Helo A Fellow Doper With His Resume/Cover Letter (please) :)

In My Humble Opinion
21

This is really good.

I know you were coached differently earlier, but you should bulletize wherever possible. The fact is that the reader is really looking for keywords and possibly scanning your resume at best, so anything you can do to call out key values is critical. bullets help that alot. Specifically, I recommend changing (back?) to:
Other skills and experiences I will bring to your organization include

  • five years of web site design
  • seven years of video and image editing with professional level software
  • working knowledge of various multimedia devices, such as video cameras and home theater equipment.

Also, in the above, “working knowledge” means you’ve touched video cameras, but don’t really have great experience. I suspect that’s not what you meant. Better would be “Strong experience with various…”

It’s a tiny nit, but mention email, as it’s likely how you’ll be contacted. Also, your last sentence in your cover letter is awkward. I suggest:
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at fred@abc.com or (408) HIRE-ME. I look forward to speaking with you.
Thanks,
Duder

Typo:
Developed and maintained several gaming websites including [Generic website.com] and [Generic website.com].

I’m not crazy about this line, “Adhered to strict timelines for content volume consistency”. It seems like the sort of thing that would be expected. However, the fact that you were timely, and understand the value of fresh content on a regular basis is important. I would put a new line in the qualifications section, like “demonstrated ability to deliver high quality content on time”, or “Well organized, articulate, consistant ability to deliver on tight deadlines.” or such.

Also, in addition to proofreading others articles, did you give them assignments, or even suggestions? If so, call it out, like “directed efforts of 8 writers”, or “assigned writing tasks and proofread articles of 8 writers.”

Were you responsible for the overall direction, feel, goals and/or content? if so, call it out: “responsible for look and feel, overall direction and content of site” (or such)

22

I agree with these suggestions by Bill H.. I’m sure you’re eager to send it out, now that you’ve improved it so much (it’s really looking good!) But now is the time where a few extra details can make a big difference, so do take the time to put the finishing touches on before you send it out.

It really does look great. Good job!

23

Thanks again everyone for the help. I could not have done it without your assistance.

Anyways, I’m leaving for vacation in a couple hours, so I’ve gotta fire this thing off before then. Here are (hopefully) the final drafts of both my cover letter and resume. If there’s anything I missed (grammatical errors, etc), please let me know.

Cover Letter

Duderdude2
W. Sunset Way #2
Generic City, WA, 98027
555-555-5555
duderdude2@email.com

June 17, 2004
[Company]
[Company’s Web Address]

I am applying for the position of Insider Editor as advertised on your website. I believe that my passion for the gaming industry coupled with my extensive experience in various technological and editorial capacities makes me ideally suited to become a valuable member of your team.

I have written over one hundred reviews, previews and features for several gaming-centric websites, including [Generic website.com] and [Generic website.com] over a six-year period. I also founded and operate the critically acclaimed website, [Generic website.com]. Other skills and experiences I will bring to your organization include:

•Five years of web site design
•Seven years of video and image editing with professional level software
•A strong understanding of various multimedia devices, such as video cameras and home theater equipment

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at duderdude2@email.com or 555-555-5555. I look forward to speaking with you.

Thanks,

Duderdude2

Resume

Duderdude2
W. Sunset Way #2
Generic City, WA, 98027
555-555-5555
duderdude2@email.com

Qualifications
•Extensive experience writing and editing gaming articles.
•Developed and maintained several gaming websites including [Generic website.com] and [Generic website.com].
•In-depth experience with Sony Vegas, Adobe PhotoShop, Pinnacle Liquid, DVD Architect and Ulead PhotoImpact.

