Resume Tips and Tools - The Advance Group

Your Total Resume Overhaul Made Simple!

Raza Rauf on February 24, 2015

It is a good idea to perform a total resume overhaul every couple of years whether or not you are looking for a new job. The reason for overhauling your resume is to improve it and make it more attractive to potential employers. Another reason is the fact that the items that should be included on a resume can change quite often. Here’s how to give your resume a do-over without being too complicated.

Examine Resume Above the Fold

Even though most job applications are completed online, you should still perform the resume fold test. Print out a copy of your resume, fold it in half and then examine the resume prior to the fold. The area above the fold, or the top third of the resume, will be what the employer sees first when opening the document you send them digitally. You need to make sure that this portion of the resume sells you as an employee.

Submit Resume to an Unknown

An excellent way to perform a total overhaul is to give your resume to a qualified career coach or a career counselor at your university. This means that they do not know your personal work history or anything else about your life. Have them look at the resume for only 30 seconds. Once the 30 seconds are up, ask the person three things they remember from the resume and what type of story it tells readers. Take their feedback and use it to update the document.

Edit the Header Section

The header of your resume can make the document stand out from the rest of the pack when put in front of employers. If you are not a design expert, you can still make this happen. Simply change the font, size and color of the print of your name at the top. If you do this on your resume, make sure you match it on your cover letter in an effort to have your personal brand match.

Add All Types of Experience

If you feel your resume is lacking in substance, there is nothing wrong with adding all types of experience to it. This includes any part-time work, volunteer work, or even blogging you have done on the side. Any experience is an important one, so make sure you include it if your resume is lacking in substance.

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Make it a point to quantify as many of your accomplishments as possible when overhauling your resume. You need to tell employers how many people were impacted by your success or by how much of a percentage you exceeded your sales goals last quarter.

The next time you sit down to overhaul your resume, follow the tips outlined in this post to help make the process as simple as possible.

How to Address Resume Gaps in an Interview

Raza Rauf on February 20, 2015

Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for candidates to walk in for an interview presenting several resume gaps in their employment history. The recession took a toll on many good people, who lost their jobs and then spent months or even years trying to find gainful employment. Some headed back to college and lived at home with parents or other family members while trying to get back on their feet. It’s also possible that candidate resume gaps come from brief periods of being stay-at-home parents or when caring for family members.

Whatever the case may be, if you are a candidate facing an interview and need to explain resume gaps, this article will guide you in this process.

Focus on a Functional Resume Format

Instead of creating a resume that shows the chronological order of all your jobs by month and date (calls out your resume gaps more), try a functional resume format that highlights your skills and talents instead. Use your resume to develop a smart-looking career history that’s focused on career achievements and how you’ve used your amazing array of skills, education, and knowledge to progress. If the resume gap is brought up in the interview by the interviewer, you can talk about it then.

Be Honest and Upfront About Resume Gaps

Believe it or not, human resource and recruitment professionals are people too. They appreciate honesty from candidates. Don’t try to cover up lags between jobs, fake employment dates or lie about resume gaps. They will be discovered sooner or later. Instead, just simply include a reason for these gaps on your resume and on applications. If you were laid off or if a company closed down, let the recruiter know.

Indicate What You Were Doing During Resume Gaps

Make sure you provide some indication of what career efforts you were engaged in during resume gaps. For example, if you were attending classes through your local workforce development office, state this so that the recruiter knows you were actively working towards employment. Talk about any volunteer, educational, and other worthy pursuits you were participating in during these gaps in employment.

Get Your Reference Letters in Order

While you are preparing for your interview, be sure to reach out to all your previous employers and get those reference letters written up. Even if you have to write them yourself, take them there, and get a former supervisor or colleague to sign them. This will help you to demonstrate your value to the interviewer and remove the emphasis off your resume gaps.

Once you have done these things, you should be more confident about sitting in front of a potential employer. Work with a staffing agency to find ways to work on temporary assignments while you are looking for a long-term career. Who knows? You may even land a great job sooner than you can imagine and not have to talk a lot about resume gaps in the future if you go this route.

How “Thank You” Notes Could Hinder Your Interview Process

Raza Rauf on January 13, 2015

We have all heard the saying, “It can’t hurt,” when it comes to applying for a job. There is no harm in submitting a cover letter with a resume, connecting with the interviewer on LinkedIn or even sending a “thank you” letter. But, before you make a mistake, you need to know that sending a thank you letter can actually harm your chances at receiving an offer of employment.

