Put an End to Cover Letter Waste!

Thousands of job search cover letters land on the desks of hiring managers every week. After one glance, however, hundreds of them are sent to the gallows. They are tossed, forgotten, and then shredded. What a waste—of paper and personality. The men and women behind these cover letters will wait for a response, but never receive one because their writing was just plain banal, boring, and bad!

But you don’t have to be one of them. You can stop the waste. You can grab the reader’s attention. You can be called in for a job interview. So listen up. Here are five steps to take when you write your next cover letter.

1.  Start your letter with a ‘killer headline’—a carefully chosen phrase that will

lasso the hiring manager and compel him or her to keep reading. Example:

READ ON to find out why I’m the most qualified person

for the job you wish to fill. [Insert job opening title here].

            I’m excited for the opportunity to interview for [Insert job opening title here]!

2.  Write short sentences using simple words. Steer clear of long-winded writing that leaves the reader breathless trying to keep up with you. Shorter is sweeter and neater. Examples:

I worked for ABC Corporation for five years as head of the

contracts department.

I will get the job done right––on time every time.

3. Keep your letter to one page. Remember to be clear and focused on a single topic—why you’re the one for the job and why you’re qualified. Your resume will provide details and dates.

4. Include your thanks. Whether or not you receive a job offer, be sure to express your appreciation for being considered. You can never be too polite.  Courtesy counts! Examples:

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

May we get together to discuss this job in detail.

I am grateful for the opportunity to contact you with my credential.

I’d welcome meeting with you in person to talk about this job.

5.   Add a P.S. below your signature line. This is a great way to remind the hiring manager of what you’ll do next. Examples:

P.S. I will follow up with a phone call on April 1. I welcome the opportunity to meet and speak with you in person about (insert job title here). If you have any questions, please call me at 555-555-5555. Thank you in advance.

P.S. I’m excited to assume the position of (insert job title here). Can we meet to talk over the details? I’ll make sure to be available. Please call me at 555-555-5555. Thank you again.

If you put together a cover letter with these five ingredients, you’ll be among the few that know how to reach and relate to a hiring manager in a way that is both professional and personal. You’ll also be encouraging that individual to take a thorough look at your credentials and to consider you seriously as a candidate to fill the job opening. What more could you want than this? And what more could a hiring manager want than a person like you?

 

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new

Amazing Cover Letter Creator

 

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, “Amazing Cover Letter Creator.” Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

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