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Careers & Employment Information |
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3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed
Writing a cover letter can be like cleaning your garage -- you don't know where to start ... and you just want it done. Wouldn't it be great if you could use a few "underground" techniques to write cover letters that get more job interviews? Faster and easier than you ever thought possible? Well, pay attention. I'm going to share 3 cover letter secrets that should get you more interviews, while a lot of the guesswork out of your letter writing. To dig up these "cover letter secrets," I interviewed career expert and author, Jimmy Sweeney (www.amazing-cover-letters.com). Read on! Cover Letter Secret #1 - Drop The Big Words Always keep one thing in mind: when you write a cover letter, you're not trying to impress readers with your vocabulary. You're trying to land an interview. "Write your cover letter in language anyone can understand. Bring it all together with a friendly tone throughout and chances are you've got yourself a winner," says Sweeney. So, don't write gibberish, like this: "I have consulted, choreographed, compiled and specifically isolated technological solutions for challenging, yet highly inordinate retroflex samplings that have lead me to a potential mathematical resolution." Write in plain English: "I have taken the time to research your company and am very impressed. I have a real passion for this industry. I would love the chance to interview with (company name) for the position of account executive. Thank you in advance for the opportunity. I really look forward to meeting you." See the difference? "To improve your cover letter, simply read it out loud. If you find tongue twisters or wording that sounds a little too impressive, fix them! Write as you speak and let your personality shine through. Show your enthusiasm and clearly ask for the job interview," says Sweeney. Which leads to the next tip ... Cover Letter Secret #2 - Ask And Ye Shall Receive Want more job interviews? The answer is simple. All you have to do is ask -- clearly and directly. Most job hunters beat around the bush in their letters. But this is a mistake, according to Sweeney. "Use your cover letter as the marketing tool to bring home the one result you most desire -- the job interview. And you get that interview by asking for it," he says. Here's one way to ask for that interview: "I am excited about meeting you for an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how my credentials meet your needs. I can be reached at 555-555-5555 and will call you to follow up, as well, to make sure you received my application." This approach can work as your final paragraph. Remember, you are asking the reader (HR Director, Hiring Manager) to take a specific action. You want him or her to pick up the phone to call you for the interview. Don't leave it to chance -- ask directly. Cover Letter Secret #3 - P.S., Hire Me! Here's a blockbuster cover letter secret, one proven by decades of advertising. It's this: add a P.S. to your cover letter. What the heck for, you ask? A P.S. is nearly impossible to ignore. When you see one in a letter, you are practically forced to read it. Smart marketers have known this for nearly 100 years. (To prove it for yourself, read any 10 "junk mail" letters and you will find a P.S. at the end of at least 9. Try it!) "A few years ago, my background in marketing led me to insert a P.S at the end of a job-search cover letter. I figured if it worked so well selling things by mail, it would help job-seekers who want to 'sell' themselves to employers," says Sweeney. And what happened? "My clients immediately experienced a dramatic increase in job interviews when they started adding a P.S.," says Sweeney. Here's an example: P.S. I would like to restate my desire to interview for the position of {insert job title }. {Company name} is #1 on my list of companies I want to work for. I am available immediately and can be reached on my mobile phone at 555-555-5555. Thank you! In the above example, your P.S. can directly ask for the interview and tell the reader what action to take. You can also restate why you believe you're such a strong candidate for the job. "Take advantage of the fact that people are trained to read a P.S. -- be sure to include one in your next cover letter," suggests Sweeney. Note: you can download a Special Report, with 10 of Jimmy Sweeney's best cover letter secrets, at this link - http://www.gresumes.net/sample-cover-letter Now, go out and make your own luck! Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others. As a reader of this publication, you're eligible for a special offer. Get your Free Job Search Kit ($25.00 value) at the Guaranteed Resumes Web site - http://www.gresumes.com
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