Question:

I want to work for a company that is not advertising any openings on the Internet or in the newspapers, but I can't figure out how to write my cover letter. Any suggestions?

First Answer:

You don't have to wait for a job opening to apply to a company that interests you! An unsolicited cover letter can open doors and get you a job interview.

Start by defining what you want to do for your target company. What department do you want to work in? Sales? Information Systems? Customer Service?

Next, find out the name of the person you'd be working for. You can look through the company's Web site for organizational charts, often found under "About Us" or a similar link. Or, just pick up the phone and call to get that manager's name.

Once you have the name of your potential boss, it's time to write your cover letter.

The more customized and specific your cover letter is, the better. So, try to research your desired company to ferret out as much as possible about their everyday problems. This will help you propose solutions in your letter.

When writing your cover letter, be sure to include the contact person's name and mailing address at the top. Try to start your letter with information you learned on the Internet or from people you've contacted at the company.

Try to do three things in your unsolicited cover letter:

1. Quickly prove that you've been researching your target company and that you understand its products, market and problems.
2. Propose a specific idea to improve the company's sales/operations/products or solve their headaches. If you can't do this, at least prove you have the right skills by highlighting prior on-the-job achievements.
3. Close with a specific promise of action. Example: "I'll call your office next Tuesday at 1:30 to answer any questions you may have." Then, be sure to do what you say!

Print your cover letters on plain white typing paper. Sign at the bottom, neatly.

That's it.

Best of luck to you!

-- Kevin Donlin, Guaranteed Resumes

Second Answer:

If a company isn't advertising, you should treat your cover letter differently. In fact, you really shouldn't rely on it too much at all. When investigating opportunities with companies that are not advertising, the best thing to do is conduct some research and get the name of your future supervisor. Get an email address, email your resume with a BRIEF intro and follow it up with a phone call. Many supervisors like the display of moxy that goes along with calling them directly. Better yet, if you have the skills they seek, they will love to hear from you. The passive cover letter that ends with "I hope to hear from you soon...." is dead and gone in my mind.

-- Troy Behrens, JobGod.net

Third Answer:

You could write a cover letter expressing why you want to work for this company (let's pretend it's XYZ.com) and what you think you can contribute (what's in it for THEM), preferably demonstrating your research on the organization, for example:

"The interview that your President, Sheila Smith, gave to Fast Company last month described an e-commerce organization in which all employees' ideas are solicited, innovation is embraced, and the freedom to fail is a bedrock principle. I would like to work for a company with such a culture, because I do my best work in this type of environment.

As a recent graduate of ABC University with a major in marketing and a concentration in e-commerce, I have experience gained in internships with DoEverythingOnLine Corporation and CorporatePurchase.com, where I analyzed B-to-B competitors including YXZ.com.

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might contribute to XYZ.com's successful expansion to (whatever goal the President discussed in the interview or you gleaned from other research into this company)."

The best entrée into a company, however, is to be introduced to an employee by a contact you have made through networking. If you are a novice networker or just want some fresh ideas on networking, look at Dr .L. Michele Tullier's book Networking for Everyone (JIST Works, 1998) and Kate Wendleton's Job Search Secrets (Five O' Clock Books, 1997).

-- Carol Anderson, Career Development and Placement Office, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at New School University in New York City.

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