201 Killer Cover Letters：Mcgraw.Hill.Sandra.Podesta.And.Andrea.Paxton.201.Killer.Cover.Letters

201
Killer Cover Letters
CD-ROM Edition
Sandra Podesta
Andrea Paxton
McGraw-Hill
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DOI,10.1036/0071424997
Contents
Introduction v
Acknowledgments ix
How to Use This Book and CD-ROM xi
1,Jobhunting in Today’s New World 1
A Personal Note from the Author
2,The Top Ten Rules for Writing Killer
Cover Letters 10
The Basic Do’s and Don’ts for Cover Letters and All Your
Jobhunting Correspondence
3,How to Identify and Sell Your
Strengths 21
How to Identify Your Unique Skills and Talents and What They
Offer Your Next Employer—Worksheets 3-1,3-2,and 3-3—
Sample Constructions
4,The Networking Letter 35
The Advantages of Networking—Letter Outline—Sample Letters
5,The Ad Response/Resume Cover
Letter 59
How to Create a Letter That Sets You Apart from Your
Competition—Letter Outline—Killer Openings and Closings—
How to Respond to Salary Queries—Sample Letters
6,The Follow-Up Letter 187
How Follow-Up Letters Differ from Thank-You Letters—Letter
Outline—Killer Openings and Closings—Sample Letters
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7,The Thank-You Letter 208
When to Send a Thank-You Letter—Letter Outline—
Sample Letters
8,The Make Something Happen Letter 221
How to Jumpstart a Stalled Candidacy—Letter Outline—
Sample Letters
9,Additional Jobhunting Letters 244
Reference Request Letters—Meeting Confirmation Letters—
Letters for Negotiating,Accepting,and Rejecting a Job Offer—
Letters of Resignation—Sample Letters
10,Killer Resources 257
Words and Phrases to Avoid and What to Use Instead—The
Cover Letter Checklist
Index of Letters That Address Specific
Issues 261
Index of Letters by Industry and Job
Title 262
Alphabetical Listing of Letters 267
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Introduction
Of course,writing is tough,And writing about yourself is even tougher,Assess-
ing your own strengths—honestly and accurately—is one of the most difficult
tasks you’ll ever face,When you’re unhappy at work or out of work altogether,
not feeling particularly good about yourself,it’s even harder to do,Even if you
muster up some terrific talents to talk about,like most people,you may be sur-
prisingly shy about,tooting your own horn.” You list your course work,You list
your jobs,You list your job responsibilities,You list your hobbies,Finally,all
you’re sending prospective employers is a list!
But employers don’t want to hire a list; they want to hire a person,They want
to hire a living,breathing human being,A personality,A humorous co-worker or
a serious one,A team player or a self-starter,An intuitive thinker or someone who
takes direction well,Sure,they want to hire a candidate with the appropriate
skills,but they’ve got to like that person (YOU) too,After all,they’ll be working
together on a daily basis—and the better everyone gets along,the more produc-
tive the work will be.
What this means is that you must project your personality,or some aspect of
it,from the very first ad you respond to and in the very first letter you write,The
reason is that,to make a hiring decision,your next employer is looking for an-
swers to three vital questions:
1,Do you have the skills this job requires?
2,Will you be compatible with my team?
3,Are you honest and willing to work,and do you have the right atti-
tude?
Your resume will answer the first question,Your letters,interviews,and ref-
erences will answer the other two questions,Thus,your jobhunting letters are an
essential opportunity to make yourself stand out as a unique and interesting per-
son,someone an employer would like to meet,interview,hire,and work beside.
To take advantage of this opportunity,you must write well,And to get an
edge over the competition you should not only write well,you should write often.
Why? Most job applicants—your competition—never follow up after an inter-
view,Of those who do,many write letters so inadequate that they actually impair
what might have been a perfectly acceptable candidacy,Furthermore,most job
search letters are forgotten after a quick review,What this means is that just writ-
ing your potential employer at all can put you ahead of other candidates,Writing
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a strong,impressive letter can put you miles ahead,And writing frequently can
give you what advertisers call,top-of-mind awareness;” it can keep you on your
next employer’s mind no matter how long the hiring decision takes.
Unfortunately,for most jobhunters,facing that blank sheet of paper induces
a terror matched by few other tasks,Be honest,Have you,at one time or another,
ever found yourself following any of the Ten Most Common Steps to Writing?
Step 1,Panic,Your brain says,“I have to write.”
Step 2,Procrastinate,You attempt your first escape by remembering
that there is some equally pressing task that must be attended to,such
as walking the dog,doing the dishes,calling Aunt Bella,or sorting the
recyclables.
Step 3,Divert,You belittle the custom of writing such letters,wonder-
ing,“Why can’t I just send my resume?” or,Why can’t I just call and
say thank you?”
Step 4,Delegate,You attempt your next escape by trying to get some-
one else to do it for you.,My sister’s great at this; maybe she’ll write
it for me” is a common ploy.
Step 5,Panic again,You realize that you’ve got to get that resume in the
mail today,and it’s already 3:00 P.M.
Step 6,7,8,Shake,rattle,and roll,You stare at that cursed blank page,
envision the finished product,and visualize all the heartache and
strife you’ll have to go through to get to that point,Then you picture
yourself not getting the job because your letter sounded simple,
unimpressive,unbusinesslike (“Whatever that is,” you moan),So fi-
nally you go on a roll,recalling all the big business power jargon
you’ve ever heard:,effectuate”...“implement”...,empowerment”...
“strategic envisioning”...“global perspective.”
Step 9,The mad dash,You furiously type these tired clichés on your last
sheet of good paper,making your first draft your final one,As a re-
sult,in the end,all you can do is...
Step 10,Mail,hope,and pray,And the greatest of these is pray.
Sound familiar? Don’t despair,there is good news! Writing effectively is not
as hard as you think,You don’t have to be a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist,You
don’t have to use eight four-syllable words per paragraph,You don’t have to make
your correspondence any longer than it needs to be; writing voluminous letters
won’t guarantee you’ll get hired,You have only to make yourself understood,You
need to know what you want to say,and you need to say it clearly,accurately,con-
cisely.
And that is precisely what this book will help you achieve.
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This book is the product of our successful jobhunting seminar,Jobhunter’s Corre-
spondence Workshop,in which participants of all ages and professions secured a
vital edge in their job searches,They discovered how to create more effective job-
hunting letters and how to use letters more productively in their search for em-
ployment.
Many seminar participants wrote to let us know that they were using our
techniques and achieving results,They were being selected more often for inter-
views and being offered desirable positions,Frequently,we heard that a major
benefit our seminar delivered was the simple encouragement to try something
different in a letter,Openings that intrigue,Body copy that boasts,Formats that
fascinate,We’re delighted! We hope this book will do the same for you.
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Acknowledgments
We offer our heartfelt thanks to friends,colleagues,and family members who
helped us in the preparation of this book,Your support enriched our undertaking
by making our efforts seem significantly less taxing and infinitely more fun!
Sandra Podesta
Andrea Paxton
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How to Use This Book
and CD-ROM
201 Killer Cover Letters is for any job seeker who finds it difficult to write the per-
fect cover letter—and that’s almost all of us! This book tells you how to write
every type of job search letter you’ll ever need and puts at your fingertips a library
of letters that will get noticed and get results,The special bonus CD-ROM contains
all 201 killer cover letters featured in the book,You don’t even have to rekey
them—just change the specifics,and they’re ready to send!
Before using the CD-ROM,peruse the book,If you’re pressed for time,at
least read Chapters 1 and 2,which provide information on jobhunting in a tough
economy and job market,as well as the basic do’s and don'ts for writing effective
job search letters,Chapter 3 helps you identify and position your strengths,Take
a few minutes to complete Worksheets 3-1,3-2,and 3-3 in this chapter,Doing so
will furnish you with several powerful sentences that you can use immediately in
the body copy of your letters.
Then you can move on to the specific chapters that focus on the particular
type of letter you’re writing; in each chapter you’ll find sample letters,as well as a
choice of sample openings and closings,(Every letter is numbered; letter 5-12,for
example,refers to Chapter 5,letter 12.) Each letter is titled with the industry or spe-
cific position of interest to the job seeker as well as issues addressed in the letter.
For example,a heading such as,JOB LOSS” indicates that the letter contains a refer-
ence to downsizing,layoffs,a job being eliminated,merger,acquisition,challeng-
ing economy,or other such scenario that affects either the writer or reader.,WORK-
FORCE RETURN” demonstrates that the letter is from someone returning to the job
market after several years.,SALARY” indicates a salary discussion that may pro-
vide ideas for you to use.,CONFIDENTIALITY” refers to a request for discretion in
contacting the jobhunter at his or her present place of employment...and so on,For
quick reference,turn to Index of Letters by Industry and Job Title and Index of Let-
ters That Address Specific Issues at the end of the book,
In addition to all the cover letters in the book,the CD-ROM also includes
Worksheets 3-1,3-2,and 3-3 from Chapter 3 for those who prefer to complete these
on their computers,In using the model letters provided,it’s important to person-
alize them so that they don’t sound too generic,Remember to pay attention to
visual appearance,as well,All of the text provided here can be used in letter or
e-mail form,but you’ll need to do some simple reformatting,cutting,and pasting,
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in order to be certain that its appearance is appropriate for the medium you
choose.
Many of the company names and addresses,as well as the addressees’
names,have been changed,The individual and company names and addresses in
the sample letters are fictitious,and any similarity to actual names and addresses
is unintentional,The e-mail letters included here may differ in format from yours,
but you should be able to adapt them to your own needs with a few simple key-
strokes.
System Requirements
a73
Windows 3.1 or higher
a73
CD-ROM drive
a73
8MB RAM
Installation Instructions
Step 1,Insert the CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.
Step 2,Double-click on the 201 Killer Cover Letters CD-ROM icon on
your Windows desktop.
Step 3,Double-click on the folder entitled KILLER to see a series of fold-
ers,each one containing the cover letters for a particular chapter.
Then,double-click on the appropriate folder to navigate to the
cover letter with which you’d like to work,For example,if you’d
like to work with a cover letter in Chapter Two,just double-click
on the folder for Chapter Two,locate the cover letter you want
(for example,“2-2” is cover letter 2-2) and double-click on the
document to open it,The cover letters are saved in a simple text
format you can copy and paste into the word processing pro-
gram of your choice.
or
You can also open the cover letters within your word processing program.
Simply launch your word processing application,choose File,and then Open
from the menu (or simply click the,open file” icon on your tool bar),and when
prompted to choose a file to open,choose the 201 Killer Cover Letters CD-ROM,
and then the chapter folder,and then finally the desired cover letter,
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Chapter 1
Jobhunting in Today’s New World
Since the first edition of our book was published,the world has witnessed signif-
icant changes,many of which have had a dramatic effect on the job market,Some
were predictable,advances in technology,the economic downturn,mergers,ac-
quisitions,and bankruptcies,Others were unimaginable,terrorist attacks,embez-
zlement,and the falsification of corporate records.
As we write,the U.S,unemployment rate is high,Companies have become
conservative in recruiting and hiring in general as well as within specific sectors
and industries,In the airline industry,for example,job growth is weak,In law en-
forcement,it’s stronger,Some financial firms are desperately looking for seasoned
professionals while others are downsizing,Fields such as pharmaceuticals,nurs-
ing,and assisted living,that market to aging populations,are either enjoying
growth or planning for it as 76 million Baby Boomers approach retirement age,On
the other hand,the group that demographers call the,Baby Echo” (Boomers’ chil-
dren) is off to college in droves,Once these graduates enter the workforce,it may
well trigger growth in industries more dependent on the spending habits of those
in their twenties.
Nevertheless,opportunity does exist in the workplace—just not where it has
traditionally been! New jobs are being created as start-ups launch and relaunch,
as required skills shift from industry to industry and within sectors,and as grow-
ing numbers of workers retire.
The good news is that what you must do to conduct an effective job search
has not changed,What has changed is how you must do it and how much of it you
must do.
Here are several essential guidelines for managing the successful job search
in today’s challenging,new world.
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DEVELOP A 10-MONTH PLAN
In today’s challenging job market,many jobhunters are finding that the search
takes somewhat more time than it did in the past,Regardless of what expectations
you may have or may hear,assume a time frame of at least 10 months for your
search,Then,set consistent and realistic daily objectives—ones you can sustain
throughout that period,Chances are,you’ll find that your job search is less like a
sprint and more like a marathon,Don’t expect to reach the finish line in a day,In-
stead,expect to reach for and achieve daily goals—such as networking with 5 con-
tacts per day or 10 new contacts per week,Without this attitude,you’ll view every
day as a laborious burden that does not produce results,You’ll risk losing focus,
motivation,and direction,You’ll neither write nor interview well,and your search
may take even longer.
2
A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Since we published the first edition of this book,the company for which I
worked made a major acquisition,As a result,my position was eliminated.
To my surprise and chagrin,I found myself in the job market once again.
Although there is never a good time to be out of work,I was one of many,
many others who discovered that the timing couldn’t have been worse,I was
forced to begin my job search in September of 2001 as a deeply stunned
America struggled to regain its footing and courage in a shocking new world.
Nevertheless,I started a new job in June of 2002,What happened in between
went literally,by the book.” And by that,I mean this book! I used every type
of letter,every tactic and tip that we recommended to you in the first edition
of 201 Killer Cover Letters! Not only are the letters and advice still applicable,
advances in technology have made the job search easier...even in today’s
challenging economy,That’s why,in this new edition,you’ll find guidelines
for jobhunting in today’s new world along with samples of letters formatted
for e-mail and designed to help you secure jobs that didn’t exist 10 years ago!
Above all,my own job search convinced me that before you launch yours,
you must take the time to develop a plan for achieving success,This,I found,
must spring from an attitude of success,Where to start? Take a look at the
guidelines I developed,employed,and profited from—we’ve included them
in this new edition—they’re sure to save you time and trouble.
—Andrea Paxton
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ACCEPT HELP
Should your previous employer offer you the benefit of outplacement services,
seize this valuable opportunity,Explore the resources of federal and local labor
departments as well as any associations,unions,or industry groups of which you
are a member,Many organizations offer free training programs for which you
may be eligible,Investigate every resource that’s offered to you,and then decide
which ones may suit your needs.
ASSESS YOUR SKILLS
Identifying your unique skills,strengths,and traits can be difficult,It’s not diffi-
cult because you don’t possess any,but because so often we take our own capa-
bilities for granted,So spend some time considering your skills—or ask a friend
or colleague to help you,Jot them down from the most simple (“I can use a com-
puter.”) to the more complex (“I am an ex-
pert in Microsoft Access,PowerPoint,and
Publisher.”) to the truly astonishing (“I
brought in $25 million in new business as
a direct result of my Mercury program-
ming capabilities.”),For help,be sure to
use the worksheets in Chapter 3—you can
complete them on your computer by using
the enclosed CD-ROM,Once you’ve writ-
ten down (or typed up) your skills,you
can then decide which ones are relevant to
the various positions for which you may
apply,This becomes especially important
if you’re transferring skills to a new job or
industry,In every case,identifying what
you can do and what sets you apart from
other candidates is essential.
NETWORK,NETWORK,
NETWORK
You can’t start soon enough or do too
much networking,You’re planning your
future,after all,so take charge! Begin by
listing all the people to whom you can
talk,Not only those who may have the job
3
HOW TO RIDE THE
AGE WAVE
Whether you’re 25 or 75,age
may play a role in your job
search despite the fact that the
law prohibits age discrimina-
tion,So be sure to complete the
worksheets in Chapter 3,Your
youth may account for more
advanced computer skills,an
understanding of current in-
dustry initiatives,or,New
Age” management techniques.
Your maturity may suggest
more in-depth knowledge,a
historic perspective of your in-
dustry or specialty,or experi-
ence managing people and
change,Plus,energy,enthusi-
asm,and adaptability are age-
less,So don’t shortchange your-
self—get comfortable with your
strengths!
RECRUITER’S TIP
02 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 3
you want,Anyone and everyone can spread the word that you are—or will be—
searching for a new position,Whether it’s passing along your resume,providing
a referral or simply keeping you in mind should an opportunity arise to mention
your name,there’s something for everyone to do! As soon as you know you’ll be
looking,draft your list,Begin with the names of friends and family,To that,add
current work contacts,previous employers,co-workers,fellow alumni,and so on.
Always carry index cards for jotting down names,phone numbers,and e-mail ad-
dresses of those who are willing to offer assistance—you never know whom you’ll
meet so be prepared,Print up,business cards” to distribute at opportune
moments; these should provide your name,e-mail address,address,and phone
number(s) along with a very brief description of the type of position you seek.
Seize every opportunity to network—including holidays,conventions,weddings,
and reunions when you’re likely to encounter people you don’t see regularly.
FOLLOW UP RIGOROUSLY
In any jobhunting environment—but especially in a tough one—following up
after an interview is imperative,It’s a safe bet that most people don’t write
after an interview,and if they do,they
dash off predictable,trite letters that do
nothing to remind the interviewer how
singularly qualified they are for the posi-
tions they desire,So you must never fail
to write a strong,well-planned follow-
up letter,You must also follow through
with thank-you notes to anyone who
offered help and referrals or served as a
reference,In a tough market,the number
of interviews you have may be limited.
That means you’ll have more time
between them,and that deprives you of
any excuse for not writing! This is par-
ticularly true since e-mail can make fol-
lowing up quicker and simpler,Once
your search is over (and it will be!) be
certain to inform and thank all those who
offered encouragement,contacts,sup-
port,and even those who were willing to
help but didn’t,for whatever reason,
You never know when your next job
search may begin.
4
MONEY MAKES THE
WORLD GO ‘ROUND...AND
YOUR HEAD SPIN
Conventional wisdom says that
the person who mentions the
first figure will ultimately lose in
salary negotiation,So what do
you do when an ad warns,seri-
ous candidates will provide cur-
rent salary and requirements”?
Do some digging,Use the Inter-
net to research salaries for simi-
lar positions in your area,In-
clude benefits and bonuses to
increase your salary,Provide a
salary range to avoid overpric-
ing yourself,The Issue Index
lists letters in this book with
sample language you can use.
RECRUITER’S TIP
02 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 4
EXPECT TO BE CHECKED
Be sure to read Chapter 2,“The Top 10 Rules for Writing Killer Cover Letters.”
Every rule is vital to an effective job search,Recent events illustrate just how vital.
Take the following rule,for example:,Tell the Truth or Pay the Consequences.”
This rule is crucial in light of today’s corporate scandals,a by-product of which is
the fact that background checks are now conducted with greater regularity and
greater scrutiny,Therefore,if there is anything questionable in your past or any-
thing that might be misconstrued,don’t hope it won’t be discovered,State it your-
self—it’s the only way you can control how this information is presented! Telling
your next employer up-front what she will discover anyway can only make you
appear honest and trustworthy,If you’re lucky,you’ll find that your next boss is
someone who believes that everyone deserves a second chance!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The Internet and the World Wide Web offer astonishing benefits to jobhunters,Be
certain to avail yourself of these new technologies,Whether you’re new to the
Web or a skilled user,take time to master the Internet as a job search tool,An im-
portant part of your search involves identifying organizations that might be hir-
ing,The Internet makes this easier than it’s ever been before,You’ll find dozens of
jobhunting sites on the Web,If you’re not certain where to start,visit any search
engine and enter the word,jobs” or,career.” You’ll find links that will transport
you to hundreds of valuable resources,Choose one jobhunting Web site and prac-
tice navigating through it,Do the same with the Web site of an organization for
which you’d like to work,Visit its home page and career center,Become familiar
with the firm,the types of openings it is attempting to fill,and the qualifications
it seeks in the ideal candidate for those positions,Also look for Web sites hosted
by associations that exist within your industry or specialty,or your alma mater; fre-
quently,such sites maintain a job bank and referral network or offer training,The
Internet is an amazing source of information,career advice and assistance,com-
pany Web sites,job postings,and sometimes,total confusion,It’s worth your time
up-front to master this vital tool so that you can use it to your benefit.
LEARN HOW TO USE E-MAIL
If you don’t know how to use e-mail,do whatever you must to learn,Not only has
it become ubiquitous in the workplace,e-mail delivers advantages that can prove
pivotal to your job search,For starters,making cold calls or attempting to secure
face-to-face meetings with busy executives is not at the top of most of our lists of
thrilling activities,But now that it is perfectly acceptable—in fact,even prefer-
able—to compose and send brief e-mail notes,networking has become far,far eas-
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ier,In most situations,you can confidently use e-mail to stay in touch,check in pe-
riodically,send articles or relevant news items,and even gently prod someone
into action on your behalf,Every few weeks,you can e-mail those in your network
base to remind them that you’re still looking and what your areas of interest are.
Should you change or narrow your focus,you can quickly update your career,fan
club” about this important information.
When surfing the Internet’s many job search Web sites,you’ll find plenty of
advice on using e-mail effectively in the job search,Here are a few key points and
potential pitfalls relating to jobhunting letters of which you’ll want to be aware:
OPTION #1,LETTERS AS ATTACHMENTS
You may send your cover letter as an attachment,rather than,or in addition to,in-
serting it in the body of the e-mail,In this case,you can send it in the format in
which you created it; your recipient will receive your letter exactly as you’ve cre-
ated it providing that he or she has the same word processing program that you do.
All of the letters in this book (that are presented as traditional letters rather than
e-mail) can be downloaded,customized,saved in your own word processing pro-
gram,attached,and sent successfully to anyone who uses the same program that
you do,However,if your recipient does not use the same program,either he or she
will not be able to open your letter or the formatting will be altered,and your let-
ter may not look as professional as you’d like,To ensure the appearance you want,
you may wish to use the universally-accepted ASCII format instead; to do so,cre-
ate your document using these formatting tips:
a73
Use a consistent font size (10–12).
a73
Do not use bold,italic,underlining,columns,long dashes,or other
unusual characters.
a73
Use an asterisk (*) or plus sign (+) instead of bullets.
a73
Indent using the spacebar instead of the tab key.
a73
Tell the reader,in the body of your message,the format of your
attachment.
Once you’ve completed drafting your letter,save the document as,Text
Only” or,Text Only with Line Breaks.”
OPTION #2,LETTERS WITHIN E-MAIL MESSAGES
Another option is to include your letter in the body of your e-mail message,In this
case,you’ll want to write a short,concise note,Although short is the standard in
e-mail,short doesn’t mean dry,boring,jargon-filled,or devoid of content,You still
need to follow all the advice you find in Chapter 5 about promoting your skills,
accomplishments,strengths,and personality,To create effective and professional
e-mail cover letters,familiarize yourself with this list of formatting tips and the
sample e-mail letter that follows,(See Letter 1.1.)
6
02 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 6
a73
Use the subject line or,RE:” box to refer to the position you are
seeking.
a73
Use a consistent font size (10-12).
a73
Use a consistent line length (no longer than 4
1
/2 inches across).
a73
Do not use bold,italic,underlining,columns,long dashes,or other
unusual characters.
a73
Use an asterisk (*) or plus sign (+) instead of bullets.
a73
Use the spacebar to indent,rather than the tab key.
a73
Select Plain Text format instead of Rich Text or HTML format.
a73
Add the recipient to your electronic Address Book so that his or her
name appears—not his or her e-mail address.
7
02 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 7
LETTER 1-1,E-MAIL RESUME COVER LETTER—WEB SITE MANAGER
8
Greetings,Mr,Shahannon,I hope you will take a moment to read
the resume I’ve attached to this note,as I’m certain you’ll find in it
the skills and strengths you seek in a Web Site Manager.
As you’ll see,I have developed and maintained sizeable Web sites
for several Fortune 500 organizations,including HealthForum USA,
Costal Petroleum,and DiversCo,What’s more,your firm will
benefit from my unusual combination of experience and personal
strengths,For example,I:
* Am a disciplined,yet caring manager who can lead
teams both large and small.
* Am a proven leader in product development.
* Communicate effectively with colleagues,clients,and
C-Suite executives.
* Enjoy working in a high-pressure,fast-paced
environment.
I’ve attached my resume in MS-Word format and will contact you
shortly to see if we might meet in person,In the meantime,please
feel free to contact me at any of the numbers I’ve listed below.
Sincerely,
Barrett Peters
bpeters@bpm.com
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
ASCII text
Formatting simulates
indentations
Takes initiative to
contact recipient
and...
...provides complete
contact information
Friendly,professional
opening avoids,To
Whom It May
Concern”
From,Barrett Peters
To,Edward J,Shahannon
Sent,Monday,October 7,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Your Opening for a Web Site Manager
Resume for Barrett Peters.doc
Descriptive subject line
02 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 8
OPTION #3,FOLLOWING UP WITH HARD COPY
In either of the two scenarios described above,you may choose to send your
letter also in hard copy via fax or regular mail,This way,your reader can view
your letter with the proper,professional formatting that you prefer,In addition to
supplying an actual (not virtual) version of your qualifications,this also affords
you a second opportunity to present your reader with your skills,strengths,and
the benefits you can deliver!
9
02 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 9
10
Chapter 2
The Top Ten Rules for
Writing Killer Cover Letters
In the good old days,finding a job generally meant switching jobs,You sent out
your resume,went for an interview,and got the job,Why doesn’t this work any-
more? It’s because these days,a resume isn’t enough.
In today’s job market,a resume doubles as a stop sign that signifies,“I need
a job...like so many others...thousands of others.” In this environment,your re-
sume alone cannot possibly accomplish as much as you need to accomplish,Al-
though your resume reveals vital statistics,it supplies only 20% of the information
on which most hiring decisions are based,Your resume reveals whether you meet
the minimum requirements for the current opening (appropriate education,com-
puter skills,or relevant experience,for example),Your resume also suggests to
your prospective boss the level of loyalty and continuity that can be expected of
you as demonstrated by the length of time you’ve held previous positions,Final-
ly,your prospective employer may attempt to reduce the list of candidates to a
manageable level,In this case,your resume may actually work against you by pro-
viding a single fact or date that serves to eliminate you as a potential employee.
Furthermore,regardless of how exceptional your resume may be,it general-
ly reveals none of the remaining 80% of information upon which the hiring deci-
sion is based,It says nothing of your personality,creativity,or work style,It rarely
describes any unusual traits you possess that might make you a sterling candidate
or interesting interview material,A letter,on the other hand,can reveal all of
this—and more.
For all of these reasons,the letters you send as part of your job search may be
some of the most important letters you’ll ever write,To help you create a winning
letter,let’s begin with the basics,Take a look at a typical employment advertise-
ment and the typical response it generates.
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 10
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
SAMPLE EMPLOYMENT AD
In today’s economy,an ad like the one
shown here will receive between 300 and
1000 responses! From this pool,between 6
and 30 candidates will make it through the
first screening to a personal meeting,Of
these,between two and six people will be
called for a second interview,Two or three
will be selected as finalists,One will be
hired.
Who will that be? Certainly not the
person who sends in a resume with Letter
2-1.
LETTER 2-1,RESUME COVER LETTER SENT IN RESPONSE
TO ADVERTISEMENT (POOR)
11
ATTENTION SELF-STARTERS!
This is your opportunity to build
success from the ground up,Enjoy
the full training and technical sup-
port only a major financial ser-
vices firm such as ours can offer as
you help businesses and individu-
als plan sound financial futures.
Write Terry Muldour,Daily
Gazette,Box 34.
Dear Ms,Muldour:
In response to your ad in Sunday’s paper,I have enclosed my resume for your consideration,It is my
objective to obtain a position in the economic area of your company,I recently received my M.B.A,after
completing a B.S,in Economics with a Business minor,I have an extensive background and strong
working experience.
I would be very interested in working for your company due to the fact that it would permit me to utilize
my business and economic background,In my six years of study,I have developed my knowledge of
econometric analysis,price analysis,financial management,strategic marketing,and business
management,I am currently developing a paper on the treatment of trade tariff across county lines that
uses a dynamic process and a flexible functional form to determine the variables affecting treatments
among states,Working in a financial firm for several years enabled me to become a more committed
leader,a team player,a detail-oriented worker,and better communicator who is not afraid to devise and
implement effective strategic management theories,My responsibilities included researching the
backgrounds of individuals and companies wishing to open sizeable credit accounts overseas,In
addition,I have much additional working experience including being a management trainer and busboy
at a major dining establishment in New York City,I am a hard worker and a team player,as you will
see when you interview me,My resume highlights my educational and business background.
As delineated on my resume,I am fully functional in utilizing a complete range of microcomputing and
mainframe operations,including DOS,CPM,Lotus,Dbase III,DW370,Cobalt 500,Multimate,HG
graphics,EconoMix,and FinFax programs.
Enclosed is a copy of my resume for your consideration,Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time
for an interview,I am certain that you’ll find it of great interest to meet me due to my natural leadership
qualities,vision,and solid experience in your area of business.
Sincerely,
Philip Tucker
Philip Tucker
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 11
Because the majority of the people responding to this ad will not include a
letter at all,simply sending this letter gives Mr,Tucker an advantage over the
competition,The advantage is all but wasted,however,by sending a letter as
weak and unappealing as this one.
As you read Letter 2-2,the following stronger version of the same letter,
you’ll see the differences—and the improvements they make in the effectiveness
of the letter.
LETTER 2-2,RESUME COVER LETTER SENT IN RESPONSE
TO ADVERTISEMENT (BETTER)
12
Terry Muldour
Box 34 RE,Your ad in the Daily Gazette
Daily Gazette Sunday,March 3,20XX for a
City,State Zip self-starter to help with
financial planning
Dear Terry Muldour:
You’re looking for a self-starter to work in the financial field -- I’m a self-starter with
financial expertise and experience!
My resume,which is enclosed,details my background; let me provide you with the
highlights:
Thorough educational background,I recently received my M.B.A,after
completing a B.S,in Economics with a Business minor.
Firm grasp of finance,In my six years of study,I developed expertise in
econometric and price analysis as well as marketing,financial,and
business management.
A proven self-starter,I am currently writing a postgraduate paper on
various trade tariffs in the regional Northeast,for which I created my
own unique research methods and models.
Financial work experience,By investigating individuals and companies
wishing to open sizeable credit accounts overseas for Prudential Bache,
I became a dedicated leader,a detail-oriented worker,and better
communicator.
I am a hard worker and a team player,I have the knowledge,skill,and desire to
enhance the success of today’s financial company,If you will contact me at (555)
456-7890 during the day or evening,I will make myself available at your
convenience for an interview.
Thank you for your consideration,I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Philip Tucker
Philip Tucker
(555) 456-7890
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 12
If you’ve hired someone yourself,you may recognize the weaknesses of the
first,poorly presented letter—and the strengths of the second,stronger one,If you
haven’t hired anyone,approach the letter as you might a solicitation for a charita-
ble contribution,a letter that attempts to be equally convincing,Which of the two
letters would you be more likely to read through to the end? Which makes a bet-
ter impression? Which candidate would you be more likely to interview?
