Resume thread...

[farmerjerome]

I noticed we have a lot of resume questions on this board, so maybe we can sticky this if anyone needs advice from time to time.

Here's my question. I'm applying for a job at a paper that I currently freelance at. A lot.

Should my cover letter be run of the mill, or should it reflect that the bosses know me?

A friend of mine says run of the mill. Thoughts?

 

[Write-brained]

I'd go the opposite way. Remind them of the good work you've done for them.

 

[farmerjerome]

I'd go the opposite way. Remind them of the good work you've done for them.

You're funny. ;D

 

[fishwrapper]

In your cover letter, don't end a sentence with "at."

 

[rpmmutant]

Find out what the newspaper is looking for in a writer, if they are looking for a writer, and write your cover letter accordingly. Do they want someone who can be versatile, work on the copy desk, design desk, write on deadline, work on entrerprise stories. Every editor looks for something different. Make your resume look like what the editor is looking for.

 

[Write-brained]

I'd go the opposite way. Remind them of the good work you've done for them.

You're funny. ;D

I was serious ;D

 

[farmerjerome]

I'd go the opposite way. Remind them of the good work you've done for them.

You're funny. ;D

I was serious ;D

I'm sorry. ;D

 

[Write-brained]

I'd go the opposite way. Remind them of the good work you've done for them.

You're funny. ;D

I was serious ;D

I'm sorry. ;D

Have you not done good work for them?

Lots of places need to be reminded. ;D

 

[farmerjerome]

Find out what the newspaper is looking for in a writer, if they are looking for a writer, and write your cover letter accordingly. Do they want someone who can be versatile, work on the copy desk, design desk, write on deadline, work on entrerprise stories. Every editor looks for something different. Make your resume look like what the editor is looking for.

See, that's my deal. I'm applying for a photography position, but I'm pretty good at pulling double duty.

For instance, yesterday I shot and filed a gamer on the road. I wrote a 16-18 inch gamer, and edited a photo in less than an hour.
I was one minute late for deadline, but I was having connection problems at the rest stop I was filing from.
I ended up having to use the paper's generic e-mail instead of my own. I tried to send a photo, and I had to install something to send the photo.

Honestly, I think I'm okay at what I do. I work hard and I work fast.

Our old photog would take hours to edit a photo. I'm not like that. I find the photo and edit it. Thirty minutes max. And 15 minutes are uploading the photos. Ten minutes to edit, less than five to size it and write the cutline.

 

[farmerjerome]

I'd go the opposite way. Remind them of the good work you've done for them.

You're funny. ;D

I was serious ;D

I'm sorry. ;D

Have you not done good work for them?

Lots of places need to be reminded. ;D

To be completely honest, I do good work but I'm a pain in the ass. It comes from my nerves, but I work pretty quickly and my stories are consistantly solid. I don't always hit the home run, but I always get on base.

 

[In Cold Blood]

It sounds like you've got a good start to your cover letter on here....

Use your letter to remind them of the quality work you've done - as you've mentioned above, you've worked quickly and effectively for them already.

Sounds like the best place to start.

 

[Write-brained]

Your advantage is that your employer is, or should be, familiar with your work over the other applicants. Use it.

 

[joe_schmoe]

I would just touch on the good work, but otherwise be run of the mill. If they know you and you try to play that up, it will just make it sound like, Hey hire me because you already know my credentials, and I already do good work for you. Can come off the wrong way.
they already know you, so you saying it won't be much of an influence. Let your work speak for yourself, and let them decide if the work you've already done is good enough.

 

[accguy]

At the risk of sounding like a ****, and I know that is possible: if you know these people, why would you want to write a letter like everyone else?

Cite specific examples, talk about the community, kick ass.

You go girl.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

At the risk of sounding like a ****, and I know that is possible: if you know these people, why would you want to write a letter like everyone else?

Cite specific examples, talk about the community, kick ass.

You go girl.

Totally agreed.

Seriously - the worst advice you could get is to be "run of the mill" if you're trying to get the job. Capitalize on anything that sets you apart from the crowd. Your connection to the paper is a great asset -- use it.

 

[mike311gd]

In your cover letter, don't end a sentence with "at."

I'm glad I read the first three posts before going to the reply. If I saw that at the end of a sentence on a cover letter, I'd already be looking for the next letter.

 

[mike311gd]

Don't assume because they know you that you don't have to put in the same effort as you would for another job. I'd say pretend they don't know you and try to floor the editor.

 

[jlee]

Don't assume because they know you that you don't have to put in the same effort as you would for another job. I'd say pretend they don't know you and try to floor the editor.

Good advice there. But don't disregard the connection you have with them. Don't coast, but let 'em know what you've done with them before. It sounds like your first encounter was problematic, but reasonably so. They might be more comfortable brining in someone who at least has a little experience with them.

 

[joe_schmoe]

Don't assume because they know you that you don't have to put in the same effort as you would for another job. I'd say pretend they don't know you and try to floor the editor.

This is the sort of the point I was trying to make. Because if they haven't approached you about the job or if you inquired and they said send a resume, then you obviously still need to floor them. If you use the "You already know me and my work approach" it's too easy to let THAT do your talking, instead of your work, while another candidate blows them away with his portfolio and resume. Not saying you shouldn't use the connection --- you should. I am saying if to approach that angle cautiously, remind them, then Wow them.

 

[rpmmutant]

Be specific. If they are looking for someone who can be a photographer and a writer, make sure you emphasize that in your resume. It's not something I would recommend, you'll work yourself to death without getting much in return. But if they are looking for someone who can work strictly as a writer, highlight that in your resume. If they are looking for someone who can write, edit and shoot, highlight those areas of your experience. Try to make your talents fit the job they are looking to fill.