The art of playing along. That is accompaniment in music. In job search it's even more. What accompanies the resume? It should be a carefully written cover letter.
Don't let the name fool you. “Cover letter” suggests afterthought, slap-on status. Yet it is critical, since:
- It speaks for you before the resume. It introduces you. A pleasant, clear, brief cover letter conveys one message; a remote, gnarled, wandering letter another.
- It highlights aspects of your career that might otherwise get lost in the resume. It gives you a chance to aim spotlights at the right places.
- It shows your care for detail. Or, rather, it shows that you aren’t careless, that you haven’t dashed off a last-minute message.
- It can reveal your judgment. For instance, if you mention irrelevancies like hobbies in the cover letter, you can trip yourself up. No one wants an executive with poor judgment.
- It’s you. The resume is data, presumably well-polished, but the cover letter is your voice. It’s the prelude to the interview. You stand on the foundation of the resume, which indicates what you can do. The cover letter suggests how you will do it.
If you need an experienced resume writer and career coach to help you advance to the next level, I can help you craft a game plan and a resume to get you to your goal.