Marketing Managers Need Cover Letters, too?

Marketing Managers Need Cover Letters, too?

Well, yes. If they want to get jobs, that is.

A cover letter takes the best of your qualifications and characteristics and makes them exciting and enticing to prospective employers. It’s a carefully crafted letter that leads the employer to the resume to see why you are the best candidate for the job.

Competition for Marketing Managers is keen. You have to stand out from the crowd in a positive, exciting way to ensure you are the one employers are determined to hire.

How do you accomplish this?

If you have already written your resume, the words you need are basically prepared for you. It’s much easier to pull from the resume and reflect on your character when you have put the time in to document your professional personal history.

The cover letter builds on the resume and leads the employer toward it. Its goal is to get the employer excited about the resume. The cover letter is a sales tool, just like the resume is. Sell yourself in a compelling and exciting way. Inject energy and let your best qualities reach the employer through carefully written examples and anecdotes. Don’t just state what you are capable of, show the employer with vibrant language that attracts and invites the employer to want to know more.

Let your personality show, but remain professional.

Are there a lot of Marketing Manager positions available? Yes, there are probably a lot of positions you COULD get, but do you want just ANY old job? Or, do you want a job where you will have opportunities to succeed, make more money and send your career to new heights?

You have to be your very best to get the great jobs. What skills and abilities do you have that you can offer the employer – and – how can you do so in a way that makes the employer pick up the phone and call you for an interview?

Start with your own “marketing materials”. Your cover letter and your resume are your sales resources. Make them work for you.

The cover letter is the first thing an employer sees. Make sure it is impeccable. Proofread it just as meticulously as you did the resume. No mistakes. Not one.

State clearly what position you are seeking and tailor the cover letter, just as you did with the resume, to the specific position and employer.

Mass marketing general resumes and cover letters to a host of employers is a thing of the past. Targeting a resume and cover letter is essential in today’s competitive environment if you are to be successful.

Look at it this way: Your competition is doing it. If you don’t do it, too, who do you think is going to get the job interview and the job offer?

“Employment of advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, spurred by intense domestic and global competition in products and services offered to consumers.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Finding the perfect job in a great company will always take some work, but the rewards will be worthwhile if you take the time to work through the job search process right.

A good cover letter alone isn’t likely to persuade an employer to grant you an interview, but it is part of the whole package that WILL encourage an employer to want to get to know you better. Make it an exciting and enjoyable read and you will find yourself being offered the next Marketing Manager position you apply for.

Best of luck!

Written by Carla Vaughan-Bosteder Best-Interview-Strategies.com

Cover Letter Tips

Why are cover letters so important? They provide the prospective employer with a brief review of your skills and abilities – but they are less formal than a resume. In fact, they may point to things that are in your resume or they may highlight qualities you posses that the resume just isn't able to convey.

The best news is that writing one it isn't that hard.

So, how do you write a great cover letter?

The cover letter builds on the resume and leads the employer toward it. Its goal is to get the employer excited about the resume. It is a sales tool, just like the resume is. Sell yourself in a compelling and exciting way. You know how to sell, so put it to good use by highlighting your accomplishments. The employer will naturally want to know more about what you have to offer.

Map out the information you want to place in each section, then go back through and fine tune it. Don't try to write brilliantly from the salutation to the signature in the first draft. Revise it each time you go through it.

What skills and abilities do you have that you can offer the employer – and – how can you do so in a way that makes the employer pick up the phone and call you for an interview? Oh, and that brings up the point that you need to make sure all of your contact information is included in the cover letter as well as on the resume. You never know when someone is going to lose one of those precious pieces of paper.

An outstanding cover letter is also tailored to the employer's needs. If the ad you read states that the employer is looking for someone with three years of managerial experience, then you need to include something in your cover letter that states you have managerial experience. If you do not have that much experience, show the employer how much you have learned and how quickly you learned it. Let the employer know that you are determined to be successful. This is especially important if you are still in school or have recently graduated from school.

