Cover letter/Resume help

[mae]

I've spent part of my day searching online for any job offers that catch my interest. Most of them accept applications via email, but a few of them require applications by mail or in person.

My cover letter so far:

Dear <employer>,

In response to your advertisement regarding the <job> position in your <location>, I am enclosing a resume for your review. Please consider this letter as my formal application presenting my background and experience.

I am very interested in the position and feel my customer service skills and attention to detail would be an asset to your company.

I am available by phone or via email if you would like to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

<name>
<contact info>

Any thoughts? The particular position I'm interested in is a teller at a bank.

Also, I have a resume question. In 2003 I left a job (job A) and went to work at another job (job B). Reason being because the commute was killing me (50-60 miles one way) and I thought the job market closer to home would provide to be fruitful and I wouldn't be putting all the extra miles on my car.

I worked at job B for two years, then had the opportunity to go back to work at job A (my current employer) because I would be paid significantly more than Job B and the sacrifice of the commute was worth it at the time.

Now with gas prices skyrocketing and the fact that I am extremely unhappy working at job A due to evil co-workers, I am job hunting.

Currently my resume lists my current job as 2001-present. Should I leave it as is or list it differently? Such as May 2001-May 2003, April 2005-present. Ideas?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[mae]

No replies? Well, I can't wait to send out these resumes, so I'll go with the changes I have. Thanks anyway guys. :(

[Boozy]

I'm sorry that no one has responded until now, mae. I usually keep an eye on all the threads in this section, but I've been pretty busy of late.

Have you already sent your resumes out? If you're still in the process of doing so, you may want to change that "2001-Present" thing. Go for accuracy. Dates of employment are something that can easily be verified, and you don't want it to seem like you're hiding anything.

Your cover letter looks good, although you may want to add more of a sales pitch. Tweak it according to the position applied for and the qualities for which they're looking. You say you have good attention to detail. How do you know this? How has your previous experience honed this particular skill? How can other skills you have benefit potential employers.

I hope that's somewhat helpful for any resumes you have yet to send. Keep us posted on the job hunt. :)

[mae]

Thanks, Boozy. :)

I haven't heard from anyone I've mailed resumes to yet. Though it's only been a couple of days. However, I do have some good news on an interview!

I emailed my updated resume with the new dates to my brother last night (he's been trying to get me a position at his place of work) and he forwarded it to my sis-in-law who submitted it to her work.

...And got a call back about two minutes after SIL texted me to tell me she submitted it! I wasn't able to speak to the woman right that very moment because I was on my way to work, but I called her back on a break and had a pre-interview!

I have an appointment to meet with her next week for an interview! It's a customer service position that is an in-bound call center working with retirement funds and 401Ks.

It seems like this job would be a good fit for me, and I guess I must have impressed her somehow, so I'll definitely let you know how it works out.

I was such a freak at work today trying to contain my bubbly excitement!

[Phone Jockey]

Please consider this letter as my formal application presenting my background and experience.

I am very interested in the position and feel my customer service skills and attention to detail would be an asset to your company.

I am available by phone or via email if you would like to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time.

Any thoughts? The particular position I'm interested in is a teller at a bank.

Why not add HOW your customer skills & attention to detail would be an asset to the bank? This is information that is very helpful to anyone looking to hire. Also, let them know that YOU intend to call THEM within 2 weeks...e.g. "I look forward to hearing from you and will contact your office within two weeks to see if you are available to set up an interview."