Despite texting, Twitter, and a growing number of communication options, many still use email to conduct a job search or general business. Here are a few tricks that could help get you noticed – in the right way.

Did you know that nearly half of all emails are misinterpreted, and many aren’t even opened?  Well, if you’re trying to reach a key decision-maker, that’s just not what you want. Of course you wrote the email so it would at the very least be opened; ideally presenting you favorably to have whomever’s on the other end agree, reciprocate something, deliver something, or at least acknowledge that you’re on the same boat.

I’ve looked into the subject and found a few tips to help you get what you want – particularly when trying to make a good impression with a potential contact or employer in your job search – after pushing send.

Send it on a Wednesday

• That’s the day of the week we get the least amount of email. There are fewer emails to compete with. And those sent between 6 and 7 a.m. – any day of the week – are the ones most likely to be read. If you want to get a non-work email seen, send it on the weekend. We get the fewest email overall then.

Use 1 abbreviation to get it read

• Most folks only read 17% of what’s in their inbox, since we predict content from subject lines. Double your odds of getting seen by adding one word to the subject line: Re! Why do we read these? Because we think they’re the continuation of a conversation!

Stay out of spam

• I did a double take on this one, but it’s true apparently. 90%-95% of all emails sent today are actually spam! Avoid using subject lines with “free” or even “%”; these tend to be sent right to the junk folder by a filter; sight unseen. And spell check; misspelled subject lines are a red flag of spam and can get your email deleted automatically.

Watch your pronouns

• It’s true in cover letters and other correspondence; it’s true in emails. Using “I” too much makes you come across as self-indulgent. On the other hand, saying “you” – or even better, the person’s name – throughout the email conveys you as totally focused on the person at the other end. And studies continually show that to be a trait we admire.

Is that really what you meant?

• One study showed that humor or sarcasm in email is often missed, misinterpreted or even considered offensive – 44% of the time! If you speak your words out loud before you hit “send,” you might hear how something could be misinterpreted; and then delete or tweak for a clearer, congenial message.

Hit this button often

• It’s “Reply”! Research shows the faster you send an answer, the easier it is to find the right words (it’s fresh after all) and the less you’ll need to say. Jot down a few words now and send. You can always follow up with a longer message later. People appreciate you not keeping them waiting; you come off as organized and professional.

Email is still great. It gets to people quickly via a myriad of technology. You go to the trouble of writing to get out a certain message; to create a certain impression. It’s a heck of a note to be thrown into cyber-limbo for something that might be prevented. Sometimes it is really the smallest things that make a difference.

Photo: aaronescobar

Part 2 of Passing the Black Hole Test

In Part 1 of this three-part series, we explored the three kinds of readers you’ll be targeting when sending your resume out into cyberspace. Our focus is the third type: the computer–internet to database. A resume that looks great on paper but is garbled in transit won’t reach your online target audience. To avoid the internet black hole, be ready with an electronic resume as well. Here’s how to create one.

First, convert your resume to ASCII format

What is ASCII? It stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII is a form of data that can be understood by most computers worldwide. When you convert your resume to this format, you won’t have to worry about whether or not the recipient can open the file or read the format.

Think about how many times you’ve gotten an email attachment that you couldn’t open. Unless it was something important, you probably deleted it. That is exactly what happens to resumes on the employer’s end. If a resume can’t be read, the job seeker won’t be selected for an interview. Employers will not email you to say that they were unable to read your resume. No second chances here!

How to convert a resume to ASCII:

• Open the resume in your word processing program. Because it is commonly used, let’s take Word 97/2000. Open the resume; then select File>Save As>Save as Type>, choose Text Only. You may then get a prompt that your document “may contain features that are not compatible with text only format” – choose Yes
• If you’re emailing your resume, also select the box that has “Insert Line Breaks.” To create a text resume to paste into an online form, leave this box blank
• Close the document and reopen it in a text editor, such as Notepad or TextEdit (Mac OS X). Make sure that all of the characters have been converted correctly

Now do any necessary cleanup to make the formatting more attractive and searchable.

