Cover Letters

Inexplicably I have yet to write a cover letter. Resume was done early on, but the importance of a cover letter wasn't realized by me until I started my campaign for a job. So today has been cover letter day. My HR internship for the past 2 years is the core of my job experience, so elaborating on that has been my mission.

My understanding of the cover letter:  the abstract of a  research paper.

Basically, tell me why you are contacting me, what you can offer, and what proof are you offering to back up your claims. I'm sure it also doubles as a way to see the writing and creativity skills of an applicant. However, I find myself writing a story rather than a synopsis, which I think is not the "correct" approach.  
The debate within is that perhaps a more story-like approach can separate me from other applicants and provide more interest into looking at my resume; the whole point of a cover letter.

So no job hunting today, just preparation.

There is however the interesting message I got from an individual today on LinkedIn. He said he wanted to "invite you to consider working for us.". I don't know what that means, and at this point I don't how to respond.  Do I say "OK" and send in my resume? Let's say I am not interested in working there? How do I know if I am not interested in working there? His link to the company's website left me confused. The company is self described as "hip", "with it", and "alternative". To me, this evokes either a small company, where they are trying to be different to find a niche, and which can also imply a place where I won't have much room to grow. Or there is the possibility that it is just a real alternative organization; different than the mainstream and where my days will be filled with "excitement and creativity".

Maybe I am over analyzing it and shouldn't question a job offer.

Either way I will relay an update when it happens.

Until then, my incomplete cover letter awaits.....

Are you on LinkedIn?

As I am finishing the last semester in my MS I.O. Psych program, the hunt for a job begins. Yes, we are in a down economy, and apparently still on unstable ground, but there is no time like the present to begin my quest to feed my family. I spent today updating my LinkedIn profile, requesting more network connections, and asking for a few recommendations from my various supervisors, teachers, and fellow classmates. I also breifly scoured the internet for HR positions in the sports journalism world; ESPN and SI are looking for senior associates, and that, I am not.
The purpose of this documentation is more for myself than for anyone else. Hopefully I will be able to track my progress and effort in finding a job, while staying lighthearted about the possible daunting journey I am about to begin. If I can shed some light on the process and emotion for any fellow job hunters out there, then I have exceeded any of my expectations.