A Review of The National Business Employment Weekly's Guides to Resumes and Cover LettersBy RUTH DE NAMUR
As stated in the foreword
by the editor for National Business Employment Weekly, it
is "critically important for you to spend time building a resume
that reflects both your unique experiences and your potential
contributions."
"Resumes" provides an
excellent reference for doing so. Besson cautions against trying
to put together a resume by simply "filling in the blanks." This
will yield a poor success rate when it comes to job searching. The
emphasis is on tailoring each resume for the position, thus
proving yourself to be the perfect candidate. Although this will
not ensure being hired, the likelihood of obtaining an interview
increases.
Library research can also
expand your knowledge of the company. It can help develop your
resume and be very beneficial for the interview process.
Developing your resume for a specific position can be a "great
mental exercise before an interview." Reading employment ads
carefully and addressing every requirement listed will increase
the possibility of your resume being considered.
One should set up the
employment search office with all the needed supplies and have the
proper computer equipment or access to computer equipment, which
can produce professional results. Resumes printed with a laser
printer using different fonts and typesets are more likely to get
noticed than those typed on an old Smith Corona.
Different types of
resumes are covered and numerous examples are available. Again,
the type of resume to use may depend upon your particular
situation, and the best one to use may vary from position to
position. Many common sense tips are provided along with "do's and
don'ts." Particularly interesting (and funny) are some of the
examples of actual resumes which depict what not to do! Chapters
are included for first-time job seekers, women returning to work,
career changers, and individuals leaving the military. Tips on
preparing resumes for internal company positions are also given.
In addition to building
the resume, the importance of networking is highly stressed. High
percentages of jobs are obtained because of a networking
connection. Consequently, this is an area which should not be
ignored. Follow up to the resume is another area which requires
careful attention. New to the second edition is a chapter on
scannable resumes which offers pointers on what to do to ensure
success in using this "new" type of resume.
With continual change in
the contemporary job market, it is essential to maintain a
competitive edge. "Resumes" by Taunee Besson is an excellent
overall guide for the individual needing to create, update or
improve a resume.
Besson's companion book
is titled "Cover Letters." Don't dismiss the importance of the
cover letter, she advocates. The cover letter may be the job
seeker's only chance to grab the attention of the prospective
employer or recruiter.
The job seeker is guided
through a step-by-step process of gathering information and
condensing it into a clear, concise, powerful statement. The cover
letter is meant to let the employer know of your interest in
working for his company and your specific qualifications for the
position offered. Although this book provides various examples of
cover letters, the author is adamant about developing cover
letters utilizing one's personal style and targeted to each
prospective employer. "You must tailor each cover letter you send
if you want it to have maximum impact." Form letters just won't
do!
Just like a number of
books which address use of the Internet in job searching, the
second edition of "Cover Letters" has added a chapter on this
topic. Internet job searching is an area still in the development
stages, but one which is gaining more and more attention. Thus, it
should not be overlooked.
Although often neglected,
follow-up correspondence - a thank-you note or letter - can be
extremely important. The extra effort could make a difference in
getting the job.
Your job search can yield
positive results. A thorough reading and incorporation of the
advice and hints included in these helpful volumes can assist any
determined job-seeker looking for that "perfect position."
