High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Idea Entrepreneurs and Words to Transform Your Career

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

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• 3 Words That Will Transform Your Career: "Every time you encounter another person, think: help this person. It's not altruistic. Nothing else can so quickly supercharge your career and improve the quality of your life."

• 6 Steps to Networking Nirvana: "Effective networking requires focused one-to-one communication, rather than blasting out cries for help to all within email reach. It is about building relationships, not exploiting them."                                                        
• Idea Entrepreneur--The New 21st Century Career: "It is all too common that people with an idea for an improvement or a change to the world are satisfied to point out a problem, propose a solution, and then expect others to execute. The idea entrepreneur, however, sees the expression of the idea as the beginning of the effort — and it can be a lifelong one — in which they will continue to build the idea, reach new audiences, and offer practices that lead to change."


• The Key to Success After Graduation: "Learning early in life to persist in an effort ridiculed by others is of great value. Whether a blessing or a curse, most of what I have accomplished in my career was initially deemed doomed to fail."


• 4 Tips for an Effective Cover Letter: "Your cover letter has one purpose—and one purpose only: To get the hiring manager’s attention so he reads your resume!" 

Should You Send a Cover Letter? The Survey Says....Definitely Maybe!

It would be so much easier if there were a set of job search rules to follow. It would be easier if everyone followed the same hiring guidelines, processes, and procedures. Unfortunately, that is not the reality. One of these ambiguities is whether or not to send a cover letter when you send your resume in response to a job posting.

Human resources professionals will give you differing points of view. Some of them say to always send them and that they always read them. Others say they want you to send them but they don't read them. Yet others say you should not send them. So what is a job seeker to do?

My recommendation for job seekers is to ALWAYS send a cover letter. Even the HR professionals that say they don't want them will often admit that they appreciate the effort that the job seeker takes to prepare the cover letter. While they may read some, all, or none of it, when they refer you to the hiring manager for their review, they will always pass along your resume and cover letter. With this in mind, here are some tips to help you ensure your cover letter is as effective as it can be.

• Write your cover letter to the hiring manager's attention. Speak in terms of how you can benefit the hiring manager as an addition to their team.

• Keep your cover letter brief and concise. A cover letter should never be longer than one page. Ideally, the cover letter is three paragraphs maximum - an introduction, a sales pitch, and a closing paragraph that includes a call to action.

• Customize your cover letter as much as possible. Research the hiring manager's name and title and address it directly to them. Research the company's needs and goals and use the cover letter to demonstrate how you can assist them in solving their problems or achieving their objectives.

• Engage the reader by staying away from formulaic, boring cover letters that sound like every other letter they have read that day. Grab their attention from the very first paragraph.

• Don't regurgitate or repeat the resume. Think of the cover letter as the opportunity to introduce the resume and highlight what the reader will find when they review the resume. 

Five Cover Letter Myths to Avoid

Cover letters, not unlike resumes, are subject to many myths. Continuing this series of job-search myths, I delve into cover letters and the bad advice that could cost you in your job search.

1. You don't need a cover letter: It's not uncommon for job postings to either say a cover letter isn't necessary or to not mention a cover letter at all. Unless the posting specifically states "candidates submitting cover letters will not be considered" (and I have yet to see a job posting that says this), you should always submit a cover letter with your resume. Including a cover letter is a mark of professionalism, enabling you to stand out in ways that your resume won't allow.

2. No one reads cover letters: Not true. This isn't to say that every hiring manager/HR administrator reads them, but they sophisticated ones do. They want to go beyond the resume and learn more about the candidates motivations, interest, and how they present themselves outside of the bullet points. Your cover letter should compliment your resume, allowing you to express what would make you a strong candidate outside of the conventions of a resume.

3. It should mostly address your resume: If your cover letter is simply a summary of your resume, you are in trouble. Use the space in a cover letter to address why you are interested in the position and to address specific requirements in the position description that your skills, background, or character are particularly able to meet, or specific accomplishments that you believe would translate into success in your position.

