What's going to get you the job that you want? A perfect CV? A
stunning photo? The real answer may surprise you. Here's something you
need to hear, and that most web sites and most recruitment consultancies
don't tell you. In order to get the job you want, you have to "sell"
yourself. To "sell" yourself effectively you have to target the document
that many employers use to make their decision about whether or not to
invite you for an interview. That document isn't your CV, it's your
cover letter.
If your CV is selling the steak, then your cover
letter is selling the sizzle. Your cover letter has to arouse the
interest of your potential employer. It has to maintain that interest
and lead your employer naturally to the next steps that are to read your
CV and to invite you to a job interview. So let's see what those five
steps are that will set you apart from the rest.
Step 1. "Dear Mr Jones,......"
Find
out who should be receiving your letter. Using that person's name shows
that you've prepared and that you want to present a high quality image.
It's also much better than the banal "Dear Sir/Madam" openers that so
many other job-hunters use.
Step 2. Passion and Experience in the First Paragraph
Employers
know that enthusiasm is generally a better guide than intelligence to
know if a person will excel in a job. Positioning things so that you
convey your motivation for the job from the start helps the employer to
see the value in employing you. Start with an affirmative statement such
as " Over the last five months, I have thoroughly enjoyed writing
newsletter articles for XYZ Limited " that sells your experience and
your enthusiasm at the same time.
Step 3. Match their requirements and your skills
Make
sure that your letter contains a table with two columns: one for a list
with bullets for each of their requirements in the job specification,
the other one for the skill you have that meets this requirement. This
will position your application well, and it will positively
differentiate you from the other 200 applicants who may well not have a
clue about how they too could have made it easy for employers to select
them.
Step 4. Short, simple and sincere
Make
the whole of your letter something that has your personal stamp of
quality and sincerity on it. Keeping it short and simple as well will
help free up your employer's time so that he or she can send out an
invitation for an interview with you... and polite rejection letters to
everybody else.
Step 5. Stay in their minds and help them make the connection
You have two things to do here.
The
first is to use an aspect of your cover letter to make it easy for them
to remember you. There are so many ways you can do this. Writing your
signature in a different colour ink is one. Attaching a teabag and
inviting the reader to take a break while reading your letter is
another. Too much for a cover letter? That depends on the job you're
applying for. But whatever you do, be creative.
The second is have
them call you, so don't leave this to chance, like so many other
applicants do; put your contact details in your cover letter as well,
and expressly invite them to call you.
About Me:
Over the years I've seen both sides of the recruitment process: before, when I was looking for a job, and after, when I became a business owner and an employer. So I can certainly share a thing or two that will make you stand out. It amazes me even recruitment agencies get this wrong. Whether it is your first job or you are interested in changing careers visit [http://www.simple-stuff.co.uk] and see how you can use your skills to increase your chances of employment.
Over the years I've seen both sides of the recruitment process: before, when I was looking for a job, and after, when I became a business owner and an employer. So I can certainly share a thing or two that will make you stand out. It amazes me even recruitment agencies get this wrong. Whether it is your first job or you are interested in changing careers visit [http://www.simple-stuff.co.uk] and see how you can use your skills to increase your chances of employment.
