In this section of The Resume Clinic’s Career Management U., we examine the various aspects of the cover letter and how it can pair with your resume provide you with the much needed edge over your competition. EVERY aspect of your submission should be top-shelf. The sections below will provide some valuable insight into mastering the development and utilization of this often overlooked tool.

8 10, 2024

8 Steps for Crafting a Powerful Cover Letter

William Mitchell, CPRW2024-11-15T16:16:49-06:00Cover Letter Help, Resume Writing Help|

While others ignore the details, craft your cover letter to close the deal. Most of us know enough to ensure our resume is on point, but too many overlook the value and impact of a well-written and targeted cover letter. Unlike a resume, which lists your qualifications, a cover letter gives you the opportunity to [...]

30 07, 2024

Resumes for Career Chameleons: Writing Strategies for Frequent Career Shifts

William Mitchell, CPRW2024-09-23T12:46:07-05:00Career Management Help, Cover Letter Help, Job Search Preparation, Resume Writing Help|

If you’ve made recent career shifts—or even industry shifts—more times than you can count, you’re not alone. Welcome to the club of career chameleons! While conventional wisdom might say frequent career shifts a red flag issue, in today’s fast-paced job market, having diverse experiences can actually be a powerful advantage. A study from the Bureau [...]

6 01, 2016

Customize Your Cover Letter For Success

William Mitchell, CPRW2024-09-23T12:46:01-05:00Cover Letter Help|

When you customize your cover letter correctly, it can be a useful and powerful tool. Yes, it is true that there are some hiring managers that look past the cover letter and don't even read it during the initial resume review. But most hiring professionals do read it, and since most applicants only submit something [...]

28 04, 2015

Tips on Cover Letter Structure

William Mitchell, CPRW2024-09-23T12:46:00-05:00Cover Letter Help|

The cover letter is under-appreciated by many job seekers as a necessary job search tool. However, it represents yet another opportunity to connect with the reader and pass along valuable information about you. Here are some tips on how to good cover letter structure can ensure optimal effectiveness. Introduction Your introduction's purpose is to quickly [...]

8 01, 2015

When You Do (and Don’t) Need a Cover Letter

William Mitchell, CPRW2021-12-21T15:23:05-06:00Cover Letter Help|

No one questions the importance of a good resume in finding the job of choice. Even if it is only read for 5 to 10 seconds, we know it gets looked at by the hiring authority to make a decision. But when it comes to our friend the cover letter, one usually gets mixed reviews [...]

27 08, 2008

IS MY COVER LETTER THAT IMPORTANT?

William Mitchell, CPRW2024-09-23T12:45:13-05:00Cover Letter Help|

There may have been a time when the cover letter was considered more of an optional document to include with your resume, but as always, times change. In today's job search environment, the cover letter is a mandatory part of the document arsenal whose absence can severely weaken your chances of landing the interview. First, [...]