Make no mistake about it.  In the absence of your being in front of the prospective employer yourself, your cover letter and resume becomes you!  Therefore, you have to prepare your Cover Letter and Resume/CV so that they are dressed for success and prepared to act the part as you.

One common mistake that most people make is that they expend a lot of effort addressing their own goals and aspirations.  As a prospective employer, I really don’t care what your goals and aspirations might be (well, maybe I do – just a tiny bit).  But I really don’t care if you want to “grow into a management position” or other such drivel.  What I want to know is; “What value will you drive to my company if I hire you.”

So let’s start with the cover letter – it must be exquisitely well written.  Although you might have had help in writing the cover letter, it should be in your own words – words that you would use in the interview.  Otherwise, I will know it, and you are fake.  You also must take the time to research my company and specifically refer to it (and me) by name.  And you better note what it is that my company does, why you are interested in a position with my company and what value-add you expect to deliver.

Your Resume/CV should highlight the positions you held and tell a story of how you added value to your employer.   List the employer, your position and the dates you held the position.  Don’t tell me your responsibilities here – and I don’t care about your “management / leadership skills”.  I want to hear about value of your efforts realized by the company.  I want to hear of how you saved money, increased revenue, helped to create a product, or how your innovation improved your company and the circumstances of those who worked there.  Make sure to include your schooling information (not your coursework).  I would also recommend that you include a professional picture of yourself with your personal information at the top.  If you have a Linked-In Profile, make sure to include the link.

Keep your cover letter to a single page – I won’t ever read the second page.  The same goes with your Resume/CV – just the most recent highlights.  If you have a considerable list of noteworthy historical efforts (articles, talks, inventions, etc…), add an addendum or “bill of accomplishments”.

A friend of mine once told me he worked for the Syracuse Catholic Diocese and “had over a thousand people under him”.  What he didn’t tell me is that he cut the grass at the cemetery.

 I don’t care what your title is, I care about the value you will drive to me.