Cover Letters for Dummies (Paperback)

by Joyce Lain Kennedy (Author)
Key Phrases: job letters, online messages, accomplishment sheet, Sample the Best, Stand Out, Job Ad Reply Letters (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Glittering advice plus great classic and cyberspace cover letters-the best of the cover letter books. -- Rick Miller, CEO, CareerCast, Inc.

Her distinguished career...has placed her leaps and bounds ahead of the rest. -- Bob Calvert, Jr., Career Opportunities News

If all new college graduates had a Joyce Lain Kennedy to guide them...there would...be fewer unfocused, frazzled, jobless people. -- Dr. Drema K. Howard, Director, Career Resource Center, University of Southern Florida

If all new college graduates had a Joyce Lain Kennedy to guide them...there would certainly be fewer unfocused, frazzled, jobless people. -- Dr. Drema K. Howard, Director, Career Resource Center, University of Southern Florida

Joyce Lain Kennedy is at the top of her field. -- Richard L. Knowdell, CEO of Career Planning and Adult Development Network --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
First impressions are lasting impressions, and even before you have a chance to show your face to a prospective employer, your cover letter has already told him or her something about you. Better that it be something good. Cover Letters For Dummies takes the mystery out of composing winning cover letters, from what you should say and how you should say it to how the letter should look and on what kind of paper it should be printed. With nationally syndicated careers columnist Joyce Lain Kennedy as your personal mentor, you'll discover how to Customize your cover letter so that it speaks directly to human resource directors, recruiters, and other decision-makers Determine your employability, assess your transferable skills, and inventory your technical abilities by using the "JobSeekers Skills Finder" Lay out your cover letter so that it shows you at your professional best Follow the rules of good grammar and incorporate power phrases and buzzwords without coming off as a phony Proactively address such issues as unfavorable references and salary requirements Take advantage of online and other computer resources to research comparable salaries and gain knowledge of particular companies and industries So, if you really want that better-paying, more-challenging, career-path position, don't sell yourself short: Use Cover Letters For Dummies to ensure that your rsum goes right to the top of the pile.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (May 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156884395X
• ISBN-13: 978-1568843957
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,352,468 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars We do not need an entire book on cover letters, June 18, 1999

By A Customer

While the companion volume, "Resumes for dummies" is excellent and well worth your time and money, this book does not justify itself. It could easily have been condensed into a few chapters and added to the resumes volume. "Resumes AND cover letters for dummies" would have made sense. I bought the resumes volume and am glad I did. I spent an entire weekend reading it and picking up excellent hints that dramtically improved my resume. I was able to peruse this book in 30 minutes at the bookstore, however. If you know how to write a simple business letter, you do not need this book. Definitely get the resumes volume, though.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars too red-hot!, November 2, 1999

By A Customer

This book is chock full of cutesy icons and useless advice. The author spends far too much time touting her previous book (resumes for dummies) and dispensing annoying catch phrases as opposed to giving solid writing tips. We've recieved letters like those featured in the book and dumped them directly in the trash. Unless you are applying for a sales job at a used car lot, don't bother using the letters in this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tremendous job hunting resource, December 6, 2000

By	Joe Buchberger (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cover Letters for Dummies (Paperback)

This is not just a book on cover letters; it's a wealth of knowledge on the entire job-hunting process. Joyce Lain Kennedy has put together a tremendous resource for the current or soon to be job hunter, which is really most of us.

I know people scoff at Dummies books, especially for highly technical subjects, but this book is the perfect format for the vast collection of job-hunting facts, ideas and wisdom in this book. The author does an excellent job of presenting a lot of material in a way that is clear, entertaining and extremely readable.

I highly recommend this book, and liked it so much I went out and bought her other two books, Resumes' and Job Interviews for Dummies, which I will be reviewing as I finish them.