TEN BASIC DO’S AND DON’TS FOR WRITING KILLER
COVER LETTERS
The two preceding letters provide concrete,visual examples of the 10 basic do’s
and don’ts to follow in all your jobhunting correspondence.
1,DRESS (YOUR LETTERS) FOR SUCCESS
Do send professional letters,Don’t send form letters.
Do make your letters clean and professional looking,Even so much as an ink blot
is clearly an insult to the reader,It implies that the reader is not worth the time it
would take to retype the letter,Worse,it suggests that you are a sloppy person
who doesn’t value order,personally or in the workplace,Recruiters spend a good
deal of time advising jobhunters how to dress for an interview because employers
demand clean,orderly staff members with professional demeanors,Your letter
should reflect these characteristics.
Do not allow any letter to appear as if it were a form letter,The handwritten
salutation at the start of Letter 2-1 suggests that the writer prints many copies of
this letter and simply adds the recipient’s name before mailing it,Your reader
should not feel as though you are sending the same letter to hundreds of employ-
ers—even if you are! Instead,create the impression that you are sending a letter to
a specific person for a specific reason,because you believe that there is an ideal
match between you and your prospective employer,Standard lines such as,I
want to work for your company” are meaningless to an employer,particularly if
you haven’t mentioned the name of the company,as the writer in Letter 2-1 ne-
glected to do,If you really want to work for a specific firm,you must have a rea-
son,State it.
2,ZOOM,DON’T RESUME
Do make your letter different from your resume.
If your resume is strong,it will provide all the information your interviewer will
need,(If it’s not,there are plenty of books,software programs,and professional
resume writers to help you strengthen it.) So don’t just regurgitate your resume in
letter form.,Zoom in” on the most salient points of your resume,Even better,con-
solidate facts in your resume into an overview statement,Summarize a benefit—
such as,solid employment record,”,extensive industry experience,” or,proven
track record.” Guide your reader in forming an appropriate impression of you
13
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 13
even before you meet,Letter 2-2 illustrates this principle,Best of all,turn this sum-
mary statement into one that suggests an advantage your next employer may gain
by hiring you instead of someone else.
Describe any special qualities that may set you apart from other candidates.
Use language that creates a feeling of what kind of person you are,If you have a
sense of humor,don’t be afraid to show it in a professional way,You’ll find ex-
amples in the sample letters throughout this book.
3,IN RESPONSE TO YOUR AD...NOT!
Don’t use standard openings.
Many people think that only one type of letter is acceptable in the business world:
one that follows a standard outline,In truth,the only type of letter acceptable in
the business world is an effective one,An effective letter accomplishes your ob-
jective,which in the case of jobhunting letters,means to stand out from your com-
petition,With this goal in mind,why send a letter likely to mirror the letters of
those against whom you’re competing?
Letter 2-1 opens with a standard line:,In response to your ad in Sunday’s
paper,I enclose my resume for your consideration.” What’s wrong with this open-
ing? It’s standard,or in general use,To stand out from the competition,your let-
ter should be anything but standard,In Letter 2-2,Mr,Tucker grabs the reader’s
attention immediately with a different opening,Furthermore,he successfully
weaves information from the advertisement into the opening to suggest that the
letter was written in response to a specific ad and is not a form letter.
Do not open your letter with a standard,predictable statement,Spend a few
minutes analyzing what is important to the person to whom you’re writing,Pe-
ruse the sample openings provided throughout this book,There’s no need to be
foolish,outlandish,or shocking,With thought and practice,you can create
unique,informative letter openings that will grab attention and deliver a mean-
ingful message.
4.,KISS” YOUR LETTERS (KEEP IT SIMPLY STATED)
Do write a person,not a letter.
There are also many people who believe that making a letter sound businesslike
means using stuffy,stilted language full of cliches and jargon,Certainly,your let-
ter should be professional,However,it must also be interesting,appealing,and re-
flect your personality.
To create a letter appropriate to the business world,include relevant facts and
succinct language,Ensure correct spelling and proper presentation,To make your
letter appealing,use the same tone of voice you would use during the interview—
when you don’t have time to consult a thesaurus and replace the words you’d
normally use with multisyllabic synonyms,Write with the attitude that you’re
writing to a person,That person may be your interviewer,your next boss,a
human resources executive,or a recruiter—but a person,Before you write,try to
14
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 14
picture him or her,Try saying out loud the points you wish to make as if you were
sitting face to face in an interview,and then jot them down,Flesh out these ideas
into full sentences that reflect the way you speak,After all,your interviewer will
want to meet the person to whom she was introduced in your letter,and it had
better be you!
For a clear example,look back to Letters 2-1 and 2-2 by Philip Tucker,Letter
2-1 is replete with foggy jargon,leaving you without a single clear opinion of the
candidate—except that he is likely to be boring,Letter 2-2 has introduced you to
a person who has studied and is currently authoring a research paper,an individ-
ual with personality traits that sound appealing—someone you might not mind
interviewing,which is,after all,the purpose of the letter.
You’ll find words and phrases to avoid listed in Chapter 10.
5,ELIM-ME-NATE
Do focus on the needs of your prospective employer.
What do you talk about in your resume? Me,Me,Me,Me,What do you talk about
in your interview? Me,Me,Me,Me.
So use your letter to address the needs of your next employer,Focus your
thoughts on the needs of your next boss,After all,your prospective employer ex-
pects you to meet her needs on a daily basis,Why should she care what your em-
ployment objective is or what you’re looking for in a job? She will hire you and
pay you for the specific contribution you will make to increasing profits,improv-
ing performance,or enhancing productivity,In the letter,tell her how you’ll ac-
complish this.
Successful jobhunters create letters that link their strengths and talents to the
benefits they bring to the firm,department,team,or supervisor with whom they’ll
be working,Chapter 3 is devoted entirely to illustrating how to achieve this cru-
cial goal.
6,APPEALING IS REVEALING
Do make your letter easy to read.
The visual appearance of a letter is as vital as its content,maybe even more so,Be-
cause if you’re lucky,your reader will devote 30 seconds to your letter before turn-
ing to the next one in the pile,Make it easy to skim,Note that Letter 2-1 is boring
in appearance,Its italic print and fully justified margins make it difficult to read.
On the other hand,Letter 2-2 is visually appealing,Its content actually appears to
be interesting,and the letter can be scanned by the eye in seconds,The reader who
spends 30 seconds on Letter 2-2 will form an instant,positive impression of the
candidate.
How do you make a letter appeal to its recipient before he or she even reads it?
Simple,You can use the same tricks that advertisers use,Sample Letter 2-4 puts to
use many of the proven formatting techniques upon which direct mail experts de-
pend,But first,examine another unappealing,unrevealing letter,(See Letter 2-3.)
15
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 15
LETTER 2-3,RESUME COVER LETTER SENT IN RESPONSE
TO ADVERTISEMENT (POOR FORMAT)
But take this letter word for word,format it differently,and the results are as-
tounding.
16
Chief Financial Officer
P.O,Box 425
New York Times
New York,NY 10000
Dear Chief Financial Officer:
To maintain continued growth,a company must have financial and management
professionals who are capable of identifying and seizing market opportunities before
the competition does.
My marketing savvy and management expertise can help you do just that,I possess
a powerful commitment to task,a drive for excellence,and the ability to respond to
customer needs,For example,in my current position I increased sales 74% by
upgrading service efficiency,resulting in a 25% annual increase in profitability,I
streamlined a branch outlet from ground zero,coordinating every aspect from
recruitment to organizing and redefining office functions,thus achieving substantial
cost reductions,greater efficiency,and increased market share,I reduced receivables
from 115 days to 33 days,thereby improving cash flow 21%,This released enough
working capital to enable the firm to expand into other markets,These achievements
are certain to prove both valuable in and transferable to a range of firms.
Because I am currently seeking to broaden my horizons,I eagerly await your reply
so that we can arrange a personal meeting,Then we can discuss in greater detail how
my particular blend of capabilities,experience,and managerial strengths can help
your firm capture lucrative business opportunities.
Sincerely,
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 16
LETTER 2-4,RESUME COVER LETTER SENT IN RESPONSE
TO ADVERTISEMENT (STRONG FORMAT)
The difference between Letters 2-3 and 2-4 is not in the wording,The content
of both letters is identical,The difference is in the formatting,Letter 2-4 employs
many of the same techniques advertisers use to get millions of consumers to no-
tice,absorb,and act on promotional messages,You can use the same tricks in your
17
Chief Financial Officer
P.O,Box 425
New York Times
New York,NY 10000
Dear Chief Financial Officer:
To maintain continued growth,a company must have financial and management
professionals who are capable of identifying and seizing market opportunities
before the competition does.
My marketing savvy and management expertise can help you do just that,I possess
a powerful commitment to task,a drive for excellence,and the ability to respond to
customer needs,For example,in my current position:
a73
I increased sales 74% by upgrading service efficiency,resulting in a
25% annual increase in profitability.
a73
I streamlined a branch outlet from inception,coordinating every
aspect from recruitment to organizing and redefining office functions,
thus achieving substantial cost reductions,greater efficiency,and
increased market share.
a73
I reduced receivables from 115 days to 33 days,thereby improving
cash flow 21%,This released enough working capital to enable the
firm to expand into other markets.
These achievements are certain to prove both valuable in and transferable to a
range of firms.
Because I am currently seeking to broaden my horizons,I eagerly await your reply
so that we can arrange a personal meeting,Then we can discuss in greater detail
how my particular blend of capabilities,experience,and managerial strengths can
help your firm capture lucrative business opportunities.
Sincerely,
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 17
letters,which are equally promotional,Here are just a few of the more powerful
options available to you.
a73
Adjust your margins so that the reader never has to read more than
five inches from left to right across a page.
a73
Never justify your right margin,(Always justify your left.)
a73
Don’t use long paragraphs; they are overwhelming to the eye,(This
will help you write more succinctly,too.)
a73
Indent sections with key ideas by using bullets,dashes,or asterisks to
set them off (like these indented tips).
a73
For important ideas,use bold,underlining,and UPPERCASE LET-
TERS.
a73
For short sentences,try centering.
a73
Use numerals (20) rather than spelling out numbers (twenty) when
describing your accomplishments,to attract more attention,(Excep-
tion,Always spell out numbers that begin a sentence.)
a73
Italics are hard to read; use them sparingly,if at all.
a73
If your letter must run to two pages in length,end the first page in the
middle of a sentence to encourage the reader to read on to the second
page.
If these techniques seem too pushy to you,remember that advertisers have
been using them for decades because they work!
7,THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE...
AND THREE,FOUR,OR MORE TIMES
Do write frequently.
Your competition hates to write as much as you do,Chances are that most of the
people vying for your next job will find numerous excuses to avoid writing job-
hunting letters,Don’t make the same mistake,You should write these letters often.
Always write a thank you letter for a referral,and a follow-up letter after a meeting
or interview,If your candidacy seems to have stalled,write again to make some-
thing happen—don’t allow yourself to be forgotten,You might send your prospec-
tive employer an additional reference,or a recent newspaper article supporting an
issue discussed during your interview,As far as you should be concerned,until you
get a definite rejection,you’re still in the running,In many cases,this perseverance
and follow-through are essential requirements for the job you want.
8,TELL THE TRUTH OR PAY THE CONSEQUENCES
Don’t be dishonest.
Do not exaggerate,mislead,or lie in your letters,Even if you get hired,dishonesty
is grounds for immediate dismissal,Don’t risk it.
18
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 18
9,CHECK,RECHECK,AND TRIPLE-CHECK
Do triple-check your letters for proper presentation.
If you’re new to the jobhunting process,you will find the following reminders
helpful.
Do take the time to ensure that you’ve correctly identified the name of the
company or organization,While we may refer to Time magazine,for example,as
Time,it is actually one of the publications of AOL Time Warner,Inc,The manu-
facturer of the famous Reebok footwear is actually Reebok International LTD.
What we call Prudential is correctly titled Prudential Financial,Inc,Disney is re-
ally The Walt Disney Company,Virtually every company in the United States is
listed in Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporations,which is published yearly and
is available online at www.standardandpoors.com,Most public libraries have
such directories in their reference sections that list company names in full,and
more for those who wish to do additional research,Hoover’s Handbook of American
Business,for example,provides overviews of most American companies,the prod-
ucts and services they offer,primary competitors and recent sales figures,the
names and titles of key executives,addresses,and telephone and fax numbers for
the firm’s main headquarters,You can access this site online at www.hoovers.com.
Do direct your letter to the reader,Remember Terry Muldour from the sam-
ple employment ad earlier in this chapter? It was impossible to discern from the
ad whether Terry Muldour was male or female,In fact,some recruiters purpose-
ly make an ad vague to test the resourcefulness of the jobhunter,a ploy Terry Mul-
dour may have used,If you are faced with this ambiguity,don’t rely on the stan-
dard,To Whom It May Concern” salutation because it’s standard,Try to contact
the company in question or visit its Web site to obtain the information you need.
If that fails,use the entire name (as did the writer of Letter 2-2) or the person’s title
(as did the writer of Letter 2-4).
Do check your spelling before mailing your letter,Poor spelling creates a
sloppy,negative impression quickly,Proofreading backwards from the end of the
letter to the beginning will help you catch errors that you might overlook when
reading forwards,If you don’t trust your own spelling abilities,ask a friend to
proofread your letter,At the very least,use your computer’s spell check program.
Do be sure to use the same paper type and color for your resume,letter,and
envelope,Your resume and letters should bear the same heading—one that in-
cludes your name,address,e-mail address and the telephone numbers at which
you can be reached,Be sure to identity whether the telephone numbers you pro-
vide are for work,at home,or mobile,(For printing purposes,the sample letters
contained in this book do not have such headings on them—but yours should.)
Do check to be certain that you have matched the letter you send Ms,Smith
with the envelope addressed to the same Ms,Smith,Always type names,titles,
and addresses on each envelope; never address them by hand,It’s astonishing
how many times jobhunters make these silly,but crucial errors!
19
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 19
Do sign your letter,Recruiters report receiving a surprising number of un-
signed letters,They do not report interviewing these forgetful people.
As bizarre as these examples may seem,they happen,and they can happen
to you,To be sure they don’t,triple-check your actions when it comes to jobhunt-
ing,The job search is not the time for accidental mishaps that can jeopardize your
success,Chapter 10 contains a checklist to help you avoid such mishaps and to en-
sure that your letter is strong,direct,and properly presented.
10,IF IT AIN’T WORKING...FIX IT!
Don’t keep using a letter that’s not working.
You’ve composed a resume cover letter,sent it in response to 10 newspaper ad-
vertisements,and haven’t heard a thing; not a single person has called; not one in-
terview has been scheduled,Is it you? Is it your resume? It could be either,Or it
could be that you’re perfectly qualified,but your cover letter isn’t making the im-
pact you want,Worse,it might be hurting you.
Don’t despair,Writing about yourself is never easy,and (until you’ve read
this book) you’ve never been taught how to write self-promotional letters,Job-
hunting letters may be some of the most difficult letters you’ll ever create.
So if the letter you’re using isn’t working,try another approach,You can try
a more unusual opening by adopting a bolder tone of voice or a more conserva-
tive one,You can also summarize your strengths more succinctly,or provide a bit
more detail,The key is to try something different,Rewrite portions of your letter,
and then send this new letter in response to new ads,If you don’t get the results
you want,try changing something else,It may take a while,but don’t allow your-
self to get discouraged.
By doing such things,you’re employing the same tested marketing tech-
niques that advertisers have used for ages,How many approaches and slogans
has Burger King used? Or Ford? Or AT&T? These companies and their advertis-
ing agencies continually alter their strategic positioning to keep their profits up,
their objectives met,and their goals achieved,Why shouldn’t you?
20
03 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 20
Chapter 3
How to Identify and
Sell Your Strengths
Whatever industry you represent,field you’re in,or expertise you possess,when
you’re looking for a job,you’re in sales and marketing,
a73
You’re selling a product,you.
a73
You identify the target market,potential employers,
a73
You price the product,a realistic salary range,
a73
You position the product,draft a resume and cover letter,
a73
You test your positioning with the target market,answering several
ads,If your efforts result in interviews,you’ve probably done some
decent marketing,If not,you’ll need to reassess your product,market,
pricing,or positioning,and try again,
This is precisely the process that marketing executives follow to sell laundry
detergent,pickup trucks,gourmet cat food,club memberships,and retractable
swimming pool covers,
Thus,the majority of the letters you’ll write in the course of finding your next
job will contain self-promotion,In your Ad Response and Resume Cover Letters
you will trumpet your talents,After an interview,a Follow-Up Letter will once
again reaffirm your excellent qualifications,If the hiring process seems to be
idling,you’ll rev that engine with a reminder of your unique talents,And un-
doubtedly,if you attempt to negotiate salary in writing,your special skills will be
of vital importance.
Since self-promotion is an area in which recruiters have found most people
either underwhelming or overwhelming,it pays to learn how to boast,It is possi-
ble to be modest,yet effective,The trick is to avoid speaking solely of your own
merits in every line,Instead,link your talents to the concerns of the recruiter,em-
ployer,or firm,Think of your qualifications not as merely a feature of your can-
didacy,but as a benefit to your next boss,The worksheets that follow will help you
accomplish this.
21
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 21
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
Take the time to complete Worksheets
3-1 and 3-2 right now,The ideas you jot
down here will prove extremely useful
when creating your own letters later on—
whether you follow the guidelines offered in
the chapters to come,or simply adapt the
sample letters contained throughout the
book,Completing these worksheets will
also help you crystallize your thoughts in
preparation for an interview.
WORKSHEET 3-1:
I AM...BECAUSE I
In the left-hand column of the worksheet,
list your skills,strengths,unusual abilities,
unique traits,areas of expertise or special-
ization,and relevant personality traits,Try
and limit your entries to one or two words
each.
In the right-hand column,jot down your support points,Rather than repeat-
ing the facts on your resume,expand on them while relating something new,dif-
ferent,or additional,Consolidate your facts by adding together years in the field,
jobs within an industry,or similar positions you’ve held at different firms,Sum-
marize your career,education,experience,or personality,Follow the examples set
by the three sample entries.
22
GOD PREFERRED...
OTHERS MAY APPLY
Don’t be afraid to answer ads if
you possess most of the qualifi-
cations required,Recruiters
often describe the,ideal” can-
didate in employment ads to
see whether anyone can attain
this perfection.
Your skills—and your ex-
perience in applying them—
may be the best combination
companies and recruiters can
find,Let them decide.
RECRUITER’S TIP
Go directly to Worksheet 3-1,Or,complete this and the following two
worksheets on your personal computer by using the CD-ROM enclosed
with this book,You’ll find instructions for using the CD-ROM at the
back of this book.
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 22
WORKSHEET 3-1
23
I AM,BECAUSE I:
(your skill,unusual ability,(how you acquired this
unique trait,or area of expertise) particular strength)
I am a skilled worker because I worked at your leading competitor for
_________________________ ___________________________________
over 15 years.
______________________________ _________________________________________
_________________________________________
I am knowledgeable in word because I studied at the Computer Training Center.
_________________________ ___________________________________
processing
______________________________ _________________________________________
_________________________________________
I am experienced in heavy because I was the number-two biller for John
_________________________ ___________________________________
equipment salesDeere for 3 years and a top biller for General
_________________________ ___________________________________
Motors for 10.
_________________________________________
I am because I
______________________________ _________________________________________
______________________________ _________________________________________
_________________________________________
I am because I
______________________________ _________________________________________
______________________________ _________________________________________
_________________________________________
I am because I
______________________________ _________________________________________
______________________________ _________________________________________
_________________________________________
I am because I
______________________________ _________________________________________
______________________________ _________________________________________
_________________________________________
I am because I
______________________________ _________________________________________
______________________________ _________________________________________
_________________________________________
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 23
WORKSHEET 3-2,SO YOU...
With that done,you’re now ready to seize a powerful advantage over your com-
petition.
In their letters,those against whom you’re competing are certain to include
the type of facts you’ve written in Worksheet 3-1—facts like,I am a skilled work-
er,” and,I am trained in using a word processor.” Although these facts may be
true,standing alone they require recruiters and employers to do all the work,that
is,to interpret what these statements will mean to the company,to discern why
they are beneficial.
You,however,can easily handle this for your reader,Simply ask yourself,
“What does this mean to my potential employer?” Instead of just stating that you
are a skilled worker,translate this fact into a benefit,such as,so you won’t have
to train me.” To the statement,I am trained to use a word processor” you might
add,so you save training time and money because I can begin being productive
for you from day one.” If you have chosen to cite the fact that you rarely take sick
days,translate this into,Because I rarely take sick days,you can count on adding
a very reliable worker to your support staff.”
Therefore,to complete Worksheet 3-2,think about the benefits you can offer
your next employer based on the statements you made in Worksheet 3-1,For each
“I am” and,because I” you wrote on the preceding page,add a corresponding,
“And what this means for you is” in Worksheet 3-2,As a guide,relate benefits to
the areas that are of greatest concern to employers,profits,productivity,and per-
formance.
24
Go directly to Worksheet 3-2,Or,complete this and the other two
worksheets contained in this chapter on your personal computer by
using the CD-ROM enclosed with this book,You’ll find instructions
for using the CD-ROM at the back of this book.
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 24
WORKSHEET 3-2
25
...AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU IS:
(what benefits your skills,special traits,or background offer your next employer,
what positive difference or improvements you can make)
...so you will save time and money since you won’t have to train me.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
...so you will have a worker who is productive from day one.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
...so you get a sales representative who can hit the ground running.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
...so you
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
...so you
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
...so you
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
...so you
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
...so you
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 25
Once you’ve completed Worksheets 3-1 and 3-2,you’ve identified your
strengths and the facts that support them,More importantly,you’ve linked them
directly to benefits that you can offer your next employer,Now you have suc-
cessfully created unique ideas that you can introduce in your jobhunting letters.
The sample letters in this book will provide many examples of how to do this.
Or,try to combine your entries from Worksheets 3-1 and 3-2 into full sen-
tences,Use the sentences word for word,or reconstruct the sentence into alterna-
tive forms,The options on Worksheet 3-3 demonstrate how many ways there are
to build a sentence describing the benefits you offer an employer.
26
Go directly to Worksheet 3-3,Or,complete this and the other two
worksheets contained in this chapter on your personal computer by
using the CD-ROM enclosed with this book,You’ll find instructions
for using the CD-ROM at the back of this book.
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 26
WORKSHEET 3-3
27
HOW TO USE THIS IN YOUR LETTER:
Benefit Statement Options
I am ________________ because I ______________________________________________.
What this means for you is ___________________________________________________.
Because I ______________________________________________,I am _______________.
What this means for you is ___________________________________________________.
Because I ______________________________________________,I am _______________,
so you _____________________________________________________________________.
You (so you) _____________________________ because I __________________________
_________________________________________,and I am _________________________.
You (so you) ____________________________________________________ thanks to my
(I am) _________________________,which I developed/became/achieved through/as
(because I) _________________________________________________________________.
Through (because I) _________________________________________________________,
I have developed/built/become (I am) ________________________________________,
and that means you _________________________________________________________.
Throughout my (because I) ___________________________________________________,
I achieved/succeeded in/produced/excelled at (I am) ___________________________.
As a result,you/The result is that you (so you) _________________________________.
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 27
SAMPLE BENEFIT STATEMENTS
The following sentences have been composed from the three sample entries in
Worksheets 3-1 and 3-2,Each sample uses one of the constructions outlined in
Worksheet 3-3,For easy reference,these samples use the options in the same order
in which they appear in Worksheet 3-3.
a73
I am a skilled worker because I worked at your leading competitor for
more than 15 years,What this means for you is that you will save time
and money since you won’t have to train me.
a73
Because I worked at your leading competitor for more than 15 years,
I am a skilled worker,What this means for you is that you will save
time and money since you won’t have to train me.
a73
Because I worked at your leading competitor for more than 15 years,
I am a skilled worker so you can save time and money since you
won’t have to train me.
a73
You will have a worker who is productive from day one because I
studied at the Computer Training Center,and I am knowledgeable in
word processing.
a73
You get a worker who is productive from day one,thanks to my
knowledge of word processing,which I developed through my study
at the Computer Training Center.
a73
Because I was the number-two biller for John Deere for 3 years and a
top biller for General Motors for 10 years,I have become experienced
in heavy equipment sales,and that means you get a sales representa-
tive who can hit the ground running.
a73
Because I am experienced in heavy equipment sales,I achieved supe-
rior results at John Deere and General Motors,As a result,you get a
sales representative who can hit the ground running.
SAMPLE BENEFIT STATEMENTS ADAPTED FOR
DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES
The preceding samples illustrate how three different people might build a variety
of sentences from their completed Worksheets 3-1 and 3-2,Now take a look at how
these same sentence construction options might be adapted for use in other in-
dustries,Although your field may not be one of those represented here,perusing
these examples will demonstrate how you may adapt your own.
Engineer,I am a skilled electronics engineer because I worked in General
Electric’s Consumer Division for 4 years,What this means for you is that you
will save time and money since you won’t have to train me.
28
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 28
Arts,Because I worked at the Smithsonian Institute for more than 12 years,I
am a highly experienced curator,What this means for you is that you will not
need to be understaffed for weeks while training a novice to assume full cu-
ratorial responsibilities.
Sales,Because I worked at your leading competitor for more than 15 years,I
am experienced in all aspects of selling telecommunications to growing busi-
nesses,so you can expect more immediate revenue growth from your sales
team.
Sales,You get a sales representative who can hit the ground running,thanks
to my experience in retail promotion,which I developed as a top account ex-
ecutive for Procter & Gamble.
Beautician,You will have a worker who is productive from day one because I
studied at the Avalon Beauty Academy,and I am knowledgeable in all as-
pects of hair styling and coloring.
Sports,Because I was the senior ski instructor at Aspen Ski Resort for 7 years,
I have become proficient in dealing with the public,and that means you get
a representative who can significantly enhance customer relations.
Technician,Because I am well versed in maintaining 4- and 6-color printing
presses,I achieved superior ratings at Dybold Paper Company,As a result,
you acquire a technician who can minimize unproductive downtime for your
company.
Use Worksheets 3-1,3-2,and 3-3,and the preceding examples to create your
own self-promotional sentences,Write one for each quality you will be promoting
in your job search,Then,link these sentences together.
Voila! You have just written a paragraph (or two) that will constitute the body
of many jobhunting letters.
SAMPLE LETTERS
By completing the worksheets,you have taken an essential step towards writing
killer cover letters,As you incorporate the paragraphs you have just written into
your letters,you are fulfilling the second rule from Chapter 2’s,Ten Basic Do’s
and Don’ts for Writing Killer Cover Letters”—”Zoom,Don’t Resume.” This rule
requires that you focus on the needs of your employer rather than simply repeat-
ing the information listed in your resume,This advice holds true regardless of
your industry,and the following sample letters illustrate this key point.
Take a few minutes to read these sample letters,You’ll discover that they are
very similar to each other,Each has been written in response to an employment
advertisement in a different industry,Each is from an applicant in a different sit-
uation,They are presented here to illustrate that such details become immaterial
29
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 29
when a letter,sells” a candidate,and how his or her skills might benefit a poten-
tial employer,Cover letters like these grab and keep a reader’s attention,They
stand a far better chance of resulting in an interview than the traditional,standard
cover letters that most people send.
Most of the sample letters included throughout this book illustrate this key
principal,As you review them,you may be surprised at how little industry-spe-
cific,even job-specific information is included,So be sure you don’t overlook let-
ters that fall outside your field—virtually every letter in this book contains an idea
you can use.
30
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 30
LETTER 3-1,RESUME COVER LETTER—CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
31
Ms,Presently Hiring
The Successful Bank RE,January 1 City Times Ad
P.O,Box 1111 for a Bank Customer Service
Business City,ST 09876 Representative
Dear Ms,Hiring:
It’s twice as hard to attract a new customer as it is to maintain an
existing one,Unfortunately,this fact is often overlooked by many
businesses.
Delivering high-quality,responsive service is vital in banking,
and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you hire me.
As my resume indicates,I have worked in financial services for more
than 3 years,so you won’t have to go to great expense training me.
Plus,I have learned how to deal with a wide variety of people from
the pleasant senior citizen to the irate executive,In every case,I assess
their needs and how the bank can address them most effectively,The
vast majority of my customers have walked away content,More
importantly,they have returned to do business with us again.
If you’re looking for an experienced professional to provide superior
service and promote customer satisfaction,you’ve found her.
I hope you’ll give me a call at (555) 456-7890 so that we can meet.
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss my qualifications.
Sincerely,
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 31
LETTER 3-2,RESUME COVER LETTER—TELEPHONE REPAIR
32
Ms,Presently Hiring
The Successful Company RE,January 1 City Times Ad
P.O,Box 1111 for a Telephone Repair
Business City,ST 09876 Technician
Dear Ms,Hiring:
When a customer calls for a repair,your firm is faced with an
opportunity.
Either the client relationship will be cemented or it will be
damaged,The difference,as you know,is in the hands of the repair
technician.
The ability to deliver high-quality,pleasant service is vital
in telecommunications,and that’s exactly what you’ll get
when you hire me.
As my resume indicates,I have worked as a technician for more
than 3 years,so you won’t have to go to great expense training me.
Plus,I have learned how to deal with a wide variety of people from
the pleasant senior citizen to the irate executive,In every case,I
assess the complaint,the equipment problem,and how I can
address both most effectively,The vast majority of customers I
have served have been pleased with my responsiveness and
professional demeanor,More importantly,they have continued to
do business with my employer.
If you’re looking for an experienced professional to provide superior
service and promote customer satisfaction,you’ve found him.
I hope you’ll give me a call at (555) 456-7890 so that we can meet.
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss my qualifications.
Sincerely,
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 32
LETTER 3-3,RESUME COVER LETTER—TRAVEL AGENT—WORKFORCE RETURN
33
Ms,Presently Hiring
The Successful Travel Agency RE,January 1 City Times Ad
P.O,Box 1111 for a Travel Agent
Business City,ST 09876
Dear Ms,Hiring:
I am responding to your ad because it offers the opportunity to act on a
very firm conviction,that every business is a service business,and to
succeed,must address the distinct needs of each and every customer.
The ability to deliver high-quality,responsive service is
vital in the travel industry,and that’s exactly what you’ll
get when you hire me.
My resume,which is enclosed,details my background,Although I have
been out of the workforce for several years,I have hardly been idle,As a
hospital volunteer,President of the PTA,wife and partner of a Senior
Vice President,and mother,I have dealt with a wide variety of people
from the pleasant senior citizen to the screaming child to the irate
executive,In every case,I assess the individual’s needs and how to
address them most effectively.
As a very active consumer,I am well aware of the importance of
prompt,attentive service -- and painfully aware that it is rare these days.