1. Left justify all text; this may include moving some text to the left margin by replacing tab stops with spaces.
2. Be sure your margins are set no smaller than one inch. Change all fonts to 12-point size text and eliminate any formatting (e.g., bold, italics, underlining, etc.). Convert to a non-proportional font, such as Courier or Monaco. Some screens only read 60 characters across. Set your page width accordingly. If your resume is in a font size that is smaller than the standard 12, when it is copied and pasted to an email, it will convert to the standard size and throw off your layout.
3. Change bullets to asterisks or dashes.
4. If columns or tables were used in the original document, make sure the text is coherent.
5. Add stylistic elements to the headers sections so that they stand out. Capitalize titles for various sections of your resume and insert extra spaces where necessary.
6. Make sure the most important information is in the top third of the document. Hiring managers report that they often print the screen shot; not the complete resume.
7. If a resume is longer than one page and contains contact information on the additional page(s), remove this information from the ASCII version. The ASCII resume is meant to be read on a computer screen, so there is no distinction between page numbers.
8. Remove all tabs and where space is required, use the space bar. Again, this can throw off your layout.
9. Use spaces to separate jobs and paragraphs – not a tab or return bar.
10. You can use a consistent series of equal signs, dashes or asterisks to make dividers after your section titles.
11. Use only keyboard symbols – No smart quotes or mathematical symbols. Remember: If it isn’t on your keyboard, don’t use it.
12. Also be sure to save the email version under a different name so that you don’t overwrite your resume.
13. To post your resume, open the ASCII file, use the copy command under edit on your toolbar, and then paste into your email. After you have completed the conversion, send an email to yourself to see how it looks.

In Part 3, I’ll show you how to create a keyword-rich resume that will help put you stand out from the competition—with employers, recruiters and computer readers!

Photo: jorel314

I’m over 50 and I got a job.  In fact I had 2 offers to choose from (for the first time in my career).  How did I do this? You’re going to love this:  “I did what my wife told me to do.”  In my case, my wife is a Certified Career Coach and Professional Resume Writer.  She wrote my resume, helped me brand myself, coached me on interviewing, helped me craft my SMART (Situation and More, Action, Result, Tie-In theme) stories, provided ongoing feedback about what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong – pretty much what she does for her customers.

What Did I Learn?

The resume and cover letter (or cover email) are key to getting you to the point of a phone interview (phone screen, usually with HR).  Both (resume and cover letter) need to reflect key elements the employer is looking for and how you satisfy this need. This means you have to tailor both for every application you make.  Failure to do this will result in your being eliminated before you even get a chance to ‘talk’.  Nobody cares about more than the last 15 (maybe 20) years of your experience,. Including more makes your resume too long and invites other problems.

When you do get that ‘phone screen’, you need to be prepared with your ‘elevator speech’ – 30 seconds on what you do and why you’re good. Your ‘crisp’ SMART stories ‘tweaked’ to pertain specifically to the job/employer in question.  Good solid reasonable explanations for how you got where you are. Corporate changes, layoffs, restructuring are a fact of modern corporate life.  Don’t avoid them, don’t belabor them, be honest and move on. Projecting excitement and energy are key.

When you finally get through the phone screen(s) to an in person interview, it starts over.  Your SMART Stories and elevator speech should be ‘re-tuned’ to be an even better fit for the position.  You must do all the things we all know are good (good eye contact, positive body language,  control your hands, smile).  Again, it’s imperative to project excitement, energy and a ‘can do’ attitude.  You’re over 50 and to some that’s a liability.  You have a wealth of experience; that needs to come out.  You’ve ‘been there, done that’.

There’s more! These are what I believe are/were the ‘keys’ for me.

Photo:  stevendepolo

Cover letters are your first impression in most cases. As discussed in Part 1, sometimes the “mistake” is glaring; sometimes it’s more understated. Here’s a look at a few of the latter. We covered three oops examples in Part 1. Here are four more and tips on how to avoid them. Again, these examples are taken from my client files—all true real-life examples from their before letters.

Cover Letter: Oops #4

Tone turmoil. Tone problems are subtle and may be sometimes hard to identify. When reading your cover letter, watch for tone problems by asking yourself, after each sentence, “Does this statement boost my application or standing? Could a hiring manager interpret it in an unfavorable light?” Have a second reader review your letter. If the letter’s wording is questionable, rewrite it.

A cover letter should balance a middle ground between extremely formal, which can come across as pretentious, and extremely informal, which can come across as presumptuous. Try to sound genuine, not stilted. When in doubt, err on the side of formality.

Cover Letter: Oops #5

Incorrect employer information. If you were an employer, would you want to hire a candidate who confuses your company’s products and services, or misquotes recent activities? It happens! I’ve heard stories from candidates and hiring managers attesting to this!

