For some job seekers Pele Brazil Jersey , a cover letter feels like an afterthought while their attention is focused on their resumes. Nevertheless, employers still expect to see a letter attached to every resume they receive; be sure yours represents you to your best advantage.
Professional resume writers recommend you treat your cover letter like a commercial: It is a short, targeted advertisement designed to convince an employer that you fit the job description.
Brevity is the Soul of a Cover Letter
Cover letters should be short and focused: one to two paragraphs or a short bulleted list of no more than five items.
Just like 30 seconds of TV time during the Super Bowl Paulinho Brazil Jersey , this introduction should stay on target and deliver a message. Avoid wasting anyone's time with obvious statements like "I am looking for a job..." "My name is..." or "Resume attached" or repeating on the contents of your resume. Offer the human-resources representative a good, concise reason to read your resume and call you.
Proper Structure
Create a unique opening that will attract attention but explain your qualifications for the job based on the duties advertised. The cover letter should explicitly state how and why the resume attached describes a candidate who is perfectly qualified and experienced for the position.
Name-dropping in excess can be pretentious and extraneous, but sometimes it works. Mention the name of a co-worker Oscar Brazil Jersey , an important project or company only if you're sure it will be recognized by the HR screener and is relevant to the job description. For example, a cover letter for a position open to writers or editors could include a prestigious and well-known publication that the candidate has appeared in as long as it is relevant to the new position. Candidates for technical positions should offer examples of their own published research to establish expertise within their field.
Address to a Specific Person
While the cover letter targets the job opening, it should also be directed to the right person. Personally address it to the pertinent hiring or HR manager Neymar Brazil Jersey , and send it direct to them rather than using a general company or HR address. Do a quick Google search to find the right contact. Make sure you address the person directly in the salutation. Generic phrases like "Dear Sir or Madam" demonstrate that you didn't bother to do your homework.
A Bad Opening - What to Avoid
Above all, mind your Ps and Qs and eliminate any hint of grammar and spelling errors. Nothing will sink your chances faster than a poorly written resume or cover letter. Be sure to use natural language. Employ just enough jargon to demonstrate that you are an expert in your field, without making the document difficult to read.
Be sure to demonstrate your interest in the job. This includes asking for an interview and a declaration to follow up three to five days later. The follow-up also demonstrates dedication and eagerness and represents another chance to request an interview. The recent upheaval regarding the estate tax Miranda Brazil Jersey , including the repeal of the tax in 2010 and its return this year with yet an entirely new set of rules, have many people confused about how to prepare their plans for the future.
First, 2010 was indeed a very odd year for estate taxes. The much-celebrated repeal almost ended up being potentially more expensive for many middle class families. The possibility of a retroactive tax in 2010 kept many estates on hold Marquinhos Brazil Jersey , and the inability of lawmakers to pass legislation until the 11th hour left many taxpayers full of doubt and uncertainty.
Even now, the new rules are scheduled to sunset in 2013 and many will have to go through this all over again.
So here is what you can learn from 2010 and how to move forward in 2011:
The new estate tax exemptions and rates are quite different. In 2009 the exemption was $3.5 million. Anything over that exemption was taxed at 45% and in 2010 the tax was repealed altogether.
In 2010 many with an estate plan that had a "formula clause" for a Bypass Trust to reduce estate taxes had to update their plan quickly or they were in danger of leaving everything to the trust, while a spouse was left out in the cold.
The new 2011-12 rules increase the estate tax exemption to $5 million per individual ($10 million per married couple) new rules is the tax election option for 2010 estates. No estate tax existed in 2010 but there was also only a limited "step up in basis". This meant that many heirs selling inherited assets were taxed based on the original acquisition cost of the assets, not on their value as of the date of the taxpayer's death, as is usually the case.
This led to a higher tax paid on the assets if and when they were sold Lucas Moura Brazil Jersey , in spite of the lack of estate tax. The tax election option now gives 2010 estate holders the choice of using 2010 or 2011 tax rules. This provides more flexibility and should provide a happier choice for heirs.
Another big change in 2011 is the unification of estate, gift and generation skipping taxes. It is now much easier to tax plan and give gifts to children and grandchildren. In previous years these three levies have had varying exemption levels, making gift giving and succession planning a challenging exercise at best. For example Lucas Lima Brazil Jersey , in 2009 the estate tax and generation skipping transfer tax exemptions were each $3.5 million while the gift tax exemption was limited to $1 million. Now, all three exemptions are $5 million.