Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Don't Skip the Cover Letter

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There are some career advice professionals who downplay the need for a cover letter. With many companies scanning resumes, they say there is no need for a cover letter, as it is stripped, tossed and never read. It may very well be true that some cover letters, no matter how carefully crafted, do not reach human eyes. However, the following information passed along by my cyber friend, Chris Russell, may make you think twice about omitting a cover letter.

A new survey based on telephone interviews with 150 senior executives from the largest U.S. companies shows that 86% believe that cover letters are valuable when screening candidates and 80% said it is common to receive cover letters with electronic resumes.

Dave Willmer, executive director of OfficeTeam, the independent organization that conducted the survey notes, “Those who aren’t including cover letters with their resumes are missing an opportunity to make a good first impression and set themselves apart from other job applicants.” He compares sending a resume without a cover letter to meeting someone for the first time and not shaking hands.

Clearly, the cover letter is not dead. It can never hurt to send a well-written cover letter when applying for a job, and many jobs request a cover letter to accompany the resume. Stay tuned for more about writing a great cover letter!

Read more about cover letters from Keppie Careers:

Cover Letter Tips
Cover Letter Inspiration

Don’t stress out about your job hunt materials…We will write your resume and cover letters and teach you what to do once you have the perfect materials! www.keppiecareers.com.

Remember Their Names for Career Success

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The  Wall Street Journal.com’s  (wsj.com) career tip of the week…
One of the most valuable business skills is the ability to remember people’s names…Name recall will boost your image, earn you respect and differentiate you.
You’re not good with remembering names?  All is not lost! 
Try these tips:
  • Be sure to repeat the person’s name.  “Nice to meet you, Sarah.”  Try to say the name several times during your first introduction.
  • Write the name down or secure a business card as a reminder.
  • Did you meet two people together?  Perhaps a couple?  Link their names to try to remember them.  I know a couple named Debra and Brett.  Once I learned Debra’s name, I used the “B” sound to remind me of Brett’s. 
  • Use a mnemonic device.  BuildYourMemory.com suggests:  In order to remember that the name of a tall, thin man, that you have just been introduced to is Mr Adamson, you might try the mnemonic of visualising the biblical first man ‘Adam’ (complete with fig leaf), holding a little boy in his arms. Adams son – ‘Adamson.’
  • Think about how the person looks.  For example, Short Shelly, Muscular Mike or Dapper Dave. 

Witt Communications suggests that you create an exaggerated image, rhyme or connect a feeling based on the name to help you remember:

  • Imagine a ham that weighs a ton spinning on the end of Mrs. Hamilton’s nose.
  • Picture an old-fashioned car jack under Jack’s prominent jaw.
  • See margarine melting through Margaret’s curly, blond hair.
  • Dave needs a shave.
  • Latrice is Patty’s niece.
  • Michelle, ma belle. (The Beatle’s tune)
  • Martin Peck is a pain in the neck.
  • Suzanne Patterson has sweaty palms.
  • Paula is pushy.

If you make an effort to commit a name to memory, you are much more likely to succeed!  It may be worth the effort!

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Keppie Careers wants you to remember our name!  We’re a head above the rest!  Keppie Careers will write your resume, teach you about networking and how to search for a job and assist you every step of the way!