I don’t mean to say the sample cover letter. Job applications request cover letters. And samples give you a format, a way to get past a blank page. That can be very useful. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking they are enough. Simply enter your information in a sample cover letter and you’ll get the same boring sludge the hiring manager sees in 98% of other candidates. Which means you’re just making it easy for the 3 people who create a cover letter that stands out.
But there is something you can do about it, a lot, in fact, and it’s not difficult or time consuming. Here are just a couple of little-known techniques for turning boring cover letter samples into compelling properties recruiters want to pursue:
be like mike. What I mean is, show the hiring manager how much you understand about her and her needs. You are in a similar industry after all. Point out the parallels, explicitly. “Last year, we were so overworked that four accountants took early retirement. What about your staff?” Once you’ve established some identification with the recruiter, show him what you can do for him. “Well, even though we couldn’t stop them from leaving, I was able to do this… and something amazing happened. Of course, we would have to talk about how that translates from the government to a private company.” You are now the trusted advisor instead of just another candidate begging for a job. And there is an obvious reason for them to meet.
read the best essay. Study it, actually. Cover letters are sales pages, period. Instead of asking for the sale, you are asking for the interview.
Great copywriters make more money than you or me. Why? Because they get people to act. Your customers aren’t looking for pretty language, they want the cash register to ring. Copywriters don’t hesitate to use emotional language, strong images, bold claims, and hot-button phrases like fast, safe, and now.
The next time you’re at the check-out counter, check out the tabloids, the Enquirer, or the Globe. Skip the story about the potato chip that looks like Elvis and read the ads. Pay close attention to how quickly they get to what interests you. Usually, its features are combined with benefits. Now review your job application letter. You’re really advertising yourself, aren’t you? Is your deed worthy of a hot property like you?
Make just a couple of small, powerful changes to your cover letter. Most applicants will not. Make a few changes and together you’ll make your work package impossible to put down.