Add A Little “Fire” To Your Cover Letter…

Jimmy Sweeney, President of CareerJimmy

“Fire!” The word itself is a call to action. Fire gets our attention every time!

You can apply this truth to your job search cover letter. By adding a little fire to your writing, you call an employer to attention and in a sense, compel him or her to take action on your behalf.

A few pieces of kindling are all it takes to start a fire. Yet, many job seekers ignore this simple formula. Don’t be one of them. Consider how to ignite your cover letter with the following fire-starters:

Your current contact information. Place your name, address, phone, and email details at the top of the page or left justified. Use Times New Roman font, size 12 print. This is the standard in the industry. Avoid fancy, hard-to-read fonts.

A descriptive headline. Place this description in the center of the line between the contact info and the cover letter greeting. Example: Twenty-year trained and weapon-licensed military police veteran eager to join the Cityville Police Department. Can start immediately.

A clear and accurate greeting. Address the hiring manager by name. If you don’t have a name, call the company or check the website. If you cannot locate this detail, greet the person by his or her title: Dear Hiring Manager.

A well-focused description of your skills and experience. Show how they relate to the new job and how the skills are easily transferable. If you’re currently the manager of a fast-food restaurant but are now applying for a job as assistant manager of a dinner house, show how customer service, a quality eating experience, and increasing revenue apply to both positions.

Example: “I’m excited to be considered for the job of assistant
manager at Steak and Ale Dinner House, where I promise to serve
your clients, increase company profits by providing the best
possible care, and living up to your impressive mission state-
ment—”to more than satisfy our customers with quality food and service.”

I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for five years, and have been
commended for increasing my current employer’s profile and profits
through an innovative customer care campaign, which I designed
and delivered successfully.

May I come in for an interview to discuss how I can add my time and talent to your dinner house and learn from those already there?

A cover letter like this, written with passion and fire, will compel the hiring manager to move you to the head of the queue for an upcoming interview and even the job itself.

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new,
Amazing Cover Letter Creator

Jimmy Sweeney is president of CareerJimmy and originator of the brand new, “Amazing Cover Letter Creator.” Jimmy is the author of “Tough Times Job Tips” and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

Watch Jimmy’s free, unusual cover letter video for job seekers. Discover the one “Secret Sentence” you can use to land more job interviews and job offers immediately.