resumes & cover letters...?

Question

I am trying to get a job in the health-care field, in my area of specialty. (OK, in 1 of my specialties!) I have the degree and the training... THE QUESTIONS ARE:

How far back do you go on a resume? i.e. 5 yrs?

What about a cover letter? Is this important?

Is it OK to send a follow up letter after 2-3 days from submitting your application and/or resume?

I want to be aggressive, I want them to know that I am serious about working for them and I want to do a great job for them.

any advice would be great! PLEASE

Answer 1

to answer your questions...

"how far back do you go on a resume?"
i recommend you show all your work experience. show every job that you have had, starting with the most recent job and going to the least recent. (show all jobs with the exception of petty jobs such as babysitting, mowing lawns, raking leaves, etc...).

"what about a cover letter? is this important?"
i believe a cover letter is very important. it shows that you have taken the time to express your thanks to the employer. it shows you care. also in you cover letter, include your objectives (meaning, tell the employer what it is that you expect to accomplish in taking this position. How will hiring you be beneficial to the company.).

"is it ok to send a follow up letter after 2-3 days...?"
yes, that's perfectly normal. what may be better though is to actually go in and try to talk to someone. doing that instead of writing a letter or calling shows that you are not lazy and that you are very persistent in your ways.

Do everything you can to impress you employer. but don't give them the wrong impression. if you are not a persistent person, don't make them think you are. if they end up hiring you and find that you are not the type of person they thought you were then they my replace you.

Don't worry. Be yourself and you'll do fine.

Good Luck!!!!

Answer 2

I have the pleasure of reading the resumes for people that are applying for work here. I like them to go back to their school days or at least to a point where I can see how they got experience in the field. If you have no experience, then include your schooling. If you have a long work history then cut it off at a single page. Try to omit any very short jobs if you had any. I like a very short cover letter that says why they want the job. Don't be negative about your current job. If you hate it, then just put that you are looking for better opportunities. There is nothing wrong with a follow up letter. I would wait a week or two though. There is a lot of red tape in HR these days. It may get your name back in the hat if you were on the edge. Good luck

Answer 3

Your resume is a pretty standard piece; you send the same one to multiple people. The cover letter is more of a personal introduction, and should emphasize why you'll fit with the employer. Another way to look at it is that the cover letter is designed to get your resume read in the first place. It has to be perfect, no errors, good ink and paper, folded properly, etc.

Answer 4

Cover letter is a must to look professional! I am also in the medical field and they look for detail. Go back at least your last 3 jobs make sure to include any accomplishments you have had. Also include your strong points !!! Sending a follow up letter to a doctor or hospital is probably not a good thing, working for a doctor I know things get buried on his desk, he has enough with his patients, my suggestion would be to call and see if the interviewing process is still open. Good Luck !

Answer 5

I was always told to cold call for info before submitting resume (address cover letter to..title..info on company..why work there)
submit cover letter and resume
Follow up with interview request within three days and also to review resume (if they received it)
Do thank you letter for interview and again emphasize skills and availability...comfortable working for the company...
When I really needed the job: Submit resume...follow through with phone call for interview...pin one job against another...Sale yourself strongly...Good Luck

Answer 6

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/results.aspx?qu=nursing+resume&av=TPL000

Use that for the resume part, on that same page search for cover letter. The rest, sure, follow up in 3 days, that is good.

Cover letter is always good to have, can't hurt. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

For resume templates and tips, and cover letter tips and samples click these links:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletters/a/cuttingedge.htm
http://www.jobstar.org/tools/resume/cletters.php
http://phoenix.about.com/cs/empl/a/coverletter01_2.htm
http://www.careerlab.com/letters/
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/sampleresumes/qt/microtemplate.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101043371033.aspx
http://www.jthomaswood.com/CareerTips_Resume.htm?scr=overture
http://www.free-resume-tips.com/10tips.html
http://resume.monster.com/
http://www.ausable.ca/resume.html
http://www.resumebuilders.net/tips.html
http://www.easyjob.net/resume/free-resume-tips.html