Resume paper color should be carefully chosen. You should consider the types of employers who will receive your resume and the types of positions for which you are applying. Use white or ivory paper for traditional or conservative employers or for higher-level positions.
Black ink on sharp, white paper can be harsh on the reader s eyes. Think about an ivory or cream paper that will provide less contrast and be easier to read. Pink, green, and blue tints should generally be avoided.
Many resume writers buy packages of matching envelopes and cover sheet stationery that, although not absolutely necessary, help convey a professional impression.
If you'll be producing many cover letters at home, be sure you have high- quality printing equipment. Learn standard envelope formats for business, and retain a copy of every cover letter you send out. You can use the copies to take notes of any telephone conversations that may occur.
If attending a job fair, either carry a briefcase or place your resume in a nicely covered legal-size pad holder.
The Cover Letter
The cover letter provides you with the opportunity to tailor your resume by telling the prospective employer how you can be a benefit to the organization. It allows you to highlight aspects of your background that are not already discussed in your resume and that might be especially relevant to the organization you are contacting or to the position you are seeking. Every resume should have a cover letter enclosed when you send it out. Unlike the resume, which may be mass-produced, a cover letter is most effective when it is individually prepared and focused on the particular requirements of the organization in question.
A good cover letter should supplement the resume and motivate the reader to review the resume. The format is only a suggestion to help you decide what information to include in writing a cover letter.
Begin the cover letter with your street address twelve lines down from the top. Leave three to five lines between the date and the name of the person to whom you are addressing the cover letter. Make sure you leave one blank line between the salutation and the body of the letter and between paragraphs. After typing "Sincerely," leave four blank lines and type your name. This should leave plenty of room for your signature. A sample cover letter can be found on the internet.
The following guidelines will help you write good cover letters:
- Be sure to type your letter neatly; ensure there are no misspellings.
- Avoid unusual typefaces, such as script.
- Address the letter to an individual, using the persons name and title. To obtain this information, call the company. If answering a blind newspaper advertisement, address the letter "To Whom It May Concern" or omit the salutation.
- Be sure your cover letter directly indicates the position you are applying for and tells why you are qualified to fill it.
- Send the original letter, not a photocopy, with your resume. Keep a copy for your records.
- Make your cover letter no more than one page.
- Include a phone number where you can be reached.
- Avoid trite language and have someone read the letter over to react to its tone, content, and mechanics.
- For your own information, record the date you send out each letter and resume.
