Gift Yourself an AMAZING Cover Letter for the Holidays…

By Jimmy Sweeney 

Do you look forward to the holidays––and dread them at the same time? November and December often blur together as we move from Thanksgiving to the December Holidays. And the next thing you know it's time to celebrate the next twelve months on New Year's Eve!

If this sounds familiar, you, like many people, may be caught in a holi-daze. Cooking, shopping, entertaining, cleaning, and organizing take over. If you're in the market for a new job you may be tempted to put off writing that cover letter till all the celebrations are over.

Don't Give In

Tempting as it might be to glide through the next month, avoid it if you can. The holiday season is actually a great time to keep moving along with your job-search goal. You'll get a jump on all the job seekers who are waiting until January.

While the kids are playing with their holiday toys and games, and visitors are resting or sightseeing, sneak off to another room and spend time drafting a brand new cover letter. Set your sights on what is ahead. Look forward to all the good that will come your way in 2012.

A well-written job-search cover letter is a gift to give yourself—one that will give back to you all through the new year.

Such a letter will:

• Put you in touch with hiring managers
• Plant your name in the mind of those who read your cover letter
• Place you in the running for an interview for a specific job
• Promote your work experience and skills to decision-makers

Get Started Now

Here are four steps you can take immediately to write the kind of cover letter that will capture a hiring manager's attention, one that will compel him or her to contact you for a job interview by phone or in person.

Step 1. Meet the hiring manager's needs. Show him or her how you, the job seeker, can benefit his or her company––if you're hired to fill the open position.

Example:

I'm aware through my friend Rich Lewis, your company CPA, that you're interested in hiring someone to expand your sales territory in the southwest . . . I'd like to accept this challenge. I have a master's degree in Sales and Marketing . . . I opened six new accounts in less than six months while employed by Fenwick and Bolton Textile Company in North Carolina.

Step 2. Ask for what you want.

Example:

May we get together in person to talk about how your expectations for the person you hire and my job expertise can benefit your company.

Step 3. State your goal.

Example:

I'll phone you by the end of the week to schedule an appointment that works for you. If you prefer to speak before then, please call or email me using the contact info above.

Step 4. Show your appreciation.

Example:

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. I'm enthusiastic about meeting in person to see how I might help fill the opening and enhance the vision of your company.

Keep in mind that hiring managers need you to do their job. They must hire people to fill the available positions. Make them look good by showing the benefits you can bring.

Let your cover letter work for you, not against you. Focus on the hiring manager's needs and in turn, he or she will give you what you want—an interview for the job of your dreams.

Killer Secret Gets Your Cover Letter Noticed!

Written By Jimmy Sweeney 

Have I got a secret for you! Not just any secret, but a 'killer' secret––the kind that turns heads and grabs attention instantly. The kind of secret that hiring managers can't resist—even when they think they've seen it all.

And the secret is… a smashing title or headline that grabs and holds the reader's attention—that compels him or her to keep on reading your cover letter to the last line. This amazing technique is the needle in the haystack that every job hunter is looking for but can't find. Everyone hopes to locate the one 'trick' that will put his or her cover letter above all the others. Well, now you know it and you didn't have to tear apart a haystack to find it.

How can this killer secret distinguish your cover letter from others?
Here's how. Place a powerful headline at the top of your cover letter. Just above the greeting in your cover letter (Dear Mrs. Smith), place your 'killer' headline in boldface print and center it on the page. (Two lines maximum.)

Here are THREE examples of first-rate cover letter headlines—the secret to landing more quality job interviews:

Three reasons I feel confident I'm the candidate you're searching for regarding the [insert job opening title here].

I have visited the [company name] website and believe I am a great match for the position of [insert job opening title here].

I would love the opportunity to be interviewed in person for the position of [insert job opening title here].

By creating a stellar headline you are attracting attention to your cover letter and bringing it the attention it deserves. Starting your cover letter off with an attention-grabbing headline is a highly effective way for you to stand out from the crowd in a positive light.

Use this strategy for yourself. It can result in many more job interview requests. So do your part today. Create that strong headline at the beginning of your next job-search cover letter. But keep this 'secret' to yourself. Why help your competition? Then get ready to fill your calendar with interviews for the job you've been searching for.

How To Create A Tough Times Cover Letter

During tough times it's important to write a solid, information-packed, professional cover letter that will grab the hiring manager's attention. That means including details that will show him or her what you've done, what you can do, and what you will do if you are hired for the position advertised. 

Focus on Experience and Skills

It's not enough to mention your degree in engineering or accounting or sales and marketing, important as it may be. An employer will want to see your job-related leadership strengths and communication skills as well as experience in a particular field. In other words, can you get along with co-workers, take action in an emergency, settle a dispute if one arises, offer creative ideas during a planning meeting? 

