Prepare and Mail Resume / Cover Letter

When to write the cover letter?

Once the resume has been composed .. then and only then should you write the cover letter. Though the cover letter is stressed and is the most vital part of your marketing tool, it should be written after the resume is totally complete. The cover letter should summarize and highlight the resume. In most cases the cover letter will begin with your objective and briefly summarize your professional qualifications. So the resume comes first, not the chicken, then comes the cover letter.

Be sure to sign your cover letter with a blue ink pen. Now what difference will that make, you ask? When black ink is used, by the time your signature dries and the letter is received, it looks like a copied document. You want the employer to know this is an original. Neatly write, or type the address on the envelope if your handwriting is not legible. Don't forget your return address.

Now that the cover letter and resume have been composed, there are other factors that contribute to their success. If you are going to print your own resume, use a laser printer. The letters should be sharp. If you want to print several at once, I suggest taking the original to Kinko or Staples. You can Xerox them yourself. Make sure the glass is clean, no spots. Place your original squarely in place. Hit reduce to 97%. This will tighten up the letters, no fuzzy sides.

Print your resume and cover letter on a 20% paper stock and pick a pastel blue, green, beige, or white stationery. Don't get crazy with the paper, unless, of course, your going for an artsy designer position.

Now you have your resume and cover letter ready to mail. Use a 9 x 12 envelope. Why? Because your cover letter and resume will not have to be folded twice. It seems a shame to crease the stationery and break the printed lines where the creases occur. Why spend money on a good stationery and print job when you are going to damage the product before it leaves your desk? This size envelope will take more postage, but it is worth the extra few cents. AND your resume and cover letter won't end up at the bottom of the pile, under others, to keep it flat.

Don't worry if you don't hear from the Company / Employer for a couple of weeks. Often, a quick response is a negative response. If you have heard nothing from your mailing after three weeks from the time your presentation was received by the employer, you may want to call. Keep your call brief. Merely ask if your resume was received and that you are still interested in an interview. Unless you are told to call back again, at a later date, one phone call is sufficient. Devote your time to other, better prospects.

Make a list of the employers to whom you are going to send your resume. Keep track of when you sent your presentation, was a call made - when, and of course, keep track of the results. Keep track of all of your expenses. Your job search expenses will be a deduction for you when you prepare next year's taxes.

Okay! Send them out. Happy job hunting.