If you’re looking for a hard worker and quick learner to provide
superior service and promote customer satisfaction,you’ve found her.
I hope you’ll give me call at (555) 456-7890 so that we can meet,
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss my qualifications.
Sincerely,
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 33
LETTER 3-4,RESUME COVER LETTER—X-RAY TECHNICIAN
34
Ms,Presently Hiring
The Successful Hospital RE,January 1 City Times Ad
P.O,Box 1111 for a Mammography
Business City,ST 09876 X-Ray Technician
Dear Ms,Hiring:
Delivering high-quality,responsive service is vital in health care,and
that’s exactly what you’ll get when you hire me,As my resume indicates,
I am licensed in this state and board certified,I have worked in clinics and
in private practice for more than 7 years,so you won’t have to train me.
Plus,I have learned how to deal with a wide variety of patients from the
pleasant senior citizen to the nervous mother and terrified single
woman,In every case,I have provided comfort and reassurance along
with clear instructions and a gentle touch.
In fact,the vast majority of patients with whom I work
have walked away pleased with their care,More
importantly,they have returned for their annuals year
after year.
If you’re looking for an experienced professional to provide superior
and proper care while dealing effectively with a diverse patient base,
you’ve found her.
I hope you’ll give me call at (555) 456-7890 so that we can meet,
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss my qualifications.
Sincerely,
04 6/27/03 9:20 AM Page 34
Chapter 4
The Networking Letter
The Networking Letter is also called the Prospecting Letter,the Broadcast Letter,
or the Letter of Introduction,By whatever name you call it,it’s indispensable.
Although few jobhunters choose to employ this valuable tool,networking
should be the first step in your search—and your letters are integral to the process.
Skillfully written and sent to the right people,Networking Letters can produce
valuable information and promising leads,These letters can help you to identify
job openings before they are advertised as well as the person with the authority to
make the ultimate hiring decision.
To appreciate the edge the Networking Letter affords you,consider the mar-
keting principle of action versus reaction,This principle,translated to the search
process,characterizes people who react as those who wait for job openings to be
announced and advertised; then they apply and wait again to be called in for an
interview,The vast majority of jobhunters comprise this group,and they are your
competition.
Conversely,those who act create their
own opportunities,They hunt down po-
tential and existing job openings,and go
after them with vigor,often identifying
such openings well before they are adver-
tised,Becoming one who acts rather than
reacts places you in an important minority:
that of confident,proactive networkers.
This is exactly where you want to be to
enjoy a vital advantage in today’s tough
job market,As a proactive networker,you
have priceless tools at your disposal in the
Networking Letter,Use these tools wisely
and frequently,Use them to introduce
yourself and to ask for advice,contacts,or
a referral to an associate or colleague,Use
them to identify openings before they are
advertised,such as when colleagues
switch jobs or companies or move to a
new location and businesses expand,Even
35
HOW THE WORK
WAS WON
Pull out the big guns and sad-
dle up! In today’s job market
there are more job opportuni-
ties than job openings.
Fact,Only 25% of those
landing full-time jobs learned of
the openings through employ-
ment ads,The remaining 75%
secured employment through
active networking.
Networking is work...but
it’s work that works.
RECRUITER’S TIP
N
E
T
W
O
R
K
I
N
G
L
E
T
T
E
R
S
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 35
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
a company that is downsizing may hold
promise by consolidating positions,Two
specialized workers,for instance,may be
replaced with one who can handle multi-
ple responsibilities,You can use these let-
ters to uncover this strategic information
and more.
If a friend suggests that you write to
an acquaintance for assistance,accept,If a
newspaper or magazine article tips you
off that a certain company might be hir-
ing,ask if this is the case,and ask to be
considered,Above all,don’t be afraid to
take advantage of these opportunities.
Well written,such a letter presents you as
a motivated,aggressive player who
searches for ways to make things happen.
In most every case,these qualities are
highly sought after in the job market.
Whatever your reason for writing it,
your Networking Letter is fundamentally
an appeal for help,Your primary goal,your
only goal,is to get your reader to comply
with a reasonable request for assistance.
You might ask for an introduction,a rec-
ommendation,advice,or ideas,To com-
ply,your readers must give of their time,
share knowledge,and put their names or
reputations on the line by making refer-
rals—all precious commodities,To
achieve your goal,you’ve got to convince
your reader that you’re worth this effort.
Follow the steps that follow to create
effective Networking Letters,If you
choose to use sections of the letters pro-
vided in this book,you can use these steps
to adapt the samples for your own use.
STEP 1,CREATE A
CONNECTION
To enhance the speed and effectiveness of
your networking,you should send the
36
GO! GET SET! GET READY!
Getting ready to get ready can
be very costly in the jobhunting
process,Start networking as
soon as you know you want to
make a move.
Make a list of people you
can contact immediately,and
then do so,If your resume is
out of date,a scheduled inter-
view is all the motivation you’ll
need to get your resume in
order.
No resume,no research,
no excuses!
RECRUITER’S TIP
WHY DO I CONTACT THEE?
LET ME COUNT THE WAYS
Use Your Networking Letters
to:
1,Introduce yourself.
2,Seek advice.
3,Make contacts.
4,Secure a referral through an
associate or colleague.
5,Identify openings before
they are advertised.
6,Follow up on hiring leads
gleaned from newspaper or
magazine articles.
7,Learn more about a field
you’d like to enter.
..,and much more!
RECRUITER’S TIP
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 36
Networking Letter to numerous people simultaneously,The trick,of course,is to
make each letter sound as though it is being sent only to the person receiving it—
your letters should never look or sound like form letters.
In your effort to personalize each letter,capitalize on any connection you
may have with the reader,You may share an area of expertise,You may belong to
a common professional association or civic,sports,religious,or charitable organi-
zation,You may have originated from the same area of the country or have at-
tended the same educational institution,Now is the time to reaffirm these con-
nections,Mention a mutual friend or a recent telephone conversation you had
with your reader,If you met at a party or business event,remind her of the en-
counter.
Use this information to open your letter,Identifying a meaningful link be-
tween yourself and your reader helps establish a personal connection,Because
this suggests to the reader that only he or she can help you,your reader will feel
more compelled to focus on and reply to your request.
STEP 2,INFORM
To accomplish your primary goal,which is to elicit help,you must convince your
reader that what you offer is meaningful,If you’re asking for a referral,you must
be worth referring,If you’re asking whether there might be an opening for some-
one with your skills,your skills must be relevant to the firm,the division,or to the
person you’re writing,Keep in mind that recommending an unqualified candi-
date reflects poorly on the person referring you,Don’t put anyone in this awk-
ward position.
Therefore,in the body of your letter provide the information your reader
needs to make the decision to act on your behalf,Describe your talents,your back-
ground,your skills,Explain why they are meaningful to your prospective em-
ployer,whether it’s the person you’re writing to or the person to whom you’d like
to be introduced,And remember not to repeat word for word what’s on your re-
sume,particularly if you’ll be enclosing it with your letter.
How much space should you devote to this information? When asked how
long a man’s legs should be,Abraham Lincoln observed,“Long enough to reach
the ground.” The same applies here,supply as much data as it takes to make your
point convincingly,and no more,If the person you write is not the one making the
hiring decision,keep your letters short and to the point,To secure a referral,for
example,your reader needs to be assured in a general sense that you will not turn
out to be unqualified,and,therefore,an embarrassment to him,Paint an overview
of yourself that demonstrates that you have the necessary experience to be a seri-
ous candidate,When describing your background,generalize,When discussing
your accomplishments,summarize.
37
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 37
However,if you’re introducing yourself to someone who does possess the di-
rect authority to hire you,you may wish to offer more detail,In this case,be spe-
cific about what you can bring to the corporation,the team,or your supervisor.
Where relevant,use facts and figures to make your case—ones you can honestly
support in an interview,Instead of listing your skills in a vacuum,link them to
concrete benefits that they offer your next employer,You may wish to refer back
to the worksheets in Chapter 3 for pointers on how to do this.
In the samples that follow,you’ll see examples of Networking Letters both
brief and lengthy,As you read them,try and discern the reason that the writer
may have had for contacting each recipient,Apply this to your own circum-
stances,and you’ll create a more effective letter.
STEP 3,REQUEST ACTION
You’ve established a personal connection,You’ve convinced the reader that you
rate the time and energy required to comply with your request,Now,forge a bar-
gain with the reader:,I’ll do the work,if you’re ready with what I need.”
If you haven’t already asked for whatever it is you want,now is the time to
do so,State straight out exactly what you need,and how the reader can help you.
Don’t annoy your reader by beating around the bush,You should be polite,but
also be direct,Your reader should not have to spend time deciphering puzzling in-
nuendoes,If you’re writing to introduce yourself,say so,If you’re writing to ask
for a referral,say so,Above all,don’t ask for something that’s inappropriate.
Then,tell the reader what to do,and be specific,If you’ve asked her to con-
tact you,provide your reader with your address,e-mail address,and telephone
numbers for both work and home,along with a time that is best to reach you,If
you have a pager,cellular phone,beeper,or answering service,supply instruc-
tions for using it,If you require confidentiality,say so,Make it as easy as possible
for your reader to reach you,If you’re asking that something be sent to you,in-
clude a fax number,e-mail address,or a stamped,self-addressed return envelope.
Or,if you are the one who will take action,tell the reader what to expect.
State exactly what you will do to facilitate a response,If you plan to contact your
reader,say when,how,and why,If you’re visiting from out of town,and would
like to meet with your reader,state when you’ll be in town and when you’ll be
available,If possible,offer several alternate dates and times.
OPTIONAL STEP 4,CLOSE WARMLY
It’s highly advisable to end your Networking Letters with a professional,yet
friendly sign-off,Closing warmly—by thanking the reader in advance for com-
plying with your request—frequently enhances the likelihood of getting the re-
sponse you seek,You’ll find examples of such closings in the sample letters that
follow.
38
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 38
LETTER 4-1,NETWORKING—TECHNOLOGY—LAYOFFS
39
Mr,William Danford
Assistant Vice President
Eastman Kodak
400 Eastman Way
Rochester,NY 09876
Dear Bill:
Can I ask a favor of an old fraternity brother?
You see,in one way or another,this volatile economy affects us all -- and
now it’s my turn,Yes,I’m one of the 2400 loyal employees Camji has just
laid off,So now I’m exploring options in our industry,including the
possibility of launching a business of my own.
Your advice and perspective,Bill,would be very helpful to me as I decide
what my next step will be,I’d appreciate it if you could spare some time to
share your thoughts with me.
On the 25th of this month,I’ll be in your area and would love to buy you
lunch,I’ll call next week to see if this is convenient.
Thanks in advance -- hope to see you.
All best,
Bert
The writer
establishes the
connection,..
informs...
tells the reader
what to
expect...
and closes
warmly.
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 39
LETTER 4-2,NETWORKING—AGRICULTURE
40
Ms,Annabelle Tisi
President
Economic Forecasting Association
350 North Wacker
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Ms,Tisi:
As a 10-year member of the EFA,I am writing with the hope that
our organization might assist me in my job search.
I am an experienced agricultural economist,with a specialty in soy
and soy by-products,seeking employment in either the private or
public sector,I realize,of course,that I am not alone in my quest.
However,as a prolific author,I can offer my employer a very high
level of positive visibility within the industry.
Ms,Tisi,I would appreciate any advice you can offer,Does EFA,
for example,maintain a job bank? Do you run a referral service?
Perhaps you or an associate know of someone with whom I might
speak for additional advice.
I would welcome any suggestions you can offer,Along with my
resume and a list of my published works,I’ve enclosed a stamped,
self-addressed envelope in case there are any EFA materials you
can send to me,To make matters even easier for you,I will plan to
call you next week.
For your interest and assistance,I am deeply grateful.
Your fellow member,
Anthony Amend
(555) 765-4321 work
(555) 456-7890 home
Make it easy
for the reader
to comply.
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 40
E-MAIL LETTER 4-3,NETWORKING—GENERAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
This enterprising rising star has used e-mail to get directly to someone in a position to help
or hire her,Her thoughtful and engaging letter is strengthened by the artful single-line teas-
er in the middle of the letter.
41
Congratulations on the favorable publicity you received in
yesterday’s City Times,I’m sure I’m not alone in finding
encouragement in the description of your journey to senior
management in the technology industry,an industry of which I am
proud to be a part—although I haven’t achieved the success you
have.
Yet.
As a hard-working,highly skilled,and dedicated Director of Client
Services for a small software company,I am anxious to expand my
capabilities by assuming greater responsibility,Mr,Tiche,I would
greatly appreciate it if you could spare a few minutes of your time
to discuss with me the direction that our dynamic industry will take
over the next few years and what someone with my interests could
contribute.
I’ve attached my resume to demonstrate my commitment to hard
work,I will take the liberty of contacting your office within the next
few days to see if there might be a convenient time for us to meet.
Thank you in advance for being willing to assist someone who
would be proud to follow in your footsteps!
Sincerely,
Shelby L,Paul
shelby.paul@newtech.com
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,Shelby L,Paul
To,John Tiche
Sent,Monday,October 7,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Thank You for Your Encouragement
Resume for Shelby L,Paul.doc
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 41
LETTER 4-4,NETWORKING—COMPUTERS—CAREER CHANGE
42
Ms,Nancy McCauley
Arlington Data Products
36 Kennedy Street
Arlington,Virginia 09876
Dear Ms,McCauley:
A mutual acquaintance,Shirley Louis,recommended
that I contact you for advice,I am currently
exploring the possibility of switching from
medical equipment to computer sales,With your
expertise in information technology and your
recent experience entering this field,you have
insight that could prove extremely valuable to me.
I’ve enclosed my resume,which details my skills
and background,along with a list of my
accomplishments,I expect that several of my
strengths will be quite transferable,such as
attention to detail and the ability to work with
complex technology,I would welcome your views on
this observation,as well.
Knowing how busy you are,I would be most grateful
if you could spare a few moments of your day for
me,I will call your office shortly to arrange a
meeting at a time that is convenient for you.
With appreciation,
Ethan Nichols
(555) 456-7890 extension 45
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 42
43
Ms,Angela Reese
Staffing Director
Massachusetts Municipal Hospital
1840 Wilmont Avenue
Shireville,MA 09876
Dear Ms,Reese:
I am writing at the suggestion of Francis Myers,a maternity nurse on your staff
and a close friend of mine,Francis thought that your needs and my talents
would fit ideally,and that we should meet.
By way of introduction,let me explain that I am returning to nursing after a
three-year absence,During this time,I had a son and relocated to the Boston
area,Now that I have made arrangements for day care,I am seeking to put my
skills back to work where they are needed,in a Burn Unit,My solid training
and in-depth experience have both focused on the care of burn victims and I
would like to return to my nursing specialty as soon as possible.
I will take the liberty of calling you next week to see if we might meet,If you
would be kind enough to leave word with your assistant,I will schedule a
meeting at your convenience,In the meantime,I thank you in advance for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Morris
(555) 765-4321
LETTER 4-5,NETWORKING—HEALTH CARE—WORKFORCE RETURN
Although the writer is not required to provide this information,she feels the reference to
daycare will alleviate any concerns her reader may have about reliability.
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 43
44
Mr,William M,Mackey
Assistant Treasurer
CitiTrust Bank
505 Pratt Street
Wilmington,Delaware 09876
Dear Bill:
What a small world! Ten years ago,you and I worked at United Savings,
and now our paths have crossed again,It was great seeing you at the
Clearinghouse luncheon last week; I appreciate your offer to pass my
name along to your EFT people.
To this end,I’ve enclosed my resume,As you’ll see,it details the
considerable experience I’ve enjoyed in funds transfer,including my key
role in the development of EFT systems for two major commercial banks.
As you no doubt recognize,this kind of hands-on expertise can prove
immensely valuable for you and for CitiTrust,It means that I am
equipped not only to forecast the challenges that lie ahead as our
industry continues to evolve,but also to create the innovative solutions
demanded of those banks that will succeed in the years to come.
I am making plans to visit Wilmington from the 5th through the 15th of
next month and would love to get together with you,I will call your
office shortly to set up a meeting.
Thanks again,Bill,for your interest.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Marie
LETTER 4-6,NETWORKING—FINANCIAL
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 44
45
Ms,Delilah Vimond
Director
The Artists Alliance
15 Center Park Drive
Oakhurst,IL 09876
Dear Ms,Vimond:
Because you graciously added your name to State
University’s Alumni Career Network,I am writing
with the hope that you might spare a few minutes to
advise a fellow alumnus.
I earned my B.S,in Accounting at State,and have
since enjoyed a successful career in the sales and
marketing of consumer electronics and
telecommunications,Now,I would like to bring the
strengths this solid background offers to a new
field,Your role in the arts community,Ms,Vimond,
could provide a perspective on this transition that
would be of great value to me.
Because I would appreciate the opportunity to gain
the benefit of your insight,I will take the
liberty of calling you next week to see if we might
meet or simply speak on the phone,In the meantime,
I have enclosed my resume to provide details.
I am grateful for your willingness to help fellow
State graduates,I thank you in advance for helping
me,in particular.
Most sincerely,
Bill Johnson
(555) 765-4321
LETTER 4-7,NETWORKING—ARTS—STUDENT—CAREER CHANGE
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 45
46
Ms,Constance O’Neill
The New Orleans Symphony Orchestra
80 Newtown Square
New Orleans,LA 09876
Dear Ms,O’Neill:
Meeting you was a real pleasure,Thank you for spending so much time
with me,particularly on a Friday evening,I truly appreciate the advice
you gave me and the contacts you offered.
Since our meeting,I have reworked my resume according to your
recommendations; a copy is enclosed with this letter,I am thrilled with
the new emphasis and have forwarded it to Maestro Richard Allen at
City Orchestra,as you suggested,I will let you know the results of
these efforts.
Ms,O’Neill,I am dismayed that you are not currently able to hire an
Assistant,Not only would it be a pleasure to work with you,but I am
certain that my corporate background could open new doors for The
New Orleans Symphony Orchestra,Should my experience produce the
level of additional funding I anticipate,the position of Assistant would
certainly pay for itself!
Ever the optimist,I will keep in touch with you in the event the
that Orchestra’s financial status improves.
Thank you again for your kind assistance.
With best regards,
Anna Rodriguez
Work Phone
Home Phone
LETTER 4-8,NETWORKING—ARTS—CAREER CHANGE—JOB LOSS
This is actually a combination Networking/Make Something Happen Letter; notice the
writer’s clever suggestion to overcome the interviewer’s hiring objection.
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 46
47
Mr,Colin Curtis
Executive Vice President
NationsTrust Bancorporation
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Mr,Curtis:
When last we met,we spent some time discussing the inviolability of
the Glass-Steagall Act,Lo and behold,shortly thereafter,our legislators
overturned this venerable standard!
Therefore,I thought you’d be interested in seeing the enclosed article,
featured in the Economist’s current issue,which analyzes the effect that
such a dramatic move is having on banks’ consumer investment base.
Obviously,now is the time for devising proactive strategies to keep this
profitable market from further eroding,and the article highlights the
actions that several financial institutions have already taken.
Mr,Curtis,I thought of you immediately upon reading this article
because I found our discussion so enlightening,I also appreciate the
interest you expressed at that time in my attempts to further my career,I
am continuing my search and will keep you informed,In the meantime,
should your firm’s hiring freeze be lifted,I hope you will think of me.
Your organization has been at the top of my wish list for years,and after
meeting you,I am certain that our association would be immensely
productive for us both.
Thank you again for your interest.
All best,
Pauline Sinclair
(555) 765-4321
Enclosure
LETTER 4-9,NETWORKING—FINANCIAL—JOB LOSS
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 47
48
Mr,James J,Milstein
Assistant Treasurer
J.P,Chase Manhattan Bank
14 Chase Plaza
New York,NY 09876
Dear Mr,Milstein:
It was a pleasure meeting you at last week’s Retirement Seminar,The amount of
work that went into preparing such an informative program was evident and
well spent,I can assure you,Your presenters held the interest of each
participant,and clearly described the products and services your firm offers.
Given my background and interest in this dynamic area of financial services,I
believe that I may be able to offer your firm something of value in return,As the
enclosed resume demonstrates,my track record with prospective customers is
a proven one; over the last 16 months,I have increased our company’s sales of
retirement planning services by 22%!
Mr,Milstein,this is the growth potential I would like to offer a leading firm such
as yours,If there is any advice or recommendation you could offer,I would be
most grateful,I will take the liberty of calling you shortly to see to whom I should
address my credentials at Chase.
Again,my thanks for a most enjoyable seminar and for any assistance you can
provide.
With appreciation,
Peter Anselmo
(555) 456-7890
LETTER 4-10,NETWORKING—FINANCIAL
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 48
49
Mr,Martin Dupree
Southwestern Technologies
6700 Industry Circle
Dallas,TX 09876
Dear Mr,Dupree:
It was with great alarm that I read in today’s Wall Street Journal that
you are forced to curtail your in-house promotional capabilities.
Undoubtedly,today’s economy wreaks havoc without regard for
individuals,families,or profits,Despite this unfortunate situation,may I
offer a glimmer of hope?
With reduced staff and financial resources,it becomes ever
more essential to generate free publicity,and to do so requires
an expert.
I can deliver this critical service without an office at your headquarters,
without an administrative assistant on your payroll,without costly health
care benefits,For a modest per-project fee,I am available to identify
newsworthy developments,and to draft press releases and place them
with appropriate media representatives for maximum,free exposure.
Mr,Dupree,in today’s challenging economy,the need for publicity is
more vital than ever,Don’t let your firm drop from sight—or worse,
receive only the negative attention that results from a story such as
today’s Journal piece,I will call shortly to follow up.
Sincerely,
Lydia Bruner
(555) 456-7890
LETTER 4-11,NETWORKING—PUBLIC RELATIONS—JOB LOSS
This letter may produce freelance work,a referral,or an interview,Any of these could lead
ultimately to a job,That’s effective networking.
Note
the
Killer
Close!
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 49
50
Ms,Erica Martin
Schaeffer Industries
1442 Lansing Street
Detroit,Michigan 09876
Dear Erica:
It is hard to believe how long it has been since we have been able to sit
down and talk,How about scheduling lunch (on me) before another day
passes? Here’s my ulterior motive right up front,I have a thought on
which I’d love to get your advice.
Since we started working together over a decade ago,things have
changed dramatically,Technology,people,places,and things seem to be
in a constant state of flux,(I suppose this is what makes life
interesting.) Through this flux,my firm has remained alive and well,
continuing to break new ground in the world of electronic design.
Nevertheless,I have been giving some thought to relinquishing the
security of a staff position for the freedom of self-employment.
Perhaps,in your travels through the winding roads of corporate
America,you may have heard what firms are outsourcing design work?
If any? Are companies likely to rely on freelancers for design projects,
or acquire staff with an eye towards cutting costs? These are the
questions I’ll need to answer before making my decision,I know your
viewpoint will be beneficial.
I’ll call you early next week to set up a lunch date,Can’t wait to see you.
Best,
Beth Wadell
LETTER 4-12,NETWORKING—DESIGN—CAREER CHANGE
This writer obviously knows her reader well,so a familiar tone of voice is an appropriate
choice.
A nice,
soft
approach
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 50
51
Ms,R,Susan Shapiro
The J.J,Budd Catalog Company
800 Budd Promenade
Stonington,CT 09876
Dear Ms,Shapiro:
You may recall that last May I had the pleasure of working with you when you
were at AmeriBrands for several weeks,I was delighted to hear from our mutual
friend,Mark Miller,that you might be looking to hire a telemarketing sales
supervisor.
No one can dispute J.J,Budd’s supremacy in its field,I believe,as I am sure
you do,that superior telemarketing is an integral part of J.J,Budd’s continued
success,After four very successful years at AmeriBrands,I am now looking for
new challenges in the telemarketing industry,I would like a chance to be part of
your telemarketing sales team—and to achieve for J.J,Budd the impressive
results I have attained for AmeriBrands:
As my resume indicates,during my four years as a Sales Manager
with AmeriBrands,I consistently earned a place on the list of
Top Ten Sales Managers,I also trained and ran the farm data
TSR team that achieved the lowest cost per order among three
competing vendors.
For a number of months,I have worked with Mark Miller,Mark can vouch for my
abilities to motivate TSRs and achieve high sales at a low cost,Please feel free
to talk with him,(Mark’s number at work is 800-555-7654,extension 123.)
I will give you a call in the next day or two to see if there is a convenient time
we can meet to discuss how my accomplishments might benefit you and
The J.J,Budd Catalog Company.
Very truly yours,
Raj Rammanvihal
(555) 765-4321
LETTER 4-13,NETWORKING—TELEMARKETING
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 51
52
Ms,Nelda S,Wilcox
Anderson Industries
98-761 Tremaine Avenue
Portland,ME 09876
Dear Ms,Wilcox:
Thank you for your warm response to my cold call! It is gratifying to
know that there are,indeed,executives who remember their own early
career struggles.
As promised,I’ve enclosed my resume and a list of my
accomplishments,Any advice you can offer on the presentation of both
would be most appreciated—as is your kind offer to introduce me to
your colleagues.
Together,my education and experience equip me to grasp quickly the
intricacies of the business world,My talents allow me to apply this
knowledge to the ways in which I can most directly contribute to your
profitability and performance.
I will follow up shortly to discuss your reaction to the enclosed
materials,Thank you again for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Brita Porthanoy
(555) 765-4321
LETTER 4-14,NETWORKING—GENERAL
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 52
53
Ms,Judith L,Seifert
Redfield Industries
43980 Corporate Park
Elizabeth,New Jersey 09876
Dear Ms,Seifert:
Redfield Industries’ striking profit margins have captured the attention of
everyone in the business world—and I am no exception,Congratulations!
Although the story behind this tremendous growth has been told over and over
by the media,no one has focused on your contributions,Ms,Seifert.
As staff writer for State University’s respected daily newspaper,I would like to
focus on your perspective as a female executive,and the unique way in which
you have contributed to Redfield’s success,Rest assured,I will not waste your
time,Not only have I done my research on the company’s track record,I am
also a Chemistry major with a special interest in the groundbreaking innovations
that Redfield Industries has introduced in air purification systems,in which you
played a key role.
I would be honored if you could spare some time from your busy schedule to
speak with me,I will call you shortly to see when we might meet.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Sincerely,
Marla S,Pirski
(555) 456-7890
LETTER 4-15,NETWORKING—STUDENT
This extremely enterprising student has set her sights on the firm she wishes to join after
graduation and the executive she believes will usher her in the door,She’s certainly not
afraid of working hard to get what she wants,as this letter demonstrates.
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 53
54
Ms,Helen Muir
FronTech Systems,Inc.
605 Technology Drive
Columbus,OH 09876
Dear Helen:
When I heard through the grapevine that you had joined FronTech,I was thrilled
for you! I know that you’ve been anxious to find the ideal position,and I truly
hope that this is it.
Although FronTech has a sterling reputation,I know that you’ll find some way to
improve its standing,After what you achieved for MVRS,I can only say that the
competition had better look out!
And,Helen,since I currently work for one of those very competitors,I thought
this might be the perfect time for us to be on the same team,(After all,if I can’t
beat you I might as well join you.) If you are or will be in the position to add to
your staff,I hope you’ll keep me in mind,As you know,my track record is
exceptional,my achievements legendary,and my motivation as strong as ever.
(OK,so my modesty needs work.)
Before you get ensconced in management meetings,let me buy you lunch,We’ll
celebrate your new job and explore what the future may bring,My treat.
I’ll call you next week.
Best,
Ruth Miller-Syms
(555) 456-7890
LETTER 4-16,NETWORKING—GENERAL
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 54
55
Hello,I hope this note finds you well and happy with life,work,and
play,I’m writing to let you know that today’s tough economy has
claimed another job...mine! I had the honor of being selected to
join a talented pool of employees who will get the axe at the end of
the month,and so I am currently in the market for a new position.
From what I hear,though,companies are still hiring -- and I’m
pleased to say that I have an entire resume’s worth of skills and
accomplishments that would make me an asset to many
organizations,(And now that I’ve attached it to this note,you have
it,too!)
Should you know anyone in the ___________ industry,I would
truly appreciate it if you could pass along my name and resume.
Or let me know names and numbers,and I’ll take over,using your
name or not,as you prefer,As I keep my chin up (and my
expenses down) I thank you in advance for any assistance you can
offer.
Enjoy your day!!!
Helena
Helena.Troy@crete.com
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
E-MAIL LETTER 4-17,NETWORKING—GENERAL—JOB LOSS
Mailed or e-mailed,this quick note uses humor to let friends,family,colleagues,and others
know that you need their help networking for a new job.
From,Helena Troy
To,E,Thomas Chanon
Sent,January 8,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Hello and help!
Helena Troy Resume
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 55
56
Mr,Alan Wang
Wang,Malone and Lee
2468 South Terrace
Grand Rapids,MI 09876
Dear Mr,Wang:
I am writing you at the suggestion of my father,Jon Omura,with whom
you are a member of the Winchester Club,My father has spoken highly
of your firm’s summer internship program,and as a result,I would like
to explore this unusual opportunity further.
For a Business major like myself,such a program would offer valuable
hands-on experience in the real world,More importantly,the chance to
learn from experts such as those you employ is the chance of a lifetime.
Mr,Wang,would it be possible for you or one of your colleagues to
spare some time to speak with me about your unique summer program?
I have attached my resume to assure you of my strong qualifications.
I will take the liberty of contacting your assistant,Michael Fields,next
Tuesday morning to see whether I might set up an appointment.
I thank you in advance and send my dad’s greetings.
Sincerely,
Jason Omura
(555) 456-7890
.
LETTER 4-18,NETWORKING—INTERNSHIP—STUDENT
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 56
57
Mr,Barry Fine
Director of Training
United Manufacturing Company
5200 Milton Park
Lincoln,NE 09876
Dear Barry:
What a thrill it was to participate in your Productivity Seminar last week,My
congratulations on a highly informative and very entertaining presentation,I am
quite certain that if my department placed as much emphasis on our clients’
perceptions as you do on presentation materials,we would be far more
productive!
This is exactly what leads me to write to you,Observing you in action
reminded me of my past life in training,Through repeated promotions,I have
been elevated away from my real loves,instructing,encouraging,identifying,and
then developing potential among bright,eager minds,I guess the more I crunch
numbers,the more I lose sight of the people producing them,and it’s been long
enough.
Barry,before I leap,I should make sure there’s water in the pool,so to speak.
Here’s the deal,I buy you lunch,you endow me with your view of the training
game,I would really be grateful to hear your views,I’ll give you a call next week
to see whether you can make the time for me.
And thanks again for a stirring presentation.
Best,
Shirl Rebrussin
LETTER 4-19,NETWORKING—TRAINING
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 57
58
Mr,Perry Alban
Jones,Miller and Robertson
5376 Valley Drive
San Bernadino,CA 09876
Dear Perry:
It’s been a while since we’ve seen one another,I hope all is well
with you,Linda,and your two spunky boys!
