Published: Monday 29th of May 2017; Words Count: 1000
Sometimes listing your skills and experience on a resume is not enough to land you a job. You need to demonstrate that you have the right personality to be successful in that particular industry. You can do this by writing a strong cover letter like our direct support professional cover letter example and adhering to the following do’s and don’ts.
With the right training and a good cover letter, you could become a direct support professional (DSP). The cover letter examples below will help you create a direct support professional cover letter that targets employers and helps you land the job you’re looking for. Just choose one of the cover letter examples templates below and edit them to fit your needs. Get started today and put yourself on the road to a new career!
Searching for jobs as a Direct Support Professional can be simplified by following certain steps, including:
1. Cleaning up your online presence. Make sure that your cover letters and biographical statements are professional-looking and that private information is set to private. More and more employers are looking into social media profiles, in addition to professional cover letter sites, when researching job applicants.
2. Exploring new fields where your current skills will transfer over. If you know what your strengths are, you can expand your search into career fields that you may not have considered before and still make a good case about why you are a good fit for the job.
3. Promoting yourself by networking as much as possible. Make a point of speaking to at least one person per day about your job search. If you let everyone you come in contact with know you’re searching for a job, you open up many more opportunities for networking and referrals.
4. Being persistent and following up, instead of waiting by the phone. Remember that you are in charge of your job search, and don’t give up on any prospect until you hear a definite Âno. “
5. Staying positive and upbeat, even if your search takes longer than expected. Your attitude will come across loud and clear in every interview, so make sure it is a positive one. Discouragement is natural, but don’t let it get to you. Be assured that you will find something eventually if you keep looking.
One of the most important aspects of searching for jobs as a Direct Support Professional, or anywhere else in the United States, is preparing a compelling cover letter. Whether you are just starting out, established in your career or looking for a drastic change, there are some universal rules to abide by when crafting your cover letter:
1. Keep the overall length to no more than two pages. It is true that you have some flexibility here, but be as succinct as possible. Cut out redundancies and flowery language. Use strong action statements instead of long-winded descriptions.
2. Use bulleted lists to quickly draw the reader’s attention to the most important information. Lay out your document so that the hiring manager will get a strong impression of your skills and abilities at first glance and be drawn in to read more.
3. Include a summary paragraph, and think of it as your elevator pitch. Show your prospective employer why you are the best candidate.
4. Always tell the truth. Don’t embellish, and never lie. Be prepared to give an honest, in-person explanation of any gaps in your work history.
5. List all of your relevant experience, including internships or volunteer work. Leave off irrelevant hobbies and interests.