Resume/cover letters

[TJ]

Hi all.

After 4 odd years in a job I "love" I've found a couple of roles I'm interested in applying for.

Naturally the first thing the recruiter sees if your resume and cover letter.

Now I've never had to write one of these before. Anyone have any resources/links for writing an effective one of each?

Many thanks.

[R31 POWER]

Hey TJ,

I don't know if it will help, but this is an example of a cover letter I recently wrote.
You will see that I've kept it short and factual, and it doesn't sound fake or desparate.


(Name)
(Address)
(SUBURB POSTCODE)


(Company)
Re: (Position)

To Whom it May Concern,

I wish to apply for the WA Area Manager position advertised online via Seek.com.au (or relevant advertisement media) on (Date).

As you will see from my accompanying resume, I have two years of experience in my role as Store Manager at Betts Kids. In this time I have assisted my regional manager with the opening and establishment of a new store, the reopening of another, and the closure of a third. I have also been chosen to train several new managers and key staff for other locations, as well as my own.

As a store manager, I understand the importance of not only knowing how to identify KPIs, but also implementing strategies to overcome underperformance.

I wish to take the retail management and people development skills that I possess and apply them to a more challenging role. I believe my friendly and professional nature, combined with my skills acquired in previous employment would make me an ideal candidate for your selection.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further discussions, should you consider my application. I can be reached any time on (Phone number).

Thank you in advance.

Yours sincerely,

(Name).
(Date).



The industry itself is probably irrelevant, but you can see where I've stated my relevant skills and achievements.
I've thoroughly read the job advertisement and taken phrases that they've used and applied them to my own experience.
Obviously I'm no expert but I hope this helps!

Grace

[Joe]

Just a little hint for everyone.

Never use "please do not hesitate to contact me".

It should be "please contact me".

:)

[R31 POWER]

Thanks :)

[yeahlow34]

Just a little hint for everyone.

Never use "please do not hesitate to contact me".

It should be "please contact me".

:)

I was just about to say the exact same thing.

Previous boss always corrected me on that.

[Joe]

I did a business writing course held by a retired Professor of English from Cambridge University (EPIC NOD), and it was his pet hate.

His reason was that "of course they won't hesitate to contact you, so don't insult their intelligence!"

Ever since then, I've never done it (and I used to do it all the time before that!)

[ben351]

but if i read please contact me id be all like fuck you dont tell me what to do ...

few pointers TJ ... find someone at the water corp that actually likes you to put as a reff ( feel free to use me as well as technically i have worked with you and i am an icredible liar when it comes to reff checks ... ask BLAAA and Yung both got GLOWING reffs off me when they left i know what they want to hear as i do them all the time )

keep resume simple and to the point ... you have a knack for big noting and over talking things so keep it to a minimum ... bullet points ... 1 or two lines per bullet point max ... and even go as far to tweak 2 seperate resuems and make sure the bullet points relate to the individual jobs your going for

when we read a resume i dont want to spend half my time read paragraphs ... people that spend 2 hours on their resume and its 5 pages long ... 9 times out of 10 will lose out to the person who spent 30 mins on a simple but TO THE POINT resume that i can skim read and get all teh relivant info i need without searching for it.

need any other help buzz me man ...

[HANS YOLO]

Is it a government position that you are applying for?

If so, that resume is a different ball game 9 times out of 10 - they claim selection criteria is gone but the specter still looms and you have to address them in a different way via resume & statement

Can help in this department if needs be...will trade for pro pics of car :)

[yeahlow34]

Ben makes a good point. Remember that your resume is responding to a job request - so you need to apply for that specific job. I.e. - Your resume for one job, may list different information to that of another.

I get heavily involved with writing tenders, which is a similar process. Every time I write one, the constant thought in my mind is respond to the criteria. Don't waffle on about experience which has no relevance.

[TJ]

But I cant take pics for shit.

Yes government job.

Ben massive thanks, have a level 8 guy as a referee (top level at the place, reports directly to our ceo)

I have a resume, sounds like it will need re-writing - there is a fair bit of dribble in it.

[KyeBidz]

Use Ben as a ref. the guy could be a level 3000000000000 but if he is a spastic and doesnt know how to give a reference properly he will be no help.

[cactus]

Make sure you read the job description/essential crieria etc.

If its another Government job, I assume you will have to write a page or two on how you meet the job requirements/selection crieria (as a seperate part to the resume). Make sure you specifically address each point, and highlight exactly how you have met each requirement in what ever previous roles you have been involved in.

[ben351]

But I cant take pics for shit.

Yes government job.

Ben massive thanks, have a level 8 guy as a referee (top level at the place, reports directly to our ceo)

I have a resume, sounds like it will need re-writing - there is a fair bit of dribble in it.

when your done man flick it through to me ill skim read it for ya and let ya know if you need to change anything ...

if you wanna use me an reff

Ben Newnham
Recruitment Manager SCT Staffing Solutions
0438 958 074

[ben351]

stick to a template like this ...

http://www.towson.edu/mwp/STI_Resume-Template.jpg

although personaly i have mine in reverse order its purely up to you but that layout for your job experince is perfect

[tahni]

on the cover letter make sure it is written for that job. I've been doing recruitment for a position in our Brisbane office and people that just send me generic coverletters are not favoured upon because it says they don't really want the job and (perhaps) are lazy.

Ohh and spelling mistakes, spell the company name right, you have no idea how many people don't!