You may have heard that I recently married and now have a baby
on the way—and this is why I’m writing,Now that I am a family
man myself,I am searching for a position in the
restaurant/hospitality business that is more career-oriented,one that
offers benefits and security.
As part of my search,I am writing to my colleagues and friends to
see whether anyone might be aware of hiring activity,either
current or planned,If so,I would be grateful if you could pass
along my name—or let me know whom to contact.
Perry,after working in this business for 20 years,you know my
broad-based experience and the skills I offer,I am an industrious
worker who takes interest in my work and pride in my
performance.
Any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
All best,
Lincoln H,Nelar
(555) 456-7890 home
Resume enclosed
LETTER 4-20,NETWORKING—RESTAURANT
05 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 58
Chapter 5
The Ad Response/
Resume Cover Letter
Whether it’s sent unsolicited or in response to an advertisement,through a referral
or to a friend as part of your networking efforts,your Ad Response and Resume
Cover Letters afford you an important opportunity,With this letter,you create the
context in which your resume will be read,A well-written letter serves as a road
map for the route a potential employer will take through the winding facts,figures,
and dates on your resume,In an effective Cover Letter,you can draw a conclusion
for your reader that is supported by the data contained in your resume.
In all cases,the primary goal you seek to achieve in your Cover Letter is to
make your reader want to meet you and to interview you,Your letter should in-
troduce you as more than simply the list of qualifications and accomplishments on
your resume,It should bring you to life as a three-dimensional person who is in-
teresting and unique,It must make your reader want to meet the person present-
ed in the letter...YOU!
Your secondary goal is to predispose
your reader to make a connection between
your skills and his or her needs,If you are
responding to an employment advertise-
ment,you may have a good idea about
what qualities your prospective employer
is after,If you have an understanding of
the job requirements from past experience,
you can use this perspective to highlight
your own individual qualifications,The
worksheets in Chapter 3 demonstrate how
to link your specific talent with the needs
of the hiring firm,In the sample letters
that follow,you’ll see how to incorporate
this skill into your Ad Response and Re-
sume Cover Letters.
As you peruse the sample letters,
you’ll discover that virtually every one
features an opening line you may think of
as somewhat unorthodox,Think again.
59
START AT THE TOP
Serious jobhunters don’t write
only in response to ads in the
“Help Wanted” section of Sun-
day’s paper,They create their
own opportunities.
If you have identified a
firm that may be hiring some-
one with your skills,write di-
rectly to the Department Man-
ager,Division Head,or
Company President.
Letters get filtered down
the corporate ladder—they
rarely make their way up.
RECRUITER’S TIP
A
D
R
E
S
P
O
N
S
E
/
R
E
S
U
M
E
C
O
V
E
R
L
E
T
T
E
R
S
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 59
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
STEP 1,GET ATTENTION
Your Ad Response or Resume Cover Letter arrives on your prospective employ-
er’s desk in one of two ways,Either it arrives unsolicited,such as when you send
your resume after hearing about an opening or through a referral; or it arrives
with hundreds of other resumes from your competition,as when you answer an
employment advertisement.
Once it does arrive on that desk,it’s fighting for attention against all those
other resumes and letters,plus the usual reports,memos,mail,and e-mail,The
person to whom you are writing may give your correspondence a full half-
minute,perhaps only 5 or 10 seconds,for a quick scan,As a result,you’ve got to
win that reader’s concentration immediately,like direct mail advertisers do when
they print enticing messages called,legends” on a mailer’s outer envelope and a
headline at the top of the letter,You can do the same.
Forget the standard openings you used to use—you know the ones that are
used by the vast majority of jobhunters such as,“In response to your ad in the
Daily Times,I enclose my resume for your consideration.” While this opening may
be appropriate for use with some highly formalized firms and industries,or when
writing to foreign organizations,a line like this is a wasted opportunity for most
people jobhunting in a competitive economy.
Instead,begin your letter with a strong opening line that suggests to the
reader,“Hey,read me!” Or,even better,“Don’t hire anyone until we’ve met,and
I’ll tell you why.”
The first line of your letter should ac-
complish one of three objectives,The first
is to promise a benefit to the reader,Tell
your next employer what advantages
you’ll bring to him,such as any unique
skills you possess,a rare perspective you
offer,or a proven track record,If your flu-
ency in a second language is pertinent,
mention it,If you are familiar with new
systems or equipment,say so,Just be cer-
tain that what you offer is meaningful to
the firm and to the position you seek—
and that you can really deliver what you
promise.
A second way to open your letter is to
identify a need that your reader has,For
example,your reader may be searching
for someone who knows a specific pro-
duction process or piece of equipment.
Perhaps the need is for someone already
familiar with the ins and outs of the busi-
60
RE,THE RE:
Recruiters often place ads for
more than one job opening at a
time,Rather than sacrificing a
strong opening line to refer to
the ad you’re answering and
where it appeared,incorporate
this information into your let-
ter,(See Letter 5-1.) Or,simply
add an,RE:” at the top of your
letter,as in Letters 5-2,5-3,5-4,
and like this:
RE,Your ad in the October 3
Daily Times for an Office
Manager
RECRUITER’S TIP
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 60
ness,the industry,the competition,or relevant government regulations,If you’re
writing to an accountant looking for an assistant,for example,you might open
your letter with:,As an accountant,you know the importance of keeping abreast
of changing government regulations,In my position with the state legislature of
New Jersey,I managed such information on a daily basis.”
A third objective for your opening is to be timely,Use your opening to relate
news or new information,Refer to a recent event or issue of concern,Tie the end
of the old year or the beginning of the new to the opportunity you offer for a fresh
approach,Where appropriate,mention a new law,trend,report,newspaper arti-
cle,or the current economic climate.
KILLER OPENINGS
The following sample openings illustrate how each of the three objectives we just
discussed is achieved.
Promise a benefit.
a73
In the last 12 months,I’ve generated $40,000 worth of new business
for my employer,and now I’d like to do the same for you.
a73
As a computer expert skilled in combining numerical data with ap-
pealing graphics,I can provide the support your staff needs to bring
in new business while saving you money on outside consultants.
a73
Integrity,Motivation,People Power,That’s what it takes to be a suc-
cessful manager,And that’s what you get when you hire me.
a73
Your ad for a translator caught my attention immediately,Pourquoi?
Perche? Porque yo soy la persona perfecta por la position.
a73
They say there’s no rest for the weary,So if you’re weary from over-
work,forget the rest of the candidates,Hire a proven professional,
like me,who can relieve you of your overwhelming workload and
help you get the rest you deserve.
Identify a need.
a73
For the opening in your production department,why not consider an
expert who has spent the last 3 years mastering state-of-the-art film
equipment at MTV?
a73
You’re seeking a hard worker...I am one,You need retail experience...
I’ve been in the business for 15 years! You ask for references...I’ve got
plenty.
a73
If you’re looking for a top-notch dental assistant,look no further.
a73
The match between your needs and my talents is ideal,Why? Be-
cause...
61
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 61
Be timely.
a73
No one has money to burn in a tough economy—which is why
adding one exceptional research pro to your staff can actually reduce
your overhead,Allow me to explain.
a73
If the federal government approves the revision of PL-1442 next
month,you’ll require the skills of a collections agent who has dealt
with hazardous waste—a rare expertise I’d be pleased to offer you.
a73
Congratulations on your recent promotion! With the additional re-
sponsibilities this entails,you may need an assistant with the special
expertise I can offer you.
a73
In today’s economy,there’s no time to waste on workers who need
continual training,motivation,and fires lit under them,Why not hire
an experienced self-starter like me?
STEP 2,INFORM
It’s in the body of your letter that you support the promise you’ve made in your
opening,Here is your chance to explain why the person or the company should
consider,interview,and hire you,If you have completed the worksheets in Chap-
ter 3,you already possess several strong concepts to use for this step in your Ad
Response and Resume Cover Letters,If you haven’t completed these worksheets,
take a few minutes to do so now,or follow the guidelines below.
First,detail any specific skills,talents,or knowledge you possess,and what
difference this will make to the firm—without repeating point by point what’s on
your resume,If your abilities might help your immediate superior reach his goals,
say so,If you’re switching fields,explain the benefits that this offers your prospec-
tive employer,such as a new perspective,or the opportunity to expand into new
areas.
Then,describe how you will deliver the benefits you’ve promised,or how
you acquired the special skills you possess,State what experience has taught you,
and how you learned,If you accomplished relevant goals in previous jobs,use this
to support your claim; where appropriate,use dollar amounts and percentages of
growth or increase,(And be sure you can substantiate them if you’re asked dur-
ing the interview.) Relate work experience to skills acquired,and not to job re-
sponsibilities,Relate school experience to skills or knowledge acquired,and not to
specific coursework,If you’re switching fields,note similarities between your cur-
rent or previous job and the job you seek.
STEP 3,INSTRUCT
You’ve grabbed the reader’s attention,You’ve detailed your support points,Now
for the next section of your letter,This is where you tell your reader how to take ad-
62
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 62
vantage of the offer you’ve made,or the advantages you’ve promised,After all,if
you’re going to participate in the hiring process,you’ve got to tell your reader how
to reach you.
Generally,this can be handled quickly and simply,This is not to suggest,
however,that this part of your letter is unimportant,On the contrary,instructing is
all too often overlooked or rushed through by jobhunters...and it’s a shame,This
step is as important as your opening,Why? Because the likelihood that your cor-
respondence will achieve the response you desire increases with each additional
word,and with each additional line your reader reads,So if your reader is still
with you at this point in your letter,chances are she’s interested in you,Therefore,
you want to get her while her interest level is high,What’s more,the simpler it is
to take the next step,the greater the chance is that the step will be taken,Therefore,
you want to make your instructions easy to understand,and even easier to follow.
To get the reader to respond to your letter,you’ve got to tell the reader what
to do,and be specific,Provide a complete address and telephone number at which
you can be reached,State whether the phone number is a work or home number.
If you prefer to be called during certain hours,say so,If confidentiality is an issue,
ask your reader to maintain it when contacting you.
If the next step is going to be yours,you’ve got to tell the reader what to ex-
pect,Be equally specific about what you will do,Say when you’ll follow up,Say
how you’ll follow up,by phone,by mail,by express mail,by messenger,Tell the
reader what information you’re enclosing with your letter,if any,If you’ll be for-
warding additional material,say when you will do so,or when it should arrive.
Finally,the hiring process will stop
dead in its tracks if you don’t follow up as
you have promised,So do.
You’ll find examples of this vital step
in virtually every sample letter in this
book,Here are just a few:
Samples of instructing.
a73
I look forward to hearing from you.
My address and telephone numbers
are listed above.
a73
I will wait to hear from you,My di-
rect line at work is (555) 765-4321.
Or you may call me at home at (555)
456-7890.
a73
I will await your response,You
may reach me at home (555-456-
7890) or at work (555-765-4321).
63
DON’T PLAY
HARD TO GET!
A strong letter can make your
reader want to contact you im-
mediately,Don’t miss this op-
portunity! Always position
your telephone number so that
the reader can’t miss it,Place it:
a73
Prominently at the top of
each page of your resume.
a73
As part of your letterhead.
a73
In the body of your letter.
a73
Under your name and signa-
ture.
RECRUITER’S TIP
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 63
a73
I hope you will contact me in the very near future,I am anxious to dis-
cuss the possibility of working together,You’ll find my address and
telephone numbers listed below.
a73
Because my current employer is unaware of my job search,I would
appreciate it if you could contact me at home during the evenings at
(555) 456-7890.
a73
Please feel free to call me evenings at my home or to leave a message
on my answering machine,My home number is (555) 456-7890,(My
present employer is unaware of my job search.)
a73
I’ll contact your office shortly to see when we might meet.
a73
I’ll call your assistant on Wednesday of next week to set up a meeting.
a73
I’ll be in town throughout the month of December,and will contact
you to schedule an appointment.
a73
I’ll give you a call on the 18th of this month to set up a meeting,In the
meantime,please feel free to contact me at (555) 765-4321.
a73
I will send my references to your office by messenger first thing to-
morrow morning,If there is anything else you need,please let me
know,My work number is 555-765-4321.
a73
You should receive my resume and recommendations by express mail
tomorrow,I will call your office in the early afternoon to verify that
they have been delivered.
OPTIONAL STEP 4,CLOSE WARMLY
The fourth and final section of your letter is the closing,Unless your correspon-
dence is a short,hard-hitting letter,you should generally add some final line be-
fore your,Sincerely.” You might thank the reader for taking the time to read your
letter or for considering you as a candidate.
The following sample closings will help you out in a variety of jobhunting
situations,as will the many examples contained in the sample letters throughout
this book.
Sample closings.
a73
I look forward to hearing from you.
a73
I look forward to meeting with you at your earliest convenience.
a73
I thank you for your consideration.
a73
Thank you for your interest.
a73
I would welcome the opportunity to work with you.
a73
I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my skills to your
firm/team,and look forward to speaking with you soon.
64
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 64
a73
I’d like to put my expertise to work for you.
a73
I’d be pleased to demonstrate my abilities firsthand.
HOW TO RESPOND TO SALARY QUERIES
Frequently,employment advertisements ask you to reveal your current salary,or
your salary history,Should you do it? What you should not do is to ignore the
question,Prospective employers may assume that your salary requirements are
too high to be realistic,or too low to admit,They may assume that you feel above
answering their queries,or that you are less than thorough in your efforts,If they
assume any one of these things,you’re out of luck.
How should you handle this irksome issue? An excellent strategy is that used
by the author of Letter 5-1,written in response to an ad in a trade publication,
which read,Serious candidates will provide salary history.”
This writer knew that the ad would generate a great deal of interest,and pro-
duce a multitude of responses,He also realized that the employer would be look-
ing for ways to reduce the number of candidates to a reasonable size,such as re-
jecting those who ignored the request for a dollar figure,rejecting those whose
salary history was too low to indicate a sufficient degree of authority in past jobs,
or rejecting those whose salary expectations were too high,He believed that stat-
ing a specific figure could eliminate him immediately from consideration,Fur-
thermore,his primary goal in writing this Cover Letter was to secure an interview,
during which he would have the opportunity to discuss benefits,perks,and other
issues affecting salary,As you’ll see in the final paragraph of his letter,he effec-
tively shapes a deal with his reader,If you give me what I want (an interview),I’ll
give you what you want (a salary discussion),In this way,he has not avoided the
question of salary,Instead,he used it to his advantage,In fact,he was selected to
be interviewed.
There are other options,as well,You may simply state that salary is a nego-
tiable issue for you,one that you will be happy to explore in an interview,If you
feel compelled to include a dollar figure,you may prefer to give a broad salary
range,or state an amount that reflects your total compensation (some combination
of salary,bonus,anticipated raise,incentives,benefits,and perks such as a car,ex-
pense accounts,and club memberships),Your industry may dictate the way in
which you will calculate such a figure,For instance,someone who works only
three days each week might calculate what her salary would be if she worked five
days,A teacher might calculate what his annual salary would be if he earned it for
12 months rather than the 9 he actually teaches,Whatever you decide,be sure you
can substantiate it during the interview.
65
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 65
LETTER 5-1,MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR—SALARY
66
Mr,James Milton,Vice President,Sales
Ms,Marie Bruno,Advertising Director
Fashion Clearinghouse
44 West 44 Street
New York,NY 10000
Dear Mr,Milton and Ms,Bruno:
I am applying for the position of Marketing Communications
Supervisor because your ad said these three things to me:
a73
Your thoughtful,classy layout -- setting it apart from all the
other ads on December’s FashionWeek Help Wanted page --
”beat the clutter,” the dream of all retailers.
a73
Your description of the ideal candidate reflects my skills,my
strengths,my experience.
a73
You are a substantive company offering a product of superior
quality.
My resume,which is enclosed,speaks of my experience and
expertise in retailing,and most recently in the marketing of
personal computers,I am assertive,diligent,driven,and
hardworking,I am a seeker of end results -- and I achieve them,as
the enclosed overview of my accomplishments proves,I thrive and
deliver in a demanding,and fast-paced environment,I am willing
to tackle and accomplish any project,My management style is
open,humorous,example-driven,and loyal.
I believe that we can be successful partners,I want the chance to
meet with you and would consider an interview a most wonderful
opportunity,I’ll make myself available at your convenience so that
we may discuss salary in detail,and I can provide references.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Aldo Clement
Sells
personal
strengths
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 66
SAMPLE LETTERS
The following pages contain samples of well-written Ad Response and Resume
Cover Letters,many of which were written in response to employment advertise-
ments,Peruse these samples to find ideas that appeal to you or inspire you as you
create your own,killer” letters,As you do,keep in mind the following important
points:
Summarize,Generalize,Customize,The letters included here represent a vari-
ety of industries and positions,Nevertheless,you’ll discover that our writers have
summarized,generalized,and customized so effectively that many letters would
work equally well in other fields,Don’t be surprised that you don’t find endless
details,facts,and dates—all of that is resume material! These letters focus less on
listing specific experiences,and more on providing an overview of those experi-
ences and an interpretation of the benefits that such experiences offer a potential
employer,Your letters should do the same.
Use the CD-ROM to Copy...It’s Perfectly Legal! When you bought this book,you
purchased the right to copy and adapt part or all of the letters in it,In fact,the CD-
ROM that accompanies the book is designed to simplify this for you! By all means,
use the samples provided here,although you may wish to adapt them in the event
that your interviewer or competition uses the same letter.
Name,Rank,and Serial Number,Due to space constraints,in many cases the
samples provided do not show each writer’s name,address,e-mail address,and
phone number,Remember to include this vital information on every letter you
send.
67
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 67
LETTER 5-2,AD RESPONSE LETTER (GENERAL)
This and the next few letters are ideal for those who like to get right to the point.
68
Mr,Presently Hiring
Vice President
The Successful Company RE,Your ad for a
P.O,Box 1111 (position)
Business City,ST 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Mr,Hiring:
I urge you not to hire anyone until we’ve met,That’s because I possess
every one of the seven qualifications you list in your ad -- and more --
as the enclosed resume reveals.
The sooner we meet,the sooner I can begin producing results for
you,your team,and your company,Why not give me a call at
(555) 456-7890 during the day or evening? I will be pleased to meet
with you at your convenience.
Let’s get together!
Sincerely,
Name
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 68
LETTER 5-3,AD RESPONSE LETTER (GENERAL)
69
Mr,Presently Hiring
Vice President
The Successful Company RE,Your ad for a
P.O,Box 1111 (position)
Business City,ST 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Mr,Hiring:
The hiring process is tough enough without interviewing countless
candidates who responded to your ad despite being underqualified or
overqualified,I can save you from this onerous,time-consuming task.
As my resume indicates,I possess every one of the qualifications you
seek,and I am available to meet with you at once and begin working
right away.
Why not give me a call and streamline what might otherwise be a
lengthy interview process? I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Name
Work Telephone
Home Telephone
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 69
LETTER 5-4,AD RESPONSE LETTER (GENERAL)
70
Mr,Presently Hiring
Vice President
The Successful Company
P.O,Box 1111
Business City,ST 09876
RE,Your ad for a (position),City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Mr,Hiring:
With responsibilities and deadlines that won’t wait,why spend valuable
time interviewing unqualified candidates?
As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,I have the educational
background,professional experience,and track record for which you are
searching,In addition,I am motivated and enthusiastic,and would
appreciate the opportunity to contribute to your firm’s success.
I can promise that meeting with me will not be a waste of your time—
and I will make myself available at your convenience,during or outside
of normal business hours.
Sincerely,
Name
Work Telephone
Home Telephone
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 70
LETTER 5-5,AD RESPONSE LETTER (GENERAL)
71
Mr,Presently Hiring
Vice President
The Successful Company
P.O,Box 1111
Business City,ST 09876
RE,YOUR AD FOR A (POSITION),
City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Mr,Hiring:
An innovative company like yours thrives because it hires innovative
thinkers like me!
Over the years,I have developed a reputation for introducing fresh
approaches to solve the challenges faced in today’s competitive business
world,Because this is a personality trait -- not a learned skill -- it is one
I can offer your firm with confidence,It is who I am,It has defined the
contributions I have made in every position I have held.
My resume,which is enclosed,begins to tell my story,A personal
meeting with you will supply vivid details,The references I’ll provide
will support them.
Please call me at (555) 456-7890 to schedule an interview,I promise
you won’t be disappointed.
Sincerely,
Name
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 71
LETTER 5-6,AD RESPONSE LETTER (GENERAL)
72
Ms,Presently Hiring
The Successful Company
P.O,Box 1111
Business City,ST 09876
RE,Your ad for a (position),City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Ms,Hiring:
The educational background,experience,and skills listed in your
advertisement are only the beginning of what I can bring to your firm.
As you’ll see on the outline of accomplishments I’ve included with this
letter,I have a solid history of producing results within a limited budget.
I have built and successfully managed a staff of 20,and I deal
effectively with customers,executives,and stockholders on a regular
basis,All of these achievements are critical to firms,such as yours,that
must compete in today’s difficult economy.
My resume is enclosed as proof that I meet all the criteria listed in your
ad,An interview would give me the chance to further prove my unique
strengths.
I hope to hear from you shortly.
Sincerely,
Name
Work Telephone
Home Telephone
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 72
LETTER 5-7,AD RESPONSE LETTER (GENERAL)
73
Ms,Presently Hiring
Vice President
The Successful Company
P.O,Box 1111
Business City,ST 09876
RE,Your ad for a (position),City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Ms,Hiring:
In today’s challenging economic climate,many people will respond to
your advertisement,Few will be interviewed,One will be hired.
However,..
Of the many to respond,few will be as qualified as I am,having 12
years of in-depth,bonafide industry experience,No one else will bring
my track record and the expertise I can offer—expertise that equips me
to start delivering results for you immediately,With minimal training.
With minimal disruption,With maximum positive effect for your
bottom line.
I will make myself available to meet with you at your convenience.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Name
Telephone
Enclosed,Resume
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 73
LETTER 5-8,AD RESPONSE LETTER—GENERAL—JOB LOSS
This is a gutsy approach,balanced by the tactful reference to,unavoidable cost cutting” and
supported by solid,relevant experience.
74
Ms,Melinda Ovett
President
Ovett Electronics
970 East Park Avenue
Merritt,WI 09876
Dear Ms,Ovett:
Because I have long admired your achievement in building a successful
company,I was dismayed to learn of your recent layoffs,In today’s
economy,such a situation presents the vexing conundrum,how to
maximize opportunities for growth with diminished human resources?
Optimizing the resources you can employ is,of course,a viable solution --
one I can offer if you would grant me the chance to meet with you.
When we meet,you’ll find me to be a person with a positive outlook
who enjoys identifying ways to make something work rather than
reasons not to try,This perspective is invaluable in setting an example
for employees who are called upon to assume numerous responsibilities --
of particular merit in this era of unavoidable downsizing and cost
cutting.
In addition,my resume (which is enclosed) demonstrates that I possess
the background and experience our industry demands,and your success
deserves.
Ms,Ovett,if I have taken great liberty in writing to you,it is because
I firmly believe that I can contribute to your firm’s continued expansion.
I will call you early next week to see whether we might get together.
Sincerely,
Stan Harding
(555) 765-4321
Opening
identifies a
need.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 74
LETTER 5-9,AD RESPONSE—GENERAL—STUDENT
75
Director,Human Resources
P.O,Box 1111
City Times
Brigham City,AK 09876
To the Director of Human Resources:
Four years in college and what have I learned? Plenty! Plenty that I can
apply directly to the entry-level position you advertised in this Sunday’s
City Times.
The drive to focus and achieve,Your firm’s success depends upon the
ability of your staff to grasp a problem,evaluate the best way to solve it,
and then work until the solution is in hand,This is precisely the process
I followed all four years to graduate with a 3.80 average.
Flexibility and creativity,A business gets stale when it recycles the
same ideas time and time again,When you hire me,you get someone
who thinks for himself,and who is not afraid to suggest new ways to
approach a task,as I did as the Student Representative responsible for
researching and updating State University’s Ethics Standards to reflect
the difficult issues facing today’s students and faculty.
The ability to work with a diverse population,Having been raised in
a multiethnic environment,educated in a multicultural institution,and
with a degree in Psychology,I am well equipped to interact productively
with customers and staff from a variety of backgrounds,with a range of
priorities,and from the stockroom to senior management.
An interview would grant me the opportunity to demonstrate my
abilities,I will call you soon to see if we might meet,Or you can reach
me at the number listed below.
Thank you in advance for considering me.
Sincerely,
R,Alexander Conen
(555) 456-7890
Good opening when ad does
not provide a name.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 75
LETTER 5-10,LANGUAGE SKILLS
76
Idiom International
P.O,Box 478
777 Central Avenue
Santa Rosa,CA 09876
To the Placement Experts at Idiom International:
With my fluency in Mandarin Chinese,French,and English,I can help
businesses operating in today’s global marketplace acquire a broader customer
base as they enhance their international identities.
With my in-depth experience in the travel and entertainment industry (as
detailed on the enclosed resume),I can offer these firms the opportunity to serve
more customers,from more cultures,more personally,and more appropriately
than ever before.
With your strength in worldwide placement,you can help us both profit by
successfully matching my rare qualifications with the needs of a growing firm.
I will call you Monday to see if we might schedule an appointment,I look forward
to meeting you personally.
Until then,
Cheng Liu
(555) 765-4321
Great line when responding to
a P.O,box.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 76
LETTER 5-11,JOBHOPPER—SALES—SALARY
77
Ms,Judith Benjamin
President
Benjamin Personnel,Inc.
100 Fifth Avenue
New York,NY 10000
Dear Ms,Benjamin:
I appreciate your willingness to assist in my job search,As promised,I
have enclosed my resume to provide background on my professional
experience,To bring my resume to life for you,allow me to tell you
more about myself and what sets me apart from other candidates.
Over the years,I have performed in a variety of environments,As a
result,I have been exposed to diverse people,work styles,standards of
measurement,corporate cultures,and demands,What has remained
consistent throughout is my ability to produce results in a range of
business climates.
I have contributed to the success of management teams and worked on
my own without supervision,I have mastered the ability to deal with
frustrated customers,management under pressure,and companies
operating in the midst of labor negotiations and layoffs,Throughout,I
have received consistently high praise from superiors and co-workers,
many of whom are ready to serve as references,should you wish to
contact them.
To an employer,I present a positive,results-oriented work ethic,and
professional,pleasant demeanor,To you,I present a strong,solid
candidate with a willingness to remain flexible in terms of salary
requirements.
I will contact you next week to continue our discussion and to solicit
any advice you may offer in my search,I thank you again for any help
you can provide.
Sincerely,
Joanna DeMettriano
(555) 765-4321 day or evening
Turns
negative
into a
positive.
Enhances
credibility.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 77
LETTER 5-12,ENTRY LEVEL—STUDENT
How should you respond when an entry-level position is barely described,or the company
is unnamed? This letter and the ones that follow provide some answers.
78
Director,Human Resources
P.O,Box 1000
The City Times
Lincoln,NE 09876
To the Director of Human Resources:
Your ad for an entry-level position caught my attention,as I prepare to begin my
professional career upon graduation this spring from State University.
I say,professional” because I have worked steadily throughout college,gaining
valuable experience that equips me to present your firm with advantages others
may not offer.
For example,as a Resident Assistant for a 250-person coed dormitory,I
acquired strong leadership and interpersonal skills,I am now able to think
quickly on my feet in emergency situations,and in those requiring quick
assessment of many factors in order to make appropriate decisions,Dealing
with the diverse concerns of students,parents,and faculty,I have become
adept at operating with the proper mix of authority,diplomacy,and tact.
While working in this demanding position,I achieved a 3.75 cumulative grade
point average,My double major,Communications and Political Science,
provided me with a thorough foundation in principles that affect businesses
every day.
I would welcome the chance to discuss openings at your firm,If you will contact
me at (555) 456-7890,we can schedule a meeting.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Bert L,Vymer,Jr.
(555) 456-7890
Resume enclosed
Translates
life
experience
to
employers’
needs
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 78
LETTER 5-13,ENTRY LEVEL—STUDENT
79
Director,Human Resources
P.O,Box 1000
City Times
Wynfair,PA 09876
To the Director of Human Resources:
Enclosed with this letter is my resume,which details my education,
work experience,and computer capabilities—all important criteria
in your search to fill the entry-level position that you advertised.
Allow me to introduce the person with whom you and your
colleagues will work,should you choose to interview and hire me.
I possess strong moral and ethical principles,which led me to put in
long,hard hours at school and part-time jobs in order to succeed in a
challenging educational environment,These values also motivate me to
perform diligently and loyally to contribute to my employer’s
profitability,Unlike others,I do not expect to begin as a Vice President.
I know that it takes commitment,dedication,and intelligence to rise
within a firm,all of which I offer you.
As one of six children,I also possess an active sense of humor,which
has been useful in defusing difficult situations,I have the patience to
see an assignment through to completion,I am comfortable delivering
presentations to a group,working as part of a team,and helping others
succeed.
It would be an honor to meet with you personally to discover more
about the opening at your firm and how I can assist your organization in
its growth,Please contact me at the address or phone number listed
above,I will make myself available at your convenience.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Noreen Schimmer
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 79
LETTER 5-14,ENTRY LEVEL—STUDENT
80
Director,Human Resources
P.O,Box 1000
City Times
Boulder,CO 09876
To the Director of Human Resources:
For the entry-level opening at your firm,why not consider someone like
me with a strong academic background and real-world business
experience? As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,I have recently
completed my undergraduate studies at State University,My
perseverance and consistent effort enabled me to maintain my Dean’s
List status while working on a part-time basis.
Rather than work at a mindless job that might pay the bills but would teach
me little of practical value,I chose to open and operate my own painting
company,I selected and trained crewmembers,developed an advertising
program,borrowed the money to cover start-up costs (which was repaid in
full after just six months); and handled scheduling,payroll,and tax
reporting,Over the five years I’ve been running my business,I have
served more than 80 different customers,54 of whom have called us back
to complete other jobs.
My experience has prepared me to meet the demands of the business
world,and I am anxious to apply my strengths and talents in the
corporate environment,I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with
you to explore this possibility.
Thank you for considering me.
Sincerely,
Joseph E,Reed
(555) 765-4321
Resume enclosed
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 80
LETTER 5-15,ENTRY LEVEL—STUDENT
81
Mr,Sanford J,Alexander
Vice President
P.O,Box 1000
City Times
Harrisburg,PA 09876
Dear Mr,Alexander:
The background and experience I can offer in reply to
your ad for an entry-level position in sales may prove
ideal for your needs,Allow me to introduce myself and
my qualifications.
This June,I will receive my Bachelor of Science
degree in Psychology from State University,In
addition to my rigorous course study,I participated
in several extracurricular activities that provided me
with the kind of hands-on experience that is so vital
to being a successful sales representative.