4. It should be long: Cover letters do not need to be epic in length. A strong cover letter can get the job done in 10-15 sentences (some even less). Stay focused on what excites you about the position or company and briefly summarize key strengths and successes in your professional background that address their needs. 

5. Be pushy: Some career experts recommend that candidates end their cover letters with a statement along the lines of "I will call you next week to arrange an interview." Not a good idea. Many candidates feel that a company's hiring should center around them, and statements like this indicate a "me first" mentality. Would you rather stand out by being aggressive or by what your background says about you? Rely on presenting yourself as the best candidate, not strong-arm tactics.  

Share your own cover letter myths or questions below!

Are You Making One of These 3 Critical Job Search Errors?

You have a great resume, you have purchased the perfect interview suit, and you have practiced all your interview responses. You are ready and your job search is foolproof, right? Not so fast! If you are making one of these three errors, you just may be sabotaging your own success.

Failure to Add Networking to Your Job Search
You already know that your applications are all made online - usually through a company's website or an online job search engine. However, if your only means of looking for open jobs is surfing the web for openings, you are missing out.

I spoke recently to a global recruiter that told me 80% of the positions she fills are never even posted. She searches LinkedIn, asks her existing staff for referrals, and reaches out to her network to find candidates before she even considers posting a job. Don't discount networking - both social networking and in-person networking - as a critical factor in your job search success.

Failure to Use a Cover Letter
The cover letter is a professional introduction to the resume and is still expected by hiring managers and human resources professionals. The cover letter will most likely not make or break whether you get an interview. However, not sending a cover letter is definitely a strike against you.

Human Resources may not read the cover letter during the screening process. However, they will pass your letter along to the hiring manager who uses this tool to get to know a little about you, your personality, and communication style before the interview.

Failure to Focus Your Search
There is no such thing as an effective generic resume. In order to do its job well, the resume must be focused to a specific job, industry, and company. Don't make the HR person work to see how you will fit in their company. Chances are, if you don't make your targeted presentation of how you fit in within the top third of the resume, you will never even get close to an interview.

When and How to Use Your Cover Letter to Explain Difficult Situations

The resume and cover letter should be viewed as a team. Rarely should you leave something out of your resume simply because you address it in your cover letter. However, there are a few situations that can not be adequately addressed using the resume alone. This is where a brief, well-written note in the cover letter can help overcome obstacles.

Long-term Unemployment
Whether your unemployment was a result of a lay-off, your own health concerns, family leave, or taking care of an ill relative, it is always a good idea to address gaps in employment on the resume. However, you can use the cover letter to overcome the fear that comes along with these issues for your potential employer.

Address your own health concerns in this way: "Although I have taken some time off to recover from a serious medical condition, I have now overcome these issues and have been given a clean bill of health. I kept my skills and knowledge current by participating in several industry groups, and am ready to return full-time to my career specialty." The bottom line is that you can use the cover letter to explain the absence - without providing unnecessary details - and overcome the employers' fear that this may be an issue again in the future.

Change in Career Directions
Most important in this case is to focus on your transferable skills in the resume to showcase how marketable you will be as a candidate. However, you can use your cover letter to further address why you are good fit for this new career field. Briefly address why you want to make the change and the skills and personal traits you can bring to your potential employer.

Unfocused Career History
Job hopping is a major red flag to an employer. Having multiple positions in multiple industries across a short period of time makes the employer fear you will not stay long-term. Once again, use the resume to show the most relevant and transferable skills to your new career focus as you highlight your previous employment.

Use your cover letter to express your focus on obtaining a long-term career with your target company. Use a statement like this to overcome the employers' fears. "Although for the last few years my career focus was not clear, I have now realized that (Insert Industry and Career Focus) is where I can put my skills, experience and personal traits to the best use. I am looking for a long-term position where I can bring my employer the benefits of my experience and enthusiasm as I continue to grow and learn."

