Sheets
Cover Letter
Directly from our book, page 126 January 2008 Edition
**If you must use a cover letter see link below.
Cover Letters:
I had purposely chosen not to include cover letters, primarily because they must be individualized and customized, and partly because we feel that your time was better spent on focusing on your sales and marketing materials.
Your cover letter is to buy you an interview. We think that outcome possibly could be done more effectively using the Narrative . Both PMSP© products allow you to impart far more information. That kind of presentation will give you the ammunition that you need to "buy" an interview, either phone screen, face to face, or committee interview. You probably have noticed that we do however include many after interview notes, along with the candidate preparation materials and typical questions asked in today’s interviews. Since the hiring authority’s time is short, let’s get a product in front of them that will have a punch. A product that can explain who you are and who you will be. See: CPD, Our version of the cover letter on STEROIDS.
Your goal in “your paper,” the narrative, cover note, resume, and interview situation is reduction in risk for the potential employer. Your accomplishments will be measured against hard goals. See: Narrative. That information, well presented can get you the (TS) telephone screen, and (FTF) interview. In any economic climate it is especially necessary for you to separate your self from the crowd by greater preparation. You need to know yourself, have a more substantial marketing campaign (PMSP products, etc), and a targeted list of potential employers. See: Backgrounder/Questionnaire
Your paper must show an understanding of the prospective company’s goals and objectives and your accomplishments, competencies/talents (skill sets), and experiences that will best fit them. It is, after all, an advertising campaign, cover letters in hard copy may be great, but the Hiring Authority’s time is more valuable to them. “Scream Opportunity at Them!”
Either he/she reads your cover letter, or your presentation materials. He/she probably won’t read both. See Below***
Resume & Interview Preparation: Creative Process
If you are stuck at where to begin writing your resume and CIP, this is a different approach that I have used for 20 years, first in outplacement, then in recruiting, now in coaching. It is an intensely personal exercise; for both resume and interview preparation. It does work, but it is not easy to do.
Take a plain piece of paper place the best descriptive word or phrase about you in the exact center of the paper. Example: creative, great work ethic, enthusiastic, quick study….
Then begin to jot down other words or phrases in no particular order about you. Jot them down as they come to you. There are no correct or incorrect thoughts in this exercise. These words should be written down around or surrounding the main word in the center. After you have 20-30 words listed, attempt to draw lines to connect the related words.
If the process is too abstract or obtuse, use your name as the middle word/thought.
Later try to put all business related concepts on the right, and personal traits and concepts on the left. (See: website)
Accomplishments should be written on the top half of the page and tasks/responsibilities on the bottom.
Change the colors of your ink that you are using for this exercise, and try the same exercise as if you were your boss, a peer, and a client. If you have subordinates try that also. This will give you far more information in preparing your CIP.
This is then your gestalt for your interview or ACP resume. Then study what you have written. Rewrite so that is clean. Don’t forget to redraw the lines. Now you can begin the process of the CIP/ACP and then the CPD's.
This process sounds simple, but the outcome will surprise you. Your alleged random thoughts may just give you the ammunition to “get THAT NEXT job!”
If you do need to write a cover letter, here is a great quote to incorporate, also include the Ultimate Resume on this site as your resume document.
……….. is responsible for developing and implementing the company's sales strategy and overseeing day-to-day operations of the sales organization. A 20-year veteran of the software and technology industry he brings laser sharp focus and expertise in successful sales strategy process and execution.
See: Resume Read……Never pay anyone to do your resume. You know you best.
Please note that we do have about 100 pages that are reserved as "Client Pages." Access to those pages are limited to our client base. We are confident that the 60 "free" pages do provide a significant information base. If you would like full access to our other "client pages" please call or write us.
For more information and coaching fee structure contact us @ bdreyfus@get-that-next-job.com.
Cover Letter, If You Must One!
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