As Rush Chairman for my fraternity,I planned and
directed a major program to introduce the strengths
that our product delivered,and promote them in a
market ripe with competition,Through these efforts,
we have enjoyed an increase in membership of 20% over
the past three years,I further developed and managed
a program to raise funds for our nonaffiliated
charity,the Brothers of Hope,Targeting fraternity
members,students at large,faculty,and the
community,the program generated contributions that
exceeded previous years’ totals by 77%.
To achieve these goals,I combined an ability to plan,
to visualize solutions creatively,and to implement
them successfully with my talent in dealing with
people,These are the same characteristics I would
bring to an organization such as yours.
Please consider me a serious candidate for your sales
position,I will be happy to visit your offices for an
interview,I can be reached at the telephone numbers
printed below.
Sincerely,
L,Robert Cummings
School Telephone Number,(555) 765-4321
Postgraduation Telephone Number,(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 81
LETTER 5-16,ENTRY LEVEL—STUDENT
82
Director,Human Resources
American Business Machines
46-890 St,Andrew Road RE,Your Ad for an
Baltimore,MD 09876 Entry-Level Position
To the Director of Human Resources:
When my mother and father sent me from our village in China to
America,I was fortunate to live with relatives who encouraged me to
excel—and I have,I quickly mastered English,a new culture,acquired
exceptional computer skills in high school,and achieved and maintained
a 3.50 average at State University.
When I was granted a full scholarship,I was fortunate to have the time
to devote to volunteer work in addition to my studies,I served for four
years on the University’s Community Relations Board as a liaison
between the school,neighboring politicians,residents,and businesses.
This valuable experience prepared me to deal effectively with
consumers,business clients,shareholders,co-workers,and executives at
every level of management.
When I graduate this May,I will be fortunate once again if I have
secured employment with a firm such as yours,My ability to work
productively with others,my drive to excel,and my unique cultural
perspective equip me to become a valuable member of your organization.
I hope you will contact me to arrange an interview so that I can provide
you with additional information to supplement what appears on my
resume (enclosed).
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dawn Cheung
(555) 123-4576
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 82
LETTER 5-17,ENTRY LEVEL—STUDENT
83
Ms,Nancy Lange
City Times
P.O,Box 1234
Lincoln,NE 09876
RE,Entry-Level Position
City Times,Sunday July 5,20XX
Dear Ms,Lange:
This past May,I graduated from State University magna cum laude with
a 3.80 average,having financed 100% of my college education myself.
As you can see,I am not afraid of hard work and would welcome the
chance to discuss with you the entry-level opening at your firm.
My resume is enclosed to describe my academic background and
professional experience,As you’ll see,my four years of solid work
experience exposed me to substantial interaction with consumers,I
consider myself skilled in dealing with the public,and I would prove a
positive representative for your firm.
In working summers on the alumni newsletter,I learned to coordinate
an inordinate number of facts,figures,dates,and details -- under
deadline pressure!
These skills,combined with the drive to work through difficulty
towards the successful completion of a project will make me a
productive addition to many organizations,If you think yours is one to
which I can contribute,please let me know,I’ll come in at once for an
interview.
Sincerely,
Marie Delusia
(555) 456-7890
Resume enclosed
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 83
LETTER 5-18,TRAINING PROGRAM—STUDENT—REFERRAL LETTER
84
Mr,John Brunella
Vice President
First Federal Savings of Boston
7650 Revere Street
Boston,MA 09876
Dear Mr,Brunella:
Your associate,Amy Levin,advised me that she has sent you my
resume so that you may consider me as a 20XX participant in First
Federal’s training program,I have enclosed another copy of my resume
for your convenience.
On May 25,I will graduate from State University with a major in
Economics,a minor in Business Administration,and a concentration in
Mathematics,I am planning a career in financial services,for which my
education has ideally prepared me.
Ms,Levin and others have spoken highly of your firm’s training
program,It is precisely the type of challenge I seek,In return,I offer
First Federal a loyal and hard-working employee who already possesses
a solid foundation of relevant knowledge,Unlike other applicants who
may have a more general education,my training would allow me to be a
highly productive member of your training program,As a banker,I
would be able to put this supplemental training to profitable use more
quickly for the bank.
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you,I can be in Boston
any Friday this semester,or any day after graduation.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Gloria Ashford-Washington
(555) 456-7890
cc,Amy Levin,Assistant Treasurer
First Federal Savings of Boston
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 84
LETTER 5-19,CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE—STUDENT
85
Vice President
Bernstein Enterprises RE,Your ad for a
P.O,Box 1111 Customer Representative
Newark,NJ 09876 City Times,1/20/XX
To the Vice President:
As a State University senior who will be graduating in May of 20XX,I am
answering your ad because I believe I can offer your firm an unusual mix
of abilities,talents,and enthusiasm.
For instance:
a73
My double major (Economics/English Literature) demonstrates my
willingness to assume more than the typical level of responsibility
and to achieve in a challenging environment.
a73
Through my coursework,I acquired in-depth computer proficiency
and a profound belief in the importance of effective communication
on today’s growing entrepreneurial endeavor.
a73
To finance my education,I planned,launched,and operated a highly
successful catering business,I gained hands-on experience in
properly managing revenues,time,and employees.
As you can see,I am goal oriented,driven,and not afraid of hard work --
qualifications vital to anyone who will be a productive staff member for
your firm,as I would like to be.
I look forward to hearing from you so that we may schedule an interview.
Sincerely,
Bill T,Pasini
42 Chestnut Street
555-456-7890
Appropriate
salutation
when ad
bears no
name.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 85
LETTER 5-20,ENTRY-LEVEL PARALEGAL—CAREER CHANGE
86
The Groton Legal Forum
900 San Bernadino
Los Angeles,CA 09876
Dear Associate:
What a wonderful service you provide! Placing qualified professionals
within the legal profession serves the needs of many,particularly
someone like myself who is entering the field with so much to offer.
As I near completion of the ABA-approved Paralegal Program at State
College,I am preparing to offer my skills to Los Angeles County law
firms,In addition to my superior,straight-A record in this program,I
possess a background in the business world that arms me with a
valuable perspective others may not have.
For 20 years,I was an integral member of Digital Electronics’ product
innovation team,In this capacity,I worked closely with federal
regulators and patent attorneys,and I can bring this experience to bear
on behalf of your clients.
Also,I am trained in automated legal research programs (Lexis and
Westlaw),and maintain my student password.
I would welcome the chance to pursue any openings for which you feel
I may be qualified.
Sincerely,
Marion LaMarca
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 86
LETTER 5-21,ENTRY-LEVEL PARALEGAL—PART-TIME/FULL-TIME
87
P.O,Box 1000
City Times
New York,NY 09876
RE,Entry-Level Paralegal Position
advertised in the City Times,June 6,20XX
An entry-level position is not de facto fillable only by the inexperienced.
On the contrary,in me you have a talented professional available for
part-time or full-time work.
Having performed in a range of capacities in law firms both large and
small,as the enclosed resume reveals,I can offer you a wealth of legal
capabilities,including:
a73
Contract preparation,negotiation,and administration in
support of legal counsel.
a73
Ability to serve as an independent contract paralegal and
investigator,as I have for many different attorneys and
firms in the metropolitan area.
a73
Comprehensive paralegal skills,obtained through practical
experience as well as in study leading to Paralegal
Certification at State College.
a73
Experience with the use of an Office Automation System,
Linux,Microsoft Office,and Adobe.
I would appreciate the opportunity to interview with you and can make
myself available at your convenience.
I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mark Jensen
(555) 456-7890 work
(555) 765-4321 home
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 87
LETTER 5-22,PARALEGAL—RELOCATION
88
Ms,Joanna Moore
Ralston,Mine & Lewis RE,5-15-XX City Times
123 Walnut Street ad for a Paralegal
Atlanta,GA 09876
Dear Ms,Moore:
This August I will be relocating to Atlanta where I hope to
continue serving as a paralegal,My work with first-rate attorneys
equips me to offer you an exceptional mix of training,knowledge,
experience,and professionalism.
As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,I have worked for several
law firms in the Philadelphia area,I am proficient in many areas of
criminal and civil trials with an additional concentration in
contracts and titles,As a result,I can offer you an unusual level of
expertise in researching complaints and discovery requests as well
as responses to counterclaims,motions for discovery sanctions,
motions for summary judgments,and motions to dismiss.
The attorneys with whom I work have provided me with superior
recommendations to aid me in my search,I would appreciate the
opportunity to present these to you,and introduce myself as a
candidate for the position at your firm.
Ms,Moore,I will be in Atlanta at the end of this month,If you will
contact me at (555) 765-4321 during the day or evening,we can
schedule an appointment.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Howard M,Melman
(555) 765-4321
Supports
candidacy.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 88
LETTER 5-23,ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT—LANGUAGE SKILLS
89
Ms,Julia Robb-Joyce
Joyce Public Relations
98 Reading Avenue
Lenghorn,PA 09876
Dear Ms,Robb-Joyce:
Voila! You’ve found the Administrative Assistant you’re looking for,in me.
I have all the qualifications listed in your ad...and more! My
experience is relevant and extensive,as described in the enclosed
resume,My typing is exceptional,and I can work with a variety of
word processing and desktop publishing formats.
What my resume cannot illustrate is what sets me apart from other
candidates,Namely,my penchant for organization,my eye for detail,
my positive and personable nature,and my ability to perform -- even
in the pressure-cooker environment of a fast-paced,fast-growing
international public relations firm.
Furthermore,I am fluent in French,with fair skill in German,having
been raised in a multicultural family,These language abilities will help
you in dealing with international customers and prospects,as will my
familiarity with foreign customs and protocol.
I would be pleased to come in for a personal meeting,I will call you
shortly to set up an appointment.
Merci,
Angelicque Lapin
(555) 456-7890 work
(555) 765-4321 home
Brings her
to life!
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 89
LETTER 5-24,ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT—WORKFORCE RETURN—CAREER CHANGE
90
Ms,Lucille Lockhart
Vice President,Human Resources
CompuTech Industries
47 Pratt Street
Hartford,CT 09876
RE,Your ad in the Hartford Courant,Sunday,May 8,20XX for an
Assistant to the President
Dear Ms,Lockhart:
Impeccable interpersonal skills,Organizational and supervisory abilities.
Attention to detail,Your ad describes my strengths precisely!
People Power,As a teacher in the public school system for three
years,I am adept at dealing with people—from,by the book” career
administrators to the high school bully,from irate parents to the shy
underachiever,from goal-oriented department heads to aggressive
textbook sales representatives.
Management Skills,As a homemaker raising two children,I
mastered the ability to spearhead three projects simultaneously while
supervising two distinct groups of youngsters,maintaining my
patience and my good temper all the while.
Accuracy,As a volunteer for a local hospital,I coordinated the ever-
changing schedules of 50 unpaid workers for five years with nary a
“foul-up.”
Handling these responsibilities provided me with a different kind of
experience,the kind the corporate world just doesn’t offer—and the kind
that proves invaluable once you enter this world,as I’d like to do now.
I hope you’ll consider me a serious candidate for the position of Assistant
to the President,I certainly would take the job very seriously,proving an
asset to the President and to the company.
Sincerely,
Frances Dougherty
Home Phone,(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 90
LETTER 5-25,EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
While maintaining her professionalism,this candidate allows her sense of humor to shine
through—a refreshing change from the many other letters the ad produced.
91
Ms,Adrienne R,Hilman
Rivers,O’Sean & Lake RE,Your ad for an
P.O,Box 4356 Executive Secretary
San Diego,CA 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Ms,Hilman:
Thank you for advertising for an Executive Secretary to work with your top
partners,Until I saw your advertisement,I thought no one would appreciate the
unusual combination of skills I can offer!
You’ll find my resume enclosed with this letter,Allow me to present the
highlights here:
Superior dictaphone skills,steno at 100 words per minute,typing at
95 words per minute with word processing such as...
...Microsoft Word for Windows for PC and MAC,WordPerfect and
Lotus 1-2-3,all of which I have mastered (along with a basic knowledge
of Excel,Publisher,and PowerPoint) through...
...Four years at General Electric and three years at a Miami-based law firm,
specializing in medical malpractice,which accounts for my...
...professionalism in dealing with the public,attorneys,physicians,emotional
clients,and the media...
...as well as my experience making travel arrangements for overworked
lawyers who wish to escape all this!
As an administrative assistant at a smaller firm,I am anxious to assume the
additional responsibilities described in your ad,I hope you will contact me for an
interview; my address and phone number are printed above,Thank you for
considering me.
Sincerely,
Ruth Gorham-Black
Enc,Resume
References
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 91
LETTER 5-26,OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR—SALARY
92
Mr,J,Victor Halman
Tedesco Industries Corporation RE,Office Administrator
9762 South Willens Road 3/12/XX City Times
Columbia,MO 09876 advertisement
Dear Mr,Halman:
To meet the extensive qualifications listed in your advertisement,a
candidate must be a true professional with in-depth experience at a
major corporation who is looking for an exciting new challenge as I am.
For example,your ad requests,and I deliver:
Experience screening telephone Two years as a receptionist for
calls,responding,and routing General American Products
accordingly
Ability to order,maintain,and Seven years as Office Manager for
distribute office supply inventory IBN Executive Offices
Skill in scheduling and coordinating Seven years doing same in addition
training seminars,meetings,and to coordinating travel arrangements
on-site demonstrations for 15 IBN executives
Mastery of word processing Word,WordPerfect,AmiPro
In addition,I possess a degree in Business Administration,and
exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills,I type at 50
wpm and have easy fluency in Spanish,I would be pleased to take your
keyboarding and proofreading tests when we meet for an interview,when
I will also detail my salary history and requirements for you.
These qualifications,combined with my substantial experience would
make me a productive,effective Office Administrator for Tedesco
Industries from my first day on the job,I hope you’ll contact me at my
home number below; I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Ashford B,Wells
(555) 765-4321 home telephone
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 92
LETTER 5-27,CONSULTING ASSOCIATE—RECENT M.B.A.—CAREER CHANGE
93
Ms,Teresa Fralisso
Doniger-Davis Management,Inc.
54230 South Ingraham
New Orleans,LA 09876
Dear Ms,Fralisso:
I am writing to explore the possibility of pursuing an associate’s
position at Doniger-Davis,Currently,I am a Relationship Officer at
American First Bancorporation,where I manage relationships with high-
net-worth individuals,In May of 20XX,I will earn my M.B.A,in
Finance from State University.
My interest in management consulting has been piqued by specific and
fascinating classes that are part of the M.B.A,program,Business Policy,
Strategic Implementation,and Managing Human Systems,in particular,
demonstrated to me that my education,interpersonal talents,and
practical experience would prove immensely productive in a consulting
environment.
With five years in the financial services industry,I can offer your firm a
specialty with broad application,My involvement with interviewing and
assessing prospective employees and with quality-improvement projects
may free you from the in-depth training that would be required for a
less-experienced candidate.
Enclosed is a copy of my resume for your information,I will call next
week to see when we might get together,In the meantime,I thank you
for your consideration,I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Linda Dey Little
(555) 456-7890,extension 98
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 93
LETTER 5-28,CONSULTING
94
Ms,Lucille Montana
Montana Consulting
1000 Lakeview Road
Suite 1267
Thunder Lake,MN 09876
Dear Ms,Montana:
I enjoyed speaking with you on the phone this afternoon and appreciate your
interest.
As promised,I have enclosed my resume,which details my unusually thorough
background in public relations,business communications,and human
resource development,What my resume does not describe is my character,I
am a conceptual thinker,a generator of creative ideas,and a self-starter.
I would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate these qualities in person and
look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Richards
(555) 765-4321 office
(555) 456-7890 home
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 94
LETTER 5-29,EVENTS PLANNER
95
Ms,Catherine M,Scully,Vice President
Corporate Communications
SYTEX,Inc.
422 Bethlehem Way
Augusta,GA 09876
Dear Ms,Scully:
Your advertisement for an Events Planner was of particular interest to
me because I encounter so few organizations that recognize the unique
value of special events,Relegating this function to already overworked
marketing departments,where planning withers and presentation
suffocates,most firms waste this vital opportunity.
Since SYTEX is not like most firms,and I am not like most Events
Planners,perhaps we should meet.
I would like to discover more about your events schedule,And I would
like to describe my experience designing,planning,preparing,
promoting,and running annual meetings,companywide divisional
meetings,regional breakfast meetings,trade shows,and seminars,I
have a special expertise in creating events that generate important new
business potential while enhancing the corporate image.
In addition,this past year I orchestrated a tour of the Greek islands for
our major shareholders,Not only did this event produce additional stock
purchases among our touring group,but through carefully controlled
publicity,“less major” stockholders added to their holdings quite
significantly as well.
I have enclosed my resume along with a description of other programs
I have designed and the results they have produced,It would be an
honor to meet you in person and to be considered as a member of the
SYTEX staff.
Sincerely,
Ariadne S,Webb
(555) 765-4321 work
(555) 456-7890 home
Enclosures
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 95
LETTER 5-30,PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
96
Director,Human Resources
Santangelo Resources,Inc.
P.O,Box 1111
Needham,MA 09876
To the Director of Human Resources:
Your recent advertisement in the City Times attracted my attention
because I can offer you the precise qualifications you’re seeking in a
Public Relations Manager.
Possibly at a lower cost than a more senior executive might
demand,But with no less experience.
As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,I currently serve as Associate
Public Relations Manager for Columbia Data Systems,Because the
company’s success depends upon its reputation among a cross section of
users,I have worked diligently (and often around the clock) to secure
positive publicity for Columbia,In a wide range of media,With a
diversity of,stories.” Despite decreasing allocations.
Of greater significance is the fact that I fought and dispelled the harmful
rumors that surfaced as a result of the company’s microchip disaster last
fall,The crisis-management skills I have acquired are crucial to any major
corporate entity operating under the scrutiny of today’s news-hungry media circus.
I am confident that the media contacts,creativity,communication skills,
and crisis-management abilities I possess will prove invaluable to your
firm.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you,If you will call or
leave a message on my home answering machine,I will return your call
promptly.
Sincerely,
Thomas Hoover
(555) 765-4321 daytime
Short state-
ments add
punch!
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 96
LETTER 5-31,ART DIRECTOR
97
Ms,Susan Stein
Creative Director
Raleigh Advertising
878 Madison Avenue
New York,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Stein:
Having researched your agency and the exceptional results your teams
produce,I have identified your firm as one that values creative talent
and hard work—both of which I can deliver.
Although I am certain that you receive hundreds of resumes from people
seeking a position with your agency,I urge you to consider mine,The mix
of skills I possess differs from those of other graphic designers,For example:
a73
As a seasoned Art Director/Graphic Designer,I possess extensive
corporate experience,working with many of today’s leading firms:
Met Life,Prudential,IBM,Federal Express,and Sony,among
others.
a73
Well versed in both traditional and computer-aided design and
production,I am adept at using Microsoft Word as well as
QuarkXPress,Adobe Illustrator,and Adobe Photoshop.
a73
I have successfully joined forces with clients,management,
account,and creative staff to create solutions that work for a range
of businesses within a cross section of industries.
With my unique combination of qualifications,you can welcome to
your agency a genuine creative talent and true professional -- just as I
would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.
I will take the liberty of calling you shortly to see when we might get
together.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline DuBois
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 97
LETTER 5-32,COPYWRITER
98
Mr,Walter LaMotta
Assistant Vice President
UniFirst Savings Bank
100 North Broad Street
Philadelphia,PA 09876
Dear Mr,LaMotta:
GOOD NEWS!
There is a copywriter only a phone call away who knows the difference between
a CD,the FDIC,and the SIPC...one who can express complex details clearly
and convincingly to consumers,investors,and shareholders.
I am an experienced advertising and direct mail copywriter with
a strong financial background—with the time to put this expertise
to work for UniFirst!
You’ll add an exceptional member to your marketing team since I’ve created
sales tools,direct mail packages,advertisements,product brochures,and
corporate identity pieces quickly and effectively—often overnight.
Plus,unlike most writers,my background includes staff positions with both
advertising agencies and commercial banks,What this means for you is that
you’ll save hours negotiating with legal counsel,thanks to my in-depth
knowledge of government restrictions on financial advertising.
Finally,because I possess such in-depth experience,I am well versed in many
financial products and services,so I can begin being effective for you
immediately without wasting your resources and time on training.
Can I tell you more? If so,you may reach me at (555) 765-4321,In the
meantime,I will send samples of my work to your office by messenger within
the week.
I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jody Lynn Horowitz
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 98
LETTER 5-33,ADVERTISING/MARKETING—SALARY
Beginning with the creative use of the company’s motto,this writer weaves industry lingo
into a strong cover letter that resulted in an interview and offer!
99
AIWAAmerica Inc.
One AIWA Highway
Morristown,NJ 09876
AIWA
I HEAR YA!
Your ad in this Sunday’s City Times describes someone who can assist with
your sound marketing strategy,My accessories include:
Long Playing Time,Five years of marketing and advertising to the
audio electronics consumer,For the past 3 years,I’ve worked with
PhonAmerica Audio and Electronics and FFDB Communications to
market successfully home and car amps,speakers,receivers,and
accessories.
Shock-Resistant Memory,I have followed AIWA’s marketing for
years and am quite familiar with your product line.
Digital Recording and Playback,Over 7 years’ experience with
PCs and mainframes; advanced capabilities with Word and
Lotus 1-2-3-spreadsheet construction and analysis.
Heat-Resistant Assembly,I am able to function under pressure at
maximum output without fading.
AIWA
I CAN HELP YA!
Please review my attached resume,I would be happy to discuss salary
expectations during a personal interview,for which I can make myself
available to fit your schedule.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Nicholas I,Koenig
Work Telephone,(555) 456-7890
Home Telephone,(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 99
LETTER 5-34,ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE—SALARY
100
Ms,Marilyn Horning
Vice President
Electronic World,Inc,RE,Your ad for an
1200 Verdi Way Account Executive
Venice,CA 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Ms,Horning:
Your advertisement caught my eye immediately as it describes a position for
which my qualifications are ideal.
My solid experience in sales,marketing,and dealing with both customers and
prospects enables you to add a seasoned professional to your team -- one who
can begin being productive at once,Allow me to highlight my strengths:
-Nearly five years of proven success in selling sophisticated equipment
to consumers/the public/corporations/national corporate accounts.
-Highly effective communications skills,which I used to sell a range
of electronic products and train customers in using them.
-In-depth experience developing marketing strategies and techniques
for use by the sales team.
-Familiarity with,and comfort in,working on a salary-plus-commission
basis.
My resume provides further details on my background and accomplishments.
Realizing that this data cannot adequately convey my personal strengths,I
would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you,at which time we could
discuss salary in greater depth.
I thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Michelle S,Neufield
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 100
LETTER 5-35,PRODUCT MANAGER
101
Mr,Theodore Wilson
President
Wilson Manufacturing Corp.
100 Anderson Way
Atlanta,GA 09876
Dear Mr,Wilson:
If you’re looking for an exceptional Product Manager
with insight,creativity,a proven record in
manufacturing and management,and an impressive work
ethic,look no further.
Through hands-on experience at all levels of
warehousing,production,and sales (detailed in the
enclosed resume),I have developed superior
analytical and interpersonal skills,marketing
expertise,and a perspective and sophistication
unique in our industry—all of which I can put to work
for you.
I produce an endless supply of new ideas,I can
generate solutions to problems where none seem
possible,And I will teach,inspire,and motivate
others to do the same.
I look forward to speaking with you soon to set up a
convenient time for us to meet,I can be reached at
(555) 765-4321 during the day or evening.
Sincerely,
Charles S,Grentham
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 101
LETTER 5-36,PRODUCT DESIGN/DEVELOPMENT
102
Mr,Albert Martinelli
Millerman Fashions
1411 Broadway
New York,NY 09876 RE,Product Development
Dear Mr,Martinelli:
The contributions I have made on behalf of my previous employers preview what I can
offer Millerman Fashions.
As Associate Product Developer in Ladies’ Accessories:
a73
I interact on a daily basis with existing and potential vendors around the
world to initiate,foster,and maintain these key relationships.
a73
Researching market trends,I identify those that can be exploited to bolster
product merchandising.
a73
I developed a new product line for an important national account that
reduced inventory overages and increased sales.
a73
On the administrative side,I am fully responsible for coordinating sample
lines for the National Sales Force and controlling stock levels.
In my previous role as Assistant Showroom Manager:
a73
I developed new systems and procedures that dramatically reduced
processing errors on national account sales.
a73
I served as central liaison for the west coast region,communicating new
product information on a weekly basis.
a73
I supervised the overall operation of the six-product-line New York showroom
and trained all new associates in showroom maintenance and sales.
In each position,I introduced innovative products and procedures that had direct and
positive impact on the company’s bottom-line profitability—and I can do the same for
Millerman Fashions.
May we have the chance to meet and explore this promising opportunity in greater
detail? I will call you shortly.
Sincerely,
Mary Alice Preston
(555) 456-7890 office
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 102
LETTER 5-37,CRUISE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT—CAREER CHANGE
103
Mr,Douglas E,Dixon
World Cruise Lines RE,Air/Sea Cruise Product
867 Park Avenue South Development ad
New York,NY 09876 City Times 11/30/XX
Dear Mr,Dixon:
If you are searching for a creative thinker with extensive experience
selling to both companies and individuals,we should meet.
I am currently a Vice President in Sales and Marketing at The Ames
Company,I am eager to transfer my skills from manufacturing to the
travel industry.
-Through delightful cruises in the Caribbean,the Mediterranean,
and South America,I have become intimately familiar with the
many superb benefits that cruising offers individuals,groups,and
corporate planners.
-Through my travels in the Orient,Scandinavia,and Europe,I
know firsthand the perspective such exposure affords.
-Through my work with a diverse client base,I have become
extremely proficient in promoting high-ticket items by
identifying and focusing on the advantages they offer to each
member of a varied market.
Because I am currently seeking to broaden my horizons—literally and
figuratively—I await your reply so that we can arrange a personal
meeting,Then,we can discuss how my particular blend of capabilities,
experience,and managerial strengths can help your firm capture
lucrative business opportunities.
Very truly yours,
Darrell K,Grissolm
Home Telephone,555-456-7890
Work Telephone,555-765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 103
LETTER 5-38,MARKET RESEARCH
This research professional is letting her work speak for her,She’s also asked for advice on a
resume—a good way to get it read more carefully.
104
Mr,Hamilton Green
Green Recruiting,Inc.
Three Broad Hunt Road RE,Opportunities in
Burlington,VT 09876 Market Research
Dear Mr,Green:
We spoke on Wednesday afternoon and,as promised,here is a copy of my
resume,Since it has been AGES since I’ve circulated one,I would welcome any
suggestions or advice.
I’m also enclosing copies of:
-Comparative market analyses of male fine apparel purchasers in
New York and Chicago,which I conducted for a French clothing
retailer.
-A report I compiled for an organic foods company exploring the
efficacy of expanding into the South.
-A proposal for a focus group to help a major airline assess the
popularity of new routes and frequent-flyer program enhancements.
Call me whenever you like with questions,I can be reached at either phone
number this weekend,(I work from home.) My work number is also an automatic
fax.
Sincerely,
Martha C,Tchetynkya
(555) 456-7890 Home
(555) 765-4321 Work/Fax
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 104
LETTER 5-39,MARKETING—PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
105
Ms,Debora Crain
President
Crain Employment Agency RE,Opportunities in
Fort Collins,CO 09876 Product Management
Dear Ms,Crain:
Your work and reputation within the advertising/marketing industry suggest that
you continually update your roster of highly qualified executives to fill positions
on both the agency and the client side of the business.
For this reason,I am writing to introduce myself,a marketing pro who has spent
the last 10 years promoting a cross section of consumer and business-to-
business services,My work at the Holmes & Richards advertising agency has
equipped me with the following skills,all of which are essential to an effective
Product Manager:
-The promotional perspective produced by a decade-long career on
the agency side of the business,now complemented by a desire
to join the client side.
-The ability to master complex product details and identify related
benefits for each of several diverse target market segments.
-The communication and presentation skills critical to articulating
these benefits clearly and accurately to co-workers,sales
representatives,creative staff,senior management,and prospective
customers.
Each of these qualities is integral to the Product Manager who will build sales
and profits for her agency and its client,Combined,they produce a proven
professional with the experience and creativity to explore and exploit every
opportunity for growth.
In your clients’ searches for managers to champion their companies’ products,
why not recommend a proven marketing expert like myself? Because I would
welcome the opportunity to meet you,I will call early next week to see if we
might get together.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Erica Hamilton-Brown
(555) 765-4321
Enc,Resume
Good
opening
in letter
to
recruiter
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 105
LETTER 5-40,MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE
106
Ms,Elizabeth DeMario
Mr,Jake Williams
DeMario & Williams Advertising
143 Congress Street
Baltimore,MD 09876
Dear Ms,DeMario and Mr,Williams:
Welcome to Baltimore!
The west coast’s loss is our gain,With nontraditional marketing
avenues rapidly expanding,these promise to be exciting times for those
prepared to identify and creatively exploit new opportunities in new
markets...
...as DeMario & Williams does,As I do.
Enclosed,therefore,is my resume and more,the profile of a successful
marketing pro who has produced,literally,tens of millions of dollars in
the last ten years...who has experience with agencies and clients of
all sizes and specialties...who has developed business where none
appeared to exist...who is creative,self-motivated,and hungry for a
new challenge.
Because I’ve worked in New York,Philadelphia,and Baltimore (my
home town),I can offer DeMario & Williams an intimate perspective of
east coast thought processes,likes and dislikes,and the hot buttons that
must be pushed to get things done.
I would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate my strengths and
talents in person and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
I,Claire Reston
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 106
LETTER 5-41,SENIOR MARKETING ASSOCIATE
107
Director,Human Resources
DGM Corporation RE,1/7/XX City Times ad
P.O,Box 1111 Senior Marketing Associate
Vienna,VA 09876
To the Director of Human Resources:
Happy New Year! Throughout my eight years in marketing,the
start of a new year invariably produced fresh ideas and renewed
excitement for launching marketing initiatives—and now I can
offer your firm a new perspective,as well.
With the rapid evolution of the financial services industry,my role
as a marketing and advertising manager exposed me to a range of
promotional challenges previously unknown in banking,I mastered
the ability to identify and quantify objectives,refine them in
response to market research,and develop detailed plans and
budgets,I learned to think in entirely new ways,to motivate
creative talent and produce campaigns,promotions,and individual
sales pieces that added significantly to my employer’s bottom line.
