What to write in a Cover Letter? Suggestions needed....

I have two work histories that ended early before one year mark. One was due to health issues and I had to step down, and one because of layoffs. Do I explain that on my cover letter, because to a normal person it looks like I cant hold a job but my other job history does show that, but not the recent.

I think it is a good idea to make a BRIEF mention of these issues in your cover letter. It helps mitigate possible negative perceptions. I suggest saying something like:

"...After having two opportunities cut short due to temporary health concerns and downsizing, respectively, I am looking forward to using all of my experience to support the goals and objectives of a progressive organization such as ABC Company."

This is just an idea, but it shows you how you can share the information without 'over sharing' and without sounding negative.

Hope that helps!

K.C.
Tandem Resumes

atht is a great way to say what I was already thinking, I just had no clue on how to word it. Thanks a million.

metalslug in Jackson Heights, New York said: I have two work histories that ended early before one year mark. One was due to health issues and I had to step down, and one because of layoffs. Do I explain that on my cover letter, because to a normal person it looks like I can't hold a job but my other job history does show that, but not the recent.

I wouldn't. As with a resume, a cover letter is a sales tool. Sales tools emphasize positives. You wouldn't include negatives in other sales media because you would turn off customers to your product.

In this case, you are the "product." No matter how positively you spin your two histories, employers could take them as negatives. Don't hand employers an excuse to exclude you and deny you opportunities to present your message in person.

Use your cover letter and resume positively and proactively. Use them to sell your talents and abilities. Say nothing about your job losses in your cover letter and soft-pedal them on your resume. You may have to own up to your job losses at an interview, which is fair, but at least you can explain them in person to a live person.

Good luck with your job search.

I understand, but I feel that lately I have not been getting the interviews based on how the last tow entries make my resume look. Is like I am in between a rock and a hard place. They see my resume, I have what they are looking for, but no call backs, why? Well since 07 through 08 I have had 2 jobs. Both under 8 months. So they may say well, something is wrong there and not call at all. So my cover letter has to somehow convince them that I am stable even though my resume might not show that. Your point is valid, but since November I have had no interviews. So I have to start to look at why I am not even getting interviews.

On the other hand, why call attention to a negative? That's my point. Your resume and cover letters are your documents. Use them to call attentions to your positives.

Put yourself in the employer's chair: "Why should I call this candidate? This candidate cannot hold a job." Give employers reasons to call you. Emphasize your knowledge, skills, abilities and experience on your resume and cover letter. By the same token, consider leaving off the two jobs and emphasize your prior stability. Or you could combine those two jobs into one listing. I would NOT mention them in your cover letter.

Again, you may be asked to fill in the gaps at an interview or later. But you'll be able to do so face to face instead of permitting HR to draw unfair conclusions based on your documents.

So, your suggesting that I combine them both? How do I go about doping that? You see, the last two are very important, one was a good position at a higher level, the second was in a different industry from my past ones which make up my bulk. I would consider doing that if you can somehow explain how do I combine two different industries but my position in them was a similar capacity.

Example is my last two jobs one was at a senior living facility as operations manager, the other in the hotel industry as a manager of housekeeping, a slight step down from the previous. How can I really combine those, and also like you state, if I say what I plan on my cover letter they may not call. But If I say nothing why would they take a shot at someone who looks like they cant hold a job the last 2 years. I mean I was getting interviews before when my last position was still recent, so on the resume I said it was still current as I was still getting paid. But now its just been too much time.

Your last two industries aren't as dissimilar as you may think. Both involve facilities that house people. You were in management in two residential facilities. There would be common elements to managing such facilities. So determine the common elements of each job.

Be creative. Call it "Residential Facilities Management & Operations" or something similar. Also, don't list the months and years of each job on your resume. Just list the starting and ending years.

(I am trying to post an example of how you could set up the common elements of your last two jobs, but Indeed's software won't let me. Sorry.)

Consider italicizing and/or bolding accomplishments, etc.

2009 has just started. Not that much time has passed if 2008 was the last year you worked. Here again, the point is to call attention to your positives and soft-pedal any negatives. You may have to own up to the negatives at some point, but don't volunteer them up front and give employers an excuse not to call you.