A cover letter isn't likely to persuade an employer to grant you an interview on its own, but it is part of the whole package that WILL encourage an employer to want to get to know you better. Make it an exciting and enjoyable read and you will find yourself being offered the next Sales position for which you apply.

Read more about cover letters here: Cover Letters

Is it Important to Send a Cover Letter?

While many employers require cover letters from prospective jobseekers, some do not specify what their requirements are. This leaves the jobseeker with the classic dilemma, whether or not to send a cover letter.

Writing a good cover letter takes time and effort. A mistake on the cover letter such as a spelling error could prove fatal to the jobseeker's chances. However, in general it is advisable to send one even if the employer doesn't require it.

Most employers are looking for good employees who are interested in doing the tasks provided to them, and who will stay with the company for a while. Even if a resume perfectly matches the job description, a resume says nothing about how the jobseeker feels about that company in particular.

A cover letter is a great tool to help the jobseeker stand out from the crowd and show the employer that he is interested and excited about working there. The employer will know that the jobseeker has taken the time to put together a cover letter, and that implies that he really wants the job and will accept if it is offered.

A cover letter is always a great idea, but caution should be taken in making sure the format is acceptable and the spelling and grammar are correct. There are few better ways to distinguish a qualified jobseeker from the crowd than a fantastic cover letter.

To learn more about cover letters, consider the following articles:

'Cover Letter Guideline'

'Cover Letter Checklist'

'The Power of a Good Cover Letter'

'Cover Letter Tips'

'A Great Cover Letter'

'Ten Cover Letter Tips'


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Cover Letters for Teachers

Cover Letters for Teachers

Why are cover letters so important? They provide the prospective employer with a brief review of your skills and abilities in the form of a letter. These types of letters are written much differently than resumes and can have a potent impact on your future employer.

The best news is that writing one it isn’t that difficult. An excellent teacher is always going to be in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for teachers through 2014 will grow somewhere between 9 and 17% per year.

“Experts predict that over the next ten years the nation will need 2.2 to 2.4 million teachers. That means there will be 150,000 to 250,000 openings for teachers in the nation's elementary and secondary schools. The needs are greatest in urban and rural communities and in curricular areas such as special education, mathematics, science, bilingual education, and English as a second language.” This information comes from www.recruitingteachers.org, a non-profit organization based in Belmont, MS.

What does that mean? It means there will be continued growth in the field of education. If you are a good teacher, you should not encounter problems in finding a great job in a location that you desire.

What about that amazing teaching position at that awesome new school that you have your eye on, though? Do you think the competition for that position will be greater? Of course it will. The great paying jobs always demand the best and the brightest people. That is why your credentials and qualifications will have to be presented in the most incredible way if you are to get the job of your dreams.

One aspect of making a great impression on a prospective employer is to create a fantastic picture of who you are - with words. Let your cover letter show the school administrators just how remarkable you are.

The cover letter has one goal. That is to get the employer excited about the resume. It is a marketing tool, just like the resume is. Sell yourself in a compelling and exciting way.

What makes the best impression on employers? The wise use of accomplishments with anecdotes will win over a principal or school administrator much faster than simply stating what you did and where you worked. Let your best qualities reach the employer through carefully written examples and stories. Don’t just state what you are capable of, show what you have done in the past with vibrant language that attracts and invites the employer to want to know more.

You are a part of a significant sector of the labor market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and secondary school teachers, except special education, held about 3.8 million jobs in 2004. Of the teachers in those jobs, about 1.5 million are elementary school teachers, 1.1 million are secondary school teachers, 628,000 are middle school teachers, 431,000 are preschool teachers, and 171,000 are kindergarten teachers.”

You have to be your very best to get the great jobs. What skills and abilities do you have that you can offer the employer – and – how can you do so in a way that makes the employer want to pick up the phone and call you for an interview?
Let your cover letter generate interest in your resume, then let your resume hold the employer’s attention so that you are invited in for a face to face meeting.

The cover letter builds on the resume and leads the employer toward it. Make it glow. While it may not persuade an employer to grant you an interview by itself, it is a vital part of the whole package that sells an employer on YOU.