Verifying accuracy of any company information mentioned in your letter is the step to preventing this type of oops. On the other hand, if you haven’t researched the company, don’t bluff. Statements like “I know about your company” or “I am familiar with your products” signal to an employer that you haven’t done your homework.

Cover Letter: Oops #6

Witty anecdotes. Picture yourself in an interview setting, face to face with a hiring manager you’ve never met prior to the interview. Trying to be funny in this scenario is not recommended. It certainly is not appropriate in the initial cover letter communications. Remain professional and polite. If this seems like a no-brainer, let me tell you I’ve seen it! I’ve seen cover letters containing every humor attempt from cartoons, to one-liners, to statements like “[insert candidate’s name here] can leap tall buildings at a single bound.”

Cover Letter: Oops #7

Clichés and comparisons. Avoid using clichés and obvious comparisons. Hiring folks have seen it all; and they will not be impressed. In fact, these types of expressions detract from your letter’s primary function: to highlight your most notable skill sets, qualifications and value relevant to the targeted job and company.

True file examples of what not to do:

“I am a people person.”

“Teamwork is my middle name.”

“Your practice is known as the crème de la crème of law firms.”

“I am as sharp as a tack.”

“In all your candidates, I am the bright and shining star.”

Cover letter: do and don’t bonus tips:

• Do make sure your contact information is included (omission happens quite often).
• Do keep the letter brief and to the point.
• Do accentuate what you can offer the company, not what you hope to gain from them.
• Don’t just repeat information verbatim from your resume.
• Don’t overuse the personal pronoun “I”.
• Don’t send a generic or form letter.

Whether you are a cashier or a CEO, a career changer or climber, there’s a common denominator with cover letters. They have to catch the attention of the hiring manager. There’s a wrong way and a right way to do this. We know that a cover letter should contain zero typos and be grammatically correct. But this is your introduction to the people you want to be picked by. There are nuances; it’s the first step of a long dance. Intent and tact matter.

Do you have examples to share of cover letters gone bad or done right? I’d love to hear from you. Are you struggling with cover letter issues? I can help!

A cover letter is still one of the most important pieces of your career communications dashboard, even in today’s world of Twitter and bullet points! It goes without saying that your cover letter should be error free. Yet, some slip-ups are more subtle than others. They occur more often than one might expect. Here are a few examples adapted from real-world job candidates; and tips on how to avoid them.

While the following examples may seem no-brainers, they are all taken from my client files—true BEFORE letters!

Cover Letter: Oops #1

Declared Limitations. Some job seekers wrongly mention their weaknesses in their cover letters, hoping to avert an employer’s intent. This is not a good move, because the letter emphasizes your shortcomings rather than your strong suits. More importantly, it takes away from the fact that you should be trying to specifically mirror back qualifications relative to the job criteria.

Examples of what not to say:

“Although I don’t have related experience, I know I can do the job; and remain very interested in the store management position.”

“I may not be your most qualified candidate, but I have heart and desire to work in the world of websites.”  

Cover Letter: Oops #2

Distortion . Whether you are starting your job search or in the final candidate pool, never, ever falsify anything about yourself. If discovered, this will likely be your end with most organizations. Prevention is key here. Stick to the facts. You’re selling your talents and success stories in your cover letter. If you accomplished something, tell it (if relevant to your goal) and in the best possible light! Don’t be modest! At the same time, don’t inflate to the point of misrepresentation. There is a difference. And in this age of technology, hiring folks can most often easily find out that you twisted the truth; let’s face it; you lied.

Examples of what not to say:

“In May, I graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota. During that time, I held down three jobs while concurrently serving on two student boards and playing varsity soccer.”

The above candidate in truth worked two hours on Saturdays in three offices at her church; joined two clubs in name only, and practiced one time on the team before being cut. Come on!

“Since beginning my sales career six years ago, I have received hundreds of recognitions; and am considered by those at the top to be the best salesperson on the West Coast.”

All I can say about the above, is, well … just … really???

Cover Letter: Oops #3

Insistent & Self-Centered Assertions. Your cover letter should show what you can do for the employer, not what he or she can do for you.

For example, instead of stating “I am looking for  an exceptional opportunity in which I will be adequately challenged,” say “I am confident I could immediately contribute to ABC Company’s continued success, specifically by as much as doubling your East Coast Region, positioning you as the #2 player in the U.S. market.”

Examples of what not to say:

“Bringing me on board will be the best hiring decision you make this year.”

Or

“I’m in town and available for an in-person interview next Tuesday around 10:00. Let’s meet to talk about my candidacy in greater depth.”

