Category Archives: Human Resources

Cover Letter for a Human Resources Position

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When you’re writing a cover letter for a human resources position, it is important to remember that this is one department that has probably seen hundreds, if not thousands, of cover letters and resumes. This means that when you submit your resume and cover letter, human resources personnel will notice the smallest errors, formatting issues and especially, the content. You will certainly need to pay close attention to the details.

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What to Say

Human resources positions usually require experience, education, and a great deal of skills. You may need to be able to learn new computer software, be able to multitask, and be well organized. Exceptional customer service skills are necessary and in most cases, general office skills are also required. When reading your cover letter, human resources personnel need to be able to see all of the above at just a glance. You want to create enough interest that your resume is also read. As long as you can keep your resume out of the “do not call” pile, it’s a success!

Begin your letter with the proper salutation, including a title and correct spelling of the contact person’s name. State the position you are applying for and how you learned of the job opening. You should mention one or two things that you have learned about the company and why you feel you would be a good fit for the company. You will need to list your qualifications and skills, especially those that relate directly to the job opening. You don’t to include everything that is on your resume. Think of this letter more as an introduction than a life history. You should include bullet points at least once in the cover letter. Human resources personnel know what to look for and bullet points help draw the reader’s eye.

You should use numbers and percentages for the same reason. These are attention grabbers. When quantifying accomplishments or responsibilities, make sure that you do not exaggerate. It is common to want to improve your chances for the job by creating an absolutely phenomenal resume and cover letter. Human resources personnel have seen this happen before. They have seen cover letters that were not original, but only copied and pasted versions found online. Take the time to actually write the cover letter. Besides, it’s hard to remember what you put in your cover letter and resume if it’s not true when you’re in your interview!

A Few Other Tips

Your cover letter is your introduction. One of the first impressions that a company will get of you is from your cover letter. Human resources openings will have many applicants and your resume has to make it past the initial cut for consideration. Proofreading is essential and you should have someone else look over it as well. An error can certainly affect whether your letter and resume move forward. Use a high quality resume paper if you will mail or deliver your cover letter and resume. This helps create a professional image and that is very important.

How To Contact Human Resources For Potential Employer

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Have you recently learned that a company will have openings soon? Perhaps you would simply like to turn in your resume for any employment opportunities within the company. Before you mail off your resume and cover letter, it is best make sure you know exactly where it needs to go. Not every human resources department will handle all open positions. Management positions, for example, are sometimes handled by management personnel.

Finding the Right Contact Information

It is always best to address your correspondence to a specific individual. This is true even if your resume and cover letter are unsolicited. If you are responding to an advertisement, the proper department head is usually listed; however, if you are trying to get your foot in the door early, you are going to need some more information.

The internet has made this task much easier. You can often find all the human resources information for the company on their website. Some companies will also list what they require for a complete application. You may need to forward your resume, cover letter and fill out an application online. You may need to send copies of your degrees and other training. Some companies even want you to provide a list of references. Most companies that have this type of human resources system allow you do all of this over the internet. It is faster and can help fill open positions more quickly.

If you cannot find a website for the company, it’s time to use the phone. Call up the company and ask for their human resources department. Specifically request information on how to apply for openings within their company. Be sure to get the correct email or mailing address, as well as the title and name to put in the attention line. This is important or your resume may not end up in the right hands. Some companies fill their positions so quickly that a delay could cost you the job.

If you are having difficulties locating the information you need, you can also look at the Secretary of State website where the company is located. Businesses must have a business license and there is normally contact information included with the license particulars.

Tips to Help Your Resume Stand Out

If your resume is simply ending up in a stack on someone’s desk, you may be very disappointed. It is important that your resume and cover letter grab the attention of whomever is reading them. Even if the personnel in the human resources department are simply processing paperwork, there may be a time when they know exactly the type of person they are looking for. As long as your resume stands out for the right reasons, it might be passed up the line much faster.

In Closing

Human resources fill an important need in many larger companies today. The right contact information will ensure that your resume and cover letter gets to the right person. Do more than just send something to the department as a whole. It may pay off in the long run.