I see. But I guess what I am saying, is if they ask well, where did you work as "Residential Facilities Management & Operations manager" what do I say since it was at two places? Also, in 07 I began the Ops manager at the senior home, became ill had to step down. November of 07 I got the hotel position which ended in sept of 08 due to downsizing. How to merge both from 07 to 08 i guess can be done, but when they ask where, that's tricky, and if for some reason they can see that in a background check they will also find out it was two diff places.

Years. Residential Facilities and Operations Management.
XYZ Care, Flushing, New York
Operations Manager
(Describe that you were manager of X-Bed facility. Responsibilities. Accomplishments. Etc. Set off each items with bullet points. Or you could use a paragraph-type format.)
ABC Hotel, Flushing, New York
Housekeeping Manager.
(Describe that you were manager of X-Bed facility. Responsibilities. Accomplishments. Etc. Set off each items with bullet points. Or you could use a paragraph-type format.)

Something like that.

Yay! I got it to work!! Of course, for "years" you would put 2007 to 2008. (I would use a hyphen between the years.)

One correction: For the hotel job you would say you were manager of housekeeping for a X-Room hotel.

Once again, don't put months and years. Same for your other jobs. And, of course, go back only ten years. Employers only care about the last ten years; besides, you appear old if you go back any further.

metalslug in Flushing, New York said: But I guess what I am saying, is if they ask well, where did you work as "Residential Facilities Management & Operations manager" what do I say since it was at two places? Also, in 07 I began the Ops manager at the senior home, became ill had to step down. November of 07 I got the hotel position which ended in sept of 08 due to downsizing. How to merge both from 07 to 08 i guess can be done, but when they ask where, that's tricky, and if for some reason they can see that in a background check they will also find out it was two diff places.

Take a look at how I set it up, above. You may have to be specific at an interview. The idea is to get an interview so you can explain it to a person.

So in my resume, I would not put years for any of my jobs, just what I did there. That may help get me more interviews in the door? Is that a common practice? Just tryig to get a real good sense of here as I'm trying my best to maximize my advertising of experience in my field. All you guys are great help, and Im starting to formulate how this might go. I just always were under the impression that resumes were supposed to show your stability at each place of work, atleast thats what I looked at when I was hiring.

metalslug in Flushing, New York said: So in my resume, I would not put years for any of my jobs, just what I did there.....{/QUOTE]No. Instead of putting starting month and year and ending month and year, put starting year and ending year. Unfortunately, Indeed's software won't let me post an example.

metalslug in Flushing, New York said: I just always were under the impression that resumes were supposed to show your stability at each place of work, atleast thats what I looked at when I was hiring.

That would be ideal, but not everyone can portray stability. That doesn't mean such candidates are any less capable. So you spin it a little bit, but truthfully.

Look at it this way. If you were hiring yourself, what would impress you about yourself from review of your resume and cover letter? Also be sure to work in your resume, and cover letter, as appropriate to the job for which you're applying, that you have candidate hiring experience.

metalslug in Flushing, New York said: So in my resume, I would not put years for any of my jobs, just what I did there.....

No. Instead of putting starting month and year and ending month and year, put starting year and ending year. Unfortunately, Indeed's software won't let me post an example.

metalslug in Flushing, New York said: I just always were under the impression that resumes were supposed to show your stability at each place of work, atleast thats what I looked at when I was hiring.

That would be ideal, but not everyone can portray stability. That doesn't mean such candidates are any less capable. So you spin it a little bit, but truthfully.

Look at it this way. If you were hiring yourself, what would impress you about yourself from review of your resume and cover letter? Also be sure to work in your resume, and cover letter, as appropriate to the job for which you're applying, that you have candidate hiring experience.

Well, starting year and ending year is how I describe it on my resume. But like i said in one year I had 2 jobs, that was 07. So it seems a bit tight. Below is how my resume look, it looks better in word, this is a plain text format, there are objects and a table that make this look a bit off.

| CORPORATE Focus: Operations Management |
HealthCare/Facilities Markets | Expertise: Deep Understanding of the
HealthCare/Facilities Market Skill Sets: Bi-lingual/bi-literate in Spanish|
| Department Launches & Turnarounds Team Building
| Leadership & Operational Management Profile: Noted for recruiting, motivating, and leading top talent; creating unifying vision and goals; executing keen operations strategies; and surprising the competition to gain number one rankings. Build networks and partnerships; embrace diversity.
Value Quote: I think big, I maintain a competitive drive, and I accomplish goals through people.”
DRIVING FORCES:
Competencies Results
Escalate satisfaction scores through Innovative Management Best Practices Hands-on knowledge of Facility operations; developed and forged projects leading to best practices for high scores, Facilities: Mount Sinai New York/Queens | Bergen County Hospital New Jersey | Jewish Home and Hospital| Essex House Hotel
Hire Effective Management Teams & Versatile workers. Hired, coached and led and worked with a team of managers; delivering the highest scores in building services Mount Sinai New York had ever had.