Both the above statements are very presumptuous. Would any hiring manager be impressed? I don’t think so. Would it likely squelch the candidate’s chances of getting to first base? Probably.

I’ll share three more common killer cover letter bloopers in my next post! If you’d like to share some, I’d love to hear from you. If you are struggling with cover letters or resumes, I can help!

Photo: dingler1109

If you are an executive, your cover letter could be your ticket to that next six-figure opportunity. In my work with clients for more than 20 years, it’s been my observation that the cover letter is where 90% of applicants make lethal blunders. Here is a format that will prevent that and impress the decision-makers.

Executive Cover Letters: Make it personal and about solutions

Why do I say that your cover letter could be your ticket to the next great opportunity? It is your first “Hello,” your “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” which translates to connection. Why do so many executive cover letters fall short? The executive candidates talk about themselves and a problem. Wrong! It’s about the reader (employer) and a solution (help ease their pain).

My executive client, Jim, learned to write cover letters that focused on solutions he could offer to solve his readers’ problems. Here’s an example of one of Jim’s letters (altered for confidentiality):

Typed letterhead name, address, with city, state, zip, phone, email, blog or LinkedIn addresses (varies)

Date

Dear Greg, (handwritten)

If you can use a qualified and respected Trainer, Talent Officer, Marketer or Strategic Planner, I may be able to help.

I’ve served as:

• Chief consultant, award-winning trainer, over 17 years (Small and medium companies).
• Management and marketing strategist (Large and small companies).
• Blogger @jimsullivanmarketplacematters site on Marketing and Business issues.
• Key exec for three Fortune 500 companies (Vice President at two).

How could I serve you? Working either as an employee or private contractor, I could contribute value to your current division startup and any of Zentac Corporation’s marketing, staffing, coaching, training, motivation, or talent development initiatives.

My reputation has been built on working hard and smart. My career path has left a trail (that I’m glad to share) of top-rated performance reviews and impacts that drove profitability while keeping all key players—boards to clients—happy. I am flexible on hours, weekends, locations, travel and income. Recent compensation package was around $239,500. I have many ready to testify on my behalf if asked.

I look forward to the next step. Perhaps we could have a cup of coffee nearby?

Respectfully, (handwritten)

Jim Jones (handwritten)

[Handwritten note] P.S. I would be flattered to contribute to Zentac’s continued success. I’ve been impressed by your press for some time. And Perry Brown sings your praises!

Another client, Sophia, a senior finance executive, sought a position as a Vice President with a major Minneapolis bank. Armed with a great one-page executive brief and a stand-alone case studies document, she sent the package to the bank president. It got her an interview but she was not chosen for the job. Then three weeks later, she got a call saying that the chairman of the board had seen her package and wanted to talk to her. They met over lunch and she was offered the job on the spot for a branch president opening. She said “yes” and is happily there now.

Decision-makers do read cover letters, especially if they are tuned in to the job—and personalized. The icing on the cake is the handwritten postscript. It’s personal; and it’s always about what you can do for them!

Photo:  Paul Simpson

Job Search Confidence – My client, Cheryl lost her job as a Project Manager after 18 years with the same company. Her employer shifted its operations to another state. She took a month-long hiatus, and then started her job search, with her confidence at an all-time low. The true “ah-hah” moment came a few weeks later when Cheryl was interviewing for another project management position. She was, trying to pitch herself. She later told me that while she was saying to that interviewer, “I managed key initiatives impacting IT integration for several offices,” her inner voice was saying, “Yes, and if you’d been any good at it, you would not be in this interview.”

Job Search Confidence: Shaken

Cheryl realized her bruised self-esteem was something she needed to push through. Lack of self-confidence would not serve her well if she were to market herself to employers in a tough job market. Cheryl and I discussed how so much of the job search is a relational process. We talked about how grieving the loss of a job is one thing; playing the self-blame game is another. I asked Cheryl several questions around this past position:

• How would things be different if you’d never had that job with ABC Company?
• What would you do differently?
• What did you like best about what you did? What did you like least?
• What skills are transferable to finding something else aligned with what you liked?

Job Search Confidence: Strengthened

Cheryl gradually recognized that she was a unique human being. Yes, it was a competitive market. But she had both hard and soft skills to offer new employers with new opportunities.

She also began to interact more with a strong network she had built over the years—face-to-face and online. Some of her biggest boosts to her self-confidence came from her giving back in these networking situations. Not only did she feel good about it; she received thanks, compliments and returned favors—resources, leads and new contacts.

