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Why a Great Cover Letter is Like a Beautiful Woman
By Charles Ethos
Both are eye catching.
A great cover
letter, like a beautiful woman, tweaks curiosity and holds promise.
Why a Cover Letter?
In down to earth terms, look at it like a highway billboard. You have 3-5 seconds to catch my attention. Will I remember you? Skip the “beautiful
woman” analogy. 3-5 seconds just won’t do it for me.
J
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Your cover letter has a single objective – to get
your resume perused.
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Your cover letter and resume have a single objective
– to get you an interview.
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Your cover letter, resume and interview have a
single objective – to see if the employer deserves you. ;)
Master the art of creating beautiful focused, unique, well prepared cover
letters and the employers will be drooling to interview you.
Focused Cover Letter
Focus and break down your cover letter to simple components. Each word,
sentence, each paragraph tells and sells a unique you. For example, a 5-paragraph cover letter compels you to create five specific areas of
targeted information, each reflecting your ability to meet the needs of the employer. Make the reader drool with curiosity to read
more.
Focus on detail – on the employer’s needs.
On a personal note: I have read cover letters so compelling that I looked forward to the
interview. Is this person real?
Typically professional cover letter writers recommend the last paragraph
is a call to action. Agreed.
Or
would you rather have the reader jump from the middle paragraph to your resume while groping for the telephone to call you, instead of
plodding to the end hoping you did not run out of steam?
When
the focus of a cover letter matches the needs of an employer, you can just feel the palms start to itch.
Prepared to Create a “Put Pen to Paper” Cover Letter?
Are
you ready to drive your cover letter home? Sitting with paper in hand or at your computer, have you laid out all your data before starting?
Before driving a nail, you better be crystal clear as to the purpose of the nail, type, size, and placement. It's the same writing the first
line of your cover letter.
Before you start, be sure you have laid out all of your critical
information including a copy of your résumé, your employer’s ad, all your contact information and all supporting material.
Organize! “Winging it” is only for the birds.
Focusing and maintaining your train of thought requires freedom from
distraction. This is no time to forage around for information. Have your completed pre-organize job seeking material on an Excel spreadsheet,
a basic database or on a professionally prepared organizer, all at hand.
Need to save time, effort or just plain lazy? ;-)
KISS. Consider using professional job seeking planners or guides that can
save time. It’s quicker and can simplify collecting critical personal data for your résumés and cover letters. Why easier? They ask the
questions, you fill in the boxes.
Here
is an example of such a tool.
There are a ton of these guides or planners available. If you procure
one, please be sure that it serves your purpose and it has a money back guarantee. I have purchased some crumby ones. :(
Tip: Having purchased and reviewed several related
products I found them useful in collecting generic basic information. This can help save
enormous amount of time. They are like a starter on your car - vroom! To fly, just add nitrous.
If you have unique experiences, talents, education, or anything else
outside the norm be aware that these products can't second-guess your special needs. Their best
use is in helping you collect the everyday data that any employer may seek but it is your responsibility to add in those pieces of information
that make you stand out from your competition.
Speaking of unique...
Alternative Brainstorming Resources
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