These are the skills that define the successful Senior Marketing
Associate in any industry,I offer them to your firm—along with
my in-depth experience in strategic planning for retail,commercial,
and business-to-business advertising.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Anita Sharfin
(555) 456-7890
Timely
opening
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 107
LETTER 5-42,SENIOR NATIONAL SALES CONSULTANT—SALARY
108
Mr,Abraham D,Kingford
President,CEO
King Information Systems RE,Your ad for a
765 Rumson Road Senior National Sales Consultant
Medford,NJ 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Mr,Kingford:
As the current top biller for a major publisher of electronic reference information
products,I am writing to you because I am eager to expand from a regional sales
territory to the national level—and can deliver several advantages that my peers may
not offer you.
Eight years in sales and electronic technologies have equipped me with the following
unique capabilities:
Strategy development and implementation,to promote electronic
products and services to over 125 major academic institutions and
businesses throughout the Northeast.
Proven ability to initiate,maintain,and build ongoing relationships with
key accounts in academia and corporate markets,to help maximize
opportunities for revenue growth.
Exceptional expertise in a full range of electronic reference media
including CD ROM,multimedia,online,and diverse electronic database
applications.
In addition,I am able to work effectively and independently in the field without
requiring costly,time-consuming supervision,Perhaps most importantly,I have
developed strong presentation and sales closing skills that I can put to work
immediately with the solid base of contacts I will bring to your organization.
My resume,which is enclosed,details my career,accomplishments,and my education
(B.A,in Economics/M.B.A.),Currently,my total compensation approaches six figures
including base salary,commissions,bonuses,and expenses,I would be pleased to
discuss my qualifications and salary/commission requirements in greater detail when
we meet in person.
Because I operate from the field,please leave a message for me at (555) 456-7890,and I
will contact you at once to schedule a meeting.
Sincerely,
K,Stuart Linnahan
(555) 456-7890
Promises
benefits
right
up front.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 108
LETTER 5-43,DIRECTOR—CORPORATE MARKETING
This writer’s impressive accomplishments warrant a lengthy letter,Note how the writer
skillfully breaks the first page in the middle of a compelling statement to encourage the
reader to turn to the second page.
109
Mr,Joseph Runnell,Senior Vice President
Boston First Financial Corporation
1343 Boyleston Street
Boston,MA 09876
Dear Mr,Runnell:
With the financial services industry breaking new ground every day,there is no
time to waste in your search for a Director of Corporate Marketing,So I won’t
waste yours.
I am a Strategic Marketing Planning/Program Manager with 20+
years’ experience in services marketing—the most recent 8 years
in telecommunications,and prior to that,in international
transportation.
As head of Marketing Services for The New England Telephone Company,I
function as an internal Marketing Consultant to the organization’s strategic
business units—managing a staff of 14 marketing professionals and a $2MM
annual marketing budget,coordinating all advertising,research,direct mail,and
sales management initiatives.
Marketing program improvements that I introduced raised the
visibility of the organization and its products while
simultaneously trimming marketing department overhead by 50%.
Complementing my broad marketing background is my experience as Controller
at an $80MM division of TransInternational Airlines,at that time a $2 billion,
Fortune 500 international transportation company,In addition to macro
production-revenue forecasting,I directed complete product costing/pricing and
overall government regulatory agency (CAB) financial reporting and compliance.
Advances I introduced at TransInternational significantly
enhanced the competitiveness of the airline’s product and,in the
(please turn)
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 109
110
(continued)
process,I became a recognized expert in airline operations and
economics,demonstrating the depth of my commitment to product.
The success of my marketing programs during the last dozen years is directly
attributable to several unique talents I can offer Boston First:
a73
I leverage my strategic planning skills to convert successfully
management’s business plans into achievable marketing initiatives.
a73
I maximize my financial-controls experience to ensure that those same
marketing programs are firmly grounded in economic reality.
a73
I creatively empower subordinates with increasing program management
responsibilities.
a73
Through strict adherence to a process of Total Quality Management,I
guarantee that all marketing programs managed by my department are
completed on time,within budget,to the client’s satisfaction.
These are the proven achievements and talents I can bring to Boston First,Let’s
get together to discuss this opportunity in greater detail,I can be reached during
the day at (555) 456-7890 or in the evening at (555) 765-4321.
Sincerely,
Arthur L,Lewis
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 110
LETTER 5-44,DIRECTOR—CORPORATE MARKETING
Knowing that a recruiter would need only an overview of the key points contained in the
previous letter,this executive successfully edited it to create the letter shown here.
111
Ms,Nora L,McGuigon
D.B,Ennis Associates
958 Jefferson Avenue
Boston,MA 09876
Dear Ms,McGuigon:
What a pleasure speaking with you this morning about my job search! As
promised,I have enclosed my resume so that you and your associates may
keep me in mind should an appropriate situation surface,To preview the
information enumerated on my resume,let me summarize my background and
strengths for you:
I am a Strategic Marketing Planning/Program Manager with 20+ years’
experience in services marketing—the most recent 8 years in
telecommunications,and prior to that,in international transportation.
As head of Marketing Services for The New England Telephone Company,I
function as an internal Marketing Consultant to the organization’s Strategic
Business Units—managing a staff of 14 marketing professionals and a $2MM
annual marketing budget,coordinating all advertising,research,direct mail,and
sales management initiatives.
Marketing program improvements that I introduced raised the visibility
of the organization and its products while simultaneously trimming
marketing department overhead by 50%.
Complementing my broad marketing background is my experience as Controller
at an $80MM division of TransInternational Airlines,at that time a $2 billion,
Fortune 500 international transportation company,In addition to macro
production-revenue forecasting,I directed complete product costing/pricing and
overall government regulatory agency (CAB) financial reporting and compliance.
Advances I introduced at TransInternational significantly enhanced the
competitiveness of the airline’s product,and in the
(please turn)
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 111
112
(continued)
process,I became a recognized expert in airline operations and
economics,demonstrating the depth of my commitment to
product.
Having recently engineered the downsizing of our business-to-business
marketing services area,I am now anxious to apply my marketing
communications expertise to situations in which the pace of growth and
opportunity represents more of a challenge,If you see a match between
your clients’ needs and my experience,I would welcome the opportunity
for further discussion.
I can be reached during the day at (555) 456-7890 or in the evening at
(555) 765-4321,In the meantime,I will,of course,let you know of any
change in my employment situation.
Sincerely,
Arthur L,Lewis
Enclosure
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 112
LETTER 5-45,TELEMARKETING SALES
113
Mr,Robert McCarthy
Director,Customer Service
Edison Electric
7600 Wilshire Boulevard
Irvine,CA 09876
Dear Mr,McCarthy:
It is tempting to telephone in response to your ad for a customer
service representative since the majority of service transactions take
place over the phone these days.
Instead,I enclose my resume as you requested,providing you with in-
depth information on the 11 years I have spent dealing with the public.
Throughout this time,I have successfully resolved customer claims and
accurately recorded complex product orders with consistent praise from
my supervisors.
More importantly,I have enhanced each company’s reputation,keeping
existing customers satisfied and transforming first-time buyers into
loyal,repeat purchasers.
I would appreciate the chance to do the same for your organization and
will call you shortly so that you can experience my skills on a firsthand
basis.
Sincerely,
Jeannette Flavio
555-456-0789 (evenings)
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 113
LETTER 5-46,SALES—JOBHOPPER—JOB LOSS
Here’s an effective way to turn a negative into a positive,This jobhunter has held a string of
jobs,but discusses this openly as a benefit to the reader.
114
Sales Manager
The Yellow Pages RE,Your City Times
P.O,Box 1111 ad for a Sales Rep
Lansing,MI 09876
To the Sales Manager:
I suspect you’ll find very few candidates with a background such as
mine—and it’s one I’d like to put to work on your behalf.
As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,the depth of my experience in
sales offers you the opportunity to hire a real pro who needs little or no
training and who is comfortable and successful with cold canvassing.
Moreover,having worked as a Sales Representative in a variety of
industries,I have the background to construct sales pitches meaningful to
the variety of different businesses that advertise in The Yellow Pages,.,
to turn interest into revenue for you,It is only due to the long-term economic
volatility (resulting in downsizing,layoffs,mergers,and business failures)
that I have held positions at numerous companies,However,it is this fact
that allows me to offer you such an unusual breadth of experience.
A personal interview would allow me to demonstrate my talents,I look
forward to hearing from you so that we can schedule a meeting.
Sincerely,
Reed L,Larson
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 114
LETTER 5-47,RETAIL SALES—WORKFORCE RETURN
A focused,well-written letter such as this can put those of more experienced candidates to
shame.
115
Ms,Dorothy Gilbert Andresen
Blooming Brides RE,Your ad for
18 Main Street a Sales Consultant
Greenwich,CT 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Ms,Andresen:
In presenting myself as a candidate for the position of Sales Consultant,
I present you with a valuable opportunity:
To hire an experienced,accomplished expert who can
simultaneously handle demanding,often stressed clientele
with kid gloves.
Having planned weddings for my own daughters,I am adept at dealing
with the multifaceted stress of the wedding gown selection and fitting
process,Patiently,I assessed the virtues of lace,organza,tulle,and
silk—the covered or off-the-shoulder design -- knee,calf,or floor
lengths,Gracefully,I balanced my daughters’ concerns with those of
their friends,husbands-to-be,even mothers-in-law,Delicately,I
increased our maximum budget as warranted to include all essential
accessories,Conscientiously,I maintained our selection and fitting
schedule,Unbelievably,I enjoyed it immensely—all four times!
Through it all,I was amazed to discover that my hands-on experience
proved consistently more effective than that of our sales representatives,
which is why I offer myself as a candidate.
After some time at home,I am now rejoining the workforce,I would
welcome the opportunity to meet with you,Please give me a call at
(555) 456-7890 day or evening so that we can schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Bea Bruner
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 115
LETTER 5-48,RETAIL SALES
116
Mr,Rolando Eden
Godiva Chocolates
152 Fifth Avenue
New York,NY 09876
Dear Mr,Eden:
I simply cannot resist responding to your ad for a Sales Representative!
Solid sales experience is only the first of my qualifications -- I have a successful
track record and the recommendations to back it up.
Proven ability to translate consumer desires into purchase decisions is only the
second of my qualifications -- I have sold effectively within religious,upscale,
and ethnic markets.
Superior customer service delivery is only the third qualification I possess -- I
project warmth,enthusiasm,and a pleasant attitude.
Above all,and unlike almost everyone in the world,I love chocolate but can
resist the temptation to sample the inventory!
Combined,these qualifications make me a prime candidate for your sales
position,I hope you’ll contact me for a personal interview,I can be reached at
(555) 456-7890 during the day and at (555) 765-4321 during the evening.
Sincerely,
Riley B,Kruger,Jr.
Enclosed,Resume
Clever way
to get
attention
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 116
LETTER 5-49,SENIOR BUYER—CONFIDENTIALITY
117
Mr,Andrew Hoffman
Town and Country Home
84 Manning Way
Evanston,IL 09876
Dear Mr,Hoffman:
If your advertisement in the City Times was written to attract my
attention,it worked like a charm!
As the enclosed resume demonstrates,my background,experience,and
proven accomplishments combine to make me the ideal Senior Buyer
for Town and Country Home.
I have held a variety of positions in retail management with a particular
emphasis in buying,having served as a Buyer for Bloomingdale’s with
responsibility for purchasing in both domestic and international
markets,In this position,I acquired a profound understanding of the
unique preferences of the upscale consumer,which could help you avoid
costly experiments (not to mention embarrassing failures) with this
demanding market segment.
My current involvement in the direction of the development of
innovative consumer product lines will also be of value to you,I have
been personally instrumental in engineering successful promotional
programs that produced annual sales well over $3 million each.
Although I am secure in my current position,I realize that future growth
may be limited,The opportunity to lend my expertise to Town and
Country Home would be an exciting one,I hope you will give me a call
so that we may schedule a convenient time to meet,Your discretion in
contacting me is most appreciated.
Sincerely,
Vivan L,Steers
(555) 456-7890 work telephone
(555) 765-4321 answering service
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 117
LETTER 5-50,DIRECTOR—RETAIL OPERATIONS
118
Mr,Lionel Adams,President
Surplus Warehouse,Inc.
230 Crossways Boulevard
Tulsa,OK 09876
Dear Mr,Adams:
As Vice President of Retail Operations for a
nationwide office supply chain,I reduced operating
expenditures by more than $2 million last year,I
further developed tightened security measures
accounting for a 50% reduction in losses due to
employee and customer theft.
Proven results such as these are critical to
your firm’s ongoing profitability -- and they are
precisely what I can bring to Surplus Warehouse.
Having engineered the planning and launch of 54
retail locations across the country,which generated
an additional $350 million in sales,I can direct
your company in its ongoing expansion efforts with
ease and expertise.
These are only two chapters in a career story that
spans 24 years in retailing,Additional successes,
innovations,and cost-saving stories are detailed on
the enclosed resume.
Let’s get together so that I can demonstrate the
advantages that my experience can offer Surplus Warehouse.
Sincerely,
H,Michael Gorman,III
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 118
LETTER 5-51,DISTRIBUTION MANAGER—SALARY
119
Ms,Laurel Simone
President
Inroads Automotive
230 Crossways Boulevard
Fresno,CA 09876
Dear Ms,Simone:
Over the years,I have been well aware of Inroads
Automotive’s continuing success.
As a customer and fellow member of the retailing
profession,I have been impressed with the way your
company stays ahead of your competition -- by
correctly predicting in advance what products and
services the public will demand,and then delivering
them.
This is exactly how I direct my professional career,
which leads me to send you my resume now.
By carefully monitoring sales and industry trends,
I significantly improved inventory management,
increasing sales and broadening our customer base.
I have also adapted MIS programs in conjunction
with merchants to streamline inventory controls and
reporting procedures without increasing expenses.
In your search for a Distribution Manager,I hope
you will consider me a serious candidate,When we
meet,I will be pleased to provide information on my
salary history as well as recommendations from
previous employers.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Bridle
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 119
LETTER 5-52,SENIOR SUBCONTRACTS ADMINISTRATOR—CONFIDENTIALITY
120
Ms,Amelia Trost
Director,Human Resources
Grenville Manufacturing,Inc.
86 Harding Way
Burlington,NJ 09876
RE,City Times,7/19/XX ad for
Senior Subcontracts Administrator
Dear Ms,Trost:
The position described in your advertisement is the job I have been
preparing for throughout my career.
-Having worked as both an assistant procurement manager
and a subcontracts administrator for a major equipment
manufacturer,I have mastered the tactics required to select,
bid out,negotiate with,and manage independent vendors
successfully.
-From my first day on the job,I will skillfully evaluate
proposals,analyze risks,conduct contract negotiations,and
perform cost analyses for you.
-I have handled in excess of 300 individual purchase orders
simultaneously—some worth over $100 million each.
-Most importantly,I have negotiated savings of up to 30% on
new procurements.
As the enclosed resume attests,my experience is proven,the
results measurable and substantial.
I would like to meet with you to further demonstrate my abilities.
Please contact me at home at (555) 765-4321 as my current
employer is not aware of my desire to join another company.
Sincerely,
Lisa Quimby
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 120
LETTER 5-53,ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE COORDINATOR—SALARY
121
Mr,Frederick List
The Randolph Chemical Company
765 North Winter Street
Randolph,AZ 09876
RE,City Times 5/20/XX ad for an
Accounts Receivable Coordinator
Dear Mr,List:
Tact,Diplomacy,Presence,The traits most critical to success in
collections are also the most difficult to find,I am pleased to offer you
these indispensable skills—and more:
-Five years of experience in receivables billing,data entry,cash
receipts entry and processing,cash collection reporting
-Expertise in systems and telephone support
-Solid third-party billing and collections experience
-Mastery of Word and Lotus 1-2-3
-Superior organizational and communication skills
When we meet you’ll discover that,in hiring me,you immediately
secure a professional who can work productively with your account
executives to monitor past-due receivables and handle sensitive
situations with firmness and delicacy,To support a productive team
effort,not build an empire.
If you’ll contact me at (555) 765-4321,we can schedule an interview to
discuss my salary history in detail as well as this exciting opportunity.
Sincerely,
Franz Manheim
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 121
LETTER 5-54,FINANCIAL ANALYST—RECENT M.B.A.
122
Ms,Myra Richards
Financial Division RE,Your advertisement for a
United Recruiting Corporation Financial Analyst in the
P.O,Box 182 New York Times
New York,NY 09876 January 12,20XX
Dear Ms,Richards:
Are you searching for someone with a thorough understanding of the
principles that support the operation of today’s financial institutions and
capital markets? Someone with the ability and enthusiasm to participate
crucially in investment decisions? Someone who is upbeat,positive,
learns quickly,and who is not afraid of hard work?
If so,we should meet,As a graduate student at the University of
Pennsylvania specializing in financial and international business,I
expect to complete my M.B.A,in May of this year,My goal is to put my
strong academic background in finance to use in the world of business.
Throughout my graduate studies,I have focused on money and banking,
international trade finance,and portfolio management,More
specifically,I have conducted in-depth research on issues relating to:
a73
The functions of the central banks and their effects on the world
economies.
a73
The operations of the world market and foreign exchange,as
well as their impact on the U.S,economy.
a73
The underlying models of portfolio analysis such as the capital
asset pricing model and arbitrage pricing theory.
My resume,which is enclosed,further details my qualifications,I look
forward to meeting with you to discuss how I can contribute to your
company’s bottom line.
I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Thomas Frank
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 122
LETTER 5-55,FINANCIAL SERVICES—STUDENT—RECENT M.B.A.
123
Ms,Sherry Sites
Steckler Financial,Inc.
1357 Morning Street
Winston,NC 09876
Dear Ms,Sites:
Ralph Enwood suggested I contact you regarding the current opening in
your brokerage division,With my M.B.A,firmly in hand this coming July
and several years of real world experience,I would welcome the
opportunity to contribute to the success your firm already enjoys.
I have enclosed my resume to supply specific information on my
background,Allow me to provide you with the highlights:
a73
As a manager of finance for a discount brokerage group,I
gained a profound understanding of the constant demands a
consumer customer base makes on traders and support staff --
and how to meet these demands.
a73
I earned my Series 7 and Series 63 licenses while working full-
time -- a sound illustration of my work ethic and ability to
complete simultaneous,challenging projects.
a73
I have been regularly praised by my superiors and professors
for my written and verbal communication skills,I work well
with others and enjoy assuming additional responsibility.
I would very much like to meet with you to explore your operations and
the possibility of employment,The opportunity to join a winning team
such as yours—and add to its success—is one I would relish.
Sincerely,
Rita Lenghorn
(555) 456-7890
cc,Ralph Enwood
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 123
LETTER 5-56,CASH MANAGEMENT SALES OFFICER—SALARY
124
Mr,Joachim J,Manengues
Senior Vice President
Dallas First Bancorporation
987 North Diversity Drive
Dallas,TX 09876
RE,City Times,6/2/XX ad for a
Cash Management Sales Officer
Dear Mr,Manengues:
Six years of solid,in-depth banking experience,Expertise in handling
commercial relationships with businesses earning up to $50 million in
sales,A commitment to new business development,This is what I can
bring to Dallas First Bancorporation,at once.
As an Assistant Vice President in Private Banking with Dallas
Bancshares,I earned my M.B.A,in Finance from State University,and I
am looking to transfer my financial and business development talents
from private to corporate banking.
Dealing with a diverse client list—small to medium-sized companies,
top executives of leading corporations,accomplished (and demanding!)
entertainers—I am adept at identifying cash-management opportunities
and providing solutions to short- and long-term cash-flow needs for
corporate clients.
As requested in your ad,I am faxing you my resume,My current
compensation includes base salary and commissions,and ranges from
$60,000 to $80,000 annually,I am anxious to set up a meeting with you
to discuss in greater detail your position and my unique qualifications,
I will call you later in the day,or you may contact me at work at
(555) 123-4567.
I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Burton M,Migynsum
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 124
LETTER 5-57,PRIVATE BANKER
125
Mr,Alfred Masoni
Vice President,Private Banking
All City National Bank
123 Avon Road
Los Angeles,CA 09876
Dear Mr,Masoni:
The enclosed resume details my achievements as an experienced private
banker,However,it cannot demonstrate the maturity,insight,and new
business development finesse I have acquired,These are the qualities I
would like to show you firsthand.
Because I have worked closely with customers at every level -- platform
and private,retail and commercial -- I have developed superior
interpersonal skills,broad product knowledge,a sure grasp of financial
strategies,and risk tolerance.
I can track down new business opportunities in an adverse economy,I
can work effectively on my own while contributing fresh ideas to the
team,I can learn from and support my co-workers with an attitude that
is positive and pleasant.
May I demonstrate to you the advantages my experience can offer you?
I will telephone your office early next week to see when we might meet.
Sincerely,
Mary Royce
(555) 456-7890 home
(555) 765-4321 office
States skills
gained—not
work history.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 125
LETTER 5-58,LENDING OFFICER—CONFIDENTIALITY
126
Mr,Andrew U,Harris
Newman Personnel,Inc,RE,Your ad for a Lending Officer
9200 Fifth Avenue City Times,5/2/XX
Wilmington,DE 09876
Dear Mr,Harris:
I had the pleasure of speaking with you several years ago,and I thought
I would write to you now in response to your recent ad for a Lending
Officer.
Since we last spoke,I have expanded my career in financial services and
am now ideally qualified to function as a superior Lending Officer,In
addition to seven years of valuable banking experience,a B.A,in
Economics,and an M.B.A.,I can offer your clients strong capabilities,
including,among others:
-Expertise in handling relationships up to and exceeding $50
million in size.
-A history of achieving account profitability while ensuring
client confidence and satisfaction.
-Mastery of analysis and recommendation for substantial
commercial and personal loans.
I have enclosed an updated resume that details my training,professional
experience,and accomplishments,If you would call,with discretion,at
(555) 456-7890,I would be happy to meet with you or anyone you
might recommend.
I thank you in advance for any assistance you may provide.
Sincerely,
L,Gavin Kramer
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 126
LETTER 5-59,SENIOR LENDER—CAREER CHANGE
127
Mr,Rupert Anceleri
Prime First Bancorporation
1234 Main Street
Evansville,IN 09876
Dear Mr,Anceleri:
After working successfully for 20 years on a consultancy basis,I am
now searching for a different challenge,Your organization came
immediately to mind due to its reputation as a leading lender to
entrepreneurial firms across the country.
The depth of experience I can offer would prove indispensable in your
efforts to identify sound,solid growth firms,I have worked with a broad
range of companies including,manufacturing businesses such as
fabrication,assembly,and foundry companies; distributors of
commodity and value-added products; importers of both hard and soft
goods; and service companies in a variety of industries.
My in-depth experience with entrepreneurs and with companies whose
annual sales range from $1 million to $50 million positions me to
identify and assess the potential of growing firms with skilled
management and promising customer sales,I have handled highly
leveraged transactions,recapitalizations of LBO financings,
turnarounds,workouts,bridge financings,and DIP credit facilities.
Moreover,I have established long-term relationships with attorneys and
accountants who have referred clients to me and will continue to do so.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the numerous
benefits my background could provide to Prime First,Let’s get together
to explore the possibilities,I will contact you to schedule an
appointment.
Looking forward to meeting you,I am,
William Robertson Fromm
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 127
LETTER 5-60,RESEARCH DIRECTOR—SALARY
128
Director of Recruitment
The Monsanto Company RE,Your ad in the fall issue of
2400 Olive Street Road Chemical Engineer for a
St,Louis,MO 09876 Research Director.
Dear Recruitment Director:
In your ad,you list five specific qualifications you seek in a research
director to join your company,My background and experience enable me
to meet each of your requirements,and then some.
For example,you seek..,and I deliver...
Fertilization production 4 years with Dow Chemical’s
experience soil enhancement division.
Management experience Supervised staff of 20 researchers
in pursuit of water-soluble
environmentally safe microcatalyst.
Proven track record in Directed this team to identify
research successfully what is now the leading
microcatalyst in use on American
farms.
8 years experience 10 years research,Dow Chemical
4 years teaching,Cal Tech
B.S.C.E,Degree B.S.C.E,Degree,Johns Hopkins
University
In addition,my teaching experience proved instrumental in presenting this
new technology to government officials in order to secure government
approval,I also served as liaison with the press to ensure correct
introduction of the new product information.
As you can see,my strengths fit your requirements quite well,I would
like to discuss my background with you in a personal meeting,at which
time I would be happy to detail my salary history and expectations.
I can be reached at (555) 655-3210 during the daytime and (555) 345-4567
in the evening,I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mary Beth Roberts
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 128
LETTER 5-61,ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING—INTERNATIONAL—STUDENT
International correspondence requires a more formal tone,which this writer has used.
129
Mr,William Ancyle
Senior Program Officer,Water Resources
World Coalition Environment Program
Box 34567
Dakar,Senegal
Dear Mr,Ancyle:
I am writing to you at the recommendation of Madame Eugenie Enchant,Chief of the
World Coalition Environment Program Regional Office,who suggested that my unusual
qualifications might be valuable to WCEP’s water resource projects,I will be relocating to
Tokyo,Japan in May of 20XX to complete my Master’s degree in Environmental
Engineering,and I hope to join a project such as yours in September of that year.
My unique background,technical expertise,language abilities,and skill at coordinating
multifaceted projects allow me to offer meaningful benefits to your project teams,After 13
years in the environmental field,as detailed on the enclosed resume,I have mastered the
preparation of technical water resource engineering analyses,community and regional
planning reports,and comprehensive environmental impact studies,In addition,I can
successfully manage complex engineering and planning projects and direct the positive,
constructive interaction of the general public,clients,and government agencies.
I am comfortable working and living in international settings,having spent a portion of my
childhood in Europe,studied abroad,and completed internships in Japan and Morocco,I
am fluent in English,French,and Japanese.
I would like to explore opportunities to apply my professional experience in environmental
engineering,I am particularly interested in the WCEP water resource protection and
development programs in Africa,the Plan of Action for the Nogbutu River,the desertification
work for the Kalahari,and the Global Environment Facility.
To this end,I will telephone within the next two weeks to pursue any avenues you might
recommend,Meanwhile,please feel free to contact me by fax,e-mail,or letter regarding
how I might contribute to the World Coalition’s Environment Program.
Sincerely,
Christopher H,Mitori
14 Ellsworth Street
Annandale,VA 09876 USA
(555) 456-7890,home telephone
cc,Madame Enchant,WCEP Paris
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 129
LETTER 5-62,SECURITY OFFICER
130
Ms,Dorothy Liu
Director,Human Resources
AdvantAmerica Corporation
Ten Commerce Square
Jacksonville,FL 09876
Dear Ms,Liu:
In a large corporation such as yours,the potential for employee
misconduct is great,As you know,improprieties can have far-reaching
consequences—for the company’s performance,its credibility,and its
other staff members.
I can help you avoid such troubling circumstances through
my ability to identify employee misconduct and then handle it
according to proper legal procedures...yet with discretion.
My experience as a DEA Special Agent and Inspector General for the
City’s Housing Department is unique among my peers,These jobs
have equipped me to handle a variety of investigations,including
surveillance of employee time abuse,malfeasance,bribery,theft,
improper reporting of sick leave,drinking violations,and others,My
preparation for,and participation in,hearings at the state and local
level will serve you well in those rare instances where litigation is
necessary.
Hiring a proven professional like myself can save you time,money,and
all of the headaches associated with negative publicity,I will contact
you next week to see when we might schedule an appointment.
I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Marie Blair
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 130
LETTER 5-63,SECURITY OFFICER—SALARY
131
Mr,William Robinson
President
Robinson Private Security,Inc.
8200 Georgia Avenue
Atlanta,GA 09876
Dear Mr,Robinson:
With fewer resources upon which to draw,Security Officers working in
the private sector frequently assume more varied and challenging
responsibilities than many city police officers working as a team.
It’s essential,therefore,that the private Security Officer you hire
possesses in-depth experience,broad-based training,and the proven
ability to perform in difficult,dangerous situations,A quick scan of this
list of my abilities will prove that I am this officer:
-Undercover investigations
-Financial audits to identify drug-oriented profits; court qualified
expert in deciphering narcotics ledgers
-Coordination of complex,interagency investigations
-Evidence handling and testimony
-Asset forfeiture investigations at state and federal level
-Adherence to policy and procedure
-National jurisdiction for drug-related offenses
-Licensed for weapons use
You’ll find supplementary information on my resume,which is
enclosed,I would like to prove my abilities to you further in a personal
meeting,when we could discuss my salary history and requirements.
I hope to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Ingmar Johannson
(555) 456-7890 work
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 131
LETTER 5-64,CONSTRUCTION—JOB LOSS
132
Mr,Hank Felipe
Felipe Construction
65 Pershing Street
Helena,MT 09876
Dear Mr,Felipe:
After six years in construction,there is no doubt that this is where my
skills and interest lie.
My resume (enclosed) describes the extensive range of projects on
which I’ve worked,both commercial and residential,Throughout,I have
received consistent praise from my superiors and have enjoyed the
ongoing support of co-workers,many of whom have offered to serve as
references for me.
The pressures of the current economic downturn have forced my
employer to reduce his full-time staff,For this reason,I would welcome
the opportunity to interview for a position at Felipe Construction.
I can be reached at (555) 456-7890.
Sincerely,
John Noonan
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 132
LETTER 5-65,BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT—JOB LOSS
133
Mr,Allen G,Pearlstine
Pearlstine Management Corp,RE,Your ad for a
42 Riverview Plaza Superintendent
Memphis,TN 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Mr,Pearlstine:
Eleven years of hands-on experience as a building superintendent has
made me more qualified than many others who may respond to your ad.
The enclosed resume details my strengths; here is an overview:
-Experienced with both residential and commercial buildings
-Ability to supervise in-house maintenance staff,outside vendors,
and interact effectively with tenants
-Proficient in all aspects of maintenance including plumbing and
carpentry
-Valid #6 Oil,Standpipe and Sprinkler System Licenses
-Knowledgeable in tool inventory control,supply requisition
-Fluent in English and Spanish
As you can see,I possess solid,practical experience that I can put to
use for you right away,as my present employer is relocating its
headquarters out of state.
You can reach me at the address and phone numbers listed above,I look
forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Roy L,Harmon
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 133
LETTER 5-66,REAL ESTATE
This succinct summary worked well in response to an ad that was impossibly vague.
134
Mr,Bart J,Crown
Crown Management Corp,RE,1/23/XX City Times ad
1818 Crown Plaza Real Estate Facilities
Kansas City,MO 09876 and Construction
Dear Mr,Crown:
I am writing to schedule a time for us to discuss the position mentioned in your
ad,My background in real estate has equipped with me exceptional practical
skills and an in-depth understanding of our industry,I would welcome the chance
to explore how my strengths might contribute to the success of your firm.
Presently,I am involved in real estate as an owner,landlord,and building
superintendent,As a result,I am intimately familiar with legal regulations,
housing requirements,construction,electrical,and plumbing,I am licensed in
this state as a building inspector,EPA-Certified Radon Technician,and Pest
Control Inspector,I am also working toward a Master’s degree in Real Estate at
State University.
