Learn how to send resumes and cover letters, and how to get your resume out there. http://adviceforex-offenderslookingforjobs.blogspot.com/ How to send resumes and cover letters to get jobs for ex-offenders and felons

Video Transcription

Hi! This is Eric with more advice for Ex-offenders looking for jobs. Today, we are going to talk about getting interviews by sending resumes with effective cover letters. Previously, we talked about the importance of having a well-written resume when started a job search program. Today, we are going to talk about how to send our resume along with a well written cover letter and hopefully get an interview and possibly a job. We know by getting our resume into the hands of someone who can give us an interview or help us get a job. Well, often help us get around the application process and hopefully we will never have to tell someone that we have a criminal record. Written communication is a very important part of a successful job search. Effectively communicating by mail would be the difference between being hired and not being hired. Giving your resume to hands of someone who can hire you will give this a tremendous advantage. Cover letters should be personalized introductions, outlining your skills and qualifications. They are used whenever you choose to mail your resume. The cover letter introduces you and states exactly why the resume is being sent. The cover letter will also basically give you qualifications and ask for an interview. Writing an effective cover letter is just as important as having a good resume and employer may not even consider your resume if your cover letter is poorly written, unorganized, or difficult to understand. There are three basic types of cover letters. The first is an advertise job letter, this letter is used when responding to an advertisement in a newspaper or other publication that asked that a resume be sent. The next is, a referral letter, this letter is used to introduce yourself and your resume to someone you have been referred to. You should name the person who referred you and give the prospective employer an outline of your qualifications, as well as the request for an interview. Lastly, there is a cold call letter. This letter is used when you sent your resume to an employer you had never met. The letter should outline your qualifications and ask that you would be considered for any possible current or future openings that would be a good fit. You should also ask for a meeting to discuss possible opportunities. Composing your cover letter, putting your cover letter together should be the same as you were writing any other business letter because that what this is, this is a business letter. So, we are going to start firstly with our name, followed by our address, our city, and our state, include your phone number, incase they are interested they have to have a phone number to get back to you. The next we are going to use the date of the letter, always date your letter. Next, we are going to use the hiring person’s information. First, the hiring person’s name that person’s title or if we have used their title. Next the name of the company, company address along with the city’s state and zip. If you do not have this information, I suggest you call the company and simply ask who’s in charge of hiring. Be sure to get that persons name, be sure to have the correct spelling, the person’s title, the name of the company, and the company address. The next, we are going to start with the salutation. The example we are using here is “Dear Mr. Jones.” Next, we are going to use the opening paragraph. State the reason you are sending the resume. Specify the resume, which you are applying. If you are sending this letter as a response to an advertisement you have seen in the publication, indicate which publication you learned that there is an opening. In the middle of paragraph, you are going to highlight some of your skills and how will it relate to the type of work you are looking for, and how you will be of value to the organization. This is a little brag time, so build up your qualifications in this middle paragraph. The closing paragraph, you are going to state that you have enclosed a copy of your resume and would like to schedule a meeting to discuss opportunities for employment. Do no