An Addendum to “THE COVER LETTER” ARTICLE

Upon receiving so many comments and feedback from readers searching for help after reading the blog article, “The Infamous Cover Letter” I decided to add an addendum to it entitled, “The Infamous Resume.”

In the first article, it was emphasized that the cover letter is about the “whom?” and “what” of you – personally; and the resume illustrates the “where?” “when?” and “how?” of your business life. It is at THIS time, you also will find the “why?”

Last week I did a resume for a girl that was told by her business coach that her resume needed work. Puzzled, the girl asked me to rewrite and improve it for her. I asked her to send me the description of the job she was applying for and her original resume as it looks now.

Upon reviewing the job description, I found it was a perfect job fit for her skills. However, looking at her actual resume, I could understand if she didn’t even capture an interview.

The thing is, it was all formatted properly, dates accurate, job titles listed, but it said NOTHING about her proven track record of success and contributions to each company she listed. It said she worked for them, displayed her title, said she did routine tasks for them, but there was nothing to indicate that she was a gem in demand because of her ideas, work methods, achievements, or contributions who made the companies shine due to her efforts!

In the cover letter, you say who you are and why you were perfect for this position, but in the resume, you indicate you made a contribution and then, the secret is this…remember the rule? You know, the one drilled in your head by your English teacher, the rule…“Who, What, Where, Why and When and sometimes HOW? THIS is the place you highlight emphatically the HOW!

Resume #1

Weight Loss Counselor

• Sold memberships to clients (how many?)

• Helped Members on goals (Make an impression?)

• closed & opened store.

• told the main office how we did each week (how did you do?!)

Resume #2

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