But, you’ll want to pay attention because in today’s post, we will discuss how a thank you note can actually hurt your job search.

Sending it Too Late

There is nothing worse than sending a thank you note to the interviewer well after the interview actually took place. Waiting until a week later to send the note shows the interviewer that it was an after-thought and that you are not interested in the position. It is best to send the note the same day of the interview or no later than 48 hours afterwards.

Full of Typos

If your thank you note is littered with typos or poor grammar, then you will have no shot at receiving an offer of employment. You might still get a second interview, especially if it was scheduled prior to the note arriving, but you probably will not make it further than round two. Since you likely had someone proofread your resume and cover letter, it is a good idea to do the same with the thank you letter. It will take two minutes and can save you from embarrassment.

Generic Messages

If you are going to send a thank you note, make sure it is not a generic one. This will hurt your chances of finding a job. You must personalize every single thank you note you write following a job interview, no matter how many people you met during the process. Scribbling five generic notes shows that you did not take the time to write these notes. Instead, personalize each note using something you learned from each person when you interviewed.

Inappropriate Content

It is never a good idea to include any type of inappropriate content in the thank you note, no matter how confident you are that you nailed the interview. Do not get chummy with the reader of the note or use first names. Also avoid any use of foul language. This really should not be an issue, but it still needs to be said.

Too Much Information

When a job candidate uses the thank you note to brag about him or herself even more, it can hurt their chances at securing the job. Never use the thank you note to conduct a second interview. The note should be short, sweet and to the point. Do not ramble on and take up the entire page. Do not even consider mentioning something you forgot to discuss in the interview when writing the thank you note. Stay away from it at all costs.

Take these items into consideration the next time you sit down to write a thank you note following a job interview and you should be able to secure an offer of employment.

Wish List : How Mapping Out Your Career Plan can Make it Come True

Raza Rauf on December 26, 2014

If you have a “wish list” for your career, then just like any plan — you need to create a map in order to make everything on the list come true. When you create a map, you are creating a plan of action to get to your destination. When you can see the plan, it is easier to work towards the goals needed to meet every item on the wish list. Even though there is nothing wrong with making things up as you go along, you can get there quicker with a plan mapped out in your mind.

Here’s how to get started mapping out your career success:

Write Down Likes, Dislikes, Needs and Wants

One of the first things you need to do when mapping out your career is writing down all of your likes, dislikes, needs and wants associated with your career. When you reflect on all of this, you will be able to map out a more distinctive path for your career. If this is the first time you are doing this, you might have different likes and dislikes now compared to when you first started working the job five or 10 years ago.

Review Job Trends

The next step involves you reviewing job trends from your career. Even if your career path is wide right now, it could shrink within the next year or two without much notice. When you review job trends, you are able to determine which jobs are expanding and growing within your industry and which ones are being phased out at the moment.

Seek Education and Training Opportunities

When mapping out your career plan, you need to include new educational and training opportunities within the plan. You need to find new training experiences that can move you further down the career path you have mapped out instead of sitting idle watching your career pass you by. Use temporary jobs as a way to boost your experience and training levels, too.

Note Your Accomplishments

As you continue to create the map for your career plan, you need to acknowledge all of the accomplishments from your career. The more often you update your list of accomplishments, the easier it will be to write a killer resume when the time comes to apply for a new job. When you sit down to review past accomplishments, it could remind you of forgotten successes. This can lead you down a new career path without even knowing it.

Perform a Personal Skills Assessment

Another important part of mapping a career plan is performing a skills assessment. Write down what skills you use right now for your job, what you have used in the past, and what you will need to further your career in the future.

Mapping out your career plan will make it easier to find a new job, take a temporary assignment in Detroit MI, or move further into your industry as a professional. It is something that everyone should do, no matter which industry they work in or what type of job they hold.

Why Winter is the Perfect Time to Kick Start a Job Search

Raza Rauf on December 5, 2014

You might not realize it, but the winter season is one of the best during the year to kick start your job search. Whether you are currently employed, preparing to graduate in the spring, or are unemployed and looking for work; the winter months can prove to be very effective for finding new employment. Many people back down from a job search during the dreary, cold days of winter and wait for the temperatures to rise. You should take advantage of this and move to the top of the candidate list for open jobs.