In line with Bens point, you gotta remember that people reading through resumes etc aren't just reading through yours especially in today's market where so many people apply you will need something that grabs their eye and of course keep it simple.

My eyes hurt after about 5 resumes so i start looking for stand out info.

[ben351]

see personally im not big on cover letters ... i dont even take the time to read them really as they are just nonsensical drivle aimed at trying to make you think they are the right person for the job ... ive never used one myself in ANY job ive gone for and ive only missed out on one job in my entire life ... but if you choose to use one as tahni said keep it simple and to the point.

when i read resumes i look at experince relevant to the job and gaps in between jobs time wise

keep it black and white ... keep font the same ... underline or bold sub headings to make them stand out and dont .... what ever you do ... DONT put a photo on it ffs ... i immediately bin those ones

[TJ]

It's an internal job - so no outside people can apply. Says you must include a cover letter. So I'll have to do one.

[R3N]

keep it black and white ... keep font the same ... underline or bold sub headings to make them stand out and dont .... what ever you do ... put a photo on it ffs ... i immediately bin those ones

do or do not?

useful tip #445: if your name is osama bin laden, change it!

[ben351]

do or do not?

useful tip #445: if your name is osama bin laden, change it!

sorry dont

[Brockas]

keep it black and white ... keep font the same ... underline or bold sub headings to make them stand out and dont .... what ever you do ... DONT put a photo on it ffs ... i immediately bin those ones

LOL who the fuck would put a photo on a resume? It's not a matchmaking application!

[Evilteddy]

It's an internal job - so no outside people can apply. Says you must include a cover letter. So I'll have to do one.


Is it a permanent position TJ?

I think you'll find if it's a Government job and permanent position, they HAVE to advertise to externals as well... Although, it could be different between Federal and State governments...

I know with Federal it has to be advertised in the Gazette and anyone can apply.

[yeahlow34]

LOL who the fuck would put a photo on a resume? It's not a matchmaking application!

If it's for an administration role, I promote young women providing evidence of looks. Tertiary education, and general expereince is really supurflous.

[TJ]

Yeah its full time permanent - wouldnt be interested otherwise.

Been like that for a long time - some jobs have a period where internal only then go public, others get recycled till its taken.

[stumps.]

We get heaps of resumes with photos on them. Usually taken 20 years ago.

[tahni]

i used to have one on mine, many moons ago. Until Ben saw it and made me cry. Never used a photo since.
Although i still got the jobs i wanted using a photo *nod*

[Brockas]

i used to have one on mine, many moons ago. Until Ben saw it and made me cry. Never used a photo since.
Although i still got the jobs i wanted using a photo *nod*

Is that because you had your rack out in them?

[Rantopotamus]

Ben is on the money. 1 font, I use Arial Narrow. Nice spacing - Bold the title of your job or the place where you worked to brake up the page a bit.. and have an ident for your decription under the titles ect..

General rule of thumb. Contact Details up top - then skills / education / job history / referees.

[yeahlow34]

One thing also mate, if you're listing someone as a referee, tell them! I don't know how many people simply list referee's without actually telling the person, or giving them the heads up. It shows lack of organisation, and in general a lack of courtesy.

I'd suggest you're smart enough too give notice though, just something to keep in mind.

[ben351]

i used to have one on mine, many moons ago. Until Ben saw it and made me cry. Never used a photo since.
Although i still got the jobs i wanted using a photo *nod*

ah yes i remember that ... what were you thinking.

Glen - depending on the EBA the union has agreed on for where ever it may on a certain percent has to be offered internally for x amount of time before external applicants can apply

[AGIT8D]

Ben is on the money. 1 font, I use Arial Narrow. Nice spacing - Bold the title of your job or the place where you worked to brake up the page a bit.. and have an ident for your decription under the titles ect..

General rule of thumb. Contact Details up top - then skills / education / job history / referees.

break*

[tahni]

Is that because you had your rack out in them?

Yeh i wanted the job, i didnt bother with a picture of my face...
:slap:

[ben351]

to be honest it just ruins the surprise ... all recruiters have a theory in regards to girls names and where they live ...

i.e " her name is Tracey - shes ugly " or " her name is Mercedes - shes a stripper "

or " she lives in Scarborough / Claremont - shes hot " or " she lives in Mirrabooka - shes arab "

[HANS YOLO]

But I cant take pics for shit.

Yes government job.

Ben massive thanks, have a level 8 guy as a referee (top level at the place, reports directly to our ceo)

I have a resume, sounds like it will need re-writing - there is a fair bit of dribble in it.

you have pro equipment yes? pretty sure it will beat my Sony point and shite :)

my only comment would be that the resume/cover letter is usually just a means to get you to the interview - government is usually who you know & who you blow and ive smoked some pole to get me to a 6 in my Dept >.< there are many key words pannels look out for, done this stuff a bunch of times...offer stands if you need a hand

what dept is the job in? might know someone due to ethnicity :)

[Joe]

" she lives in Mirrabooka - shes arab "

She is Bangs' sister.

[TJ]

Water corporation

[Rantopotamus]

to be honest it just ruins the surprise ... all recruiters have a theory in regards to girls names and where they live ...

i.e " her name is Tracey - shes ugly " or " her name is Mercedes - shes a stripper "

or " she lives in Scarborough / Claremont - shes hot " or " she lives in Mirrabooka - shes arab "

Jasmine's are the worst!