OT: need cover letter advice

Update all your information and try again. Obviously they've struck out twice already, and they may have adjusted their sights about what they're looking for. Having successfully written a grant proposal is a major plus. Many organizations depend on grants for major portions of their funding, so an experienced, successful grant writer is essential.

Go in fresh. Try not to carry any baggage from the last time you applied. Don't be surprised if someone different is doing the interviewing.

Never got as far as an interview previously. I've half a mind to drive over there (it's not a bicycle-friendly commute) and talk to them.

In an adjacent county, they bent over backwards to persuade me to send in the test materials. This was followed by an on-site test about integrity and honesty (ya don't think they had a previous concern with this??). The panel interview went well, the county administrator interview went well....and then it appeared in the newspaper classified the next week. "None of the above."

Thanks...

--Karen M.

That is exactly what I was going to suggest. Tenacity never hurt, but beware it is a fine line to "annoying!"

Also, try to find out the names of some of the people who will actually be involved with the position, and send your resumes directly to them as well as to HR. I've done a bit of hiring, and I've interviewed candidates I would have passed over because the manager brought me the resume and asked me to, because they saw something they liked.

Often, and this is terrible to say, but upper managers get ticked at HR for delaying things, and will do an end run right past them at the first chance they get.

Go there to drop off the resume and talk to anybody you can.

How does your resume look? They've changed a lot since the '80's. They tend to be written with less emphasis on dates and titles, more emphasis on responsibilites, initiatives, and trendy phrases like "organized a team" instead of "hired a staff."

Also you mentioned that you had in interview in an adjacent county but didn't get the job. What do you think could have gone better? Were there any questions you stumbled on?

My one skill in life is interviewing well. I don't always get interviews, but when I do, I almost always get the job. If I don't, I know right away that I am not going to, and why.

Dear Karen,

Writing grants was part of my official duties at Syracuse University and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In your cover letter, explain those grants that you have successfully completed. These people are obviously looking for someone who has experience in writing grants, and for some reason, those previously chosen did not work out. Try to be enthusiastic in your cover letter, and stress other skills you have that will make you successful. There are books available at your local library that will help you once you've secured the position to guide you in writing successful grants. Good luck to you!!

Teri

SU?? DID YOU SAY SU???? SOrry to yell, but that's pratically in my b ack yard (okay, down the road a bit and into the city...but you get the idea). When were you here??

Larisa, gett> Dear Karen,