Archive for May, 2008

Does a Cover Letter Matter?

May 30, 2008 at 11:43 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

Let’s say you are applying for truck driving jobs. Do you need to include a cover letter with your application? Yes, absolutely- read on to find out why!

Your cover is how you add a personal touch to your job application or resume. An effective cover letter explains what you want to do to a potential employer, and what makes you competent to do it. You should quickly introduce yourself, mention the position you’d like to be considered for and why you are interested in it, and what makes you qualified.

You may have asked yourself (I know I have) “Does a cover letter even matter? Will anyone ever even see it?” I have discussed this topic with numerous Human Resource professionals and my feeling is that it definitely matters- if it comes down to it, when there are two equally qualified applicants with similar experience and one has a cover letter and one does not, the “winner” will be the applicant that includes a cover letter in their application. A cover letter is your way of setting yourself apart, so, how do you make it do that?

The key in a good cover letter is to succinctly state your qualifications without appearing cocky or overconfident. A good strategy is to review the ad for the job posting and simply list some of the employers’ desired characteristics, then note any experiences, qualifications, certifications- any information, really, that shows how you will meet the needs stated in the ad you are responding to. Then, close with a simple “thank you” to the recruiter for looking over your application, and provide your contact information. Make sure your full name and contact information appear on the cover letter in case it becomes separated from your resume. DO NOT include salary history on your cover letter, if they are asking for it that should be a separate document.

It may help to think of things this way- your resume is your “marketing material” and your cover letter is your “pitch”. You’d most likely not buy a product if all you got was information about it without a reason for you to buy it. Employers feel the same way about potential candidates.

It’s important that you put your best foot forward when applying for a job. Employers are accustomed to receiving a barrage of resumes for every open position; they may not have time to sift through every single resume and figure out if candidates are worth their attention. Show off your potential in your cover letter and chances are you’ll find your ideal job in no time!

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Starting a Fresh Job Search

May 27, 2008 at 10:36 pm · Filed under Job Seeker Resources, Truck Driving Jobs ·Tagged , , , ,

Has it been a while since you’ve looked for a job? Have you been affected by lay-offs? Are you just ready for something new? In any case, you now need to start being proactive, exploiting your connections, and getting yourself into a position that you want and can be happy in. So where should you begin?

Be resourceful. Use the vast resources of the Internet to start looking for a job before you have to have one to pay the rent. Search job boards and company career centers and set up job agents, so that you are updated when new or applicable jobs are open. Just putting the word out is very beneficial, as well. If you find that the job boards don’t have the types of positions you are looking for, think about any associations you are part of and check their websites. An increasing percentage of associations have their own career centers, enabling employers to advertise directly to specialized individuals like you. There are also many niche job boards out there, that focus on a particular geographical region or industry (here’s an example of a niche site for truck driving jobs)- these boards may be excellent at providing well-matched opportunities while they also help you to narrow your search.

It’s all about connections. It always helps to have someone “on the inside” at an organization that you want to work for. You can use these connections to get an idea of what the company culture is like before you start working there- things like how management works, for example- this will give you an idea if the company is even worth your time to consider. Those same connections might also know of open positions that aren’t publicly announced or “internal referral” jobs that you won’t find on the large national job boards. Lastly, having a reference from someone within the company is always helpful for positions where there is a large pool of applicants.

Stay Positive. Job searching can be frustrating and even depressing, but don’t let it affect you that way. Those sorts of negative feelings will color your resume, cover letter and interview. You never want employers to think that you are too anxious; conversely, seeming dispassionate isn’t a benefit, either. Remain upbeat, remember, this job search is to improve your life! If you follow these rules and stay positive, potential employers will see your true, passionate, professional self. Remember: the right job is out there; you just have to find it!

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Niche Job Boards

May 23, 2008 at 5:42 pm · Filed under Job Seeker Resources, Truck Driving Jobs ·Tagged , , , ,

I was helping a buddy look for truck driving jobs and was astonished to learn that he doesn’t know what a niche job board is, so I wrote him up this little summary, which I’m sharing with you. Tell me what you think!

Finding a job on the Internet can be a stressful and confusing process for even the most qualified job seeker. For starters, you are probably either not working currently, or are ready to close the door on your current career. Whatever your reason may be for searching, you likely feel lost when searching online. What sites should you search? Does it matter? Should you post your resume? How do you know where to go?

As Internet recruiting is still a relatively young industry, new employment websites are beginning every day. There are thousands of job boards to choose from and your perfect job just may be posted on a site you’ve never heard of. I know what you’re thinking- “but employers always use the well-known boards, right?” Some do. The emerging trend these days is to take a deeper look at recruitment advertising budgets and evaluate the effectiveness of various sites for a variety of positions.

Chances are, your ideal job is a hard- to- fill position. This makes employers all the more likely to reach out to association websites, regional and/or industry specific job boards. These are the sites you need to have a presence on.

Still not convinced? Here are a few reasons to consider niche job boards for your search:

Employers that post on niche job boards have taken measures to target ideal candidates. Rather than taking the easy route and solely posting on the “big” boards, they have made an effort to understand you, the job seeker, and where you feel most comfortable searching. This type of company has you and your success in mind – something that is likely important to you.

  1. Niche job boards narrow the number of jobs you have to look through to find your diamond in the rough. The more generic job boards require clever searching to eliminate jobs that aren’t in your area, industry or on your professional level.
  2. Once you find your “niche,” you can rest easy knowing that you are in demand. Joining an association related to your career or field of expertise allows employers the comfort of knowing you are more qualified for positions that fall into the niche than job seekers on the larger, more generic boards.

Now, go off and find your niche. There are many associations out there pertaining to your specific field or general industry. Find those that you feel represent who you are and what you do, then join them. Or, do a search for jobs by state or industry and sign up on sites that best represent where you are looking to work and in what industry. Good luck and happy searching!


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