Sage Advice-Cover Letters

DON’S SAGE ADVICE FOR WRITING COVER LETTERS THAT WILL GET YOU INTERVIEWS

Don’t waste anyone’s time – yours or the recruiter’s – applying for positions for which you know in your heart you are unqualified for.
Recruiters are busy people. They don’t have time for platitudes, fluff and air words, so cut to the chase. At the outset, tell them what position you are seeking and why you are an ideal candidate.
Since you are only applying for positions for which you are qualified, create this two-column table:

YOU SEEK	I OFFER

Then identify the three or four KEY requirements for the job that match your qualifications and experience. For example:

YOU SEEK	I OFFER
P&L responsibility	For last nine years, have achieved or exceeded both individual and team stretch profit targets
Minimum 10 years of increasing experience managing profit center and staff	Currently four years of direct sales management and customer service experience. Manage staff of six professionals; exceeded goals first three years and on track to achieve 7% increase in sales over last year Previously, seven years Member Relations Director managing staff of three; After first year, consistently exceeded sales goals
Successful experience training / developing subordinates	Have personally mentored nine individuals, all of whom are now in management Inspired each of the nine to be active mentors, and they are
Able to travel average five days per month	Currently spend between seven and ten days per month with general management and sales staff in remote sites

Make the final paragraph a specific call to action – perhaps something like this: “I will contact your office within seven business days to make certain you have received this letter. If you wish to contact me before then, my cell is 123.456.7899.”
At all costs, avoid a wimpy closing like “Thank you for reviewing my qualifications.”