Jobs @ Career Consulting Limited

Return to career-consulting-limited.com
Managing
People
Managing Your Career
CV Examples
Coaching
Cover Letter Examples
Pre-Employment Tests


3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed


These cover letter secrets reveal why 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 Secrets #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 Secrets #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 - 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

Back to top of Cover Letter Secrets


MORE RESOURCES:

Careers  University of Northern Colorado








Careers  City of Phoenix (.gov)



Careers  City of Ontario, California (.gov)





Careers at FEMA  FEMA.gov


Careers | Home  USDA (.gov)




Employment Opportunities  Alabama Department of Public Health (.gov)


Careers and Jobs at CRS  Catholic Relief Services

Careers  UC Santa Cruz



Careers  Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Working for ICE  ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov)




Careers at USCIS  USCIS (.gov)

Employment Opportunities | Game Commission  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov)

Explore Store Careers  Target Corporation

Store Hourly Job Areas  Target Corporation

Corporate Career Job Areas  Target Corporation

Work for Us  National Park Service (.gov)

Work With Us  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (.gov)

Job Listings  Fayette County Public Schools

Careers at TWU  Texas Woman's University



Work at the U.S. Department of Energy  Department of Energy (.gov)

Recruitment & Classification  Sonoma County (.gov)

Employment | Department of Corrections  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov)


Water Services Careers  City of Phoenix (.gov)

IOM career gateways  International Organization for Migration


Career Opportunities  Gilead Sciences





Careers  BASF

Jobs  City of Rochester (.gov)

Careers at the IOC  Olympics.com


Jobs at Liberty University  Liberty University





Our Hiring Process  Target Corporation


Co-op & Career Design  Kettering University



Careers  Calgary Board of Education

Career Services  Cornerstone University


Interview Guide and Tips  Target Corporation

MPA Employment Data  USC Price School


Current opportunities  Turner & Townsend

Recorded Video Interviews  Target Corporation


K9 Recruitment Bonuses  United States Secret Service (.gov)


Careers  West Virginia Department of Education


Job Opportunities  Bellevue School District

Careers at Union  Union College


Careers at Sinai Health  Sinai Health

WORK AT LVMH  LVMH


Programs and Internships  Goldman Sachs

Employment Opportunities  Unity Health Toronto

Work with us  JPMorganChase

Careers  City of Norfolk (.gov)


Careers  Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

Work for the City of St. Louis  City of St. Louis, MO (.gov)

Students and graduates  JPMorganChase


Careers and skills  JPMorganChase

Need More Information?
Site Home | Site Map | Links | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
© Career Consulting Limited.com 2011

tumblr visit counter