Light at the end of the Struggle and the 10 minute Cover Letter.

I sat down yesterday to write my own cover letter.  And with the help of THIS resource (Top 10 secrets to an Amazing Cover Letter) I was well on my way! 
It can be a daunting task to write a cover letter if you've never written one before or to individually customize each one for the companies that you are seeking an interview with.
But I wanted to see for myself just how the above resource really helped in the process and OH MY GOODNESS!  It made quick work for me.
Here's what I did:
First I used the web to find out the name of the person I was going to be sending my cover letter and resume to.  Monster.com listed only an email address to whom I was to send my information so I just did a google search using that email address.  Low-and-behold I found a directory with that same email address included listing company information and the name of the person to whom I needed to send this info.
Secondly, I created my cover letter headline. (centered of course just above the greeting in the letter)
Thirdly, I wrote the content of the letter keeping it to three paragraphs.
Fourthly, I asked for an interview similar to this, "I am excited about the possibility of a personal interview at your earliest convenience to further discuss my credentials with you. I can be reached at 555-555-5555."And then finally, I added a P.S. (postscript) at the end reiterating the "CALL ME for an Interview".  Just like this one, "P.S. I realize all I can ask for is the opportunity to be interviewed for the {insert job opening title here}. I would love that chance. Again, I can be reached directly at 555-555-5555 to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you!"

You gotta try this method!  It's so very simple even a caveman could do it! 

Want more 9 more cover letter writing, time saving tips?
visit www.whatisacoverletter-help.com and enter your email address to receive the entire 25 page .pdf that includes 9 more tips just as powerful as the one above!

...so I went to the source...8 FAB tips for WOWING!

If you're like me...you want to know what an employer is looking for...straight from the horses mouth.  I was thinking about this the other day and decided to put a phone call in to a friend of mine, Kathryn Payne, who is the Middle Tennessee Market Recruiter for the nation's largest Verizon Wireless premium retailer, Cellular Sales. With over 475 stores and 3,500 sales associates in only 18 years, Cellular Sales continues to impress with its company growth.  So naturally they conduct interviews with potential sales associates every day!

Here's a little Q&A with Kathryn about what will get someone's foot in the door at Cellular Sales versus what will cause her to deep-6 a resume.  (These principles apply to nearly ANY potential employer because the process is exactly the same!)

Q: "Are cover letters something you look for to accompany a resume?"

Kathryn: "I LOVE cover letters!  And I especially LOVE cover letters when it reveals something that I don't see on the resume."

Q: "Does who the cover letter is addressed to make any difference to you?"

Kathryn: "No, not really.  But what does make a VERY big impression with me is spelling and grammar.  Spelling and grammatical errors says to me that they don't take this seriously, that they don't care enough to pay attention to detail.  If they don't take the simple things like spelling seriously, then they aren't going to take this job seriously either."

Q: "What tips do you have regarding what to include in a resume?"

Kathryn: "(Longevity) I look for longevity with past employers.  Be sure to include how long you worked for your past employers and explain any gaps.  If there are big gaps I want to know why?  Maternity leave?  Relocation?. (Layout/Format) Make it easy to read.  Less is more.  Space between lines.  Format each category the same way.  Ask someone to proof read it for you before you submit it.  (Company Research) Nearly every company today has a website.  Research a little bit before you apply.  Don't just blindly submit a resume and not know anything about the company.  It's just too easy to not do these things."

Q: "In today's job market many people are switching careers.  How do you look at resumes for potential wireless associates who have no previous wireless experience?"

Kathryn: "People aren't always experienced in the job they are seeking to be employed.  That's totally ok with me, but I want you to tell me what you ARE good at.  Include bullet points that describe what your duties were, what you accomplished in areas you have worked."

Q: "What are some do's and don't do's regarding a potential associates first interview?"

Kathryn: "Be on time!  Dress like you're interviewing for a CEO position. Shirt, tie, pant-suit, skirt, jacket.  That's HUGE!  No wrinkled shirts, close shaven, etc.  And the greeting handshake is very important.  Shake my hand like you mean it.  Greet me!  Thank me for my time."

