Could this be you?

You’re working at your family’s welding business during day, and then go to your second job at night. You’re 50-some years old, working as a cashier at Target. You always said that if you’re 40 years old and have a career that requires you to wear a name tag, then to just shoot you!

Not that there’s anything wrong with working at Target or wearing a name tag or working family business. Those are all honest jobs. It’s just that after 20 years with your previous company, and with your education and expertise, you hadn’t exactly planned on ramping up to your golden years asking customers if they’d like to save ten percent on their purchase by opening a store credit card.

You heard rumblings about company folding. But as far as you knew, numbers were good. At least they were good. unemployed, unemployment, downsizing, out of work, job seeker, redundant, fired, sacked

Then competition took over and owners decided it was a good time to bow out gracefully. You were hoping you weren’t going to be one of countless main wage earners to get let go. But sadly, you were. Unemployment ran out. You sent out literally hundreds of resumes and still nothing. Your spirits are down, you’re frustrated (that’s an understatement) and you even had to humble yourself to get some help from a local food pantry.

On other hand, a well written cover letter can almost guarantee you get an interview.

Interview Winning Cover Letters

Ok, you may not win any awards for cover letter that you enclose to your resume, but you may increase your odds it actually getting read, if you follow a few simple steps.

1. Keep it brief. Your resume is document that conveys your qualifications, therefore your cover letter need not go on and on about how wonderful you are.

2. Remember it serves a purpose. It is announcing you – and your enclosed information, your resume.

3. Tell them what you’re doing: I’m applying for position of… Enclosed is my resume for position of …

4. Clearly state what position you’re applying for. Don’t assume Human Resources person will automatically know what job you want or that they only have one opening.

5. Highlight a few of your strong suits. Although brevity is key here, you don’t want to merely say, “Here’s my resume. Bub Bye.”

6. Don’t be redundant with contact information. All that pertinent information should be on your resume.

7. Don’t staple your cover letter to your resume. Often photocopies need to be made and it just frustrates person making copies to have to remove your staples. Use a paperclip if you feel need to attach it; else just send it on top of your resume.