Page 235 - 201 Killer Cover Letters

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RECRUITER’S TIP
the letters reflect this trait in the tone the
writers adopt.
RESUME LOST...
AND FOUND which assertiveness is a desired quality;
Not hearing anything after STEP 1: GET TO THE POINT
sending your resume or after in-
terviewing may, indeed, mean No two Make Something Happen Letters
that you haven’t been selected. are the same. Each relates specifically to
Or, it could mean that the the position you’re after, the organization
firm has: you’ll be a part of when hired, the indus-
try, the characters of those with whom
No system for responding.
you’re dealing, and your own personality.
Actually lost your resume. Weigh each of these elements in your ef-
Never received your resume. fort to create an appropriate opening for
your letter.
Added your resume to “the
A conservative industry, for example,
stack.”
might dictate the use of a reserved, under-
Not completed scheduling
stated tone. Or, a bolder approach might
interviews.
be effective in shaking things up a bit.
So WRITE! Make selection Writing to an interviewer who appears to
an active—not a passive— be all suit and wingtips, who would never
choice on their part. dress down on a summer Friday, might
call for a completely different opening
than one you would use with a colleague
you’ve known for years. You’ll find examples of these and other openings in the
sample letters that follow.
If your instinct has proven generally reliable in the past, you’ll probably con-
jure up an opening that is clever, yet appropriate. If you’re uncertain, adopt a
more conservative approach. The bottom line, however, is to get to the point. Your
opening should never require as much time to read as you have invested in plan-
ning it. Whether you’re thanking your reader for a meeting, reminding him who
you are, providing additional information or references, or asking for the job, get
to the point. Then, move along to Step 2.

STEP 2: MAKE THE POINT

A quick opening will direct your reader to the body of your letter, in which you’ll
make your central point (or points) clearly and concisely. In virtually every case,
your Make Something Happen Letters will be brief.
Say something new in the body of your letter. There’s no justification for re-
peating points you’ve already made during an interview or in a previous letter—
evidently, they didn’t work the first time. Instead, provide new information that is
meaningful and beneficial to the reader. If appropriate, furnish additional refer-

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