OPERATIONS MANAGER PERFORMANCE HISTORY
ESSEX HOUSE HOTEL– New York, New York 2007 – 2008-
Jumeirah Essex House is part of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America; a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Jumeirah Essex House is one of more than 200 hotels and resorts throughout the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America.
Housekeeping Manager

union environment.
• Collaborate closely with, Department Heads, and task force on designing creative ideas which boost top line, reduce costs, improve and propel overall revenue.
• Re structured the lost and found process which led to higher scores on guest comment surveys.

JEWISH HOME AND HOSPITAL – New York, New York 2007 – 2007
Jewish Home Life care offers long term care, adult day care, home health care, health services, and social and community services throughout the New York area. The nursing home provides health services for more than 5,200 senior citizens daily, at our three campuses in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester, and through our Lifecare Community Services Division, which provides healthcare and social services throughout the metropolitan area.
Operations Manager
• Managed facility operations of a 514 beds including overtime budget, scheduling, hiring, engineering, and administrative functions. Directed day-to-day operations including leadership in an 1199 union environment, motivation, and evaluation of staff ; before leaving the company due to a serious health condition developed concepts for innovative damage recovery packages for patients and family, giveaways, and contests and vouchers for free meals and stays.
• Maintained laundry department par levels and budget and directed management staff. Monitored OSHA standards and participated in JACHO inspections.
• Developed a floor care plan specifically for long term patient care units which in turn helped maintain heavily worked floors maintain their luster. In 2006 JHH had 11 violations with housekeeping services reported, 28 days after my arrival in 2007 with some team col

thats not my entire resume but thats the two positions that I think are giving trouble. Just so you guys get an idea of what I meant.

One change I see:

metalslug in Jackson Heights, New York said: JEWISH HOME AND HOSPITAL – New York, New York 2007 [leaving off the second 2007]

Etc.

You don't need the second 2007; in fact, that will call attention to your not holding that job for a while.

Do you need to set forth JACHO in full on first reference? Or will those who review your resume know what JACHO is? IMO you don't want to use unfamiliar abbreviations or acronyms. Also, what is an 1199 union environment? Unless you are playing to a familiar audience, as it were, you don't want to frustrate them by using too much esoteric jargon. Just a thought.

Also, your floor care plan sounds like an excellent accomplishment. You could push it higher or set it off with a superlative "Accomplishments and Achievements" heading. Your statement:

metalslug in Jackson Heights, New York said: developed concepts for innovative damage recovery packages for patients and family, giveaways, and contests and vouchers for free meals and stays.

...is also an accomplishment and could be listed under that heading.

I like your "bilingual-biliterate Spanish" statement at the top of your resume. You show that you can read and write Spanish as well as speak it. People don't always think of reading and writing as part of bilingual. I also like your "Operations Manager Performance History" heading.

Continued, below....

Continued...

You should leave off this statement:

metalslug in Jackson Heights, New York said: before leaving the company due to a serious health condition...

NO! Omitting incriminating/negative statements has been the point of this discussion.

You volunteer a negative with that statement. Do you still suffer from this health condition? Are you well? You want to list positives, only, on your resume. Leave any health issue discussion for the in-person interview, if it comes up at all.

Your Essex House section looks fine, though I would either push up higher the lost and found statement or list it under "Accomplishments" as I suggested, above.

You know this already, but be sure to spellcheck and proof your resume thoroughly before submitting it.

I see what you are saying. I have re worked this resume many times and have gotten to this after long revisions. I will try and re work this to try and fit in your suggestions, and I see what you mean about two 07 in the same heading. They might notice that the hotel was also in 07 but it does call attention. I will leave out the health issue from the resume. I will try and post a link to how the word format looks like so you all can get a sense where I am going. And yes, this resume if my my main field of work, and all will know what local 6, 1199 and JACHO are. Those are standard terms in my line of work, and if I were to apply for jobs outside of that field I would certainly explain it differently.

metalslug in Jackson Heights, New York said: They might notice that the hotel was also in 07 but it does call attention....

