Page 16 - Vets-Guide

THE JOB SEARCH continued
Tip 5: Keep you cover letter brief Your letter should be less than one page, and don’t forget to proofread!
e NM Workforce Connection website provides a Letter Builder tool similar to the Resume Builder e site also provides numerous sample cover letters for you to better understand appropriate tone and content Finally, the site can help you develop a list of “action words” that you can use to draw attention to your cover letter And, as always, your local Veterans Representative can assist you in preparing your job application materials
Step 5: Contacting Your References
Nearly every job you apply for will require references at some point in the hiring process It is very important that you contact your references prior to providing their infor-
mation to a potential employer and that these references are fully capable of portraying you and your capabilities You should not provide personal references unless required to do so References are typically contacted via phone, but let- ters of recommendation can also be provided Also, make sure that you avoid placing your reference information on your resume or cover letter You should provide references by request through separate communication with your poten- tial employer
As a veteran, it is important to remember that some of your key references may not be easily accessible if they are still on active duty You may rst want to contact active duty references and identify alternative contact information You should also identify references that can be used in case oth- ers are not available You may need additional time to contact references, so contacting them at the beginning of your job search to let them know you may be using them as a refer- ence is a good idea
The Career Exploration and Job Search:
The Process and Steps to Take as You Look Towards the Future of Your Career
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