Cover Letters

Cover Letters

Any time a resume is sent by mail it must be accompanied by a cover letter.
The resume is an impersonal description of your qualifications, much like a product brochure. When presenting the resume to an employer it needs to be personalized and targeted. The cover letter is your opportunity to personalize your resume and target your skills.

Most letter formats can be used for the cover letter; the only absolute is that it conform to accepted standards for business letters.
A cover letter may be sent in response to an advertised job opening, a referral from a networking contact, or direct to an employer.

Cover Letter Formats
Invited Letter - This letter format is used when an employer has solicited the resume for consideration. This is often in response to a want ad or publicized job listing. This style focuses on matching your qualifications to the advertised requirements of the position.

Uninvited or Cold Contact Letter - Use this format to contact employers who have not advertised or published job openings. The focus is on matching your qualifications to the perceived needs of the employer based on labor market research. This strategy requires that a phone or personal contact with the employer either precede or follow the sending of the resume and cover letter.

Referral Letter - Through networking, informational interviews and contact with employers, the effective job seeker will receive referrals to job opportunities. These referrals may be to a specific job opening (advertised or unadvertised), or to an employer who may or may not be hiring now. In a referral letter, mention to the individual who provided the information about the company or job.

Cover Letter Variation
Job Match or "T" Letter -When crafting a cover letter it is always important to match your qualifications to the job and/or employer. Some sources for information include employment advertisements, position descriptions, phone conversations and informational interviews. Generally this is done in the narriative of the letter. The "T" letter format uses bulleted comparisons that target the specific requirements and your corresponding qualifications.


Cover Letter Points to Consider
• Always address the letter to a specific person by name and title. Even if responding to a job that states "no phone calls," consider calling to politely ask the name of the hiring authority. This may not be possible when responding to a "blind ad" where the name of the company is not available. In this case, send the letter to the title of the hiring manager: e.g., "Production Manager," "Maintenance Supervisor," "Office Manager," etc. Never use the term, "To Whom It May Concern".
• Sign the letter in blue ink, it implies that the letter is original. The only other color ink to use is black, never use any other color on the cover letter.
• Structure the letter to reflect your individuality, but avoid appearing too familiar, overbearing, humorous, or cute. Keep sentences short and to the point.
• Keep it brief, usually no more than three to five paragraphs on one page.
• The paper and style of your cover letter should compliment your resume. Use the same paper stock for both your cover letter and resume.

Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com

For more information on Cover Letters:

Cover Letter Tips

Cover Letter Guideline

Cover Letter Checklist

Have a great day!

An Outstanding Cover Letter

There is nothing that can compare to an outstanding cover letter. If you want to get an employer's attention, you will need cover letter that demands their attention.

The cover letter is the first thing that an employer is going to read. It is the precursor to the resume. If the cover letter doesn’t command the attention of the reader right away, then you only have the resume left to do so. Sure, the resume will outline your educational and experiential background, but it doesn't afford the flexibility of a cover letter.

An outstanding cover letter gives you an opportunity to tailor your credentials in a way that the resume does not. You are able to explain situations so that the employer understands why, for instance, you have a 2 year gap in your employment dates. You can expound on a specific skill set. You can outline a situation that shows the employer how accomplished you are. There is so much more that an outstanding cover letter can do.

Do not underestimate the importance of an outstanding cover letter.

Remember that a cover letter is short and to the point. If at all possible, keep the cover letter to one page. Keep it professional, but be sure to sell yourself, too.

Map out the information you want to place in each section, then go back through and fine tune it. Don't try to write brilliantly from the salutation to the signature in the first draft. Revise it each time you go through it.

An outstanding cover letter is also tailored to the employer's needs. If the ad you read states that the employer is looking for someone with three years of managerial experience, then you need to include something in your cover letter that states you have managerial experience. If you do not have that much experience, show the employer how much you have learned and how quickly you learned it. Let the employer know that you are determined to be successful. This is especially important if you are still in school or have recently graduated from school.

