Writing a Cover Letter For a Resume - (Scarily) Effective Techniques For Attracting Appointments
Here's something you may not think about.
To a hiring manager, you're two dimensional.
Flat as the paper your cover letter is printed on.
But don't feel bad, so is everyone else you're competing against.
But writing a cover letter for a resume can change all that.
In addition to listing your capabilities and credentials, your cover letter can breathe life into you, make you a real person.
Unless you fall back on a example you downloaded from the web.
Then you're relying on a template identical to the one 68% of the other job applicants are using.
Here are just two ways your cover letter can give you an edge: 1.
Add a post script.
This is particularly effective because you don't see PSs in cover letters.
Generally, people don't even consider them and don't know how to use them.
It's a shame because studies show it's the second most often read section of the letter.
Putting one in will make your letter memorable.
Even those people who use a PS, usually put it to waste by simply restating an invitation to call.
You should make better use of the real estate beneath your signature.
The single most powerful thing you can put in a PS is testimonial or referral.
If you don't have one, restate your most persuasive point concerning benefits you can offer the recruiter and the most important promise you can offer.
"I can put my five years of territory development to work to help you rapidly build up a great channel of offshore suppliers.
" At the very least, it will refocus the hiring manager on your best gifts and it may prompt them to call you and set up a meeting.
2.
Storytelling is one of the most elementary instincts we share.
Play on that instinct to make yourself a memorable story.
"It's been my greatest accomplishment, and I tried for three days to get out of taking it on.
" Don't you find that intriguing? Take a look at your cover letter and come up with one great (business) story about you that encompasses all the points you want to make.
Write a version of your cover letter based only on that story.
Use it to illustrate all the skills you say you have and all you can offer to the new employer.
It will surprise you how persuasive it is.
And it will enable you talk in a voice quite different from the one the other applicants use.
Then get a good writer you trust to edit it ruthlessly.
Don't leave in one self-indulgent point.
To a hiring manager, you're two dimensional.
Flat as the paper your cover letter is printed on.
But don't feel bad, so is everyone else you're competing against.
But writing a cover letter for a resume can change all that.
In addition to listing your capabilities and credentials, your cover letter can breathe life into you, make you a real person.
Unless you fall back on a example you downloaded from the web.
Then you're relying on a template identical to the one 68% of the other job applicants are using.
Here are just two ways your cover letter can give you an edge: 1.
Add a post script.
This is particularly effective because you don't see PSs in cover letters.
Generally, people don't even consider them and don't know how to use them.
It's a shame because studies show it's the second most often read section of the letter.
Putting one in will make your letter memorable.
Even those people who use a PS, usually put it to waste by simply restating an invitation to call.
You should make better use of the real estate beneath your signature.
The single most powerful thing you can put in a PS is testimonial or referral.
If you don't have one, restate your most persuasive point concerning benefits you can offer the recruiter and the most important promise you can offer.
"I can put my five years of territory development to work to help you rapidly build up a great channel of offshore suppliers.
" At the very least, it will refocus the hiring manager on your best gifts and it may prompt them to call you and set up a meeting.
2.
Storytelling is one of the most elementary instincts we share.
Play on that instinct to make yourself a memorable story.
"It's been my greatest accomplishment, and I tried for three days to get out of taking it on.
" Don't you find that intriguing? Take a look at your cover letter and come up with one great (business) story about you that encompasses all the points you want to make.
Write a version of your cover letter based only on that story.
Use it to illustrate all the skills you say you have and all you can offer to the new employer.
It will surprise you how persuasive it is.
And it will enable you talk in a voice quite different from the one the other applicants use.
Then get a good writer you trust to edit it ruthlessly.
Don't leave in one self-indulgent point.
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