, it does have its drawbacks. For one, it tends to be impersonal - meaning that employers who are hiring feel less of a connection with a potential hire. Secondly, the use of e-mail for some reason has made us much more informal in what should always be formal communication. So, if you are planning on sending a nursing cover letter and resume by e-mail, you will want to follow these key points:

Always Follow Instructions

Just like any job, one that you apply for through e-mail or online will have instructions. Do not deviate from them; consider this your first employment test. Failure to follow instructions now will almost certainly mean that you never get called by a potential hiring nurse manager. So if they want your resume in the e-mail and not as an attachment, do this. If they want it as a text-only file, do this. You get the picture.

Test First

Just in case your e-mail reacts strangely to formatting, it is a good idea to send yourself a test e-mail before you forward it to anyone else. How do you do this? Easy, simply put your e-mail address in the "To" or "Recipient" box and press "Send." Simple. You might also sending your cover letter or nursing resume to a friend, too, to make sure it shows up properly in someone else's email inbox.

Get to the Point, Quick

One of the reasons why nursing employers like receiving job applications by email is that it is quick to hit the "delete" button and be done with those non-perfect candidates. This means they may have an even shorter attention span than normal. So make sure you capture their attention within the first few lines. The subject line is a great way to start off on a good note. Try "Experienced Nurse for Charge Nurse Position" or "Eager Nursing Student Wants to Work for You!" Within the nursing cover letter, don't beat around the bush. Tell the hiring manager what you are applying for, why you want the job, what makes you the perfect candidate, and end on a polite note. That's it.

Provide Next Steps

Too many cover letters start out strong, and then end on a wimpy "please call me" or equivalent. Stand strong! If you are perfect for the job then say what you want - such as "You can reach me at [phone number] so we can discuss this job opportunity further" or even "I will be contacting you next week to talk about the [position] opening in more detail." The more confidence you portray in your cover letter, the more an employer will consider you qualifications. Don't be over-confident, but show your enthusiasm.

A final note - Make sure you proofread before hitting the send button! Spelling errors = "Delete" key in many cases.

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