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Manager’s Resume: Closing the Cover Letter and Resume

There are two reasons why it is important for a hospitality management candidate to focus on the end of a cover letter, and manager’s resume. By the time most management candidates reach the end of their resume they lose focus. This section seems like the least important part of the resume. This section also seems to be ‘off track’. Does it matter what personal values and attributes you have? How do you know what ones the hiring manager and employer will value?

I have known hiring managers who read the cover letter, and the resume objective on a manager’s resume. They use these two paragraphs to determine whether to put the resume in the ‘read more’ or ‘discard’ pile.

In fact, an experienced resume writer may  write these two as a single statement. Stand alone, paragraphs that flow smoothly when read together. Both of these sections of the resume should be rewritten for each job posting.

Place yourself in the shoes of your hiring manager. The concluding line is the last thought you leave with the hiring manager. It is the one line that makes them decide to call you, or flip the next page and read your resume.

What is the summary?

The short answer. A summary statement shows values, passion, and personal traits that will make you the perfect candidate for that particular job posting.

Mistake #1 – Cookie Cutter Ending

Do not copy or rewrite someone else’s summary. If you think you have an original version, then put it through at least one online ‘plagiarism’ tester.

Next go through all the websites that list all the samples and examples and make sure your summary statement doesn’t look like a cookie cutter knock off of what everyone else is writing.

What is the summary?

The short answer. A summary statement shows values, passion, and personal traits that will make you the perfect candidate for that particular job posting.

Mistake #2 -Intrusive and Demanding

No one means to sound threatening, or invasive, but many closing answers do appear to have an intrusive tone. Ending the cover letter giving the impression that you are in charge, and you will contact the office to make an appointment, is not the best way to leave a good impression.

Instead end your cover letter with a polite invitation to show them how you can contribute to their business.

Mistake #3 – Egocentric

Sometimes we hide intrusive behavior behind polite language. It isn’t the words you are using, but the meaning behind them.  Does this sentence focus on you and what you will gain from landing this job? Or, does it focus on what  you have to give to the company, and what problem you can solve for them.

Mistake #4 – Read Between The Lines

Writing cover letters is a frustrating exercise. In many cases people feel the entire exercise is futile, because most of the cover letters they write will not land them the job. Ask a few people to read your cover letter. What emotional impact does it have? Does the person reading your resume feel your frustration? Does the cover letter sound like it was just hashed out because you need a cover letter? Does it leave the person reading feel your passion?

Mistake #5 – Use strong language

Avoid use of phrases such as ‘I feel’ or ‘I believe’. These statements are egocentric. They take the focus off the job, and onto you.  They are also passive statements, weak grammar. It is much better to keep things short and simple.

“I believe my experience provides…..”

Instead: ‘My background provides…”

Mistake #6 – Keywords

Use keywords found in the job posting. These are words that will catch the hiring manger’s eye, and help keep them moving though the letter and into your resume. These keywords were important to the hiring manager. They meant something to them.

Ending a Resume

It is more than ending a resume with ‘Professional References upon Request”.  This has long been a formality.’ Many applicants believe that no employer will contact the references.  The end of the resume creates a link between the potential employer and leaves them with a positive ‘final word.’

 

 

 

 

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