The Importance of Creative Cover Letters

Creative Cover Letters

Presented by Donna ShannonThe Personal Touch Career Services

[email protected]

(c) Donna Shannon, 2010

The Personal Touch Career Services

• Our Mission: To help job seekers of all levels achieve their employment goals through solid, practical advice and services

We offer resume services, interview coaching, job search strategy development and group classes

Over 8 years in corporate recruitment & placement

Donna’s book, “Get a Job Without Going Crazy” is available on our website CoyoteVisions.com, Amazon.com and the Tattered Cover in Denver


DO I REALLY NEED A COVER LETTER?


Yes!

• Never pass up a marketing opportunity

• Use to focus and customize to the individual or the company

• Persuade and engage a jaded audience


More reasons to send a cover letter:

• To survive the HR screening

• To be seen as a professional

• To operate on the highest level


Repeat after me:

• I will always send a cover letter, no matter what!


WHY CREATIVITY COUNTS


Creativity can open doors

• We hire people, not robots

• Social media is making everything personal

• Stand out from the crowd


Don’t be this guy…


Rules you can’t escape

• Start with an attention-grabbing introduction followed by supporting evidence

• Say what you want

• Include your contact information


CREATIVE TACTICS


Unusual introduction

• Rather than relying on a stale and boring standard introduction, capture the imagination of the reader by setting a scene…


Interesting introduction Formula:

• Start with an image that embodies their predicament

• Slide in where you saw the job

• Back it up with some proof

• Conclude with contact info


Unusual introduction- a closer look

• In this flooded job market, finding a good _____________ (your job title) can be as easy as picking out a new shirt at the mall. However, finding that perfect candidate who can balance _________ (your top skill) with an in-depth understanding of _______________ (your industry or their main need) can be more challenging. That is more like having a tailor-made garment that fits to perfection.


Strong statement

• Think you’ve got a strong selling point? Lead with that strength…


Strong statement formulaPick two top skills to highlight

Sneak the job title and where you saw it into the first sentence

Refer to your resume for proof

Conclude with contact information


Strong statement- a closer look

• “I am certain that every candidate's resume that you have received for your ________ (job title) position listed on ____________ (where you saw it) is claiming to be ___________ (top skill #1) and _________ (top skill #2). I am no different - but as you will see in reading over my attached resume, my experience supports my claims.”


Question and answer

• Do you understand the core nature of the job? Make it a question you ask the employer – with you as the answer, of course


Question & answer formula

• Ask what is the single greatest asset for the job

• State what your top ability is as the possible answer

• Tie in that you meet this requirement

• Fill in with a solid example from your experience

• Conclude with your contact info


Question & answer- a closer look

• “What could possibly be the single greatest asset of any ___________(job title)? The ability to ____________ (skill or attribute #1) and _________________ (skill or attribute #2) would have to rank pretty high – I know it certainly did in my _____________ (related experience).”


Understanding of the industry

• Know a lot about the industry, including it’s quirks, challenges and rewards? Tell us about it…


Understanding of the industry formula

• Start with current news

• Write about your understanding of the industry

• Tie in your personal experience

• Ask for the job your want

• Conclude with your contact information


Understanding the industry- a closer look

• After reading several articles about you and your company ____________(where you saw it), I have become increasingly impressed. Specifically, I understand ___________ (draw in their company vision or plans, especially as they relate to industry changes or demands)….

• The rest is up to you – display your knowledge!


FINAL WORDS


Remember your audience

• Your target is NOT the HR department- it is the HIRING MANGER

• A well-written cover letter placed in the right hands can:

• Open doors

• Resurrect a cut candidate

• Snag the interview

Donna Shannon720-341-8229

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