Got any tips for writing a cover letter and resume?

[Tobin S.]

It's sort of a hypothetical cover letter and resume for a class I'm taking. I probably won't be graduating until 2015 and my resume is supposed to reflect where I'll be at the time and what I think I'll be looking for. So it's not for a job search yet, but it will be graded and I want to do well on it.

By 2015 I'll have 18 years experience as a commercial truck driver and a new B.S. in business administration with a minor in entrepreneurship. I figure my experience in the trucking industry and my degree will make me a good candidate for a management position in a trucking company.

[HopeHoops]

1. E-mail me what you've got. I'm an old pro at that.

[Tobin S.]

3. Hold on to your reading lamp. I'll just PM you the whole project.

[HopeHoops]

6. I sent a response. Direct e-mail is much easier. I'll help you out, friend.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

2. Experience vs Accomplishments

The best resumes address not only the position you had, but what you accomplished. For example, making 45 trips totaling 30,000 miles is less important than your on time record and safety record making those trips if those are accomplishments. Taking certain classes is less important than what you accomplished learning them. Hope that makes sense. Good luck!

[Tobin S.]

4. Thanks

Yeah, I think I've got the gist of that and it's what I did for the most part, but I could probably use some editing in that regard.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

5. Hope It Helps

As for cover letter, customize it and use the name of the actual person with whom you are interviewing (avoid 'To Whom It Concerns'). Always send a follow up e-mail and/or letter to each person you interview with (collect cards during interview). Try to tie in what your talents are with their needs are and to do that you need to ask during interview. Come prepared. Read up on the company and use during the interview.

[backscatter712]

7. Remember, you are your own business, and you're writing a sales pitch.

Even if you're a lowly employee, or applying to become one, your job is to sell yourself.

The whole point of the resume + cover letter is to tell the employer what services they can buy from you, how good they are, and how they'll get their money's worth.

In essence, it's an advertisement.

[Tobin S.]

8. 10-4

That's the thing I think I'll have to work on the most regarding the interview process. I think I can write a good sales pitch, but selling myself in person is a different story. I'm sort of introverted and a mild mannered, laid back kind of guy. I'll probably need to work on being more outgoing.