[rehab] [Jobs] Why I Care More About Your Cover Letter Than Your Resume.docx

Tue Sep 23 17:31:56 UTC 2014

I agree Doug. I am in staffing and I care more about the resume. I may scan a cover letter but it’s not that important to me. Because I am a third party recruiter I am the one who forwards the resumes to my client. Instead of an elaborate cover letter I am interested in a professional resume.  I also prefer for my candidates to follow up with my clients after the interview with a professional thank you letter. At that point, they can elaborate a little more regarding why they would be good for the position and further express their interest in the position. It may be different for corporate recruiters.

Jeanette McAllister  PhD 

President / CEO

 <http://www.aheartstaffing.com/> logo      <http://www.freedomscientific.com/Certification> JAWS-Certification-Email-Logo 

A Heart Staffing

PO Box 1277

Franklin, VA 23851

Direct: 757-516-6500

Fax:     866-222-4998

www.aheartstaffing.com

www.linkedin.com/in/aheartstaffing

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." 

         --Robert Louis Stevenson

** Note: We respect your Online Privacy. This is not an unsolicited mail. Under Bills 1618 Title III passed by the 105th U.S.Congress, this mail cannot be considered Spam as long as   we include contact information and a method to be removed from our mailing list. To be removed from our mailing list, please reply with "REMOVE" in the subject line and your email address in the body. Include Complete Address and/or Domain/Aliases to be removed. We sincerely regret any inconvenience**

From: DTCon [mailto:dtcon at wi.rr.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 1:22 PM
To: 'Dick Davis'; 'Jobs for the Blind'; 'Jeanette McAllister'
Cc: rehab at nfbnet.org
Subject: RE: [Jobs] Why I Care More About Your Cover Letter Than Your Resume.docx

As a recruiter who uses the ATS systems and has been for more than 15 years, I can tell you that a cover letter isn’t required or necessary.

We as recruiters have to go through so many applicants that the cover letter is the last thing we ever would consider.

99% of those who get hired for a position never had a cover letter read if they submitted one. The hire comes from resume matching the criteria of the position, the key words in the resume, the answers to your preliminary application questions, and then information gathered from a phone call. If you really want a cover letter prepare one but update it after a phone interview and submit it directly to the recruiter who interviewed you.

They will read that and it may persuade them to take you to the next step.

Thanks,

Doug Tikkanen

Chairman Executive Committee

WI SCOB

 <mailto:dougt at wi.rr.com> dougt at wi.rr.com

414-940-1022

From: Jobs [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dick Davis via Jobs
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 10:41 AM
To: Jeanette McAllister
Cc: jobs at nfbnet.org; rehab at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Jobs] Why I Care More About Your Cover Letter Than Your Resume.docx

Nice response, with important points.  

Dick Davis

From: Jeanette McAllister [mailto:jeanette at aheartstaffing.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 10:37 AM
To: 'Dick Davis'; 'Jobs for the Blind'; cduranleau at blindinc.org; mharris at blindinc.org; 'Dan Wenzel'; carol.pankow at state.mn.us; kkamara at blindinc.org; shannon.oakley at blind.state.ia.us; jon.benson at state.mn.us
Cc: rehab at nfbnet.org
Subject: RE: [Jobs] Why I Care More About Your Cover Letter Than Your Resume.docx

I agree a cover letter is important; but a lot of companies now use a ATS software program that automatically screens (scans) a resume, searching for keywords that are relevant to the posted job description. It is very important to tailor your resume to whatever job you are applying. On a separate note, when a resume is being scanned by a recruiter, statistics show that the average recruiter only spends six seconds scanning the resume. It is important that your keywords (accomplishment, experience, and education) match up with the job description. It’s also important to ensure that your resume is written in an organized manner with a clear visual hierarchy and present relevant information where recruiters expect it, as these documents quickly guide recruiters to a yes/no decision.  

Jeanette McAllister  PhD 

President / CEO

 <http://www.aheartstaffing.com/> logo      <http://www.freedomscientific.com/Certification> JAWS-Certification-Email-Logo 

A Heart Staffing

PO Box 1277

Franklin, VA 23851

Direct: 757-516-6500

Fax:     866-222-4998

www.aheartstaffing.com

www.linkedin.com/in/aheartstaffing

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." 

         --Robert Louis Stevenson

** Note: We respect your Online Privacy. This is not an unsolicited mail. Under Bills 1618 Title III passed by the 105th U.S.Congress, this mail cannot be considered Spam as long as   we include contact information and a method to be removed from our mailing list. To be removed from our mailing list, please reply with "REMOVE" in the subject line and your email address in the body. Include Complete Address and/or Domain/Aliases to be removed. We sincerely regret any inconvenience**

From: Jobs [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dick Davis via Jobs
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 10:54 AM
To: cduranleau at blindinc.org; mharris at blindinc.org; Dan Wenzel; carol.pankow at state.mn.us; kkamara at blindinc.org; shannon.oakley at blind.state.ia.us; jon.benson at state.mn.us
Cc: jobs at nfbnet.org; rehab at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Jobs] Why I Care More About Your Cover Letter Than Your Resume.docx

Another interesting article for job seekers.

Dick Davis 

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