Experience
Editor-in-Chief / Contributing Editor, [Generic Website Title], [Generic website.com], mid 2001-Current
•Wrote over one hundred articles pertaining to the gaming industry
•Articles read by an audience of fifty thousand unique monthly visitors
•Compared re-released games to their older counterparts via image and sound files to great reader reception
•Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality content on time
•Proofread staff member editorials
•Attended the 2003 and 2004 Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3)

Director, [Generic Website Title], [Generic website.com], 2003-Current
•Founded and maintained Game Xplain
•Developed unique and helpful video content
•Edited hours of game footage to fit within strict time specifications
•Published visual game guides, on DVD, which were met with critical acclaim from industry websites, including PlanetGameCube.com, NintendoInsider.com and GameCubeHeaven.com

Contributing Editor, [Generic Website Title], [Generic website.com], 1999-Fall 2001
•Wrote over one hundred articles pertaining to the gaming industry
•Articles read by an audience of over one hundred thousand unique monthly visitors
•Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality content on time
•Attended the 2001 Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3) on behalf of the website

Director, [Generic Website Title], [Generic website.com], 1999-Winter 2001
•Founded and maintained Generic website.com]
•Directed efforts of three team members
•Developed dozens of downloadable movies portraying difficult tips, tricks and glitches for popular games

Education
High School, WA 1999-2002

Well, there you have it. If there’s any last minute items I missed, or need to be changed, just let me know :slight_smile:

24

Two things: firstly, try and work in the word ‘managed’ - you managed the contributors to a website, for instance. Secondly, as well as a paper example article or two, include a CD with samples - make it self-running etc - showing off your work.

25

Well, here’s the thing. They only accept the resumes via e-mail, and they don’t make any reference to sending anything more than the resume and cover letter. However, you may be right in that including a writing sample wouldn’t be a bad idea, but unfortunately I’m tight on time and thus need to get this out now.

Thanks for the suggestions though :slight_smile:

26

Resume and Cover letter sent. Thanks everyone for the help, I couldn’t have done it without you all.

27

Good luck! Keep us posted if you get an interview and/or job.

28

Good Luck!

29

Good luck, Duderdude. Sorry I didn’t get back in time to add anything else, but looks like you’re in good hands with BillH, Giraffe, and Zsofia.

Looks good, BTW!

30

Well, I have good news and potentially some bad news.

Good news:
I received a call back last Thursday regarding the position. As I wasn’t home, a message was left informing me of my consideration for the position and to please respond to an e-mail he’ll be sending out. A phone number was also left in case I had any questions. I responded the following afternoon, via e-mail, with the answers to his questions and the requested writing sample. An online video sample was also requested, to which I replied that I’d gladly overnight a DVD which I felt was the “best reflection of my work”; I of course requested an address to which I could send the DVD.

Potentially bad news:
As mentioned, the call was received last Thursday. I presume the e-mail that I sent in response wasn’t read until Monday, July 26th. I’m unclear as to how long these matters generally take, but I have yet to hear back from the informant. I’m just paranoid that my e-mail somehow got lost in the mix, or perhaps transferred to a junk mail folder, or maybe just discarded entirely.

Is there anything further I could/should do? I don’t know whether my persistence would be viewed as either a positive or negative. This is a job opportunity I would hate to lose, especially since I’ve come so far. Any further advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

31

You need to remember that email is not a guaranteed delivery system, so resending your email (with appropriate modifications and explanations) is entirely in order.

Do a WHOIS search on the company and send the DVD there, addressed to the person.

32

Do you have any kind of phone number for these people? If not, can you look them up? Was there a specific contact person in the job ad? A phone call is always best for a “I just wanted to make sure you received…” sort of thing.

33

Well, a phone number was left on my answering machine if I “had any questions,” so yes, I do have that contact information.

34

Call that number and say “Hi, this is ___, I applied for (job) and emailed you ___ on (day), and I just wanted to confirm that you received that and if you got everything you needed” or whatever. One could also ask about the time frame one can expect to hear something in, if you’re actually speaking to somebody who knows.

35

Call that number and say “Hi, this is ___, I applied for (job) and emailed you ___ on (day), and I just wanted to confirm that you received that and if you got everything you needed” or whatever. One could also ask about the time frame one can expect to hear something in, if you’re actually speaking to somebody who knows.