She updated her resume, cover letters, elevator speeches and LinkedIn profile. Focusing on marketing helped her stay tuned in to her value. She practiced interviewing with a video camera. She developed a job-search strategy and action plan, which helped her stay focused—baby steps—to avoid feeling overwhelmed or backpedaled into self-defeating thoughts. She took steps to earn her Project Management Professional certification, which kept her feeling cutting edge.

Cheryl made a list of reminders right on her iPhone, so she could look at them frequently:

• Accept who I am. I’ll make mistakes and things just happen sometimes. Move on.
• Focus on my strengths, accomplishments and value.
• My short-term goals are ______; my long-term goals are _____. I will review these daily. I will show my progress and everything I achieve each day. If I need to adjust my goals, I will. That’s okay.
• I will surround myself with positive people and situations that lift my spirits.
• I will never compare myself to others. I am unique. I am confident.

Cheryl is still in her job search. What’s changed is that she is focused on moving forward. She is not stuck in the non-productive emotions of low confidence and self-esteem. She’s moving forward to a bright future!

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” ~Malcolm S. Forbes

Photo:  SweetOnVeg

I was talking to a friend recently, who was floating on Cloud Nine. She had met a man and in her words, “It was magic! It was love at first sight!” This couple had, as some would say, chemistry.

Interview Chemistry: What is It?

One of the statements I hear from clients after not getting an offer is, “I don’t know why I didn’t get the job. I thought we had great chemistry.” But did they? Interviews are not just conversations. Unfortunately, too often job candidates think of interviews as just that — sessions where they sit back and answer questions. An interview is like a sports competition. No two are the same; you can’t plan exactly how things will go, but you can have a game plan for coming out well. The point is to make the most out of the interview; and to come out better than the competition, whom we will assume, are as qualified as you are.

In the interview, both sides are asking, “Do I like this person? Will I enjoy working with this person?” As a job candidate, your primary goal in the interview is to convince the employer that you want to work for them, and only them. Here are two first steps to help you build chemistry with everyone you meet in an interview situation.

For interview coaching and practice to help you establish the kind of chemistry and connection you want in an interview, let me help.

Interview Chemistry: First 2 Steps

1. Research each company or firm. How do you feel when you meet a person for the first time who knows a lot about you? It usually catches people off guard in a pleasant way. It creates a very positive first impression. It is often the basis on which successful businesses are shaped.   An accountant friend of mine attributes his success to research he does ahead of time. His clients repeatedly tell him that he won their business against stiff competition, because he knew more about them than anyone else! If you make the effort to know the employer organization’s website, their press, their industry, their competition and even the person or persons you will be meeting, this ignites a bond.   
2. Amaze the front lines. When you arrange or confirm the interview appointment, this is a great opportunity to collect more data. Many of my clients have gathered job descriptions, brochures and other enlightening information—simply by asking.   One study showed that two-thirds of hiring managers said that they were heavily influenced by their right-hand administrative support person or team.

Interview Chemistry: In Practice

My executive client, George once shared with me a personal example of this power. He had a 1:30 appointment to interview Mr. X. When Mr. X showed up, George had completely forgotten about the appointment. It was also a busy day. George asked his Executive Assistant, “Marge, what do you think of him?” Marge said not one word; she simply gave a thumbs-down signal. Mr. X had apparently droned on about himself in the waiting room, which greatly irritated Marge who had work to do. Short story: Mr. X was relegated to interviewing with an assistant. And Marge was instructed by George to provide her opinion to this assistant. Mr. X was history. No one had taught him how important it is to make a positive impression on the front office staff. Simple things like arriving just a tad early, being organized, not talking on your cell, or simply smiling and saying “thanks” to the receptionist!

Without chemistry and connection in an interview, it’s an uphill battle. In Part 2, I’ll share two more steps to creating interview connection with chemistry.

Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness.”

~ Margaret Miller

Photo:  tedmurphy

Mykl Roventine

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. The New Year’s weight-loss and fitness ads will soon be replaced by others … you know which ones. Advertising for jewelry and cards—the show you care type. My hopeful favorite at this time of year is some really good chocolate! It made me think of that popular line from the movie, Forest Gump,

Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.

Though the line’s probably been overused—even laughably to many—there is a good career take-away. Whether you’re exploring what you want to do, trying to find and get it, or trying to keep it, career life is very unpredictable. That box of chocolates might contain a complex mixture. You might grab your favorite caramel, or bite into a detested fruit filling. The results of your choices may suit you—or not.