Once you think you have everything the way you want it in your cover letter, proofread it. You can say everything an employer wants to hear, but if your cover letter is loaded with spelling and grammar errors, you will not get anywhere. Making sure your cover letter is error-free is definitely one step in the right direction.

An outstanding cover letter requires some time and thought up front, but if it correctly guides the employer to your resume and the employer likes what is there, you stand a great chance of receiving a phone call for an interview.

Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com

Have a great day!

How Much Character Does Your Resume Have?

How much character does your resume have? Are you allowing some of your personal and professional traits to show through the resume?

Employers are wanting to know how well you can do the job, sure, but they are also wanting to make sure you will get along well with the other members of the team. How well will you fit in with their organizational climate?

Even though you will find some questions in the interview focused on your personality traits, you can make a good impression by injecting some of them in the resume and even the cover letter.

If the position you are seeking involves a lot of teamwork with others, show how well you work in a team setting in your resume or cover letter. Use clear examples. If the position requires a lot of leadership ability, then make sure that is targeted in your resume as well. Think ahead and organize your resume so that you can address some of the possible needs that the employer has - before you have that interview. Don't answer every need as you'll still need to continue to make a good impression during the interview.

An employer is trying to find the right person for the job. Make it easy and offer concrete evidence of your skills and abilities, but also provide solid information about your character, too. It will help him/her to make a better decision - and will certainly assist you in impressing the employer from the start.

Brought to you by:

Professional-Resume-Example.com

A Good Cover Letter is Essential

When your resume and cover letter first reach the prospective employer, the employer will start to form an opinion about you. How professional are you? Are you detail oriented, ambitious, responsible and/or qualified for the job?

The first thing the employer will notice is your cover letter. You can bet the employer knows the power of a good cover letter.

It needs to be error-free and well-written if it is going to receive the attention it deserves. A single mistake could cost you an opportunity for a job interview, so take the time to do it right.

You must understand the power of a good cover letter if you are to write one effectively.

Writing a good cover letter entails thought and time. Map out the information you want to place in each section, then go back through and fine tune it. Don't try to write brilliantly from the salutation to the signature in the first draft. Revise it each time you go through it.

For more information about cover letters, check out this link: Cover Letter Guideline

My Old Press Release

I thought it might be interesting to post my first and only press release. My resume site has come a long way since then. :)
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Rockwall, TX (PRWEB) March 24, 2006 -- Resume-writing just became easier with the launch of Professional-Resume-Example.com - a site dedicated to helping others in the job-search process. "This site offers so much more than traditional resume sites", says owner, Carla Vaughan. "The vision has always been to provide relevant information on a vast array of topics that job seekers are
searching for," she added.

What visitors to the site will find is pertinent career-related information in an easy-to-understand tone and style. The navigation is designed to provide the easiest access to the information users need most. If someone is searching for cover letter information, then there is a clearly labeled tab to take the visitor to that page. If the quest is for a resume outline, then there is a tab identifying that as well. Simple navigation and helpful links at the bottom of each page provide the ease of use and clarity that many sites find difficult to achieve.

According to the Department of Labor in its most recent Employment Situation Summary report, the job market increased by 243,000 jobs just in February, 2006. The job candidates who received offers for those jobs are the ones who had the best presentation of their credentials and who were the most prepared for interviews.

In the past, job candidates had to wade through a barrage of information. Now, there is one resource with everything necessary (from filling out federal government job applications to networking their way to a new job) to create professional resume materials. Now, there is one resource where the focus is on achieving success by finding a great job.

Professional-Resume-Example.com offers everything from a detailed explanation of each section of the resume to examples of resumes in each of the 3 most common resume formats. It is unique in its approach to providing the information in the way that job candidates are searching for it. Much time and effort has been made to determine the exact features that job seekers are looking for and offering substantial information in the form of articles, links and/or web pages that speak to those needs.

Career planning, resume tips, cover letter guidelines, job-search articles and a variety of related information all come together in one place - Professional-Resume-Example.com

The job search just became easier.

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Carla Vaughan is the owner of Professional-Resume-Example.com, a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. She holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books.