Make sure your cover letter shows, not merely tells. For example, don't say I'm good at bringing peace to a difficult situation or I offered some new ideas on how to run the accounting department. These are too general. Provide a list of specific accomplishments you're proud of. Example:

• Resolved an argument between two employees when one threatened to walk off the job
• Suggested a new method of accounting (name the program, if applicable) that management embraced
• Demonstrated a piece of software (state what it is, if applicable) that cut support staff hours by one-third

State What You Can Do For the Company
 
Once the hiring manager knows what you've done previously, he or she will be eager to find out what you can do for his or her company in the future. In other words, how will your previous experience lend itself to the new position? Here is your chance to be specific once again.

Suppose you are applying for a job as an administrative assistant for a university. Address the requirements you read in the advertisement for the job opening. Then show how you can fill them.

Example: You can count on me to:

• Ensure that all computer labs are up and running following the purchase of software for particular courses, and classes assigned to correct computer labs.
• Maintain computer labs and classrooms with computer equipment.
• Train and supervise employees, write a grant, and ensure reports are submitted in a timely manner
• Balance department budgets, and follow protocol regarding purchasing supplies
• Schedule board meetings and make travel arrangements
• Assist students, faculty and staff and community members with computer tutoring and troubleshooting, etc.

Regardless of the economy and the sometimes bleak outlook when it comes to searching and finding a job, people are hired everyday all over the country. You can be one of them if you make sure your cover letter meets the professional standard, communicates clearly who you are, what you can do, and basically shows what you know—without pretending or patronizing.

Be your honest self, tell the truth, write in a positive and optimistic tone, and trust that the job you are best suited for is out there waiting for you.

Jimmy Sweeney

Start Your Cover Letter With a Bang

 

If you're still reading, then I've caught your attention with the title. 

You can do the same with your job-search cover letters. Whether you call it a title or a headline, this little 'weapon' will hit the mark, pulling your reader right through your written communication from the first word to the last. 

Here's how to strike gold each time.

 

Open your cover letter with a 'big bang'––a powerful headline––and yours may be the only one that makes it past the 'scan and trash' syndrome. Hiring managers are inundated with cover letters each day. If you want yours to stand out, grab their attention from the start.

Sizzling titles are like a magnet––attracting the reader to the point where he cannot get away from it. He wants to read on because the headline is so compelling. A clever title that 'jumps' off the page scores every time! Titles and headlines do the hard work for you.

Imagine the fabulous results YOU could enjoy if your cover letter opens with an exciting, can't-put-it-down headline that is so irresistible and unique, the hiring manager is actually eager to keep reading? 

The big bang headline is your passport to more quality job interviews in a hurry. You may be thinking it's difficult or that you're not clever enough to come up with a great headline. Not true. It's actually quite simple. I've provided some great examples to get you started.

Right before you write your greeting––Dear Mrs. Smith––place your 'killer' headline––two-line maximum. Make it stand out even more by using boldface and centering it on the page. 

Following are THREE examples of excellent cover letter headlines: 

THREE reasons why I'm confident that I'm the candidate you are searching for regarding the [insert job opening title here]. 

I have researched [company name] and believe I'm a perfect fit for [insert job opening title here]. 

I'd welcome the opportunity to meet you and be interviewed in person for the position of [insert job opening title here].

 

FOLLOWING THE HEADLINE begin your letter with the greeting: Dear Mrs. Smith.

I feel certain Mrs. Smith will not be able to resist reading a little more. She'll be dying to read what the headline promises. Exercise the ‘muscle’ of a strong headline at the beginning of your next job-search cover letter and then pull out your calendar and fill it up with more job interviews than you ever imagined. 

Start YOUR next cover letter with a 'big bang!' 

-ByJimmy Sweeney

Give Your Cover Letter a JOB!

By Jimmy Sweeney

When it comes to writing a cover letter, the experts advise you to make it short—using fewer rather than more words, succinct––clear and focused on your key points, and sincere––writing from your heart and mind.

Good advice! But how are you to accomplish this task? By giving your cover letter a job, that's how. Make it work for you. Your cover letter should:

• Greet the hiring manager. Dear Mr3:13 PM 5/18/2012. or Ms. . . .
  
  
• Give the location of the job ad where you learned about the position. I appreciate your posting the job description on CareerJimmy.com. I knew at once when I saw. . .
  
• Introduce youself to the hiring manager. I'm a Certified Public Accountant looking for a new position in your city . . .
  
  
• Present your skills. In addition to my accountancy skills I am known as an excellent communicator and a strong leader with business savvy and tech know-how—abilities that I recognize are important to you.
  
  
• Mention your prior work experience. I was employed at the Adams-McKinley Accountancy Firm as Vice President for the past five years . . .
  
