| Okay, I admit it. I am an industry insider and a | | | | Keep in mind, the cover letter only was sent out. |
| professional writer. But how on earth are so | | | | My resume only was shown at the interview. |
| many of my first time clients not using a cover | | | | Should they ask though I will email it directly to |
| letter? Even for management jobs? My dear | | | | them. My point is a well written cover letter that |
| reader hopefully this incredible technological | | | | is tailored to each company's needs is your ticket |
| revolution we have all entered has not caused | | | | to success. I am trying to open your mind up to |
| your brain cells to stagnate. Let me make it clear | | | | a world of opportunity that exists outside of the |
| a cover letter is a magical door opening | | | | help wanted ads. Many of the finest companies |
| introduction. No doubt it is a sales letter but it | | | | don't even use help wanted ads anyway. |
| takes you and your career places that are usually | | | | Is it frustrating to show up at an employers HR |
| inaccessible. | | | | department only to find out you have so much |
| Here are the main purposes for the cover letter: | | | | competition that interviews will end five days |
| It allows you access to perfect strangers, in | | | | from now? Is it frustrating to see a stack of |
| companies where you do not have a contact. It | | | | resumes six inches tall on your interviewers desk? |
| acts like the sizzling plate of fajitas that passes | | | | Do they ask you for another copy of your |
| you by at your local TGI Friday's Restaurant. It | | | | resume since it will take too long to dig through |
| provides an irresistible essence of you and your | | | | that big stack on their desk? Would you believe |
| skills to the right people who will be receptive to | | | | you can by pass that needle in a haystack routine |
| your talent. It provides a bit of insight to your | | | | with eye popping cover letter? That is exactly |
| true writing abilities, intelligence and creativity | | | | what cover letters are for my friend. Occasionally, |
| which could give you a significant edge over the | | | | to test my new ideas and the current business |
| competition. It allows you to address how you will | | | | climate I'll ask for feedback from a cover letter |
| solve the most pressing challenge that particular | | | | client. Recently we got five email responses |
| company has to face. Finally, it allows you to beat | | | | & an interview invitation from a single cover |
| the usual stampede of applicants that otherwise | | | | letter. Who would have thought a great cover |
| would be your competition if you hadn't just | | | | letter could get passed along with in a company |
| finished first already. | | | | even before your interview? |
| Not only have I heard stories of outstanding | | | | In closing, if you would like to really advance your |
| results from my clients in the resume writing | | | | career, open your mind to all the possibilities and |
| business, but I certainly have experienced them | | | | opportunity out there. Look beyond the help |
| first hand. Suddenly I was laid off work as a | | | | wanted ads which are mere fallen bread crumbs. |
| successful store manager after the Gordon's | | | | You are invited to the unlimited abundance that |
| Jewelers merger with Zale Corp in 1989. I needed | | | | the world has all around you. Welcome to your |
| a good job quick and I was stuck in St. Albans, | | | | five star catered table Mr. Employee of the Year. |
| VT in the winter. Naturally, I wasn't going out to | | | | We have been saving a chair for you thank |
| pound the pavement in -10 degree temperatures | | | | goodness you sent us that cover letter a year |
| with a snow storm on the way. So I made an | | | | ago. Yes Virginia, there really is opportunity |
| executive decision, I sent a few cover letters out. | | | | everywhere all you have to do is ask. From |
| Two days later, I had an interview in Providence, | | | | Matthew 7:7 in the Bible: "Ask, and it shall be given |
| RI at Tilden-Thurber Jewelers with both the CEO | | | | you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door |
| and owner together. After an hour of tough | | | | shall be opened to you." Cover letters are time |
| questions, I was hired. | | | | tested and proven. |
| Now this wasn't just any jeweler, this was the | | | | Now if you are not skilled writing about yourself |
| finest jeweler in all of RI and certainly one of the | | | | and more importantly selling yourself. Perhaps you |
| best in the entire nation. American Gem Society, | | | | might want to leave the making yourself |
| in business since 1767, Ideal cut diamonds only, | | | | irresistible part to a professional writer. |
| these were just a few of the things that made | | | | Remember cover letters should be custom |
| them so special. Honestly, I couldn't believe I was | | | | tailored to each particular job target and company |
| lucky enough to get an interview. But to by pass | | | | to have maximum impact. |
| the HR department entirely and interview directly | | | | Resumes too should follow this rule. Would you as |
| with the owner and the CEO that was | | | | an employer find a generic resume and cover |
| monumental. Since I had no competition and was | | | | letter even mildly interesting? Do you know the |
| qualified, I was hired right on the spot. They did | | | | hot button words that act like high powered |
| naturally, do a full background check before I | | | | magnets for employers? Do you have impeccable |
| started that was just routine though. Ever since | | | | editing and proofreading skills as your whole |
| my first experience with a cover letter, I have | | | | career is riding on your writing? If the answer is |
| always used them and highly recommended them. | | | | tentative, a maybe or no, ask for professional |
| In fact, in my own professional writing business | | | | help. Remember you never get a second chance |
| they are always included with the price of a | | | | to make a first impression. |
| professionally written resume. | | | | |