I'm sure you're heard of or read many articles or even entire books on the subject of writing cover letters. But there's only one format you'll ever need to get noticed, which, by the way, is the only purpose of a cover letter...to get noticed.
If you haven't guess yet, my entire learning process is about using personal marketing methods to create an effective job search. So, in keeping with that objective, you're going to learn how to write a powerful cover letter in the form of a "credibility statement." Sales and marketing companies have been using credibility statements successfully for years to introduce their product or service, and you can use a credibility statement successfully to introduce why a potential employer should pay attention to what you have to offer.
By the way, credibility means capable of being believed; believable, and that's exactly what you need to be before someone would be willing to take their valuable time to meet with you.
Here's the anatomy of a cover letter credibility statement:
1. Begin with the value you brought to other employers that relates to your objective, or the skills they are seeking.
2. Give a broad overview of how you added value during your employment.
3. Suggest that you could bring similar value to them.
4. Conclude by asking to schedule a meeting face-to-face or on the phone.
Worksheet: Credibility Statement for Initial Communication
1. Write out, in prose, the value you added to other employers that relates to your objective, or the skills they are seeking.
2. How did you add value to your previous employers.
3. Suggest that similar value is possible.
4. Ask a question to secure an appointment.
Here is an example. This is an actual letter I used once that generated 5 interviews and 2 job offers in less than 10 days. Notice the headline. It focuses tightly on my target market and addresses a big problem my target may face and it plays on their desire. That's exactly what you need to do; make your headline focus tightly on your target employer. Address a big problem your target faces (assuming you have the solution for it) or play on their desire. This requires research; one of the many keys to employment success. Research...research....research!
Also notice the P.S. Most people read the headline and the P.S. first. Make them stand out!
A school's greatest asset in achieving high retention, student satisfaction and increased enrollments is a strong career services program, and I am just the person to build that program.
Dear [NAME],
As a Strategic Job Search Trainer and Coach, I have taught literally thousands of people of different ages and from diverse backgrounds how to launch a success self-directed job search, and get the jobs they really want in half the time it usually takes.
I've achieved this success by creating and developing cutting edge job search skills learning programs for state licensed and nationally accredited career schools, and workshops and seminars for academic institutions including Molloy College and Miami University of Ohio, private placement agencies, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training, and the Chester County Pennsylvania CareerLink. I've also developed student recruitment programs that, along with self-directed efforts, have resulted in placement rates in the 90th percentile.
Perhaps I can create the same results at your institution, and have graduates singing your praises for teaching them skills they will use for a life-time that go far beyond their current job-related skills training.
If you believe there's a potential match between what I offer in skills and experience, and what you need from someone to direct your career services program, or to carry out outsourced assignments, please call me at [PHONE NUMBER] to arrange a meeting, or send me an email message at [EMAIL ADDRESS].
With respect,
Lee Gamelin
P.S. Call me today to learn why a former employer said "what I appreciated most about you was the positive attitude you brought to each challenge; nothing was too large or too difficult to overcome, and that infectious spirit has stuck with me."
Lee Gamelin is a Strategic Job Search Traininer and Coach, and Managing Member of FindJobsQuickly, LLC. Lee created FindJobsQuickly to provide job seekers powerful tools to break out of the rut of a conventional job search and make quantum leaps toward getting the job they really want quickly. Visit http://www.findjobsquickly.com/ today and learn how you too can make a quantum leap in your job search success.
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