...but that's okay. People change jobs during a calendar year.

metalslug in Jackson Heights, New York said: [T]his resume if my my main field of work, and all will know what local 6, 1199 and JACHO are. Those are standard terms in my line of work, and if I were to apply for jobs outside of that field I would certainly explain it differently.

Entirely reasonable.

And, once again, be sure you spellcheck and proof your document carefully. I read a company recruiter's article today. He wrote that misspellings, typos, etc. will deliver a knockout blow to your efforts:

Keith Allen Jones, Director of Recruiting, Dalbey Education Institute, blog post on Denver Jobing.com said:

2. SPELL CHECK YOUR RESUME

Nothing says “Do not hire this person louder than someone who has very basic spelling and grammar mistakes on their resume. If you do not have a computer… Borrow one. Always let someone proof your resume. I have actually had an administrative assistant position open and can not tell you how many resumes I had for this position that had spelling mistakes and VERY basic grammar mistakes on it. I actually had two that spelled Administrative wrong on their resume AND cover letter. Pay attention to detail….

FYI… All newer Microsoft Office programs will literally underline your spelling mistakes IN RED as soon as I open your resume…

Common sense, but good advice worth rereading.

Here are links to print screens of the word doc...this way you can all get a sense so far where I am.

i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/metalslugx1942/respic1.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/metalslugx1942/respic2.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/metalslugx1942/respic3.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/metalslugx1942/respic4.jpg

Looks good. Consider bolding and/or italicizing your accomplishments. E.g., the lost and found procedure, and see how it looks.

I would delete the hyphen after 2008 on your Essex House section.

I like your use of a Value Quote statement. I also like how you describe your major employers. Surprisingly, not everyone is familiar with Mt. Sinai Hospital and the Essex House. Describing both places lends perspective to your resume. The realty office and Archdiocese are what they are.

Thanks, that resume took me a long time to structure, as I had your run of the mill bullet points and box resume. I wanted to have one that looked like a real executive in the making would probably have. I thought it was important to show who I worked for and the type of setting and facility so that employers became aware of the type of quality I had to produce and what they can expect.

metalslug in Bronx, New York said: I wanted to have [a resume] that looked like a real executive in the making would probably have. I thought it was important to show who I worked for and the type of setting and facility so that employers became aware of the type of quality I had to produce and what they can expect.

Sure. I agree with your reasoning completely. Nice job.

I have the same situation, and my resumes have not been receiving any response. So I feel I have nothing to lose by at least trying the idea of explaining my job history in my cover letter as per the resume personG. I'll let you know how it goes if anyone is still around.

Try it at your peril. You risk your candidacy being discarded altogether if you call attention to negatives. Your resumes may not be receiving responses because of sheer numbers of candidates and too few jobs.

Once again, cover letters and resumes are sales tools. You intend them to motivate employers to include you, not exclude you. Leave any negatives for the interview, where you can explain them to a person F2F, as opposed to that person inferring negatives about you because you volunteered too much information.

Thanks for your input. I consider it an experiment. If it yields no better results, i will cease doing it. But do you really consider saying your last positions ended due to circumstances beyond your control to be a negative statement? Esp if you refer to them as opportunities, as the other person suggested? Seems it would be better than letting them assume you just can't hold a job. I lost my positions due to contract termination and budget constraints...

Mr. Manager in Hillside, New Jersey said: [D]o you really consider saying your last positions ended due to circumstances beyond your control to be a negative statement?

I do. I think it's a negative ANYTIME one loses a job. No matter how artfully one writes it, people try to read between the lines. They tend to assume things and jump to conclusions which may not be valid.

The idea is to be positive. You are a seller of knowledge, skills and abilities. You want to bowl them over that your KSAs are precisely what they need to solve current problems and add value to their company. As a manager, you never hired anyone strictly off their resume and cover letter, did you? You reviewed their materials and interviewed them. The interview carried the weight. Accordingly, you need to use your resume and cover letter to unlock the door to the hiring manager's office and get that interview. Then you can account for any deficiencies in your employment record, live and in person.