Every decision has a different destination and a different consequence, good and bad. Yummy ones are very easy to swallow; yucky ones are hard to stomach. It is what we do afterward that matters. Do we give up finding our favorites—the ones we love? Or are we persistent like my little dog, Ted, who has no thought of giving in to obstacles, but instead gives in to adventures and possibilities!

We all have to decide what paths we will take in our personal and career lives. If we keep searching, if we take the type of wide-eyed, child-like and anything-goes attitude that Forest Gump had, who knows how many wonderful adventures await us around the bend? Here’s wishing you goodies! And here’s to that bit of Forest Gump in you, when you bite into a yucky.

mail, voice mail, junk mail, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and a myriad of other communication vehicles, it is challenging to sift through the “noise” and “traffic” to hone in and focus on one candidate. This is often why even the most qualified candidates may fall through the cracks!

Cover Letter:  6 Tips

Make sure your resume is strong, with the cover letter being its short and sweet introduction. Most importantly, show respect for the hiring person’s time! Here are 6 tips:

1. Address your cover letter to a specific person if possible. This shows your due diligence. You can research contacts online at the company’s websites. If you know someone inside that company, ask them for help in getting a name. Or call the company; say you have a question about the position/process. Ask for a name. Sometimes, you can’t find out. Don’t say “To Whom It May Concern”—that dates you as out of touch. Instead, use “Dear Hiring Manager” as your greeting.
2. Tell recruiters what they need to know. You normally leave salary out of a letter. Writing to recruiters is an exception!! Include salary history or requirements, or risk being disqualified. You can give a comfortable range for salary history, such as “Over the past nine years, I have earned between $46,000 and $59,000. However, I am open to any reasonable offer consistent with my ability to produce results aligned with your performance expectations.” If you are asked for salary requirements, use the same strategy: “I realize that the salary range for a Vendor Contract Specialist in the Minneapolis area averages between $37,000 and $45,000. Given my experience and ability to hit the ground running with contributions to ABC Company, I would hope to come in at the upper end of this scale.” Recruiters really need to know, because their clients are companies who have specific parameters regarding salary.
3. Drop names. If you were referred by someone connected with the employer, make sure you reference that in the very first sentence of your cover letter. “Barry Leighton remarked that I’m a perfect fit for the inside sales position you currently have open…” This powerful sentence will immediately grab the reader’s attention! Employers like to hire people they know. Your ability to gain credibility is enhanced, because the hiring person knows that you’ve been pre-screened by the person who referred you to the job.
4. Keep the process simple. If you are sending your resume electronically, put the cover letter right in the email. Reference that your resume is attached and in what format (Word, PDF etc.). If you’d rather make the cover letter the first page of your resume file, that’s okay. However, general etiquette frowns upon attaching multiple files. This is disrespectful of the hiring person’s time; now they have to open TWO (or more) files for just one candidate. Not a happy camper!
5. Do not rehash your resume. If your resume is a well-written marketing document (clear focus of what you want, followed by a branded value proposition, and backed by relevant success stories/qualifications), don’t waste the hiring person’s time by repeating this information. Your goal here is to entice them to read the resume! Stick to what you want and why you’re a fit. Don’t preach the obvious. Hiring folks know that a salesperson brings in revenue. They know that a teacher wants students to learn. They know that a quality control person strives for efficiencies and safety. Stick to the point, which is “I’m applying for ___, and I’m a great fit; please read my resume to know more.”
6. State your respect. “I respect your time” are four very powerful words in a cover letter, for obvious reasons. You have just succinctly said that you realize this person has many demands, and you want to make his/her connection with you as pleasant as possible. Note the following example:

Cover Letter:  Sample

June 11, 2010

Ms. Tamara Jenkins
ABC Global
590 Lilac Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Dear Ms. Jenkins:

I’m excited about ABC Global’s opening for District Manager, and my resume highlighting relevant qualifications accompanies this letter. I am positive that I could perform well in this role, and could contribute to ABC’s continued success.

I respect your time, and can assure you that I have the years of experience, credentials and other relevant success stories aligned with your stated criteria for the District Manager position.

Thank you for your consideration; I look forward to the next step!

Respectfully,

Greg Brownston

Note: Resume is attached in Word and PDF formats

Cover Letter:  More Tips

For more cover letter tips and advice, see…