Need help regarding job search *UDPATED*

[mAdD INDIAN]

Ok I have been actively looking for a summer job for while a now. I first started sending out resumes in late February. However, once school finished, I started spending more time looking for jobs. I called up numerous places and sent out resumes. I even waited in line for 3 hours for pre-screen interview at Costco (it was a job fair that day...long line up for interviews).

So far, no luck. For the job postings I found on the net, it seems my cover letter and resume are worthless since I don't get any call backs. And for a few jobs, I feel that I meet the qualifications!

Anyway I was wondering if anyone could go over my resume to see if it was good. I gave it to the career counsellor at my school and he said it was fine.

Also, I found a job posting for a marketing assistant (summer job) for a biotech firm. Now I don't have any experience in marketing, but I do find it interesting and I think I can be good at it. How would I go about applying for this job? I really do think I can do very well, but how can I show that in my cover letter since I'm not in business (I'm enrolled in comp eng) nor do I have any experience as a marketing assistant.

Thanks!

 

[Winchester]

Wish you the best of luck. Im in the same position.

 

[fonzinator]

If you have the contact info for a person you are submitting your resume to, call them back if they don't respond!! This is your best bet to getting to an interview and beating out 95% of all other candidates. Call them multiple times if necessary. Employers want someone who wants the job. You'll show this if you pursue it agressively. If you don't have contact info, then there's not much you can do.

Make each cover letter specific to the job to which you are applying. Don't just use some generic cover letter. Mention the position, why you qualify, ect.

Post your cover letter and resume here and we'll critique it for ya.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: fonzinator
If you have the contact info for a person you are submitting your resume to, call them back if they don't respond!! This is your best bet to getting to an interview and beating out 95% of all other candidates. Call them multiple times if necessary. Employers want someone who wants the job. You'll show this if you pursue it agressively. If you don't have contact info, then there's not much you can do.

Make each cover letter specific to the job to which you are applying. Don't just use some generic cover letter. Mention the position, why you qualify, ect.

Post your cover letter and resume here and we'll critique it for ya.

Well a lot of job postings don't have any phone numbers. The ones that do, I usually call them. They give the standard response of "We only call back those who we are interested in. Thank you."

Yeah I have unique cover letters for each position.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

This is my cover letter for that marketing assistant position I was telling you guys about. Its pretty rough, and quite frankly I'm not sure on what to write.

Dear Mr. K:

I am applying for the position of Marketing Assistant (Summer Student) as advertised on the University of Toronto Career?s Website.

Your ad states that you are in need of someone who has excellent computer skills and has experience in working with graphic designers, programmers, and marketing people. I have great team work skills and marketing skills. I have also great computer and customer service skills. I previously was a network analyst/support intern at Compaq Canada where I provided network support to the staff of the UHN Hospitals located in downtown Toronto. I feel my qualifications and my desire to work for your firm will allow me to excel at this position.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely,

mAdD

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

bump! I'd really appreciate it if someone could just critique that cover letter. Luckily this job is located nearby so I am going to go there in person and talk to someone, but I still want to send this out.

 

[fonzinator]

Your cover letter isn't a bad start, but you should fill in some space. Start by better describing your principal duties with this Compaq job you had. You described the job in 1 sentence. You want to "WOW!" this guy who's reading your cover letter. Describe what YOU were responsible for. Get detailed. Use 3-5 sentences to describe your responsibilites and achievements. You want to show this guy you are qualified for the position to which you are applying.

Next, work on the description of yourself. You say you have "great team work and marketing skills." What does that say to someone reading your cover letter?...Nothing. You're gonna have to be LOTS more descriptive than that. Even if you don't have ANY experience in marketing, tell them why you are interested in it. That will be better than just saying "great marketing skills." Have you taken any marketing classes? If so, use those as an interest point. As for your team work skills...list some things that will qualify this statement. List some orgs, activites, project groups, ect. that show you have these skills. Also...don't just say "great team work skills." How about something like this..."My active involvement with ATOT, as an expert neffer, has given me unparalleled interpersonal and conflict resolution skills." So yeah...you won't use that sentence but see how it flows? It tells the reader a lot more about you than just "great team work skills."

One final tip...use lots of adjectives everywhere!

Rework it and post it again.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: fonzinator
Your cover letter isn't a bad start, but you should fill in some space. Start by better describing your principal duties with this Compaq job you had. You described the job in 1 sentence. You want to "WOW!" this guy who's reading your cover letter. Describe what YOU were responsible for. Get detailed. Use 3-5 sentences to describe your responsibilites and achievements. You want to show this guy you are qualified for the position to which you are applying.

Next, work on the description of yourself. You say you have "great team work and marketing skills." What does that say to someone reading your cover letter?...Nothing. You're gonna have to be LOTS more descriptive than that. Even if you don't have ANY experience in marketing, tell them why you are interested in it. That will be better than just saying "great marketing skills." Have you taken any marketing classes? If so, use those as an interest point. As for your team work skills...list some things that will qualify this statement. List some orgs, activites, project groups, ect. that show you have these skills. Also...don't just say "great team work skills." How about something like this..."My active involvement with ATOT, as an expert neffer, has given me unparalleled interpersonal and conflict resolution skills." So yeah...you won't use that sentence but see how it flows? It tells the reader a lot more about you than just "great team work skills."

One final tip...use lots of adjectives everywhere!

Rework it and post it again.

Thanks! I would have written more, but I was told that the cover letter should be short. Could I talk about how I'm interested in marketing in the automotive field (and am reading books on it) as an example of my intersest in marketing? That's the only marketing related thing i know of.

 

[fonzinator]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Thanks! I would have written more, but I was told that the cover letter should be short. Could I talk about how I'm interested in marketing in the automotive field (and am reading books on it) as an example of my intersest in marketing? That's the only marketing related thing i know of.

Yeah, that would be fine! I'd even qualify your reading with something like: "I've had an intense interest of automotive marketing for the past X years. I have read hundreds (or thousands - whatever is truthful) of pages of marketing material in an attempt to learn as much as possible." That shows your interest in marketing, along with your desire to learn and pursue this on your own.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Updated:

Dear Mr. K:

I am applying for the position of Marketing Assistant (Summer Student) as advertised on the University of Toronto Career?s Website.

Your ad states that you are in need of someone who has excellent computer skills and has experience in working with graphic designers, programmers, and marketing people. I have great team work skills and marketing skills. I have designed flyers for events that I have coordinated at school and for other organizations such as the Tamil Student Volunteer Program. I also enjoy learning about marketing strategies, and am currently reading a book on marketing strategies in the automotive industry. I previously was a network analyst/support intern at Compaq Canada where I provided on-site network support to the staff of the UHN Hospitals located in downtown Toronto. I was also in charge of creating and maintaining network documentation and asset tracking of network devices. My experience in providing technical support as well as working in a team has given me unparalleled teamwork and computer skills. I feel my qualifications and my desire to work for your firm will allow me to excel at this position.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely,

mAdD

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

bump with updated letter.

 

[fonzinator]

Reads much better! I bet you'll open some eyes with this cover letter. Be sure and keep this saved. You can use it as template for future applications. Let us know how it turns out!

Edited this sentence with commas: My experience in providing technical support, as well as working in a team, has given me unparalleled teamwork and computer skills.

 

[RossMAN]

Best of luck in your job search!

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Thanks guys!