Here are some ways to give your job search a head start during the winter months:

Update Your Resume and Cover Letter

A big reason why your job search has stalled could be the shape of your resume and cover letter. If these items are in bad condition, then you will likely struggle with finding a new job. Use the winter months to supercharge your resume and cover letter. Review these documents with a fine-tooth comb and even ask a trusted friend or family member to do the same. The more eyes on them, the better.

You need to have a resume that grabs attention because it might be the only form of communication you have with a potential employer. You also need to tailor each cover letter to the company that is hiring. This makes the application more personal and will get you noticed over some other candidates.

Improve Your LinkedIn Page

Take some time out of your winter activities of shoveling snow and throwing rock salt to revamp your LinkedIn page. This is a vital part of the job search process and should even be done multiple times per year. You need to make sure that your recent work history is up-to-date on your profile page and that you have some recommendations on there from your connections. Those recommendations should come from former supervisors, mentors or co-workers. Also, use LinkedIn as part of your job search. Thousands of companies across the country are posting their open jobs on the site so be sure to spend time each day browsing the new openings posted.

Take the Initiative

As the winter months begin to settle in, do not hunker down and give up on your job search. Instead, take the initiative and submit your resume and job application for open positions in-person at the companies looking to hire new employees. Do not do this on days when a major winter storm is bearing down on the region. Instead, pick a day or two where the weather is clear so you will not be impeded. Companies who see you do this will be sure to put your resume at the top of the pile. Take on temporary jobs in Ohio or Michigan while you are seeking your perfect career.

The bottom line here is that the winter months can actually be the perfect time for kick starting a job search. Just make sure that you make smart decisions and do not risk life and limb to find a job when the snow and ice are falling.

Have You Created an Online Resume Yet?

Raza Rauf on November 27, 2014

Technology advances in the way recruiters find candidates means that the most successful job searches include the use of an online resume. This type of resume is not much different from your paper resume, but it can make a big difference when it comes to getting noticed by potential employers. You will want to do everything possible, and ethical, to put yourself in the driver’s seat of a job search. Using an online resume is one of those things you need to be using right now.

Here’s how to make sure your online resume accomplishes the goals you have in your career.

Digital Presence is Important

Even though paper is not dead yet, having a digital presence is important in today’s high-tech world. As you continue to build a digital presence, and one that shows you in a positive light, a resume should be added somewhere down the line. Having a digital presence today is vital during a job search because it allows employers the opportunity to track where you have been as an employee and verify what is listed on your resume in a reasonable amount of time.

Online Resumes are Always With You

One of the biggest advantages of having an online resume is the fact that it is always with you, in the form of a URL or a digital document saved on your personal cloud. This is important because no matter where you are, you will be able to send a resume to a potential employer. You might be running errands when you bump into a former co-worker who has taken a management position at a different company. He or she might have a job available in their department. You will be able to send your resume to that former co-worker within seconds when you have one online.

Online Resume Must be Printable

Even though you are leaning more towards using only online resumes for a job search, you need to make sure they are printable. So, even though you can do a bunch of cool things with an online resume, it should still be printable if a company wishes to do so. This means that it should still be no longer than two pages in length and should not have any weird graphics that might not translate well when printed. Use a resume template that is left to right aligned, which will make it easier to upload to online systems too.

Online Resume Must be Tailored to Each Employer

As with a paper resume, an online resume must also be tailored to each individual employer. It does not matter if you are applying to the exact same job at three different companies, the online resume you submit for each one should be tailored to each individual company. This will show the companies that you took time to create the resume and are truly committed to finding a new job.

Online resumes are becoming more and more popular these days as companies move away from requesting hardcopies. Make sure your online resume is ready for action even if you are employed. You never know when opportunity will strike and it will need to be submitted.

How Personal Websites Can Land You a Job

Raza Rauf on October 8, 2014

As technology continues to become a main part of our lives, companies are utilizing it to find their next employees. This means that you need to be just as involved in technology as companies are, in order to find your next job. One such way to get involved is by utilizing a personal website. A personal website could very well mean the difference between receiving an offer for employment and extended unemployment.

Why a Personal Website?

You might be wondering why you need a personal website to help land a job in Detroit. There are two reasons; a personal website allows you to showcase the work you have performed throughout your career, and it shows potential employers how passionate you are about your work.

