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I'm startling to look a lower-level management positions in academic public services. I think I have a strong resume and cover letter for regular librarian jobs, but I'm having a hard-time figuring out how to fine-tune my letter for management jobs--and I mean even when I meet the qualifications (of course I'm not applying for jobs where that's not the case).
I'm comfortable with using the job description/posting to figure out what points to emphasize, but I'm not sure, for example, how and how much to discuss my supervisory experience from a previous career.
Any general tips? Or, even better, snippets from great letters you've seen? Thanks.
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A good cover letter is the same no matter the position. You highlight a few key points in which make you a great candidate for the qualifications they list and express interest in the position. Highlight a strong accomplishment that demonstrates "action" relative to the job ads needs. A cover letter alone never gets you the job but it must peak enough interest that a person decides to read your resume. If you think you write a strong cover letter for other positions, management positions are no different. What does concern me is that you say you have a "strong resume and cover letter for regular librarian jobs". You should tweak your cover letter (and even your resume) for every single position you apply. Your statement suggests you send out a form letter version of cover letters which is very poor practice.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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I do tweak my letter for every job, sometimes quite significantly. What I meant was that I have a good set of qualifications and am able to express that (better than I expressed this thought, certainly!).
It's tough--I was a very strong entry level candidate because of work I did during grad school. It was much easier then, I think, to get noticed.
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I'd definitely talk about your supervisory experience from a previous career -- plus any project management experience, experience leading teams, etc., in your current position. Show how it's relevant to what they're looking for, but any supervisory/management experience s/b a plus.
Rachel Singer Gordon / rachel@lisjobs.comFind a library job: http://www.lisjobs.comThe Liminal Librarian: http://www.lisjobs.com/blog
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Sounds like your concerns are more about confidence or qualifications than the writing of the cover letter. For management positions, you can expect even more scrutiny by HR people or search committees. In general more employees will also either be involved or have opinions just to the nature of a supervisor position. The little mistakes or lack of information that might be overlooked for entry level positions must not exist for upper level positions. It is more critical that others proofread and provide direct suggestions for each position you apply. Even if they do not suggest any changes, the confidence that you gain from hearing people tell you that it looks good will carry you through the process.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rachel, thanks, that's helpful.
Brian, actually, no, right now my concerns are about the cover letter, and how best to express the qualifications that I do have.
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daisy wrote:Brian, actually, no, right now my concerns are about the cover letter, and how best to express the qualifications that I do have. If that is the case, the cover letter is no different than anything you have written in the past or discussed in this forum. Employers have the same expectations on what they should see in the cover letter.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Thanks, Brian. I took another look at the job description, and I can see that now. Thanks.
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