Veterans’ Corner
by Steve Gagnon
You really can’t have a resume without a cover letter. Now, that does not mean you need to send a cover letter with every resume. Not ever employer will ask for one initially, but many will. So, you have to be prepared. Your cover letter really is an excellent additional marketing tool that allows you to discuss those skills and attributes you possess that will help your perspective employer envision you as a member of their team.
Now I know that, like your resume, your cover letter also needs to be targeted to a specific job listing. That simply means that what you discuss in your cover letter should relate directly to the position that you are apply for.
Keep in mind, your resume encompasses your ‘hard skills’ as in this is what I do, this is what I’ve done type of thing. But, that’s really only half of you. Your other half, your ‘soft skills’ are equally important to an employer as those all important hard skills. Why? Glad you asked, because it does not do an employer any good to hire the ‘best of the best’ if that person can’t get along with the existing team.
Those soft skills address how flexible you are, how adaptable you are, what kind of work ethic you have, how well you play with others, and what kind of team player you are and so on. Make no mistake; these are traits that are just as important to an employer as whether you can physically do the job. Since we are not islands unto ourselves, when you are hired you will be dropped in the middle of an existing team of people who may have a long history together. Will you create harmony or discord within the team? Will you be able to blend in, to fit in and become an active participating member of this team?
I’m sure you can, but you have to convince your prospective employer of this fact. This is your chance to really show that side of you that is part of your personality. When coupled with your resume, your cover letter will address these issues and by doing so, provide this employer with a more, well-rounded, balanced picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Also, you need to stay away from ‘fluff’ both in your in your resume and cover letter. No, not the stuff you put on your peanut butter sandwich. I’m talking about the superfluous fluff so many people put in their resumes and cover letters that sound really pretty, but say nothing and mean even less. For example, the statement ‘Possess excellent communications skills’ tells you what? Did that tell you anything about someone’s knowledge, skills, abilities, qualifications, expertise? Do you even know what it means?
Employers these days just don’t have time to filter through that ‘stuff’ and decipher its meaning. It’s not the same as when you wrote your soldier’s performance report and you wanted them to sound like they could ‘walk on water’. Stay away from it and get specific. Your knowledge, skills, expertise, flexibility, adaptability and team efforts will speak for themselves.
If you remember from last week, the way to an effective resume is to target your resume by incorporating a ‘Summary of Qualifications’ section specifically addressing the needs of the position the employer has listed. By listing, in bullet format, what makes you a good ‘fit’ to that specific position, you literally answer within seconds the employer’s question ‘Why should I hire you’ or at the very least ‘Why should I invite you for an interview’.
As with the resume, to be truly effective your cover letter also needs to be targeted to that specific position.
This is really where you need to address the ‘softer side of you’.
Steve Gagnon has over 11 years of state government experience having worked with the Unemployment Office, the Reemployment Eligibility Assessment Program as well as providing services as a CareerCenter Consultant. His military background includes four years as an aircraft hydraulics mechanic and 20 years as a personnel specialist having retired from the U.S. Air Force as an E-7, Master Sergeant.