Not every industry has the type of work that can be showcased with a personal website, which is why the decision must come down to the line of work that you perform. For example, if you are a freelance writer or designer, it is strongly recommended that you have a personal website that showcases your portfolio. This allows potential employers to see what you have done and what they can expect from you – if hired.

Become a Thought Leader

Aside from showcasing your work, a personal website will also let you become a thought leader within your career or industry. You can increase your credibility as a designer, a writer or a tech professional when you open up an area for conversation on your personal website. The conversation should be related to your industry or career and not get off track at all. Conversations can include projects on which you are currently working, ones on which you would love to work and training seminars you have attended.

Share Expertise

Another benefit of having a personal website is that it will allow you to share your expertise with the rest of the industry. Many personal websites also have blogs, which means that you will be posting content that should be related to what you have done, or are doing right now, in your career. Make sure you do not post any inappropriate or derogatory content about others in your field. Recruiters and employers will easily be able to find your blog, so watch what you post.

Control Personal Brand

If you have a personal website, you will be able to control your personal brand. A personal website allows you to publish the type of brand you want to be known as. You can let the world know who you are as a person and an employee, not just what you have done during your career. The personal website will also let you be yourself as much as possible, which will show employers who you are and what you are like to work with on the job.

If you want to know more about the benefits of a personal website, or need help in general with your job search, contact the staffing experts at Advance Staffing Solutions today!

Are You a Job Hopper? Here’s how to Optimize Your Job Search

Raza Rauf on September 26, 2014

There are plenty of workers out there who can be considered “job hoppers”. These are folks who, for whatever reason, do not stay in one job or company for an extended length of time. While this can be detrimental for a job search, it does not have to stand in your way of getting a great job. There are plenty of things you can do to optimize your job search if you have a penchant for job hopping.

Here, we’ll discuss several ways to overcome a history of short-term jobs with some helpful tips.

Explain Temporary Jobs on a Resume

When you prepare to search for a new job and have worked quite a few different jobs over the past handful of years, you need to explain why this has happened. One of the reasons for the job hopping could be that you were working in temporary jobs to gain as much experience as possible or to meet as many different people as possible. When you explain that you have been working temporary jobs, employers will be more likely to hire you since you have been trying to improve your career as much as possible.

Use Time Wisely

The next thing you need to do is use your time wisely when unemployed. If you are between jobs, it is best to perform business-related activities so that you can put these activities on your resume. These activities include attending business events, training sessions, networking events and much more. You will be able to meet various people within your industry, gain new contacts and even pick up some references along the way. This will help potential employers see how well you have used your time and that you stayed dedicated to improving your career.

Remove Older Jobs

An excellent way to optimize your job search if you are a job hopper is to remove older jobs from your resume. For the most part, your resume should only go back 10 years, 15 years at the most. If you have seven years of experience or more in your career, make sure you remove any internships listed on your resume. By removing older jobs from a resume, you can help with the idea that you are a job hopper.

Lump Contract Jobs Together

If you worked a lot of contract jobs during your career, lump them into one job listing on your resume in order to remove the idea of being a job hopper. For example, if you have worked on multiple contracts as a freelance writer, list all of these contracts under one heading and mention the skills you used and the responsibilities of the jobs performed.

If you are in the middle of a job search and are worried you may appear to be a job hopper, then you should follow the tips outlined in this post to optimize your search as much as possible. When you remove the stigma of being a job hopper, then you should have no trouble obtaining an offer of employment. For more help on your job search, contact Advance Staffing Solutions today!

Are your References Actually a Hindrance to Your Job Search?

Raza Rauf on August 26, 2014

Believe it or not, a person’s job references could end up being a hindrance in the search for a new job. When this happens, the candidate could struggle to land the new job they’re applying for. Candidates should consider examining their current references and making some changes in order to impress potential employers. Any negative items influencing your job search, including poor references, could automatically disqualify you from your dream job.

Read on to learn how to avoid making your references work against your job search efforts.

Common problems:

References Cannot be Reached
One of the first signs that a reference is hindering your job search is that the person cannot be reached. This is a very bad sign on your part. Before you list someone as a reference on your resume, make sure they will return a phone call or an email within 24 to 48 hours to the potential employer. If they do not wish to be named as a reference, do not put them on your resume. Avoid the issue altogether – right up front.

