August 2003 : Issue 15
A newsletter brought to you by Aussie Résumés http://www.aussieresumes.com
Aussie Résumés offer résumé writing services, a résumé and covering
letter critiquing service, The Aussie Résumés Cover Letter Software, in
addition to The Australian Résumé Writer software.
Editor: Tara West
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In This Issue
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> Welcome
> Article: Cover Letter Basics
> Quote
> Writing Your Résumé - Part 1 - Order of Relevance
> Feedback Wanted
> Subscribe / Unsubscribe Information
> Contact Information
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Welcome
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I hope you enjoy this issue of Résumé Action.
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ARTICLE:
Cover Letter Basics
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If you believe a covering letter to be a waste of time, think again.
In our latest Employer Survey over 85% of hiring managers stated a
covering letter as a high priority. Even
if they don't like all the hoo-ha, they do appreciate being made aware of WHAT
position you are applying for (particularly if several vacancies are advertised
- hundreds if applying through a recruitment firm).
Your covering letter objectives are:
a) to inform the
hiring manager of what position you are applying for;
b) to quell any
misconceptions that you DO NOT have what they seek - in other words, TELL them
that you have the skills and knowledge they are seeking; and
c) to request an
interview.
Your covering
letter should be ONE page only - any longer, you're definitely waffling and
making the hiring manager grimace in despair.
Etiquette does
count when writing your letter. For
instance: if the listed contact is Alice Citizen, your salutation shouldn't read
Dear Alice, unless you personally know
Alice
. Nor should you close with: Talk
to you soon, Jim; or Regards, Jim; or Best wishes, Jim.
If a contact isn't listed always start with Dear Sir / Madam, never Dear
Sir. Regardless of whether you are
an introvert or an extrovert,
formal is best.
For more
information on writing a winning covering letter visit: http://www.aussieresumes.com/letter.htm
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Have you written
a résumé and cover letter lately?
It more than
likely contains spelling errors, grammatical errors, punctuation errors,
incorrect style, and negative connotations (as opposed to positive voice).
Did you realise
that you usually read what you want to read?
A second pair of eyes can pick up what you yourself don't. Our latest
employer survey highlighted the need for good clean copy, free of errors.
Hire Aussie Résumés
for a comprehensive, insightful and refreshing critique!
For as little as
$14.95 for a covering letter and $49.95 for a résumé, your dollar is well
spent... particularly when errors could be costing you interviews, and
ultimately jobs.
Visit http://www.aussieresumes.com/resume-paidcritique.htm
for more information and to order.
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QUOTE
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"Our deepest
fear is not that we are inadequate. Our
deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves,
'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are
you NOT to be? ... Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing
enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same."
~ Nelson Mandela
~
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WRITING YOUR RÉSUMÉ
- PART 1 - ORDER OF RELEVANCE
Each month we'll
be providing specific tips on what information you should be
including in your résumé.
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ORDER OF
RELEVANCE:
There's no hard
and fast rule about what information should go where.
However, you should never lose sight of the fact that your résumé is a
"marketing" document, and therefore should be showcasing your
abilities and relevant credentials in a manner which is applicable to your
situation (and appealing to the hiring manager).
But there are a
few things which (usually) never change. For
instance:
1) Referees: we
always list this last, considering it doesn't inform the hiring manager of any
saleable attributes or qualities you may have;
2) Voluntary
Involvement: inserted after employment history, considering it is an
"add-on" to give the hiring manager an insight into your community
interests and / or commitment(s); and
3) Key
Competencies: directly after your profile, considering this can be the only
section in which you can specifically tailor your key attributes in-line with
the advertised criteria.
4)
Qualifications: if a particular degree or certification is a requirement of the
job (and of course you have it!), make sure it is easily identifiable and stands
out from any other courses you may have completed.
It may be wise to include this at the beginning of your résumé under a
separate heading than that of your other professional development.
If in doubt about
the structure of your résumé, ask yourself this:
"What is an
employer looking for - what do they want from me?"
Answer that
question and you'll recognise what information should prominently be displayed
in your résumé.
To learn more
about what to include and how to structure your résumé, visit Aussie Résumés
for an array of helpful services: http://www.aussieresumes.com
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FEEDBACK
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Attention Users
of The Australian Résumé Writer software:
Have a gripe
about the software? Would you like
it to do something that it doesn't? Would you like to see some different
features?
We'd love to have
your opinion! Feedback is valued
and will be taken into account for future releases of the software.
Drop us a line
at: feedback@aussieresumes.com
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Contact Information
Editor: Tara West
Résumé Action published by Aussie Résumés, PO Box 3654, Mt Gambier, 5290
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