Archive for the ‘Cover Letter’ Category

Make Your Job Application Cover Letter Noticeable

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Employers are using cover letters to identify suitable candidates to be called for interviews. They will not have time to read the resumes but will scan through cover letters that are prominent. Therefore, you should always send your job application cover letter together with the resume and highlight your professional experience, skill set, strengths, and your value to the future job.

When the hiring manager is impressed by your background and have the motivation to find out more, you will be called for an interview. Therefore, it is important to form a good impression by leverage your job application cover letter. A professional letter without flaw may represent your specific behavior at work for paying attention to details. The employers may receive hundreds of applications pertaining to an ad. An average cover letter and resume will usually go straight to the dustbin.

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So, how to create a cover letter that aces? Here are some helpful tips:

The letter format:

  1. Keep your contents within one page
  2. Use portrait (vertical) layout
  3. Use suitable character size and font type
  4. Write 2 to 4 paragraphs using simple sentences
  5. Insert your name at the bottom and sign in blue ink
  6. Insert addresses for both parties on top
  7. Insert date
  8. Send letter to a real contact and address him or her with “Mr,” “Ms,” “Dr,” etc.
  9. Provide day phone number
  10. Avoid the negatives such as explaining why
    o you left or are leaving an employer
    o there are gaps in your employment dates

* All these are best to be discussed in person during the interview.

The contents:

  1. Specify which job you are interested, and when and where you see the job ad
  2. Provide a short self introduction
  3. Sell yourself  and describe briefly your professional experience, skills, strengths, and achievements
  4. How you can contribute to the job
  5. Your understanding about the job and responsibilities
  6. Request for interview and provide available time
  7. Thank the reader

Proofread your letter when it is done. Any error found in your cover letter will certainly guarantee a rejection. It is also advisable to use a proven tool to create your letter. Your odds of getting phone calls from your prospects will greatly increase with an effective job application cover letter.

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Why Write an Employment Cover Letter

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Objectives of an Employment Cover Letter

Employment cover letter is your career sales copy. It provides a great opportunity to communicate directly with the potential employers so that you can

  1. promote yourself and convince the hiring manager of your suitability, enthusiasm and competency of the position
  2. highlight special areas which are important and relevant to the job
  3. ask for an interview

Writing Tips:

You should put in extra efforts and thoughts when creating the cover letter, and always use the proven letter templates and tools. Using the established methods will bring you the hot job interviews. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Here are a few guidelines which can assist you in writing an employment cover letter with high impact.

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  1. describe why you want the job
  2. explain how you can contribute to the perspective company
  3. highlight your relevant work experiences, qualifications and trainings received
  4. show enthusiasm and interest to work for the company
  5. research the company’s profile for contact person. Address the letter to an individual such as “Mr,” “Mrs,” or “Miss” follow by the surname
  6. use first paragraph to sell your qualifications
  7. reply to the ads and job requirement precisely
  8. send original letter with signature in blue ink
  9. ask for a job interview
  10. avoid punctuation, spelling and grammar errors
  11. write in portrait (vertical) layout
  12. use clean, white paper
  13. use simple sentence structure and language. Format the letter for easy reading.
  14. stay within one page and keep things concise
  15. include your contact information (day phone and email address)
  16. create a job-specific cover letter. Tailor your letter to a specific employer and job opening

Sending out a small number of well written cover letters will get more interviews then sending out many poorly written letters. It is almost guaranteed a rejection if your employment cover letter is badly written.

If you need help, check out the Amazing Cover Letter Creator.

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The Secret to Writing a ‘Must-Read’ Cover Letter!

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
Author of the brand new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator

Want to draw attention to your cover letter?
So much so that the hiring manager can’t put it down?

Here ’s the secret. Meet the employer’s needs. Show him or her how you, the job seeker, can benefit his or her company––if you’re hired to fill the open position.

For example:

I found out through my friend, Rob Johnson, your company CPA, that you are interested in hiring someone to expand your sales territory in the northwest by garnering new customers prior to the release of your new math textbook for junior high school students, Mathematics for the 21st Century. I’d love to take on this challenge, as I have a master’s degree in Mathematics as well as experience in sales. I opened ten new accounts in less than six months while employed by Babcock and Taylor Text-book Company in Florida.

I’d welcome getting together with you in person to talk about how your priorities for this position and my expertise can come together to benefit your company.

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. I’m enthusiastic about meeting in person to see the possibilities of filling this particular opening at your company.