References Are Not Credible
Another way references could negatively impact your job search is if they are not credible themselves. This could mean that she is a peer in the workplace, friend, or mere acquaintance. You really should limit your references to managers and supervisors for whom you have worked. References should never be co-workers or other office peers. This will hinder your job search immensely.

References Cannot Speak About Your Work
The next potential way your references could hinder your job search is by being unable to speak about your work. It is understandable that it looks very strong to have a director or vice president listed as a reference on your resume, but these people might not be able to speak to the strength of your work if you come from a large company. When references cannot speak to your work, they can hinder your job search more than you might think.

Failure to Notify References in Advance
When you list someone on a resume as a reference, be sure you let them know that they will be contacted soon, and tell them the name of the company and the person who will be contacting them. If you fail to notify the references that they will be contacted, this can lead to them being surprised by the reference-checking phone call. Do not let this happen because it will reflect poorly on your part.Avoid having these things happen when a hiring manager tries to reach one of your work references. Have a list of people as a backup and routinely check your own references as you search for a job.

References Don’t Remember You
One of the biggest hindrances with references is when they do not remember you. If this happens, it means that you have not spoken to the reference in quite some time or they are from a job you held years ago. Stay in touch with the people who are your references – even when you are not actively looking for a job – because you want them to remember you.

For more information on how to choose and utilize the best references for your job search, contact the staffing experts at Advance Staffing Solutions. We know everything it takes to prepare for an interview, and can help you find a perfect placement!

6 Things to Include in Your Interview Follow up Email

Raza Rauf on May 7, 2014

Once you have had your job interview with a dream company, the next logical step is to follow-up with the company representative soon afterwards. Very often, the preferred method for accomplishing this is by sending a friendly and professional email to check in a few days later. After all, email is the way that millions of people communicate on the go today, and it’s no secret that emails are used by job seekers to connect with hiring managers.

What to Include in Your Interview Follow Up Email

Now that you are ready to write your interview follow-up email, you may be stuck wondering what exactly you need to include? An email like this should be brief, but get the desired results. Therefore you need to include the elements to accomplish this. Read on to learn what not to leave out of your email follow-up when you are seeking work with a Michigan Employment Agency.

#1 – Use a professional sounding email address.

Before you zip off an email to the company, consider what your current email address says about you. Is it immature, bizarre, or unprofessional? If so, register a free email address and use your name in it. Leave out the cuteness and go for an email that gives you a better image.

#2 – Start with a warm greeting to the person who interviewed you.

Open up your email with a sincere and friendly greeting, addressed to the person who took the time to interview you. Let them know what job you interviewed for and when. Let them know the reason you are writing, such as to make yourself available for the next steps in the hiring process.

#3 – Appreciation is always a great way to start things off.

Let the reader know that it was a pleasure to meet with them personally and that you appreciate their time to go over the company culture and job duties in detail. Showing appreciation goes a long way to an already busy recruitment professional who deals with a lot of rude people all week.

#4 – Include the reasons you are the perfect candidate for the job.

Now it’s time to reinforce why the hiring manager should consider you for the job or at least a second interview. Briefly write a sentence that outlines your unique skills that match the job requirements, followed by a short list of skills you bring to the table. Much like your cover letter, this is the meat and potatoes of your email follow-up. If there was anything you needed to send to the interviewing person, attach it as a document too.

#5 – Wrap up the email with a call to action.

Smart sales people always tie their emails up with a call to action. This is a specific action that you would like the recruiter to take once they have read your email. You can easily include this element by asking the recruiter to please respond by email or by phone. Give them some times when you will be available in the coming week.

#6 – Give full contact information.

Despite sending in your resume and having an interview, sometimes your contact information can be hard to find for a recruiter. Make their life easier by including complete contact information in your signature, such as your home, cell or work phone number.

If you are looking for an employment agency in Detroit, contact our team today.

How to Write a Cover Letter – Free Template for Job Seekers

Raza Rauf on January 24, 2014

You are about to send off your resume to your dream job when you notice with dismay that the advertisement says “must include cover letter”. Before you send your resume without a cover letter or, worse yet, a badly written cover letter, take a moment to check out the free cover letter template we have for you here. Plus enjoy these expert tips for writing a cover letter that will get you the results you need.

3 Tips for Writing a Better Cover Letter

Before you even attempt to write a cover letter, you will want to do some planning. Recruiters are out there waiting for a great candidate to come along. However, a cover letter that doesn’t serve the purpose of “selling you” to potential hiring companies is a complete waste of time. Use these tips for writing a better cover letter.