Relocation
If you are planning to relocate and are currently job hunting from another city or state, it is important that you clearly state your intent to relocate in the near future. If possible, it would be most beneficial to obtain a local address prior to job hunting. However, if that is not possible overcome the employers' fear with this type of statement. "Although I currently live and work in Arizona, it is my intent to permanently relocate to West Virginia to be closer to my family. I am available any time for a phone interview and can arrange an in-person interview with a bit more notice."

Cover Letters Act As Valuable Communication Tools

Job seekers might ask: Is it really necessary to submit a cover letter with a resume when applying for a job? The answer is yes. A cover letter serves as an introduction between the job seeker and the prospective employer. In it, you introduce yourself, identify the position of interest, and summarize the unique value and expertise you can bring to the organization. Cover letters may also help to explain a unique situation, like a gap in employment or why the job seeker is transitioning to a new industry. When written well, a cover letter should draw the reader into wanting to read the accompanying resume—with the ultimate goal of securing a job interview.

Elements

The key elements of a cover letter include a salutation; an introductory paragraph; two body paragraphs highlighting the applicant’s experience, skills, and accomplishments; and a closing paragraph requesting an interview or other follow-up steps. To be completely effective, customize the letter to address the position and company you are applying to.

Cover Letter Templates

The great news for job seekers is that numerous cover letter templates are available to help get you started in writing a targeted message intended to resonate with a particular audience or communicate unique experience. Many custom templates are designed for specific situations, like a first-time job seeker or someone wishing to highlight transferable skills in an attempt to transition occupations. Most templates are typically easy to use, and most are available for free online.

Much as you might be tempted to skip the cover letter, think twice. A cover letter is a great tool for capturing the interest of your audience and selling yourself, while allowing a little bit of your personality to shine through too.

The 4-step Recipe for a Successful Cover Letter

The cover letter is one of those anomalies in the job search that many people say are necessary, but they don’t necessarily use it to make a hiring decision. In talking to human resources experts and hiring managers, the consensus seems to be that they want you to send one. However, don’t expect HR to read the letter. They are more interested in whether or not you have the qualifications they need to screen you in or out.

If you make the cut, and are sent to the hiring manager for a pre-interview review, this is when your cover letter does its job. The hiring manager often reads the cover letter to get a sense of your personality and communication style prior to the interview.

Use this 4-step recipe to create your cover letter. However, just like most recipes, you will need to make some minor modifications to suit your needs.

Step 1: The Heading and Salutation. Your cover letter’s heading should be the same as your resume. If using a template, be sure to update the company name/address and change the date. Whenever possible, address the letter to a specific person. Do your research in order to try to address the letter to the hiring manager by name, always use the more formal Mr. Smith or Ms. Smith once you find out if the hiring manager is male or female. If you can’t get a name use: Attention: Hiring Manager.

Step 2: The Opening Paragraph. This paragraph should attract the reader’s attention. Include why are you writing, what position are you applying for, and where you learned of the position. Catch the reader’s attention with your qualifications and skills from the first line. Don’t use the same “I am writing in response to your advertised job” line that everyone else uses.

Step 3: The Middle Paragraph. This is your chance to sell your skills. This is the part of the letter that contains the sales pitch. Outline the top reasons you are worthy of an interview, keep in mind the employer doesn’t care about what they can do for you; they want to know what you can do for their company. Don’t just regurgitate your resume, but introduce them to what you are going to discuss in your resume.

Keep you letter positive, upbeat and packed full of accomplishments and relevant skills that you know will benefit the company. This is not a life history, rather a brief introduction into your resume that gives the employer a glimpse at your personality and communication style.

Step 4: The Final Paragraph. Never close on a passive note and don’t order the employer to take the next step. Tell the employer what you plan to do next – and do it! Express an interest in the position and the company, thank them for considering your qualifications, and tell them when and how you will follow up.

