A client asked me recently, "Is it ok to use a generic cover letter?"
What do you think? Do you think that cover letters don't really matter and they're just something you slap on top of your resume?
Absolutely not! In fact, the cover letter can actually be MORE important to getting you the interview.
Do you think that someone who is applying to be an office manager should use the same generic cover letter as someone else applying for a teaching position?
NO! of course not! Your cover letter should be very specifically tailored not only to the type of position you are apply for but for the specific place you are applying as well.
The cover letter software that I review at the top of this page is programmed to produce industry specific keywords in addition to the marketing magic that will get the hiring managers attention. It will also ask you the right questions to help tailor it to the specific place you are applying.
We are in a really competitive job market - more competitive than it has been in decades. Hiring managers get so many applications they just aren't able to review every resume so they do the next best thing - they read all the cover letters first. If you submit a generic cover letter, I'm afraid you are drastically cutting down your chances that you will be called for an interview. Check out the software and see if you think it could help you. I know it has helped many of my clients.
Showing posts with label cover letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cover letter. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Is Your Cover Letter Focused On the Wrong Thing?
Working in a job center, I read a lot of cover letters. Most of them seem to focus on wrong thing and I can truthfully say that the vast majority of job applicants would help their chances a lot if they would just ask for help on their cover letter.
Now, most experts will tell you that you are making a mistake if you focus on listing your accomplishments in your cover letter, no matter how good they are. They tell you to shift this focus to what you can offer to them. I don't disagree with the latter being better than the first but I have a very different take on what you should focus on in your cover letter - and my take is based on experience helping real clients in a job center.
Here's the bottom line. Both strategies above focus on getting hired when you should instead be submitting a cover letter that will inspire those reading it to invite you in for the interview.
That bears repeating and rephrasing:
In your cover letter, you should focus on getting an interview - NOT on getting the job - and to do this you need help.
Getting called for an interview is more than 90% of the battle - and you can't get the job if you don't first get the interview for 99% of all jobs. Let your cover letter serve as your first impression that gets you noticed and liked enough for them to want to meet you in person. Your cover letter needs charisma and charm. You need to come across as a dynamic person they just have to meet.
You need marketing language to accomplish this. You need succinct marketing language that draws them in with just a few sentences. To do this, I can't recommend highly enough this software. It has worked so well for so many of my clients I know it can help you too. It will definitely give you an "unfair advantage."
Now, most experts will tell you that you are making a mistake if you focus on listing your accomplishments in your cover letter, no matter how good they are. They tell you to shift this focus to what you can offer to them. I don't disagree with the latter being better than the first but I have a very different take on what you should focus on in your cover letter - and my take is based on experience helping real clients in a job center.
Here's the bottom line. Both strategies above focus on getting hired when you should instead be submitting a cover letter that will inspire those reading it to invite you in for the interview.
That bears repeating and rephrasing:
In your cover letter, you should focus on getting an interview - NOT on getting the job - and to do this you need help.
Getting called for an interview is more than 90% of the battle - and you can't get the job if you don't first get the interview for 99% of all jobs. Let your cover letter serve as your first impression that gets you noticed and liked enough for them to want to meet you in person. Your cover letter needs charisma and charm. You need to come across as a dynamic person they just have to meet.
You need marketing language to accomplish this. You need succinct marketing language that draws them in with just a few sentences. To do this, I can't recommend highly enough this software. It has worked so well for so many of my clients I know it can help you too. It will definitely give you an "unfair advantage."
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