Cover Letters – A Dying Art Form?
In the age of the fast and highly impersonal on-line application process, it seems the art of writing a cover letter has gone by the wayside for many. But, like so many other things in this challenging economy, now more than ever is the time to perfect the cover letter – not neglect it. Here are a few reasons to consider:
- Reflection of Your Interest – the ease with which you can apply to jobs on-line is the exact reason that a cover letter is paramount. It is a strong indicator that you are serious about your candidacy, not just slinging your resume out thre to see where it sticks.
- Template versus Boilerplate – Having a standard cover letter is a starting point, not something to arbitrarily cut-and-paste each time you apply. Make sure the document reads like it is written for the reader and only the reader. Ask yourself this – aren’t you more apt to take the time to read a letter you can tell was written just for you versus one that is clearly generic? I know I am.
- It’s All About Standing Apart from the Crowd – as unemployment continues to increase, so does your pool of competition. Differentiating is the name of the game now more than ever. Your cover letter is the perfect platform to do just that.
- The Interview Before the Interview – Every C level executive I work with says the same thing. They use the cover letter as a barometer to gauge a candidate’s ability to effectively communicate. This is an ideal time to showcase your written communication skills.
- Recruiters Don’t Read Them – Yes and no. The good ones do and the others should. For all the reasons listed here plus it gives them pre-packaged selling points for their clients, should they consider you a candidate. They, after all, are another example of an interview before the interview. Remember this though – for all the advice you might get from recruiters, they are never the one who hires you.
Are cover letter sometimes overlooked? Yes. On the other hand, they are quite often a deciding factor as to whether or not you will get an interview. So, take the time to put together a document that reflects you and why you should be considered over the other hundreds of applicants. This attention to detail could be the first step towards getting you the interview you want and the job you deserve.
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Friday’s Free Job Search Coaching Calls
This past Friday I held a day of free coaching calls. I decided to do it the first week of September in anticipation of my Job Search Bootcamp which kicks off on the 8th. My bandwidth is pretty limited once the Bootcamp starts, so I knew I needed to get it on the books before then.
When I announced last week that I was doing this, the spots were gone in under 13 minutes! I know many of you missed out and, hopefully, we will get a chance to chat in the future. These 1-on-1 sessions are a regular part of my Career Attraction University (where you are guaranteed a spot to get coached), but once a month I open it up on a first come, first served basis for free.
I spoke with 17 professionals ranging from Media Directors to IT Professionals to a few folks who described themselves as “jack-of-all-trades.” The themes though were recurring and consistent. Here is a brief recap of some of the topics tackled.
I have been networking and letting everyone know that I’m looking, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. I hear this a lot and, when I get down to how people are networking, I usually get one of two answers: a) I’m letting everyone in my network know that I’m looking or b) I make sure to let anyone I talk to in my industry know what I do well. Here is what I tell both.
First, it’s much more important that someone know you are really good at what you do (your reputation network and “packs” can work to your advantage here) than that you are looking for employment. The fact that you are looking for a job is largely irrelevant to someone who would hire you. More importantly, it’s not a motivating factor in hiring you.
Second, while it is important for companies to know what you do well it is more important – and effective for you – that it be relevant to what they want and need. Get a brief understanding of what the major pains are that the company is dealing with currently. Then you can tailor your accomplishments and strengths so they speak to that pain…and why you are the ideal candidate to hire.
I want to move up the ladder, but I need specific experience and I can’t afford the training right now. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. There is no better way to get on-the-job training when you are unemployed. Better yet, you can list it as consulting. While someone may ask your bill rate, they aren’t going to verify salary. It only matters to you what you were (or weren’t) paid. What matters to them are the skills you bring to the table.
How do I convince a specific company that I’m a fit for a job when I have a varied background and/or no specific experience? Go back to the problems you solve and the pains you have alleviated in the past. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t. This is crucial in talking to companies in new industries or fields when you are looking to transition.
It’s really important that you talk to the hiring managers and not recruiters here. You will have your best luck with those who are experiencing the pain. I’m not saying they will all be interested, but those who want what you don’t have were never potential employers for you anyway.
I just moved to a new town and have no network. You’ve likely heard me talk about my interview with Michael Kerman before. This is the spot he was in and he landed a job masterfully by building a network from scratch and never asking for a job while doing it. If you haven’t heard it, definitely check it out.
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Like what you read? Get blogs, videos and tools you can use delivered right to your inbox as I post them. No spam or junk – just content you can put to use and get results with! And make sure you check out my FREE STUFF to put to work in your job search today…
What is LASER Coaching?
In my Job Search Bootcamps, I use a technique called LASER Coaching. It’s also something I’ve participated in and, from which, I’ve personally benefited. It’s highly focused and just as powerful for the person being coached as it is for those listening in.
Watch, listen and let me know what you think…
If you are interested in participating in LASER Coaching, it’s part of my Job Search Bootcamp that kicks off on September 8. It’s just one of the techniques I’ll be using to sharpen your focus, get you standing out and able to find the right job, quicker.
Career Attraction Weekly Wrap-up: August 28, 2010
On Thursday’s webinar I announced that I will be holding a LIVE Job Search Bootcamp starting September 8th. This is a 12 part webinar series that shows you exactly how to stand out in the marketplace and start attracting jobs instead of chasing after them. Plus, I have a number of bonuses and additional tools I’ve rolled together – making it my most complete Bootcamp ever. If you haven’t seen the short (<5 minutes) video I shot talking about it , you can watch it here.
Take advantage of the 20% discount by using the code “BOOTCAMP” at checkout. But, remember, it’s only good until Monday at midnight!
In addition to that, here’s what happened last week in Career Attraction…
Follow up Q&A Session - Robert Shindell and I weren’t able to get to everyone’s questions on Thursday’s webinar, so we tackled them in this follow on one. Listen in as we talk about getting past gatekeepers, age discrimination, maximizing LinkedIn, improving your networking skills and much, much more. You can check it out here.
LinkedIn v.Facebook – 306 vs. 184 and counting. If you haven’t joined us on LinkedIn and Facebook, come on in…the water is fine. This week there was a great discussion started by Diane Hope on Identifying Skills and Talents. Check it out! Have a question? Want to share some information? These are great places to exchange ideas, network and start creating a “pack.”
Here’s what’s happening in Career Attraction University…
1-on-1 Coaching: The September schedule will be coming out next week – se be on the lookout!
NEW VIDEOS – Q&A Video from August and the new SME Video on using Outsourcing as part of your Job Search Strategy.
Have some specific training you’d like for your search? Email me at kevin@careerattraction.com and I’ll get working on it for you!
Not a member of Career Attraction University? For less than one dollar a day you can access all this information and more. Sign-up here and get started today!
Twitter as a “Twool” in the Job Search
While Social Media platforms like LinkedIn have gained increasing popularity with today’s job seekers, many are still on the fence regarding Twitter. Not too long ago, I was one of those wondering if and how this tool might assist job seekers. While I had my own ideas, I thought what better way to uncover how it can really help those in the midst of a job search than to find people who had success using it. So, I interviewed two women who found their jobs using Twitter.
To listen to these two interviews and learn tips on how to incorporate Twitter as a “twool” in your job search, use the links below:
How I Found My Job with Twitter – Interview #1
How I Found My Job with Twitter – Interview #2 (this one is missing the first few minutes, but still has tons of great how-to information)
After listening, please share your thoughts and feedback below and, of course…
Interested in learning more about social media and your job search? Read about my Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp where this is just one piece of the puzzle to uncover the “hidden” job market and get you ack to work quicker – all without job boards or recruiters.
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2008 – 2009 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
