Wes Bucey
Prophet of Profit
Jim Wynne and Brad seem to be on opposite sides of the coin when it comes to "details" in a resume of cover letter.
My view and that of most "experts" is that each cover letter should be unique to the target company, preferably addressed to an individual by name, not generic job title. Read through the Gatekeeper thread to learn how to get that name. Continuing that vein, it follows you have learned enough about the target to know what will interest them in YOU.
Think of the guy who opens your letter - his first thought is "Ho hum. Another letter." Next, he looks at the clock and asks, "Isn't it five o'clock, yet?"
You need a "grabber" to get his attention. Sometimes (just sometimes, Jim), your research will show this target is extremely worried about getting certified to a Standard to avoid losing a valued client. That's when you might lead off with the brag, "I led my company to complete registration certification to TS16949 in less than six months with zero nonconformances. I'd like to talk with you to explore how I might help your company achieve its own certification to TS 16949."
The point is, no details UNLESS they are pertinent to the target company and the position you seek. If you are applying as a CMM operator, nobody at that target company cares if you are the best selling author of "Sales Strategies for Real Estate Brokers" no matter how much the real estate community loves you.
Bottom line:
Don't include it in resume or cover letter unless it is pertinent to the position. If you do include it, explain how it is pertinent to the target company - some guys are so zoned out when reading cover letters, they can't "connect the dots" by themselves!
My view and that of most "experts" is that each cover letter should be unique to the target company, preferably addressed to an individual by name, not generic job title. Read through the Gatekeeper thread to learn how to get that name. Continuing that vein, it follows you have learned enough about the target to know what will interest them in YOU.
Think of the guy who opens your letter - his first thought is "Ho hum. Another letter." Next, he looks at the clock and asks, "Isn't it five o'clock, yet?"
You need a "grabber" to get his attention. Sometimes (just sometimes, Jim), your research will show this target is extremely worried about getting certified to a Standard to avoid losing a valued client. That's when you might lead off with the brag, "I led my company to complete registration certification to TS16949 in less than six months with zero nonconformances. I'd like to talk with you to explore how I might help your company achieve its own certification to TS 16949."
The point is, no details UNLESS they are pertinent to the target company and the position you seek. If you are applying as a CMM operator, nobody at that target company cares if you are the best selling author of "Sales Strategies for Real Estate Brokers" no matter how much the real estate community loves you.
Bottom line:
Don't include it in resume or cover letter unless it is pertinent to the position. If you do include it, explain how it is pertinent to the target company - some guys are so zoned out when reading cover letters, they can't "connect the dots" by themselves!