A New Year and a Brand-Spankin'
New Cover Letter!
10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . .!
The hours tick away one by one till they run down and out and a brand new year dawns.
What will you do with this bright New Year ahead? Simply count down till it too
is over, or make it count for you and
your career starting now ?
This is the hour. This is
the day to create a new cover letter that will lead to a new interview for a
new job—the one you've wanted for so long. That may take some doing, some
thinking and planning, and some wanting—wanting enough to make it happen.
Following are five key
ingredients to insure a new and compelling cover letter—one you can write.
1. A smashing
headline—a carefully written phrase that will
grab the hiring manager's attention and make him or her want to read more. Place
the headline right below the greeting in your cover letter. Example:
Why I believe I'm the most qualified
person to fill the position of
[Insert job opening title here].
Just
say the words, "You're hired for [Insert job title here]" and you
won't be disappointed.
2. Short
sentences with simple words. Stay away from long-winded writing that drives
the reader away, wondering what you really meant to say. Examples:
For ten years I led a sales team at ABC
Corporation that exceeded all stated goals.
I will do the job right—right away.
3. One page--tops. Put it all on a single
page—not one and a half or two. Just one! Get right to the point of why you're
qualified. Leave the details for your resume.
4. Appreciation. Regardless of the outcome, say 'thank you' in writing for
being considered. Everyone deserves gratitude. Examples:
Thank you for reading and considering my
letter.
May we meet in person to discuss this job
in detail?
I am grateful for the opportunity to contact
you with this cover letter.
I'd welcome meeting in person to talk
specifics.
5. A
cheery P.S. below your signature line. Here is a polite and light-hearted
way to remind the hiring manager of your next step. Examples:
P.S. I'll phone you on January 5 when you
return to the office. I welcome a chance to meet and speak in person about
(insert job title here). If you have any questions, please call me at 333-333-3333.
Thank you in advance.
P.S. I'm eager to assume the position of
(insert job title here). Are you free to meet to talk over the details? Please
call me at 333-333-3333. Thank you again.
If you write a
cover letter with these outstanding ingredients, you'll be among the very few job
seekers that know how to reach a hiring manager in a personal and professional
manner. He or she will be motivated to seriously consider you as a candidate
for the job opening. What a great new year you could have—all because you took
time to create a great new cover letter. Then it will be just a matter of
counting down the hours till you're hired.
Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Cover Letter Creator." Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."
Visit our friends at Amazing Cover Letters for your "instant" cover letter today. "In just 3½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!"