Tips For Creating a Great Post Grad Cover Letter

Some potential employers require a cover letter, while others do not. As a post grad, you enter the tricky world of applying for jobs and don't always know what to do or what the potential employer wants. Creating a cover letter that wows them is one way to stand out. If the employer requires one, then you must send one in. If you don't send a cover letter, it shows the employer that you don't follow directions and is the number one way to get your resume from their desk to the trash. Even if the employer doesn't require a cover letter, sending one in is a great way to showcase your talents. Here are some tips on creating a cover letter that will impress anyone:

1. Be specific for each job you apply to. Do a little research to find out what this employer may want in an employee and what the job entails. Then evolve your cover letter to show your interest in the company. Share why you want to work for them, what qualities you have that they desperately need, and tailor it to the company. Take out any generic sirs or madams and make sure you put the company name and the name of who you're sending it to at the top.

2. Don't just copy and paste or blind copy one cover letter and resume to a bunch of job ads. Taking a generic cover letter from the Internet is a way to essentially give up the job to someone else that took the time to write a personalized, rockin' cover letter.

3. Keep it short and sweet. Give your best examples of work and qualities that qualify you for the job. Express your interest in the company and the job quickly. Potential employers simply don't have the time to read pages of cover letters and resumes. Keeping it short and to the point will get it read.

4. Follow instructions! Often potential employers may want you to answer specific questions in a cover letter when applying. Be sure to answer these questions in a short and passionate way. For example, they may ask your top three skills. A great answer would be relevant to the job, share your passion, and be to the point.

5. Be professional and spell check! Spelling or grammatical errors will get your cover letter tossed no matter what job you're applying to. Be sure the document is well formatted and easy to read too.

6. Don't forget to give your contact information at the end of the cover letter! If they have no way to contact you, you surely won't get the interview.

Whether it is the daunting task of writing your first cover letter or you've written a hundred, keep these six things in mind and you'll write an amazing cover letter sure to wow any potential employer.

The Top 10 Cover Letter Mistakes

The cover letter can be almost as daunting as the resume (if not more so). Most human resources professionals say you should always send a cover letter with your resume. However, many of them admit to not reading them. However, the hiring manager (your potential boss) is often the most likely reader of the cover letter. Therefore, you want to make sure your cover letter is done correctly. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

Don’t overuse the word “I”. The cover letter should be focused on how you can benefit the employer, not on your life story. Minimizing the word “I” demonstrates your ability to be a team player.

Don’t use a weak opening. Your opening must grab the reader’s attention and not let go. Here are two examples:

WEAK: Please consider me for the sales manager position.
STRONG: If you are seeking a goal-oriented manager who can motivate a team to consistently exceed goals by as much 30%, then I am confident in my ability to fill the sales manager position with your company.

Don’t make it too long. Your cover letter should never exceed one page. Keep it concise, compelling, and respectful of the reader’s time.

Don’t regurgitate your resume. Think of your cover letter as an introduction to your resume. The resume provides the facts. Repeating the resume word for word will dull the impact of the accomplishments on the resume

Don’t be vague. Ensure that every fact and skill included specifically supports the position you are applying for. Always reference the job for which you are applying and where you learned of the job.

Don’t forget to customize. Don’t forget to update company information, contact name, date, etc. You don’t want the employer to know you are using the same letter for each job posting.

Don’t be passive. Take your future into your own hands. When possible, let the employer know when and how you will follow up: “I will follow up with you in the next week to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime you may reach me at 555.111.1111.” If you don’t have contact info: “I look forward to the opportunity to meet in person so that we may further discuss how my skills, knowledge, and experience will allow me to bring benefits to your organization.”

Don’t be rude. Always thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Don’t forget to sign the letter. Personalize each letter with your signature. This is proper business etiquette and shows attention to detail. When sending an e-mail, a signature is not necessary. However, you can scan your signature and include it on the cover letter for a personal touch.

Don’t be arrogant. Stating your skills and the benefits you bring to an employer is not bragging, you are only telling the facts. It is when we deem ourselves the “best ever” or act as though an employer can not live without us that we are seen as arrogant.