Writing Your Way to Success

by JoAnn Nix, CPRW, JCTC
Executive Director, A Resume 4 Success!
www.AResume4Success.com
E-Mail: AR4SJNix@aol.com

It is fair to say that each job seeker desires to explore all avenues to secure a new position - however, reality is that most job seekers fail to recognize the significance of letter writing as a very vital tool in their quest for career success. Granted, the majority of individuals are writing cover letters but most fail to utilize the plethora of additional letters they should be sending to the decision-makers. Let me introduce you to a few great ideas that will set you apart from your competitors.

First, let me discuss the introductory cover letter which accompanies a professional resume. I am going to side-step the well-known mechanics of letter writing. The initial sentence in your letter must be hard-hitting and unique. A hiring manager, personnel director, or recruiter grows weary of reading hundreds of opening statements such as "I am writing to inquire about joining your organization as a Sales and Marketing Director." Since this "tired" statement will be used by hundreds of other candidates, it offers you a distinct advantage. My introductory cover letters often begin with a quote from the "Speakers' Library of Business Stories, Anecdotes and Humor" by Joe Griffith.

For example, consider the following opening paragraph for a top-flight sales executive's letter:

" 'Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.' Mr. Jones, I have been told during the last 20 years that I achieve the impossible, perhaps that is why I have landed multi-million dollar accounts that my colleagues have been unable to capture for years. To me, the word "impossible" is synonymous with challenge."

That short opening paragraph appealed to the reader and was a catalyst in my client receiving numerous interviews.

To ensure that your letter gets read, let me add a few additional tips. Always address the letter to an individual. The old adage of "where there is a will, there is a way" applies to the task of discovering the hiring person's name. Reiterate some of your most significant accomplishments in the body of the letter and italicize them. Add a quote from a professional evaluation to the top portion of your cover letter and enclose it in a text box to draw attention to the comment. Finally, handwrite a few words near your signature or add another short quote, such as "I enjoyed reading about your company in the New York Times on Sunday!" These crucial words make a big impact. The person who does something out of the ordinary, always receives attention.

There are scores of letters including those written to respond to classified and on-line ads, letters to communicate with recruiters and employment agencies, and correspondence for networking purposes. Most people fail to express their appreciation for assistance. Consistently gather business cards and be faithful in composing short handwritten notes to "gatekeepers" and individuals who provided you with valuable advice during informational interviews. A little appreciation goes a long way.

Finally, there are Follow-up Letters, Hiring Proposal Letters, Acceptance Letters, Employment Rejection Letters, and Letters of Resignation.

A job seeker will need to devote a few hours a week to write letters - but the reward will be handsome! Many of my clients have received positive feedback from "gatekeepers" and managers which led to great job offers. If your schedule does not allow you to handle this significant task, you could consider hiring a certified professional resume writer or freelance writer.

Now ... go grab your legal pad and pen and start writing your way to success!

-- JoAnn Nix, one of the Executive Directors of AResume4Success.com, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC). JoAnn has been crafting professional resumes and other career marketing documents for 8 years and has worked with thousands of clients. She is an active contributor to the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW) and was recently appointed PARW's Ethics Chairperson and Coordinator of the 2001 Resume Writing Contest. JoAnn is also a charter member of Career Masters Institute and serves as Treasurer of the Texas Association of Resume Professionals.