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Q: What do recruiters look for in cover letters and resumes that will give an applicant a significant edge over others?

A: Kristina DeLuca has an interesting blog seeking responses to this very question.  To her blog, many respondents advise showcasing the following in order to be noticed: a focus on relevant, related skills; presenting skills powerfully with pro-active language; showing leadership; possessing quick learning skills, and demonstrating high past achievements.

These are all commendable, relevant attributes. In particular, strong leadership is essential because it encompasses a whole host of topics. Providing strategic and fiscal direction, managing board relationships and staff recruitment, managing retention and promotions, being fully accountable for program success, community relations and outreach name only a few of the responsibilities. And, all of those responsibilities need attention WHILE dealing with high attrition, salary freezes, irregular funding, shifting donor base and stakeholders who may be experiencing the impact of the current economy. That is a tall order.

One attribute I find to be a great indicator of success is the candidate who doesn’t solely focus on those skills and attributes that can be objectively measured. It’s the candidate that communicates energy, excitement about the mission and a sense of commitment to the cause who catches this recruiter’s attention. These additional qualities indicate a candidate is more likely to stick with the program even if times get tough, personalities conflict and funds waver. Without a commitment to mission, negative, intervening factors can become quickly daunting even to someone who is otherwise a true, stand-up leader/staff member. Commitment to the underlying mission will go a long way toward ensuring leader burnout is minimized and the organization weathers any and all storms.

Most often, these kinds of traits emerge in the cover letter.  A skillful cover letter will communicate to the recruiter and others that you possess core competence, that your skills are directly relevant to the search and that your sense of mission aligns with the immediate and long-term goals.   In times of transition or stress, resilience has a lot to do with believing in a mission and being willing to do anything it takes to have it succeed.  Those are the themes that make me perk up and to which I respond when I see them in a resume and cover letter. I am certain that other recruiters take note of them as well.

Contact Karen Alphonse at Karena@execSearches.com or visit ExecSearches.com for more information about our career coaching services.

ExecSearches.com is a job board for nonprofit job seekers interested in fundraising, management and executive nonprofit jobs.

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