I will follow up with a phone call by the end of the week. You can contact me by phone or email as well. I am available for an interview most afternoons at your convenience. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sure-fire Success

When it comes to cover letters, this example, which you can tailor to the specific organization you’re writing to, cannot be ignored. Everyone wants to succeed. You want to receive an interview that leads to a job. And the hiring manager wants to interview a man or woman who fits the position now available. If you demonstrate how you can meet that need, you will be called for an interview.

REMEMBER: Hiring managers need you to do their job. They must hire people to fill the openings at their company. Make them look good by showing them the benefits you can bring in a friendly and professional manner.

Let your cover letter work for you, not against you. Don’t be afraid to ASK for what you want and remember to focus on what the employer needs. In turn, he or she will give you what you want—an interview for a new job.

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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.”

Visit our friends at Amazing Cover Letters for your “instant” cover letter today. “In just 3½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!”

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“Season” Your Cover Letter With A Great Quote!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

Author of the brand new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator

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Have you ever heard or read a quotation you just had to share with someone? How about one of these?

“Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” Norman Vincent Peale

“Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.” David McCullough

“Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone.” Unknown Author

Each one provides good advice as well as inspiration. Consider including an appropriate quotation in your cover letter.
It will pack a punch, give the hiring manager something fresh and motivating to read, and elevate you in his or her mind. Cover letters that offer more than simply a list of job skills, will rise to the top of the pile. Managers will notice such a person and want to call you in for an interview.

How to weave a great quotation into your letter.

Suppose you are applying for a position as a sales manager
for a book publishing firm. You thank the hiring manager for the opportunity to introduce yourself, let him or her know where you found out about the opening and the good things you read or heard about the company, why you believe you’re a good fit for the position, and of course something about your previous employment. Add a sentence that asks the employer to look at your enclosed resume for further details. Next, start a new paragraph with a snappy, insightful quotation.

Example: “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.” (Albert Einstein)

Then add a sentence showing how you will do just that—set an example for the people you manage. Example: You can count on me to live these inspiring words. I know the importance of influencing people for good and that is what I want to be known for. I’d welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person so you can judge for yourself.

When it comes to cover letters, it is essential to make a strong, first impression. You can do that with a great quote from someone known and respected in the field you are aspiring to.

Imagine the results you’ll experience in your job search when your cover letter includes not only details about your abilities but also insight into who you are as a person? A prospective employer will actually be excited to meet you, to discuss the job, and to hand it over to you!  Potential employees who show creativity and color in their communication are a gift to any company.

So, include a strong, inspirational quotation to your next cover letter and then get ready for the phone to ring!

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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.”

Visit our friends at Amazing Cover Letters for your “instant” cover letter today. “In just 3½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!”

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Cover Letter Tip: “Thank You” Magic

Friday, February 27th, 2009

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney

President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new,

Amazing Cover Letter Creator

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The holiday decorations are down. The carolers have put away their songbooks. A new calendar page awaits your comments and appointments and to-do list. It’s also time to say thank you to everyone who sent you a gift or a card or a cheery e-mail.

It’s also an ideal time to spread your appreciation to your business pursuits and contacts. As you write your cover letter to prospective employers, be sure to tuck in a few words of gratitude for the opportunity to introduce yourself and your skills, even as you ask for an interview for the job you want.

“Gratitude is the rosemary of the heart,”

according to 19th century American writer, Minna Antrim.

Keep in mind that the hiring manager has no obligation to respond to your cover letter. But if you sprinkle your letter with a bit of ‘rosemary’ he or she won’t be able to resist contacting you. Why? Because you will be among the very few who are more concerned with gratitude than greed. You will display your good heart and your interest in others, not just yourself. This small addition to any cover letter will put you in a class by yourself and it will be a signal that you are someone who would be a welcome addition to the company staff.

Some Ways to Say ‘Thank you’ Within Your Cover Letter

Use clear and simple language in your cover letter to convey your appreciation while at the same time displaying your talent and skills for the job you are interested in.

1. Thank you for taking a moment to consider my cover letter and resume. I appreciate how busy you are.

2. I appreciate the time you give to prospective employees such as me. I do not take it for granted.

3. I welcome a chance to talk with you about my skills and your expectations. Thank you for this opportunity to hear about your company and to share how I might fit into your plans.

4. I appreciate the job application guidelines you provided online. I’d like very much the opportunity to express my thanks in person for making it easy to introduce myself and my background and to find out how I can contribute to your company.

Avoid gushing or being sentimental. Focus on clarity and sincerity. You have what it takes to land the job you want. Make gratitude a high priority and you will succeed.

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

Visit Jimmy on the web at Amazing Cover Letters.com for your ‘instant’ cover letter today. In just 3 ½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!

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