All of the above are simple little steps that pack a punch with any potential employer!  So let's recap some of these:

• Proof your cover letter and resume for spelling and grammatical errors.  If you know this is a weakness of yours then find a friend to help you.
• Explain employment gaps on your resume. 
• Put your resume in a format that's easy to read, quick to look at and consistently written.
• Research the company you're applying to work for.  Nearly every company has a website with an "about us" page.  Read it!
• If you have little or no experience for what you are applying, be sure to include what you ARE good at.
• Got an interview appointment? BE ON TIME!!!
• Dress for success!  Dress like you WANT to work for this company.  Appearance is everything!
• Use a firm handshake upon the initial introduction to your interviewer and thank them for their time!

Now get out there and WOW em!

Want more 9 more cover letter writing, time saving tips?
visit www.whatisacoverletter-help.com and enter your email address to receive the entire 25 page .pdf that includes 10 more tips just as powerful as those listed above! 

Pay attention to detail!!

Some job openings may attract hundreds of applicantions for one vacancy.  So it is vital that you read and re-read your cover letter and resume to ensure that there are no grammatical-errors or typos.  Perfection matters!  Employers are looking for the person that is the best fit for the job...and sloppy, shoddy, careless work isn't the ticket in the door.

Clear, concise, grammatically correct and error-free will jump you past one more potential hurdle with your new employer.

P.S.  As a side-note here...when you ARE sitting in that interview with your interviewer...DO NOT text and especially DO NOT use your cellphone's Facebook app!  You are there for one thing and one thing only, to sell yourself to this employer.  So pay attention to detail, take care of the small things and the rest will follow.

P.S.S.  For more tips like this check out http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

Insult your potential employer...land the job?

Caught your attention didn't it?

No.  Please don't go out and insult anyone...but DO note that titles get our attention!  We are ALL naturally attracted to titles that catch our attention.  When we're reading news we scan for catchy titles before we read an article in its entirety.  So it makes perfect sense then that this too applies to cover letters!


A strong headline that jumps off the page wins EVERY time!  This is exactly how you can land more job interviews in a hurry.

So here's a tip that will go a looooooong way in writing your cover letter... 

Just before the Dear Mrs. Smith, write a headline bold and centered like this:

Three reasons why I believe I may be the candidate you are searching for
regarding the [insert job opening title here].

OR

I would love the opportunity to be interviewed in
person for the position of [insert job opening title here].

OR

I have researched [company name] and believe I am a great
match for the [insert job opening title here].

Then follow this headline with your greeting, Dear Mrs. Smith.

Want more 9 more cover letter writing, time saving tips?
visit www.whatisacoverletter-help.com and enter your email address to receive the entire 25 page .pdf that includes 9 more tips just as powerful as the one above!

Don't do what I did...

When you're hunting for a new job...and find multiple listings to apply for...don't do what I did.  Don't use the same cover letter for each application and just change the business name and address to which you are applying.  NOT a good idea!

A better idea is to do what I learned to do the hard way.  Customize each and every application for the particular employer and what they are looking for.  Sell yourself and your individual skill set with regard for what they are needing.  It's a simple little trick that will most certainly increase your odds for getting that phone call for an interview.  It certainly worked for me!

Want more tips?  Check out http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com.  There you can get a 25 page .pdf chocked FULL of cover letter writing tips!

to your success!!

Simply Defined...let's get started

http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

Overview: A cover letter is like the cover of your personal book.  It's one of many ways you can stand out from the stacks and stacks of resumes that your potential employer is sorting through. Just like all those magazines found surrounding the grocery check-out, the cover of those magazines are designed in such a way to get you to open it up, to purchase it and take it home with you.  Cover letters act in much the same way with your new employer.  It can be the one reason that they call YOU and schedule the interview!

Definition: A cover letter is a brief letter that introduces your resume to the company or organization to which you are applying. Your cover letter should emphasize why you want to work for that particular organization and why you would be a good fit. An effective cover letter engages the reader and encourages him or her to invite you for an interview.

Want a FREE 25 page description filled with simple tips to make your cover letter POW? click on this link  http://www.whatisacoverletter-help.com

To your success!

GO! BE!  SELL yourself!!