#1 – Know Your Strengths and Achievements

The main point of a cover letter is to provide a snapshot of your skills, achievements and credentials to the hiring manager. This means you have 10 seconds or less to make a positive impression. Make a list of the top 3 strengths you have, then link them to specific accomplishments you’ve had in your career. This will be used in your opening statement and in the bulleted list you will create just underneath.

#2 – Use Industry Power Keywords

As you browse your target jobs, note that the recruiter is using specific industry “power” words in each advertisement. You will integrate these key words and phrases into both your cover letter and your resume. Use them logically and with a specific goal in mind – to garner the attention of the recruiter who will be scanning your cover letter looking for these keywords.

#3 –Close with a Take Action Statement

Once you have created your opening sentences and your bulleted list for your cover letter, it’s time to do what the best marketing pros know – close out with a call to action statement. This essentially asks the recruiter to take a specific action, in a tactful and professional way. You can say something like: Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter and qualifications. You may reach me by phone between the hours of such and such at the following number.”

Free Cover Letter Template

Now, get cracking! You can use the below example of a cover letter to write your own. Simply fill in each section with your information as we talked about in our tips section and you will be ready to “wow” the hiring managers at your target companies.

*************************************************************************************

Date

Dear <Hiring Managers Name or Title>,

I am applying for a < Name of Position > with your company and am including a copy of my professional resume for your review. I believe that my skills and credentials will be a great match for the <ASSIGNMENT> you are currently recruiting for and that I will be a valuable asset to your organization. Over the last < NUMBER > years, I have demonstrated above average <STRENGTH 1> and <STRENGTH 2> in the careers I have held in the <INDUSTRY TYPE> market, including:

Achievement one
Achievement two
Achievement three

Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter and the attached resume in consideration of this assignment. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the objectives and requirements of the job at your convenience.

Kindest Regards,

YOUR NAME

Contact information here

If you are looking for temporary jobs in Monroe MI, contact us today.

Cover Letter Template – Selling Yourself to the Company

Raza Rauf on December 18, 2013

When it comes to searching for a new job, whether you are currently employed or unemployed, having a solid cover letter can help you succeed. Even if your resume is top-notch and has impeccable references, a bad cover letter can kill your job search. Getting the right attention means presenting yourself in a compelling manner – much like the way as a sales person will pitch a new prospect. It’s about looking as valuable as you can to a potential employer.

Keep in mind that recruiters and Human Resource managers spend roughly 15 seconds reviewing an applicant’s resume and cover letter. This means that you must ensure that your cover letter is an attention grabber so the recruiter continues to read through your work experience.

We have put together some of the best tips available to construct a cover letter that will “sell” you to prospective employers.

Be Truthful in Selling Yourself

One of the most important tips for a successful cover letter is to be as truthful as possible when writing down your information. If you cannot remember employment dates, it is fine to estimate, but do not outright lie on your cover letter or your resume. Recruiters have been sifting through thousands of these documents for years, which means that they will be able to spot a lie almost immediately. You are more likely to receive an interview based on truth than any lie you could weave.

Short, Sweet, and to the Point

Writing a cover letter should not take you more than 20 minutes if done correctly. It should be one-page long, with three or four paragraphs at the most. If you need a second page when printing it out, you need to spend some time editing what you have written. Think of this; TV ads have 30 seconds to sell you a product. Make sure your letter can be read in 30 seconds or less while selling your strongest assets.

Include Info Missing from Resume

It is understandable that you might not include everything about you in your resume. For instance, if you are applying for a staff writer position, you might want to mention in your cover letter that you write on the side for fun outside of what you have done as a professional. Use the cover letter to sell other aspects of your professional experience that you left off your resume.

Make it Personal

If you take only one tip away from this article, make sure it is this one. Personalize your cover letter for each job you apply to so that the recruiter knows you are speaking directly to him or her. Do not address the letter “To whom it may concern.” Instead, find out who the hiring manager is, who the HR manager is, or who the department head is and address that individual in the letter. This will get your letter noticed and possibly put you at the top of the pile.

If you are looking for temp agencies in Toledo Ohio, contact us today.

Looking for some cover letter templates? Try these:

Microsoft Word Cover Letter Template

Southworth Cover Letter Templates