Cover Letter Archives - The Nonprofit Recruiter

Do you need to write a cover letter to get the non-profit Dream Job?

by Karen Alphonse | Feb 4, 2021 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Featured Highlights Yes, a cover letter still matters for nonprofit leadership and mission-driven roles because it adds context that a resume or LinkedIn profile usually cannot provide. The best cover letters connect mission, personality, and results rather than just...

Does My Application Really Need a Cover Letter?

by Karen Alphonse | May 4, 2020 | Advice, Job Seekers, Management

For professionals involved in job searches, one of the first priorities is making a good impression. We want our potential employers, whether in the private or the public sectors, to form a positive opinion and conclude that we have the qualities needed for their...

Pain Letter: Rethinking the Cover Letter Approach

by 0187289787602 | Sep 26, 2016 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

There are a handful of reasons people justify not creating a cover letter to include with their resumes. A popular theory is that the cover letter isn’t read anyway. I recently read where almost half of those hiring don’t read them. But, that tells me that almost half...

The Thoughtful Cover Letter

by Karen Alphonse | Oct 21, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Question: I am applying for C-Suite position with a company. The position description requires a “thoughtful” cover letter. What does this mean? How do I draft one? Answer: As you already know, you need to respond to the skills, traits and qualities listed in the...

What Can I Do To Get My Resume Noticed?

by Karen Alphonse | Oct 1, 2013 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

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...

Q&A: Is My Cover Letter Ineffective?

by Karen Alphonse | Jan 29, 2013 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Q: I keep submitting cover letters for positions suiting my background and experience, but, I keep getting rejections. Do you think something is wrong with the way I draft my letters? I try to list every bit of experience that might be of interest to a prospective...

Q&A: Is My Willingness To Relocate Resume Worthy?

by Karen Alphonse | Nov 27, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Q: I just had my resume professionally reviewed and my coach suggested I include a line stating, “Willing to relocate.” Do you agree with this advice? How would you respond to a resume with this information? A: First, I have never seen any resume with such a...

Q&A: Can I Submit a New Cover Letter During the Application Process?

by Karen Alphonse | Oct 30, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Q: I submitted a resume and cover letter for an Executive Director position in July. The organization starts interviews in November. I just redrafted my cover letter based on additional information I have learned in the interim. What should I do? Do I submit a...

Q&A: Using Familiararity To Your Job-Seeking Advantage

by Karen Alphonse | Aug 7, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Q: I am applying to an organization I know. Grant procurement is a big piece of my job, and the organization is an upstream grantor organization. Do you have any tips about how to approach the group? A: This can be a tricky, yet wonderful, opportunity to showcase...

Q&A: Is Your Cover Letter a True Reflection Of You?

by Karen Alphonse | Jul 17, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Q: I liked the cover letter you drafted, but, somehow, it sounded more driven and business-like than I am. Should this concern me? What do you suggest? A: Revise it immediately. It is critical for the cover letter to be an accurate snapshot of you and not of just...

Q&A: Do I Disclose My Birthplace In My Resume?

by Karen Alphonse | May 8, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Q: I was born outside the United States. Should I include this information on my resume? Should I talk about it in my cover letter? A: Unless the prospective job deals with your country or region of origin, avoid referencing it on your resume or in your cover letter....

Q&A: What To Do When You Need a Jump Start During Your Job Search

by Karen Alphonse | Apr 17, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers

Q: I am discouraged, upset and depressed about my job search. What should I work on next? My resume? Or …? A: Without a doubt, work on yourself first. For now, set aside the resume, and stop typing the cover letter. No document will hide your frustration and...

Q&A: Are Cover Letters Still Useful?

by Karen Alphonse | Apr 10, 2012 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management, Recruiters

Q: Are cover letters useful? I hear employers are not reading them anymore. A: We are in a new world of employment, and protocols are evolving. In the past, employers relied on cover letters as both a screening device and as a way to decide whether an applicant...