Because I am eager to explore the possibility of working with your firm,I
will call you next week to see when we might meet,Or you can reach me at
(555) 765-4321.
Sincerely,
Louis H,Kozinsky
Enclosed,Resume
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 134
LETTER 5-67,REAL ESTATE PLANNER
135
Ms,Rachel Bell
American Service Corporation
1234 Main Street
Milwaukee,WI 09876
Dear Ms,Bell:
The speed and frequency with which today’s organizations relocate,expand,
and contract has placed corporate real estate under increasing scrutiny,As a
result,the relationship between real estate and overall strategic planning has
become more crucial than ever.
Only a seasoned real estate professional like me can accurately
balance the impact of real estate assets on your firm’s business and
financial strategy,profitability,and risk mitigation.
For more than 25 years,I have represented public and private sector clients in
every aspect of the real estate transaction,I am now ready to offer my expertise
to a company such as yours on a full-time basis.
Having worked in every type of major market,I can identify the properties that
best meet your needs and negotiate optimal terms on your behalf,I have proven
skill in dealing effectively with real estate experts,architects,space planners,
construction estimators,financial analysts,and lawyers to streamline the
planning process.
I will contact you shortly to explore the advantages my experience can offer your
organization.
Sincerely,
Gordon H,Bork
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 135
LETTER 5-68,SENIOR ARCHITECT—RELOCATION
136
Mr,Roger Rossi,President
Rossi Associates
Suite 300
4901 Andrews Road
Seattle,WA 09876
Dear Mr,Rossi:
I am responding to your advertisement for a Senior Architect for two reasons.
First,I can deliver precisely the attributes,experience,and background you
seek in a senior architect,As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,I have a
strong background in commercial interiors and retail design,honed through 12
years with a major New York-based commercial firm.
In my current position,I assume all of the responsibilities typically demanded
of a Senior Architect,including:
-Preparation of architectural plans,drawings,and specifications
-Construction and contract administration
-Review of design,code,and construction drawings
-Supervision of construction contractors,contract administration
-Project management through all project phases including programming,
planning,design,and construction contract administration
My conceptual abilities are outstanding,my approach consistently team oriented,
and I am an AutoCAD wizard! I earned my B.A,in Architectural Design from the
State University Design School,These strengths,along with my clear
knowledge of building architectural systems,construction procedures,and
practices will allow me to add value to your firm at once.
Secondly,I will be relocating to the Seattle area (and am in the process of
obtaining Washington State Licensure),It would be a privilege to meet with you
personally to discuss the opportunity to add to your team,I will follow up by
calling you soon to schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Lynn Beacon
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 136
LETTER 5-69,WORD PROCESSOR
137
Mr,Ron Bradley
Redmond Communications
P.O,Box 1111
Altaverde,CA 09876
RE,5/15/XX City Times ad for Word Processors
Dear Mr,Bradley:
It would be a pleasure to meet with you so that I might demonstrate
how my abilities fit your needs precisely.
As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,I am proficient in a variety of word
processing programs as well as stenography,I am experienced in handling
general office duties and answering phones cordially and courteously.
What my resume does not reveal is my professional demeanor and
appearance,In a business environment,these qualities are of the utmost
importance in dealing with clients as well as co-workers,In me,you’ll
discover a reliable,detail-oriented,and extremely hard-working
associate—one who will serve as a model to encourage other staff
members to demonstrate the same high standard of professionalism.
If you will contact me at (555) 456-7890,we can schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Aqueelah Johnson
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 137
LETTER 5-70,WORD PROCESSOR
138
Mr,Sheldon Ballou
Imprint Publishing RE,5/15/XX City Times
19 Greene Street ad for Word Processors
New York,NY 09876
Dear Mr,Ballou:
Why waste another minute of your valuable time -- time that could be
spent more productively if you had reliable,expert word processing
support? Now that you have my resume in your hands (see attached),
you can end your search.
I am an exceptional typist (85 wpm) and can work in
Microsoft Word,Quattro,and all versions of WordPerfect with
my eyes shut!
I would be pleased to handle the additional responsibilities of
stenography,answering telephones,training others in word processing,
etc,Plus,I am bilingual (English/Chinese),which may strengthen the
service you provide to Asian customers.
You can reach me at (555) 456-7890 during the day and at (555) 765-4321
after business hours,I hope to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Gwendolyn Ellys
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 138
LETTER 5-71,WORD PROCESSOR—CAREER CHANGE
139
Ms,Diane Sweet
ArbiTech Systems,Inc,RE,5/15/XX City Times
1444 Soneigh Way ad for Word Processors
Damon,PA 09876
Dear Ms,Sweet:
While it may seem odd for a Philosophy professor to be responding to
your ad for Word Processors,today’s economy has rendered many of
yesterday’s tenets entirely revocable.
I am highly skilled in Word for Windows,as your ad requested,
Six years of intense analysis and serious writing account for my
indisputable command of this invaluable computer program.
In addition,I offer your firm the maturity to deal effectively with
clients,executives,and co-workers,particularly those under pressure.
My written and verbal communication skills are advanced,which may
prove extremely useful to your staff in the preparation of customer
materials,reports,and presentations.
Let me assure you that I do not consider this position a stopgap by any
means,After working in academia for nearly 17 years,the opportunity
to join a fast-paced leader in the business world is a stimulating one.
I hope you will contact me so that we might meet.
Sincerely,
Christopher J,Rinaldi
(555) 456-7890 home
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 139
LETTER 5-72,WORD PROCESSING FORMAT SPECIALIST
140
Mr,Oliver Orrington
Orrington Engineering RE,1/2/XX City Times
52 Eberhart Avenue ad,Word Processing
Traverse City,MI 09876 Format Specialist
Dear Mr,Orrington:
I am an accomplished Word Processing Format Specialist with considerable
experience in desktop publishing,With my skills,your office can dramatically
increase its productivity and output—even meeting impossibly tight deadlines
for your clients!
I am fluent in the following:
Word
Word for Windows
Excel
Lotus 1-2-3
AmiPro
I can operate in both MAC and PC environments.
I am a true artist at bringing information to life
with dazzling charts,graphs,and illustrations.
And I am available to begin working for you immediately,Part-time or full-time,I
will be a dedicated employee,Please give me a call at (555) 456-7890,and we
can start producing eye-popping reports and presentations.
Thank you.
Rudolf P,Osborn
Opening
promises a
benefit.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 140
E-MAIL LETTER 5-73,RECRUITER
141
When you hire a recruiter with more than 10 years of experience in
the financial services industry,you can be certain that you’ve hired
someone who knows who,what,when,how,and for how much to
hire the staff members you need to grow.
My 10 years of experience in both corporate and field sales
environments have equipped me to manage the entire hiring
process from sourcing to decision making,including:
*
Developing a sourcing strategy that employs cold calling,
centers of influence,job fairs,and open houses.
*
Conducting all initial interviews; scheduling,coordinating,and
evaluating all successive interviews with key managers.
*
Candidate screening,testing,and evaluating.
*
Consulting with managers,effecting,and implementing final
hiring decision.
You’ll find all the details on the attached resume,You’ll find me
ready,willing,and able to meet with you at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Linda B,Mays
lmays@yippee.net
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,Linda B,Mays
To,Susan Farrell
Sent,March 14,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Opening for a Recruiter at Champlain Mortgage
LindaMaysResume.doc
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 141
E-MAIL LETTER 5-74,ASP DIRECTOR
142
Your online listing engaged my attention immediately as I hope my
experience will engage yours:
* Project management
* Web development
* Customer service
* Team leadership
* Web-based document management and imaging systems
implementation
This is the kind of hands-on experience that will enable me to bring
significant benefits to your firm right away -- without costly training
or trial-by-error learning,If you will be kind enough to contact me,I
will make myself available to meet at your convenience.
Best regards,
Burt Sonstein
Burt.Sonstein@inphosistems.com
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,Burt Sonstein
To,Barbara Glass
Sent,June 21,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Your Opening for an ASP Director
Burt Sonstein Resume
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 142
E-MAIL LETTER 5-75,E-LEARNING MANAGER
143
Being an E-Learning Manager involves more than planning,
implementing,and managing online courseware...and more than
developing new e-learning products,services,and systems—all of
which I can handle better than anyone.
Being a superior E-Learning Manager means serving as the
champion of e-learning within your organization so that your staff
buys into this new technology,The difference lies in experience
and attitude—both of which I would be delighted to deliver,For
example,I can:
* Develop strategic e-learning plans for each business
unit
* Seamlessly supervise remotely located staff
* Nurture strong relationships with internal clients so that
change becomes palatable,even welcome
* Communicate effectively throughout all levels of the
organization
* Thrive in a fast-paced,ever-changing,multitasking
environment
* Partner with classroom training to design blended
learning paths
* Work with expense controls and within budgetary
parameters
I am as committed to e-learning as I will be to your firm,I hope
you’ll allow us to discuss this exciting opportunity,As soon as I hear
from you,I will adjust my schedule so that we can meet.
Best regards,
Claire P,Voyant
cpv@aod.com
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,Claire P,Voyant
To,Margaret O,McLaughlin
Sent,July 1,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Being a Superior Global E-Learning Manager
CPVoyantCV.doc
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 143
E-MAIL LETTER 5-76,INTERNET SALES REPRESENTATIVE—SALARY
144
As with many firms,my company’s recent downsizing left too many
tasks to too few people,Therefore,my three years at CompNet
were packed with opportunities not usually available to a recent
college graduate,As a result,I am younger than many people with
my depth of experience—which means I can offer you talent and
energy at a lower price!
While tracking data on B2B product usage,I gained a profound
understanding of how to use the Internet for B2B sales,and which
segments of this highly sought-after target market respond to
which products,offers,and price points,This is valuable
knowledge that I can bring to your organization from day one to
help enhance your new marketing efforts.
My current salary is $30K plus benefits,I would like to bring my
skills to a firm able to offer a salary in the $40-55K range,I would
welcome the chance to meet with you and will call you within the
next week to schedule an appointment.
Best regards,
Kathleen Fitzgerald
KTF@way2go.net
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,Kathleen Fitzgerald
To,Audrey Manfred
Sent,June 27,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,B2B Marketing Representative
Kathleen Fitzgerald’s Resume
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 144
E-MAIL LETTER 5-77,INFORMATION ARCHITECT
This unique opening not only gets attention,it builds credibility,Notice that the writer refers
to the attached descriptions of her experience and skills but uses this e-mailed cover letter
to focus on how effectively she uses them on her employer’s behalf,Very effective!
145
For the opening you advertised online,please allow my colleague
to introduce me:
“K.T,is an outstanding professional with proven talent in designing
solutions that not only ideally address our clients concerns,but also
anticipate them,She flawlessly directs the implementation of new
processes and programs and gracefully manages multifaceted,
global information operations,She is a pleasure to work with as both
a team member and a leader.”—William Bennes (555-123-4567)
To substantiate Bill’s generous remarks,I have attached to this
note:
* My resume detailing my substantial experience with Fortune
500 corporations and their clients.
* A listing of the numerous technologies,operating systems,
Internet applications,hardware,and software I have
mastered.
* Highlights of the many successful projects I have
spearheaded,many of which produced profits or savings of
hundreds of thousands of dollars for my firm’s clients.
As I hope you’ll agree,my qualifications are both sound and
profound—as are the contributions they will enable me to make for
your organization and its clients,I would welcome the opportunity
to present these qualifications in person,Please contact me at any
of the phone numbers provided below,or via e-mail.
Thank you for your consideration.
K.T,Ruggera
KTRuggera@mermaid.net
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,K.T,Ruggera
To,Zach Haley
Sent,December 16,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Information Architect Position
cc,William Bennes
K.T,Ruggera Resume.doc
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 145
E-MAIL LETTER 5-78,JAVA PROGRAMMER—SALARY—RELOCATION
146
The exceptional Java Programmer must display specific technical
proficiency,as I do:
As you’ll see on the attached resume,I am experienced with
Java,JSPs,Servlets,Perl,XML,UML,JDBC,Oracle,Rational
Rose,Websphere,Java Beans,Java-based messaging,EJBs,
and familiar with HTML,MQ Series,and Tibco,I can also
create multithreaded media player in C++.
But the exceptional Java Programmer must also possess qualities
that will contribute to the overall success of the team,the division,
the corporation,and its clients,as I do:
* Exemplary experience designing fully integrated,highly
scalable,cost-effective,end-to-end solutions that meet or
beat industry best practices.
* Formidable communication skills that equip me to describe
complex architecture and technologies to IT business units,
clients,and colleagues at every level.
* Proven success in project presentation,technical
documentation,and serving as a technical contributor to a
multicontractor project team.
In response to your query,I am currently earning the equivalent of
$75,000 annually,including base salary,benefits,car,expense
account,bonus,and incentives,However,as I am anxious to work
with a firm of your stature,and to relocate to the West Coast,I can
be flexible on initial salary level,assuming there is room for growth.
I will be in your area for the next month and would be thrilled to
meet for an interview,Please contact me via e-mail or cell phone.
Thank you in advance for your consideration,
Luke S,Walker
LukeSW@millennium.fcn
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,Luke S,Walker
To,Diana Matthews
Sent,April 18,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Exceptional Java Programmer
LukeWalkerResume.doc
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 146
E-MAIL LETTER 5-79,NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR
147
What a thrill it would be to bring my experience,knowledge,and
energy to your firm,I have attached my resume in Word to
illustrate that I possess the qualifications you seek,As you’ll see,I
have served as a UNIX Systems Administrator for large,
multinational firms in a variety of industries,This diverse
experience enables me to evaluate,support,and troubleshoot
client/server configurations across vast heterogeneous networks
and to think,outside the box,” identifying solutions others might
miss.
Should we have the opportunity to meet,you’ll discover what my
resume cannot reveal -- that I am a professional who can work
both independently and in a team environment,That I interact
effectively with disparate business units,project management and
quality control teams,That I enjoy mentoring fellow team members.
That I excel in an environment replete with rapid change,frequent
challenges,and mind-boggling deadlines...
...and that I would be thrilled to be part of your IT team.
Sincerely,
Rita Pestana
ritap4@Wellspring.com
(123) 456-6789 home
(098) 765-4321 work
(111) 222-3333 cell
From,Rita Pestana
To,Allen Argus,IT Director
Sent,November 2,20XX
Attachment:
Subject,Network Administrator Position
Rita Pestana.doc
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 147
5-80,COMPUTER PROGRAM DESIGN
148
Mr,Miguel Buitta
Senior Executive Vice President
TechnoSphere Technologies
1800 Coronet Circle
Reston,VA 09876
Dear Mr,Buitta:
Given the advanced technology with which you and I deal on a daily basis,I
rarely have a business conversation these days that doesn’t require translation.
Speaking with you on the phone earlier today was a pleasure!
As promised,I have enclosed my resume,which details my 17-year tenure with
ICM,To preview the information on my resume,I will call your attention to an
achievement of particular interest to TechnoSphere—one that also doubles as
the highlight of my career:
Emerging technologies such as (GPS) Global Positioning System
and character recognition techniques were the focus of my study in
an effort to reduce the skyrocketing cost of data conversion.
Not only did my efforts lower conversion costs across the board,but
this technology became vital to U.S,efforts in the Gulf War,GPS
satellite signals allowed our troops to navigate accurately around the
featureless desert environment.
My knowledge of,and experience with,an extensive array of computer
technology and highly sophisticated applications enable me to conceive and
spearhead a comprehensive range of innovative projects for TechnoSphere.
Such projects will undoubtedly produce results that have far-reaching
implications within the industry,science and health,the U.S,business
community,and the international scene.
It would be a genuine opportunity to apply my unusual capabilities to help
TechnoSphere seize significant,not to mention lucrative,contracts that will add
to the organization’s overall reputation and presence.
Thank you for your interest and willingness to meet with me,I will call shortly
to schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Raj Jaarynharoon
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 148
LETTER 5-81,COMPUTER MIS MANAGER—SALARY
149
Mr,Bart Holmes
Human Resource Director RE,MIS Manager position
555-456-7890 fax advertised 4/5/XX City Times
Dear Mr,Holmes:
As an experienced and successful MIS Manager,I offer you all of the
qualifications listed in your advertisement—and then some,I am,
therefore,faxing you my resume with this letter.
As my resume illustrates,I possess the track record,technical
knowledge,and expertise to do all of the following effectively:
a73
Design,develop,implement,and support all MIS functions.
a73
Evaluate,recommend,and purchase hardware,software,and
supplies.
a73
Manage,develop,and support multiplatform environments.
a73
Demonstrate proficiency with AppleTalk,Novell,Windows,and
UNIX.
My work at a leading architectural design firm expanded my abilities to
apply the best that today’s computer technology has to offer from a
more creative point of view than many other MIS Managers may
possess,As a result,I have an unusual talent for turning challenges into
solutions that can yield profitable results.
The benefit of working for a smaller firm is that I had the opportunity to
handle a range of responsibilities,The downside is that my salary
history may not be in line with industry standards,I would be pleased to
provide you with more information on this when we have the chance to
meet,If you will contact me at (555) 765-4321,I will be pleased to set
up an appointment.
Sincerely,
Michael Manning
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 149
LETTER 5-82,NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR—CONFIDENTIALITY
This unusually bold approach works because the candidate meets every one of the require-
ments listed in the ad.
150
Ms,Althea Wilcox
Director,Personnel RE,Your ad for a
Broadham Technical Systems,Inc,Network Administrator,
Elizabeth,NJ 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Ms,Wilcox:
Your advertisement addresses my qualifications so ideally,one would
think we’d met,And we should—because I can offer you the precise
skills for which you’re searching.
You seek the ability to,Do I possess?
Train and support local and remote
area network users,YES
Plan and support Windows-based
local area network,YES
Manage security,capacity planning,
database support for SQL Server database
and maintain LAN/WAN nationwide office
links,YES
Deal effectively with Windows and provide
SQL Server database support,YES and YES
I hope you’ll agree that your needs and my capabilities are a perfect
match because it would be a thrill to join a firm with the technological
talent that yours employs.
In fact,I am not currently in the job market,but am responding only to
your ad,Therefore,I would appreciate maintaining confidentiality.
Please contact me at home at (555) 456-7890 evenings or weekends,or
by e-mail or mail at the addresses printed above,I’d be pleased to set
up a meeting whenever it’s convenient for you.
Sincerely,
Lionel N,Ruminjan
Attention
grabber.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 150
LETTER 5-83,COMPUTER/COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
151
Mr,George Misal
Vice President
Digital Equipment Corporation
1234 Main Street
Encino,CA 09876
Dear Mr,Misal:
My immediate superior describes me as,a unique combination of left-brain logic
and right-brain creativity.” My engineering background drives my methodical
approach to solving problems,My creativity produces the flexibility to assess
and assemble numerous alternatives.
I am responding to your ad for a Communications Specialist because my
left-brain logic has determined that my skills are ideally suited to fulfill the
responsibilities of this position.
My exceptional communication skills allow me either to distill complex technical
information into customer requirements,or define customer requirements and
then apply the appropriate technology,As a result,your firm will set a new
standard in customer satisfaction,My experience with multiple vehicles for
conveying information—such as videotape,multimedia presentations,radio
spots,and national TV programs—will enable you to serve a broader client
base more cost-effectively.
I am a quick study and have educated myself on subjects from business
financial models to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR).
Currently,I am responsible for aftermarket Personal Computer Multimedia
products in both the commercial and retail markets.
My right-brain creativity would welcome the opportunity to meet in
person and explore the opportunities my unique strengths will bring to
Digital.
I will call you shortly to schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Rick Abrams
555-456-7890 weekdays
555-765-5432 evenings
Clever
opening!
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 151
LETTER 5-84,COMPUTER—SENIOR EXECUTIVE
152
AdvantaCom,Inc.
2108 State Line RE,Software/Hardware
Kansas City,MO 09876 Senior Executive
Dear Search Committee:
It’s not like riding a bicycle! Contributing to the planning,promoting,and day-
to-day operations of an emerging technologies company like AdvantaCom is
not the same as running a company in the fashion,financial,or fishing
industries.
After seven years directing the operations of an east coast competitor and more
than eight years managing software engineering...I should know! Unlike any
other industry,ours demands of its senior executives a level of technical
sophistication that can only be the product of hands-on,in-depth,unfailing
relevant experience...precisely what I offer AdvantaCom!
I am exceptionally articulate in a diverse range of hardware and software,
client/server technology,systems programming,and database management,I
also possess the demonstrated ability to apply successfully the strategies and
principles fundamental to building and growing a business in today’s volatile
economy.
This background arms me to lead AdvantaCom in generating results as
impressive as those I helped my current organization achieve:
-Margins surpassing industry averages by 23%.
-Operations productivity 45% over previous levels.
-Domestic market share growth exceeding 30%.
-Hardware products introduced to previously untapped (by us) global
marketplaces,delivering $12 million in sales in first year alone,
along with a 97% customer satisfaction rating.
My expertise in technology and management are at your disposal,as is my
proven track record,It would be an honor to join an organization with your
reputation and promise,You may reach me at (555) 456-7890 during business
hours and at (555) 765-4321 at home.
Sincerely,
Hugh J,McNeil
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 152
LETTER 5-85,ELECTRICAL ENGINEER—JOB LOSS
Without providing more detail than is necessary,this jobhunter arms the recruiter with valu-
able information,his field,his specialty,and what he offers an employer.
153
Ms,Sylvia McCormack
President
McCormack Recruiting Co.
5 Liberty Circle
Sacramento,CA 09876
Dear Ms,McCormack:
In today’s difficult economy,you undoubtedly receive hundreds of resumes from
people seeking employment,However,you have built a career on the ability to
recognize marketable talents,which I possess—in-depth experience,focused
expertise,flexibility,adaptability,commitment,and a highly effective
management style.
My current employer’s economic health makes it advisable for me to seek a
new situation as soon as possible,I am therefore taking the liberty of forwarding
my resume for your review.
My specific niche is the design and implementation of new
technology for electrical subsystems,but I can contribute effectively
within a variety of engineering environments.
My background,professional experience,and work style equip me to
offer a rare overview of the field along with a profound grasp of
project details,This mix is unusual among professionals in my field,
and it is essential to the employer actively seeking innovative
solutions in emerging technologies.
I look to your expertise for assistance in my search and will call you early next
week to see whether we can schedule a meeting,I thank you in advance for
your consideration.
Sincerely,
Todd Wychowsky
(555) 455-7890 home
(555) 765-4321 work
Excellent
opening
for
recruiter
letter
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 153
LETTER 5-86,ACTOR
154
Ms,Ann Houseman
The Actor’s Resource
3467 Seventh Avenue
New York,NY 09876
RE,Your June 5,20XX Backstage ad
for,The Innocents of Youth”
Dear Ms,Houseman:
Naiveté,charm,wide-eyed purity,and a belief that everything will turn
out for the best,Such innocence still exists,It’s portrayed in my
headshots,which are enclosed.
And,golly,it’s exactly what you’re looking for.
Best,
Anthony Kilpatrick
(555) 456-7890 telephone service
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 154
LETTER 5-87,TEACHING ARTIST
To see the results this heartfelt letter produced,see the follow-up in Letter 6-14.
155
Ms,Leonore Valerio
Lincoln Center Institute RE,Your ad for a
New York,NY 09876 Teaching Artist,
Community Times,4/10/XX
Dear Ms,Valerio:
What a delight it is to discover a school that recognizes the value of
promoting dance among its students and actually allocates funding for
this vital intention!
In applying for the teaching position at LCI,I offer you a rare mix of
talents and experience,as described in detail in the enclosed resume,
My comprehensive training in the United States and abroad is
complemented by my experience as a member in such diverse
companies as the Belgrade National Theatre,the Ballet Hispanico of
New York,and the Julliard Dance Ensemble,Both have equipped me to
introduce a far broader range of methods,techniques,styles,music,and
interpretation than many others in the field.
Throughout more than 20 years in dance and dance education,I have
experienced my own joy as well as that of students of both sexes and
every age as they acquire much needed self-confidence by expressing
themselves through movement,The opportunity to continue such a
worthwhile endeavor at the Lincoln Center Institute would be as
thrilling as it would be rewarding.
I will contact you within the next several days to further explore this
exciting possibility.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Isadora Ilianya
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 155
LETTER 5-88,TEACHER—CAREER CHANGE
156
Dr,Lawrence Ahearn
Milford School System
18 Central Avenue
Milford,NY 09876
Dear Dr,Ahearn:
As a father with three children in the Milford school system,I hope that
each of my children receives not only a sound education,but that she
acquires a perspective of life outside the school walls,With my business
background and teaching credentials,I am equipped to offer both to the
Milford students.
After 20 years in corporate business training,I am now shifting my
focus to educating within the school system,This year,I completed my
education credits,fulfilled my student teaching requirements at Milford
Middle School,and passed my certification examinations,Having just
received word from Albany that my Certificate of Qualifications has
been issued,I thought this would be the ideal time to write to you.
Dr,Ahearn,my diverse background offers Milford students a unique
opportunity to discover how their studies have practical application in
what they call,the real world.”
I would welcome the chance to discuss any openings that may arise
under your aegis,I will contact you soon to see whether we might meet.
Or you may reach me at (555) 765-4321.
Most sincerely,
Andrew L,Moses
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 156
LETTER 5-89,KINDERGARTEN TEACHER—STUDENT—CAREER CHANGE
Here is a novel approach that works for a graduating student with no relevant background.
157
Ms,Regina Connors
Santa Fe Regional Educational Program
54 Desert View Drive
Santa Fe,NM 12345
Dear Ms,Connors:
With great excitement,I am responding to your ad for a Kindergarten Teacher.
The opportunity to teach in the school system that fostered my interest in
education is a thrilling one.
Because I have recently switched from the business world to teaching,my
resume may not provide the information you require (it is enclosed,
nonetheless),Instead,allow me to excerpt from a recommendation provided by
my advisor,Lynn Karyli:
“Lauren never seems to choose the easy way; she takes the most
demanding courses,opts to work in the most challenging teaching
situations,attempts the most innovative and difficult teaching
approaches,and volunteers time and energy to extracurricular
activities,And,in all her endeavors,she is successful...
“...It should be noted,that in the short period of a year and half,
Lauren won the praise and admiration of her professors and her
peers,She was selected as research assistant for a project on
children’s response to the arts,She is a highly respected member of
her peer group,valued both for her leadership capabilities and for her
constructive feedback and support of the efforts of others...
“...Thus,Lauren is a model for all who are associated with her,and
to all she brings enthusiasm and energy,sensitivity,thoughtfulness,
and thoroughness and above all,a love of children and of life.”
This recommendation (in its entirety) is also enclosed,I am anxious to pursue
this opportunity and to meet you in person,I will take the liberty of calling you to
schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Lauren Quay
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 157
LETTER 5-90,TEACHER—PART-TIME/FULL-TIME—RELOCATION
158
Superintendent of Schools
The Provincetown School Committee
High School Annex
Charles Street
Provincetown,MA 09876
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am a teacher of English at the Forsyth Satellite Academy in New York
City,In May,I will complete the Master’s Program in English
Education at New York University,where I have the honor of having
been selected as the Graduate Valedictory Speaker,This summer,I will
receive six postgraduate credits as a participant in the New York City
Writing Project at The City University of New York,Before entering the
field of education,I enjoyed eight years in accounting -- a field I left
voluntarily in January of 20XX to pursue a long-felt desire to teach,
motivate,and guide students in their use of the language and appreciation
of literature,I am thrilled with my decision to switch careers!
With these unique strengths,I write because I am moving to Cape Cod in
August,and I seek a position as a teacher of English in the
Provincetown School District.
I recognize that there may be a shortage of openings,While my primary
goal is to secure a full-time position teaching English,I would like to
offer my services in any capacity for which you might find my
background suitable,I will gladly work on a part-time basis or as a
substitute,I enclose a resume of my business and educational experience
along with my most recent evaluation,made by my practicum supervisor.
I would welcome the privilege of meeting with you to discuss any
appropriate position that you may have in your district,I can come to see
you on very short notice should you be willing to meet with me; you can
reach me at (555) 235-3456,Thank you for your interest.
Warm regards,
George Andrew Hillman
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 158
LETTER 5-91,CHILD CARE WORKER—WORKFORCE RETURN
The lack of a resume is not holding back this homemaker and mother from applying for a
job,Her letter sounds and looks as professional as that of any executive.
159
Ms,Chris Harper
New York Foundling Hospital
Two Sixth Avenue RE,Child Care Worker
New York,NY 09876 Seton Day Care Center
Dear Ms,Harper:
Seton Day Care,its children,and their parents deserve the very best child care
worker you can find,May I offer myself as a candidate who can meet this tough
standard?
My experience working with children is as extensive as it is diverse,As a
mother of two,I have performed the multiple and continual duties that every
newborn requires,As a volunteer in both the nursery school and first-grade
classroom environments,I have dealt effectively with children at an age when
your every breath and action contributes to the shaping of their personalities,
demeanor,and morals,I have also cared for older children in my home,both for
pay and as a courtesy to other mothers,so I am well aware of the challenges
and rewards of this vital responsibility.
Supporting my practical experience is a thorough educational background and
hands-on work in the field,In earning my degree in Family and Consumer
Studies,my relevant studies included courses in Child Psychology,Child
Development,Sociology of the Family,and Family Relationships,In addition,I
completed fieldwork in a day-care facility in the Bronx.
Personally,I offer you the following strengths,I possess a calm attitude and
superb understanding of children’s needs,Many people are surprised by how
comfortable their children feel with me,As a mother,I empathize with other
parents and find it easy to build a productive rapport.
Although I am in the process of updating my resume,I am extremely interested
in pursuing this opportunity,and I did not want to delay contacting you,At your
convenience,I would like to meet with you to explore the opportunity of working
together,If you will contact me at (555) 456-7890 (day or evening),we can
schedule a meeting,at which I will present you with my completed resume.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Felicity Adnagi
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 159
LETTER 5-92,DENTAL HYGIENIST—CONFIDENTIALITY
160
Dr,Lucille Klingman
8 Hawthorne Avenue
Milltown,WY 09876
Dear Dr,Klingman:
After 12 years as a Dental Hygienist,I know all there is to know about
routine oral hygiene,orthodontic hygiene,and pediatric hygiene.
However,my experience extends further than this...and
further than most other hygienists.
I have performed in a frenetically busy multipractitioner environment
and a teaching facility,as well,As a result,I am expertly capable of
managing the demands of overworked dentists,nervous adults,and
hyperactive children,I can instantly develop a comforting rapport with
patients of any age.
Now,I would like to apply my expertise to the needs of a small,local
practice,From the sound of your advertisement in the City Times this
past Sunday,my skills would be a perfect match for your setting.
