Published: Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Job hunters: how to write a winning cover letter
Make the right choices in your cover letter, and you can significantly speed up your job search. You'll impress the hiring manager, skid through the screening process and land an interview right away.
In a recent column about breathing life into a lazy, motionless job hunt, I told you to create a cover letter in one hour or less. I stand by my original assertion, because too many job seekers waste time writing and rewriting a perfectly good letter. Time passes, and they end up in the same place they were in the beginning: Needing a new job.
If you tend to procrastinate, prepare a short, powerful cover letter to get yourself over the hump. However, once your job search kicks into high gear, pick up the letter again and revise it to match your new energy level and success-driven focus. The following guidelines will help you create a supercharged cover letter:
Your opening. A commanding first paragraph grabs the attention of your readers. Be concise. Confident. And appropriate for your industry.
Sales professionals might dive in with something like this: "In the past six months, I brought in four new clients and $1.5 million in revenue for my current employer. During the previous five years, I built a reputation as an award- winning sales leader, developing new markets and generating millions in annual profits. I can do the same for you."
Social workers may try this approach: "I am dedicated to improving the lives of people in our community. As a licensed counselor, I have the experience and credentials to start making a difference right away."
The body of your letter. Keep the reader's interest by balancing first-rate writing with a clear, professional format. Develop short, compelling paragraphs that engage readers, or create bullets that leap off the page.
Cut your bullets down to the most essential words, like this: "Ranked #1 in customer satisfaction out of 500 employees." You might also try this: "Launched a $4 million division from the ground up." Or this: "Exceeded the yearly sales quota for 2008 in under eight months."
A well-crafted letter can also explain a gap in your resume and transform potentially negative information (such as a career change, relocation or break in employment) into positive, career-building attributes.
Here is some sample text: "After 11 years of solid work experience, I took some time off to spend with my family. I am excited to apply my talents to increase revenue for your sales department and firmly believe that I will be an immediate asset to your team."
Your closing. A strong closing incites action. Toss out this worthless line: "My resume is enclosed." Replace it with something like this: "I'd love to discuss some ideas with you, and learn more about ABC Company. Please call to set up a meeting."
Here's another option: "I have a long list of personal contacts in this industry, including several former clients who would love to discuss my work. Drop me a line -- I'll send a few names via e-mail."
Slow-moving job seekers, don't fret. Stick with your no-nonsense cover letter. But once your job search speeds up, remember that a superior letter is truly a sign of excellence. Take out your pen and start writing.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
In a recent column about breathing life into a lazy, motionless job hunt, I told you to create a cover letter in one hour or less. I stand by my original assertion, because too many job seekers waste time writing and rewriting a perfectly good letter. Time passes, and they end up in the same place they were in the beginning: Needing a new job.
If you tend to procrastinate, prepare a short, powerful cover letter to get yourself over the hump. However, once your job search kicks into high gear, pick up the letter again and revise it to match your new energy level and success-driven focus. The following guidelines will help you create a supercharged cover letter:
Your opening. A commanding first paragraph grabs the attention of your readers. Be concise. Confident. And appropriate for your industry.
Sales professionals might dive in with something like this: "In the past six months, I brought in four new clients and $1.5 million in revenue for my current employer. During the previous five years, I built a reputation as an award- winning sales leader, developing new markets and generating millions in annual profits. I can do the same for you."
Social workers may try this approach: "I am dedicated to improving the lives of people in our community. As a licensed counselor, I have the experience and credentials to start making a difference right away."
The body of your letter. Keep the reader's interest by balancing first-rate writing with a clear, professional format. Develop short, compelling paragraphs that engage readers, or create bullets that leap off the page.
Cut your bullets down to the most essential words, like this: "Ranked #1 in customer satisfaction out of 500 employees." You might also try this: "Launched a $4 million division from the ground up." Or this: "Exceeded the yearly sales quota for 2008 in under eight months."
A well-crafted letter can also explain a gap in your resume and transform potentially negative information (such as a career change, relocation or break in employment) into positive, career-building attributes.
Here is some sample text: "After 11 years of solid work experience, I took some time off to spend with my family. I am excited to apply my talents to increase revenue for your sales department and firmly believe that I will be an immediate asset to your team."
Your closing. A strong closing incites action. Toss out this worthless line: "My resume is enclosed." Replace it with something like this: "I'd love to discuss some ideas with you, and learn more about ABC Company. Please call to set up a meeting."
Here's another option: "I have a long list of personal contacts in this industry, including several former clients who would love to discuss my work. Drop me a line -- I'll send a few names via e-mail."
Slow-moving job seekers, don't fret. Stick with your no-nonsense cover letter. But once your job search speeds up, remember that a superior letter is truly a sign of excellence. Take out your pen and start writing.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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