  
• Display your ability to communicate clearly. Mastering creative problem-solving skills is one of my primary goals. My priority is to examine information, interpret it, and find creative solutions within a framework of responsibility, ethics and honesty.
  
  
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the company. I have wanted to work for Preston and Bates Brokerage House for the past five years and have groomed myself so that when an opportunity to interview for an opening came up, I'd be ready. I respect the vision of your firm—to serve the customer first, last, and always.
  
  
• Refer to your enclosed resume. For specific details about my work experience please see my enclosed resume.
  
  
• State your educational background. I earned my CPA degree from San Diego State University in San Diego, California in 2003.
  
  
• Request an interview. May I meet with you to talk over this important position and how I can contribute to your company and take care of your customers?
  
  
• Include your contact information and availability. I'd be happy to meet you at your convenience any afternoon from one o'clock on. Please phone or email me at my home using the contact information above.
  
  
• Express your gratitude for reading the letter. Thank you for taking time to read my cover letter and for considering me for an interview.

As soon as the cover letter is complete, review it once or twice to see if it did the job. If not, call for overtime. Go through it again step by step, making sure that every word, every sentence, every paragraph and every point is written in the clearest way possible so that when the letter reaches a hiring manager, he or she will know at a glance that you are the person most fit to fill the job opening.

A cover letter that does its job will help you do your job when the call comes in with the words you're eager to here. "You're hired!"

How To Write An Amazing Cover Letter

Written By Jimmy Sweeney President of CareerJimmy 

There are average cover letters, and then there are amazing cover letters. Write yours to make a difference, to inspire, and to land the job interview. You can do this. Turn on your computer and get started now. Follow the suggestions below and double your odds immediately.

• Write from your heart. Display the personality behind the words on the page. Be yourself and be enthusiastic. Keep it short and sweet.
• Let the hiring manager know you are well qualified to fill the job opening. Provide specific examples of what you've done and what you can do now.
• Mention being a team player, your ability to communicate clearly and to take direction, and your willingness to lead when given the opportunity.
• Refer to the company's mission statement and how you will do your part to help the organization achieve its goals.
• Close your letter with a warm thank you and a direct request for the opportunity to be interviewed for the job. This is key.

An amazing job-search cover letter can quickly translate to more quality job interview requests. The moment an employer reads what you've written, he or she will be able to see right away that you are a personal, professional, committed applicant looking to interview for the job.

Tips to write an effective cover letter

A cover letter is the first impression for a recruiter and must encourage him to read your resume further. Read on to find out why you need a cover letter and how to go about writing it. 

Your cover letter must specifically talk about the position you are applying for. It is important for you to tailor-make your cover letter for each job you apply to. A resume cannot be targeted to each job, but a cover letter can and must necessarily be so. Also remember a cover letter should complement and not duplicate your resume. 

The purpose of the cover letter is:

• To tell the employer the type of position you are seeking, and how exactly you are qualified for that position. This information also tells the hiring manager how well you know the organization and position. 
• You need to also tell the hiring manager what caused you to apply: whether an advertisement, the recommendation of a friend who works there, or your own interest in the company.
• Further your cover letter can explain things that your resume can't. If you have large gaps in your employment history or are re-entering the job market after break, a cover letter is the best way to explain these circumstances and project things in a positive way.
• Again, if you are changing the focus of your career, or planning to relocate and so are conducting a long-distance job-search, the cover letter can explain your outlook on your new career path and the kind of employment you are seeking and why.

 

Introductory Paragraph:  This states why you are writing to the recruiter/employee. Some basic options are:

• “Please find enclosed my CV, which I am forwarding to you as an application for the position of...”
• “In reference to your advertisement in... dated... attached is my resume.” 

  It may also include a synopsis of why you are a top candidate for the position. Some examples:

• “Your position advertised on nikhiljobs.com is an excellent fit with my qualifications, as the enclosed resume will attest."
• "My background includes... years of successfully managing... I offer particular expertise in..., with in-depth knowledge of …”
• “My extensive experience in... and my commitment to achieving the highest quality aligns extremely well with the ... position that you are currently advertising.”
• “My extensive top-level background in ...makes me exactly the kind of value-added executive you need ... as advertised by you in ..."

Main body of the letter: The main body of the letter should be two to maximum three paragraphs. Here you must summarize key experience and skills. You also need to highlight your area of specialization, number of years in the industry etc. You should also highlight any unique points that you might have and include a brief description of your personal skills.

 Further you need to demonstrate how your credentials, motivation and track record would benefit the company’s operation. You can begin by "Highlights of my credentials include:" or "Key strengths I offer include…”

Closing Paragraph: The closing paragraph should ask for action from the recipient. It should also thank the recipient for giving you the opportunity to apply. You can add things like:

• "Should you require further information..."
•  “Look forward to a face to face discussion”.
• "Thank you for your kind consideration.”