Tips on Getting Hired

[Beth Agnew]

I meant more ideologically than physically, though they should be part 
of the same package. One should support the other. Yes, sometimes the 
process breaks down, and often there isn't a process. That's why a 
one-size-fits-all approach will lessen the chance of getting you that 
interview. It's sad how inept some hiring mechanisms are. And 
unfortunately, it's not an exact science. Good cover letters do get 
separated from resumes. If you've customized both for the position, it's 
not such a problem if the reviewers only see one or the other.

No one has mentioned the T-letter, which is also a good approach under 
certain circumstances. When we analyze the audience/employer we should 
be able to figure out what they want from us and how to communicate that 
to them.

No matter how many resumes a hiring manager is going to have to look at, 
you've got about 3-10 seconds to get their attention so you go into the 
read/consider pile instead of the round file. With competition the way 
it is for some jobs, an applicant has to use every possible technique to 
get noticed. Of course, it's all moot if you don't match their 
requirements in the first place. But even then, I've seen applications 
where I just had to call in the person to meet them. And I've even hired 
people whose application convinced me I needed to learn more about them.

Gene Kim-Eng wrote:
> Tell that to HR reps and headhunters.  I can think of several
> instances where I submitted both to a posted job and the
> interviewers did not receive both, or where a resume came
> to me without a cover and I later learned there had been one.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beth Agnew" 
> <beth.agnew at senecac.on.ca>
>
>> I beg to differ. Cover letters and resumes are inextricably linked.