| In theory, a resume should list the experience | | | | not hold the reader's interest. When the reader is |
| without an objective and each cover letter would | | | | the hiring manager it can be a real problem. The |
| specify which position is being targeted. That is a | | | | same concept applies to the resume. It must be |
| nice idea, but it is not practical. | | | | compelling and hold the reader's interest. |
| In today's competitive, fast-paced job market, a | | | | Even if a hiring manager did read the cover letter |
| company has very little time to figure out what a | | | | as a general rule, what would happen if the cover |
| job seeker is looking to do for them. When they | | | | letter were to get lost on their desk? How would |
| are flipping through the many resumes that have | | | | they know that you were seeking to work for |
| come in by email and fax in response to an | | | | them as a pharmaceutical sales representative |
| advertised job vacancy announcement, they are | | | | when your resume indicates that you worked as |
| looking to pick the best candidate from the pile - | | | | a pharmaceutical sales representative two jobs |
| the one that has the experience to do the job. | | | | ago and your most recent job was as a parts |
| In addition to the resume being neat, attractive, | | | | procurement manager for an automotive |
| and typo-free, is should communicate the specific | | | | dealership? |
| experience and qualifications in line with the | | | | Yes, your cover letter would explain how you |
| requirements of the position of interest. | | | | tried another industry for whatever reason, and |
| Moreover, it should clearly state what position is | | | | now want to return to selling pharmaceuticals |
| being sought. | | | | because you realized sales is your true passion. |
| Let's pretend for a moment that the job is for a | | | | But, with the cover letter missing and without the |
| Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. The following | | | | objective on the resume, they may assume you |
| illustrates a case scenario between you and a | | | | are interested in the purchasing position they also |
| competitor. If a competitor's resume included a | | | | have open! In this case, your resume would most |
| title statement at the top that read: | | | | certainly get tossed in the trash. |
| "PHARMACEUTICAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE," | | | | When you think about it, does it really make |
| or a traditional objective that read: | | | | sense to try to leave your options open? Do you |
| "Top-producing pharmaceutical sales | | | | really think the company is going to call you to tell |
| representative seeking a position in which a | | | | you they have a pharmaceutical sales position and |
| degree in biology and five years of accomplished | | | | a purchasing agent position open and was |
| experience selling branded and generic | | | | wondering which one you are interested in? They |
| pharmaceuticals will be of value," versus your | | | | are not. |
| resume that read: | | | | A hiring company does not have the time or |
| "Currently seeking a sales position that will utilize | | | | resources to make individual calls. Yes, there are |
| my experience and education," or worse, nothing | | | | exceptions to the rule. If your resume was the |
| at all, which resume do you think they are going | | | | best one from the bunch and they were |
| to pull from the pile - your competitor's resume | | | | desperate, they might call you. Or, if the company |
| or your resume? | | | | was a small firm, they might call you to ask you |
| If you guessed either one of the competitor | | | | to come in for an interview. But, those are big if's. |
| resumes, you are correct. I think the reason is | | | | It may be a pain in the neck, but it is to your |
| obvious now that the comparison has been made. | | | | advantage to include an objective or title |
| Speaking of guessing, it is anyone's guess how | | | | statement on your resume and then modify it |
| many companies actually read cover letters. | | | | accordingly to match a specific position that you |
| Some companies do not read most of the cover | | | | are targeting. |
| letter they receive in their entirely because many | | | | A small effort will go a long way in your job |
| cover letters are poorly written. In short, they do | | | | search. |