If you will contact me at my home number,I will be in touch to set up a
meeting at your convenience,I would greatly appreciate your
professional courtesy in refraining from contacting my present employer.
Sincerely,
Howard MacKenzie
Home telephone,(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 160
LETTER 5-93,SOCIAL WORKER—WORKFORCE RETURN
If you were hiring,it’s likely you’d find it tough to turn down an interview with someone
so skilled and dedicated,Despite being out of the workforce for years,this jobhunter knows
how to get results!
161
Mr,Albert Girannelli
P.O,Box 1111
City Times
Clayton,MO 09876
Dear Mr,Girannelli:
Your ad for a Social Worker caught my attention since I would like to
rejoin the profession after several years as a homemaker and mother.
With my education,experience,and commitment to human services,I
possess all the qualifications you seek.
I have a B.S,in Learning Disabilities,M.S.W,degree,and state
licensure,For five years,I worked at a facility providing subacute care
and rehabilitation services to children and their families with a variety of
special health needs,receiving regular praise from my superiors for my
clinical and interpersonal skills,More recently,I performed over 10,000
hours of volunteer work with substance abusers while raising three
children.
Through my efforts over the years,I have remained abreast of new
issues and ideas in human services,I would be surprised if you were
able to find a more dedicated employee than I will be,or one more
ready to contribute once again by performing first-class assessments,
treatments,consultation,and training.
Enclosed you will find my resume,a copy of my state license,and
references,If there is anything else I can provide,please let me know,I
am anxious to meet with you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Collins
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 161
LETTER 5-94,SPEECH PATHOLOGIST—STUDENT
162
Ms,Miranda S,Lewin
Director of Staff
The Trent-Bridges Academy
1233 Academy Road
Stamford,CT 09876
Dear Ms,Lewin:
If your Speech Pathology Department has room for a skilled,
enthusiastic,and committed Speech Therapist,I hope you will consider
me.
This June,I will receive my B.S,from State University’s School of
Speech,I have already begun supplementing my formal training in
Speech and Language Pathology with several practicums and
internships,all of which inspire me to continue contributing to this
valuable profession while preparing for my Master’s and certification.
Through my work with stroke patients,stutterers,and those with cleft
palate and articulation disorders,I have acquired hands-on experience
that may enhance the success and reputation your department already
enjoys,My grades and evaluations have been consistently superior,
validating my skill as well as my ability to work harmoniously with
co-workers.
Of greatest value to you,however,is my commitment to each and every
patient with whom I work,My objective is to improve their lives by
improving their abilities to communicate and their self-esteem.
If these are the qualities you seek,I hope you will contact me,I will be
happy to visit your office for an interview,at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Luna Moss
555-456-7890 Telephone
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 162
LETTER 5-95,REGISTERED NURSE—WORKFORCE RETURN
163
Dr,Phoebe Williamson
The Sacred Heart Academy
40 Lakeview Drive RE,Your City Times ad
Galveston,TX 09876 for a Registered Nurse
Dear Dr,Williamson:
Given the reputation for excellence that you maintain at The Sacred
Heart Academy,you hold equally rigorous standards in your search for a
Registered Nurse to care for your students and faculty.
Excellence is exactly what I can deliver,along with an unusually strong
background in health care.
My resume,which is enclosed,details the depth of my experience with
newborns,grade-level children,adolescents,and young adults of college
age,As you’ll see,I have worked as a Student Health Nurse,Camp
Nurse,Family Camp Coordinator,hospital Staff Nurse in labor and
delivery,and Nursing Care Coordinator,These assignments,along with
my work as a Nurse Coordinator for a Perinatal HIV Transmission
Study,honed my ability to deal with children and their parents with
understanding,warmth,and humor.
During the past several years,I reduced my workload outside the home
while raising two sons,I am now ready and eager to return to nursing,
and to continue combining exceptional medical care with compassionate
patient care.
The opportunity to pursue these objectives as a member of Sacred
Heart’s highly respected staff is an important one,I do hope that you’ll
allow me to present my qualifications to you in person.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kerry A,Childs
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 163
LETTER 5-96,REGISTERED NURSE/QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR
164
Human Resources Director
St,Andrew’s Memorial Hospital
4500 Main Street
West Lafayette,GA 09876
To the Director of Human Resources
for St,Andrew’s Hospital:
I am responding to your advertisement for a Registered Nurse to direct
your Quality Improvement Program because I can supply precisely the
background you require.
My resume supports the following introduction:
-I earned my M.S,in nursing at State College.
-I have worked for three years as Assistant Director of Quality
Assurance under Janice Powers at State Hospital.
-I am adept at interpreting quality assurance standards to
ensure adherence to DPH and JCAHO guidelines.
-I have assisted in the creation of quality improvement
policies,compiling statistical data and writing narrative
reports that summarize quality assurance findings.
-I have directed a variety of health center personnel and
worked with numerous patients in order to evaluate the
effectiveness of this quality improvement program.
Of greatest importance is my commitment to ensuring comprehensive,
easily accessible,high-quality care,My in-depth experience has prepared
me to define and implement quality improvement standards that function
in full compliance with existing health center policies and procedures.
I am fully prepared to assume complete responsibility for directing a
Quality Improvement Program,and I would welcome the opportunity to
explore how my skills meet your specific needs.
Sincerely,
Brenda Miller
(555) 456-7890
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 164
LETTER 5-97,SENIOR PHARMACIST—JOB LOSS
This jobhunter has categorized his abilities so that the letter can be easily skimmed—or read
in full with greater meaning,Either way,any reader will be convinced that he is a qualified
candidate worth interviewing.
165
Ms,Lillian Bytters
SVC Pharmacy
8700 American Way RE,Your 2/25/XX ad for a
Industry City,NJ 09876 Senior Pharmacist
Dear Ms,Bytters:
My qualifications are ideal for the position you’ve advertised -- and being that my current
employer has been acquired by a major retailer,I am available to you almost immediately.
My resume,which is enclosed,details my training,licensure,and professional experience.
Allow me to highlight my strengths and capabilities for you here:
Competency,Experience,I routinely and accurately ensure proper filling
and dispensing of prescriptions; evaluate physician drug orders and patient
profiles for appropriateness of therapy,dose,and dosing regimens; clarify
and correct problematic drug orders.
Interaction with Physicians and Patients,I effectively obtain patient
medical and medication histories; answer inquiries from physicians and
patients regarding drug therapies,drug dosing and administration,drug
interactions,adverse effects,and new products; provide direct patient
counseling and education; advise patients on prescription-related insurance
benefits; monitor patient profiles for drug interactions and allergies; provide
courteous customer service and professional relations.
Accurate Recordkeeping,I ensure proper documentation of pharmacy
records in accordance with state law,prescription inventory control and
management within budgetary guidelines.
Insurance and Claims Expertise,I operate automatic claims verification
programs and ensure proper billing to third-party insurance providers;
correspond with insurance providers regarding patient eligibility and
benefits; maintain account receivables records for third-party payers.
Inventory Control,I correspond with wholesalers to determine the
availability and cost of drug products; track costs of goods sold,sales,gross
margin percent,accounts payable,and inventory turns on a weekly basis;
maintain records of prescription sales and volume,and compare these to
previous periods in order to improve inventory management.
If you can set aside some time next week,I would be pleased to visit your headquarters.
I will call you within the next few days to schedule a convenient time to meet.
With best regards,
John G,Miller
Work telephone,555-456-7890
Home telephone,555-765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 165
LETTER 5-98,ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES—SALARY
166
P.O,Box 100
Los Angeles County
40040 San Cerrino Boulevard
Los Angeles,CA 09876
To Los Angeles County Officials:
I am eager to present myself as a candidate for the Assistant Director of Emergency
Medical Services for Los Angeles County,It has long been a dream of mine to
contribute to the safety of residents and public protection professionals at the county
level.
I am proud to report that,in addition to meeting all of the qualifications listed in your
advertisement—and being fully bilingual in Spanish and English—I also offer you the
following important strengths:
Diverse Supplemental Training,I have complemented my education and
training,successfully completing additional courses in critical incident stress
response,aircraft emergency incident management,emergency response to
hazardous materials incidents,prehospital response to radiation accidents,
emergency vehicle operation,poison control,and crash victim extrication.
Proven Ability to Perform,During my 12-year career with the Oakland
Township Emergency Medical Service,I served as EVOC Instructor before
being promoted from Paramedic to Lieutenant of Special Operations to
Captain of the Training Division,Currently,I serve as the EMS Liaison to
the Township’s Medical Advisory Committee.
Solid Teaching Background,At Oakland Memorial Hospital’s Institute of
Emergency Medicine,I served as an Instructor for the Paramedic Training
Program,EMT,and CPR training,I also directed the Oakland Police Department’s
Vehicle Extrication program.
Recognized for Excellence,Throughout my career,I have been noted for my
contributions; I have received more than 50 Letters of Commendation,2XX1 and
2XX2 Township Life Saving Medals,and the Fire Department’s Award of Merit,
among other distinctions.
Since your position offers an opportunity,location,and benefits package that are very
appealing to me,my salary requirements are flexible,I would be honored if you would
consider me a serious candidate.
Sincerely,
Juan Miranda
(555) 765-4321 work
(555) 456-7890 home
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 166
LETTER 5-99,PERSONAL TRAINER—JOB LOSS
167
Mr,Angelo Adevon
Metro Health Club
4298 Eighth Avenue
Omaha,NE 09876
Re,8/19/XX ad for a
Personal Trainer
Dear Mr,Adevon:
In our industry,turnover is high among training staff,and this often adversely
affects customers’ perceptions of a health club or fitness center,I can help your
organization avoid this problem.
I have been in my current position for nine years,and am only seeking alternate
employment because our owner has decided to retire and close the facility,Not
only do I have the experience to bring to your club,I also built a loyal base of
“one-on-ones,” many of whom are likely to follow me within reasonable
geographic limits.
I am well-versed in a complete range of equipment,such as Aerobic
(Stairmaster,treadmills,running machines,cross-country skiing,bicycles,
Lifecycle and VersaClimber),Free weights,Universal,Eagle,and Nautilus,I
have designed personal fitness programs for clients from ages 18 to 80,even
working successfully with individuals required by their doctors to lose 100
pounds or more,My skill,rapport,and results have led many of my existing
clients to introduce me to their friends,whom I have taken on as new clients.
If you’re looking to add long-lasting muscle to your training program,please
contact me at (555) 456-7890,and we can schedule a time to get together.
Sincerely,
Bill Zeman
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 167
LETTER 5-100,ESTHETICIAN
168
Ms,Aprile Longo
The Milanese Beauty Spa
50 Central Avenue
Greenwich,CT 09876
RE,City Times 5/20/XX ad for an Esthetician
Dear Ms,Longo:
When working with clients,my goals are to pamper the mind and
body...soothe muscle tension,.,relieve stress,.,eliminate fatigue
due to overwork...
...the very same benefits you’ll enjoy when you add a professional,
experienced esthetician to your staff,And few are as accomplished
as I am.
Naturally,I am skilled at blending concentrated therapeutic oils for
aromatherapy massage to create the optimal ambience for effective
beauty treatments,But I am also well versed in a complete range of
additional revitalizing regimes including facial and body skin care,
body scrub and polishing,tissue toning,hydrotherapy,seaweed
body mask,and detoxification.
The result is that by hiring me,you acquire a range of
additional services to offer your clients for the price of a
single,expert esthetician,Plus,I can bring with me an
established,affluent base of regular clientele.
I firmly believe in the importance of massage and esthetic
treatments to combat stress and prevent illness,and would
appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities first-hand.
If you would be kind enough to contact me at my home number,I
will be pleased to schedule an appointment to discuss how my
varied skills can relieve the pressure for you and your staff.
Cordially,
Susan Ellis Long
(555) 456-7890 home
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 168
LETTER 5-101,CASUAL VAN DRIVER—PART-TIME/FULL-TIME
169
Mr,Peter K,Lowenstein
Package Express,Inc.
67-578 North Airport Way
Industry City,NJ 09876
Dear Mr,Lowenstein:
I am responding to your ad for a Casual Van Driver,My background
and abilities provide you with exactly the experience your ad requests.
I possess a valid commercial driver’s license class B with hazardous
material and airbrakes endorsements,My driving record is solid,Having
lived all my life in and around Industry City,I am thoroughly familiar
with the entire metro area.
As a consumer,I am repeatedly faced with discourteous service in many
areas of my daily life,As a result,I make it a point to deliver a high
level of service whenever I am called upon to deal with customers --
and I would do the same for you,making me an exemplary
representative of Package Express.
Although I am looking for a full-time position,I would willingly accept
the challenge described in your ad,that successful performance could
lead to regular part-time or full-time employment.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Janice Robertson
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 169
LETTER 5-102,CHAUFFEUR—JOB LOSS
170
Box YR87
City Times
New York,NY 09876
Re,10/9/XX ad for a Chauffeur
To the Holder of Box YR87:
STOP! Don’t read another resume -- except mine,My five years’ experience as
a Chauffeur for the CEO of a Fortune 500 company equips me with the precise
qualifications you seek.
MERGE my professional appearance and demeanor with the ability to perform
around the clock,discretion,and the utmost caution -- and you secure the most
reliable,personable chauffeur available.
TURN your attention to the telephone and call me at (555) 765-4321,and I will
come in at once for an interview,My current employer has retired to the
Caribbean,so I am available to begin working immediately.
I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
J,Darrell Freeman
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 170
LETTER 5-103,EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Here’s a jobhunter who knows her industry! The opening,body,and close are consistent
with her knowledge and tone of voice.
171
Ms,Monica Frick
The Frick Publishing Company RE,Your ad for an
1871 Memphis Avenue Editorial Assistant
Nashville,TN 09876 City Times,11/20/XX
Dear Ms,Frick:
The value of your delightful AspenGlow mysteries,which I avidly
consumed as a child,remains unmatched in my life.
From this series,I acquired the ability to persevere in the search for a
more effective method...skepticism when faced with a too-obvious
solution...the curiosity to discover what more a person can offer,Each
of these traits was inspired by AspenGlow,All are qualifications the
successful editor must possess.
The older I get,the more I appreciate what Frick Publishing and
AspenGlow brought to my life,And as I am still far from retirement,I
am able to bring these talents back to you,I have enclosed my resume
to demonstrate that my experience is as relevant as my enthusiasm.
So that you may consider me as a serious candidate for the position of
editorial assistant,I will call you shortly to see if we might meet.
Eager to meet you,I am sincerely,
Karen Innis-Gales
(555) 456-7890 Telephone
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 171
LETTER 5-104,EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MANAGER
172
Mr,Winston Stanhope
American Products Corporation
1234 Main Street RE,City Times ad 3/16/XX for an
Pittsburgh,PA 09876 Employee Benefits Manager
Dear Mr,Stanhope:
Employee Benefits are as vital to your organization as they are to
your staff,However,the details inherent in most benefits plans can
make administering them cumbersome and time-consuming --
which is why you now seek an experienced professional,In me,
you have found one.
As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,I have managed all aspects
of a comprehensive benefits program,including complex health
care programs and COBRA,Of special value to you,given your
pending acquisition of U.S,Consumer Goods,is my expertise in
managing all types of qualified retirement plans and nonqualified
executive programs,meeting the combined needs of both the
company and the employee.
In uniting U.S,Consumer Goods’ plan with yours,my unique
experience is essential to ensuring proper fiduciary compliance and
accurate tax reporting in a regulatory environment as volatile as
ours is today,I am adept at plan design,administration,and
recordkeeping,I have worked closely with providers to enhance
investment management and significantly improve cash flow and
fund returns.
I’d like to discuss this and other ways in which I can bring you
genuine effectiveness in your Employee Benefits program,and
genuine cost-effectiveness to your bottom line.
Sincerely,
Drew Johns
(555) 456-7890 work
(555) 765-4321 home
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 172
LETTER 5-105,CORPORATE TRAINER
173
Ms,April Mendorff
Mendorff Personnel Agency
18800 Olive Street Road
St,Louis,MO 09876
Dear Ms,Mendorff:
Thank you for your time and the information you gave
me during our phone conversation this morning,I
have enclosed my resume,as you requested,and
appreciate any leads you can provide.
Permit me to summarize what is on my resume,My
training experience covers corporate personnel (for
PrimeFirst Bancorporation) as well as automotive
industry sales professionals (for General Motors).
I have effectively:
-Conducted needs analyses.
-Designed specialized training programs.
-Designed classroom instruction curricula.
-Taught one-on-one.
-Created and administered a Management Development
Program to support PrimeFirst’s domestic
operations.
I am outgoing and hard working,My natural enthusiasm
supports my ability to teach,inspire,and motivate
others from the entry-level trainee to participants
in Senior Management Training Programs.
I will contact you shortly to see when we might get
together,I look forward to discovering whether I can
assist your clients in achieving their training
objectives.
Sincerely,
Howard MacNeil
(555) 456-7890
Lets his
personality
shine
through
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 173
LETTER 5-106,TRAINING ENGINEER
174
Mr,Robert L,Gorchin
Boston Transportation Authority
24 Manchester Place RE,Job Posting No,M75-4AB-96
Boston,MA 09876 Engineer,L&P Training
Dear Mr,Gorchin:
While many candidates may possess the engineering background necessary to
fill the opening in your training department,I am able to offer more,My
unique mastery of diverse,advanced computer applications equips me to create
and implement state-of-the-art training programs that reflect the latest
technological developments.
For example:
a73
I am fluent in C++,Visual Basic,and COBOL languages; experienced
working within DOS,Windows,Novell Netware environments; using
Word,PageMaker,MS Access,AutoCAD,Photoshop,Flowchart,
PowerPoint,multimedia,and other technologies to create interesting,
informative programs for trainees at every level of sophistication.
a73
Demonstrating my ability to operate effectively with outside
agencies,I worked closely with the Department of Defense,the
Federal Aviation Administration,and commercial vendors to create
CBT programs that train end users to become completely familiar
with a product,Of particular relevance to BTA is my development of a
simulator that saved my employer more than $75K in training costs.
a73
Through 17 years’ engineering experience,I have dealt successfully
with test equipment,troubleshooting electronic circuitry,computers,
and personnel training.
I am currently involved in developing troubleshooting aids,documenting test
procedures,and systems specifications.
My experience with electronics,computers,program development,and training
equips me to make a significant contribution to your training capabilities,I
would be happy to meet with you at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Ciryto
(555) 765-4321
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 174
LETTER 5-107,MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY TRAINING
175
Ms,Alexandra Samora
Human Resources Director
Americana Corporation Regarding,March 23 City Times ad
12 Richardson Plaza for Director,Management
Blue Grass,IA 09876 and Quality Training
Dear Ms,Samora:
To move forward powerfully,effectively,and rapidly,today’s
employees must align themselves with common goals and with
common ways to achieve these goals.
Invariably,in promoting the concept of goal-oriented performance
management,the organizations with which I have worked were pleased
to discover that what’s missing in many other quality initiatives is
precisely what I have learned in more than 16 years of building high-
performance teams,I have combined my methodology with the tools of
quality and process management to create a synergy that is far superior
to either approach standing alone.
As Director of your Management and Quality Training program,I will
successfully lead your staff members to challenge the traditional,not
my job” orientation,Instead,they will:
a73
Adopt a broad view,questioning and looking beyond existing
methods of operating,in order to invest in the future.
a73
Raise the overall level of their commitment (despite setbacks,
lack of support,and the passage of time) through the creation and
nourishment of a vision of quality.
The rewards are profound,The process is painless when you have the
proper training and commitment at the helm,Let’s get together so that
we can discuss this in person,I will call you shortly.
Sincerely,
Samuel H,Wong
Work,(555) 765-4321
Home,(555) 456-7890
Forceful
tone
matches
position.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 175
LETTER 5-108,ON-STAFF RECRUITER—CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY—
PART-TIME/FULL-TIME
176
Mr,Hugh Nichols
President
Panache Frozen Yogurt
410 Wymont Road
Long Island City,NY 09876
Dear Mr,Nichols:
Welcome to the neighborhood! Your move to White Plains from Long
Island will introduce your staff to a superb location full of exceptional
people—many of whom,in today’s economic climate,may be available
to put their expertise to work for you.
How will you find the best that this new area has to offer? What
Westchester publications will prove the most cost-effective for your
recruiting advertisements? What area headhunters and search firms are the
most reliable? Will your best on-staff recruiters be immediately available
to interview in White Plains? How much will it cost you to bring them in
from Long Island,or send your candidates out there for meetings?
The answer to all these questions is the same:
You’ll save time and money by relying on a recruitment
professional with solid experience,expertise,and contacts
already in place right here in Westchester.
As the enclosed resume illustrates,I have 12 years of recruiting
background,much of it in this area—and I can put this to work for
Panache immediately,Whether on a consultant,part- or full-time basis,I
can serve as a valuable resource to help you get your new facility up and
running as quickly as possible.
With the most qualified people.
With minimum delay or misspent dollars.
With maximum results.
Let’s get together to discuss the difference I can make to your start-up
time,I’ll give you a call to see if there’s a convenient time for us to meet.
Or please feel free to call me at (555) 345-6789.
Sincerely,
Ricardo L,Munoz
Timely
opening
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 176
LETTER 5-109,DIRECTOR,HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION—
CAREER CHANGE
177
Dr,Louis Dresser-Smythe
Director of Administration
State University
St,Albans,VT 09876
RE,Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services
Dear Dr,Dresser-Smythe:
The position described in your advertisement seems to have been written for me,I
possess the precise qualifications you seek,and have been searching for just this
opportunity to apply my business background to academic life.
Allow me to elaborate on the enclosed resume to demonstrate the strengths I can bring to
your institution.
Human Resources Expertise,My employee relations responsibilities have made me
skilled at conflict resolution,staffing,development,and personal counseling,For
administrative hiring and staff recruiting,I develop position profiles,direct and provide input
for employee evaluations and compensation,supervise training and benefits
administration,ensure legal compliance and advance policy.
Administrative Expertise,Acting as the de facto Director of Administration,I supervise
office and facilities services,marketing administration,and the research library,Because I
have successfully directed projects involving the structuring and implementation of a library
catalogue,office redesign,equipment planning and acquisition,marketing database
design,and planning a newsletter series,I can spearhead these and other initiatives on
your behalf.
Exceptional Written Communication Skills,My ongoing work creating policy
statements,project summaries,and correspondence for myself and the company’s senior
management provides you with a valuable on-staff resource.
Throughout my successful career,I have maintained my connection to academia through
my graduate studies in the sociology of education,The university environment is one in
which I am well versed,challenged,and entirely comfortable.
I would welcome the opportunity to apply my skills and expertise in an academic setting
such as yours,I offer you,in return,a colleague with the focus and ability to perform
effectively under pressure—talents refined through 12 years in a fast-paced corporate
setting.
Sincerely,
B,Martha Gordon
(555) 456-7890 work
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 177
LETTER 5-110,DIRECTOR,QUALITY MANAGEMENT
178
Mr,Jonathan Bates
Americana Corporation
9500 Corporate Drive
Detroit,Michigan 09876
Dear Mr,Bates:
The fact that you have advertised for a Quality Management Director
(City Times,January 5) demonstrates your commitment to realign the
corporate culture,It is this same commitment that has defined my career.
Indeed,over the past 25 years in corporate training and human resource
development,my focus has been on supporting innovation and
leadership -- on designing rather than adapting to the future.
I am certain that my past achievements augur similar productivity
improvements for Americana,For example,I have led corporate
management teams to:
-Commit themselves entirely to the goal of superior quality in
every aspect of service and performance.
-Drive this commitment into every level of the organization’s
culture and operations so that it becomes the everyday way of working.
-Free managers from their traditional focus on authority and
control so that they can embrace critical leadership ideals.
-Build these transformations into an existing infrastructure,
thus avoiding costly and time-consuming changes that erode success.
Undoubtedly,these are the objectives you seek to realize at Americana --
and I would consider it a privilege to explore them further with you,I
feel certain that my background and expertise (described in detail on the
enclosed resume) would be a singular asset to your organization.
I can be reached at (555) 456-7890.
Sincerely,
T,Wilson Johanson
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 178
LETTER 5-111,DIRECTOR,PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT
179
Mr,Abraham Silver
President
U.S,Manufacturing Corporation
23-34 Winton Way
Madison,WI 09876
Dear Mr,Silver:
In your search for a Director of Productivity Improvement,you are
focusing on,fostering,generating,expanding,and repeating
results,But first you have to find someone who has achieved them.
My resume presents my background and qualifications,Allow me
to introduce myself via the results I have achieved,In the ’80s at
Eagle Steel,and now at DVC Equipment,I designed and
implemented programs to foster breakthrough thinking,Learning
to turn everyday obstacles and interruptions into innovation and
success,our task teams:
-Increased both short- and long-term ROI by more than 38%.
-Improved cross-functional and cross-organizational
teamwork by distinguishing interpretation from fact in order
to take decisive actions.
-Realized quantum leaps in productivity performance,
exceeding 80% in some cases,that went well beyond typical
incremental improvements.
These are real,measurable,and profitable results,And they are
reproducible at U.S,Manufacturing.
I’d like very much to meet with you in person,Please give me a
call at (555) 765-4321,I’ll alert my assistant to put your call
through at once.
Best regards,
Jennifer Forsythe
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 179
LETTER 5-112,DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT (FUNDRAISING)—CAREER CHANGE
180
Dr,Andrew Milhouse,President
The State University at Aurora
Campus Circle
Aurora,SC 09876
Dear Dr,Milhouse:
$500 million is not the most,It’s the average amount of money my fund-
raising programs have generated for hospitals,private secondary
schools,government programs,colleges,and universities.
This figure,attained through 22 years of intensive fund-raising
experience,equips me to assume the responsibilities of Aurora’s
Director of Development as rapidly and effectively as your needs
demand.
I have enclosed summaries of my background and those projects that
are most germane to your situation,As you’ll see,I have regularly built
the coalitions of citizens,alumni,and business and community leaders
with the power to make significant contributions,and to attract major
funding from others.
My success at The Broderick Group has been enormously gratifying.
However,I am eager to sacrifice the rigors of city life for the pleasures
of the country and academia,an environment I enjoyed years ago as a
professor of Economics.
Rather than let my credentials speak for themselves,I would enjoy
meeting with you in person,Business frequently brings me to your area,
so I will call you shortly to schedule an appointment.
With best regards,
Beth Daniels
(555) 456-7890
Enclosures
Killer
opening!
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 180
LETTER 5-113,CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
A clever approach,appropriate for the industry and position,definitely attracts attention.
181
Ms,Regina Lin,President
UniFex Corporation
18 Southern Parkway
Miami,Florida 09876
RE,Your Ad for a CFO
Dear Ms,Lin:
You’re looking at an
actual demonstration of
the results I can produce
for you,At PSB,I’ve
expanded profit margins
to 70%,How? By cutting
the cost of purchased
goods by up to 25%,By
cutting the cost of
purchased services by up
to 38%,By rigorously
examining every
expenditure to ensure
maximum value at
minimum cost,So why
not hire me to do for
UniFex what I do best? I
increase margins,In fact,
as you can see,I can’t
resist expanding any
margin I can get my
hands on.
Sincerely,
Richard C,Royce
(555) 456-7890
Resume enclosed
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 181
LETTER 5-114,CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER—CONFIDENTIALITY
182
Ms,Dianne Williams,President
TWI International RE,Your ad for a CFO
850 North Delaware Avenue City Times,May 5,20XX
Philadelphia,PA 09876
Dear Ms,Williams:
Yes,a Chief Financial Officer must be an expert in cash-flow planning
and management,financial accounting,the preparation of tax
statements,inventory pricing,contract negotiations,sales,and
profitability projections—and I am.
But the superior CFO has also produced the following results -- as I
have:
-Completely restructured business liability insurance to
reduce costs by 15% and increase coverage.
-Solicited,selected,and managed a major lending bank to
design cash-management sweep/credit link to maximize
overnight investment returns.
-Cultivated a reliable source of nonbank capital to discount
current accounts receivable to finance the acquisition of
additional inventory.
This is simply an overview of my most recent accomplishments,It
should demonstrate the commitment I make to cost control and
heightened return.
Yes,I am currently employed and would appreciate your confidentiality
when contacting me,But I will make myself available to meet at your
convenience.
Sincerely,
E,Darrell Brighton-Fisk
(555) 456-7890 office
(555) 765-4321 home
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 182
LETTER 5-115,EXECUTIVE SECRETARY—LANGUAGE SKILLS (COMPOSITE LETTER)
With minor changes,this letter has been fashioned from relevant paragraphs appearing in
several other letters,It is now an ideal fit for an Executive Secretary applying to a firm that
deals with an international clientele.
183
Name,Title
Company Name RE,Your (date) ad
Company Address in the (publication)
City,State ZIP for a (position)
Dear Mr./Ms,(Name):
To meet the extensive qualifications listed in your advertisement,a candidate must
be a true professional with in-depth experience at a major corporation who is
looking for an exciting new challenge,As I am.
You’ll find my resume enclosed with this letter,Allow me to present the
highlights here:
Superior dictaphone skills,steno at 100 words per minute,typing at 95 words
per minute with word processing such as...
...Microsoft Word for Windows,for PC,and MAC; WordPerfect; and Lotus
1-2-3,all of which I have mastered (along with a basic knowledge of Excel,
Publisher,and PowerPoint) through...
...__ years at _______________ and __ years at a law firm,specializing in
medical malpractice,which accounts for my...
...professionalism in dealing with the public,attorneys,physicians,emotional
clients,and the media...
...as well as my experience making travel arrangements for overworked
lawyers who wish to escape all this!
Furthermore,I am fluent in French,with fair skill in German,having been raised
in a multicultural family,These language abilities will help you in dealing with
international customers and prospects,as will my familiarity with foreign customs
and protocol.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the numerous benefits my
background could provide to (Company Name),Let’s get together to explore
the possibilities,I will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Name
Telephone
This first
paragraph is
taken from
Letter 5-26.
This entire
section is
taken from
Letter 5-25.
This
paragraph is
taken from
Letter 5-23.
The close is
from Letter
5-59.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 183
LETTER 5-116,COMPUTER MIS (COMPOSITE LETTER)
This letter has been adapted for the computer expert who wishes to let more of her person-
ality shine through in a cover letter.
184
Name
Title
Company Name
Company Address
City,State ZIP
Dear Mr./Ms,(Name):
If your advertisement in the City Times was written to attract my
attention,it worked like a charm!
Over the years,I have developed a reputation for introducing fresh
approaches to solve the challenges faced in today’s competitive business
world,Because this is a personality trait—not a learned skill—it is one I
can offer your firm with confidence,It is who I am,It has defined the
contributions I have made in every position I have held.
As my resume illustrates,I possess the track record,technical
knowledge,and expertise to effectively:
a73
Design,develop,implement,and support all MIS functions.
a73
Evaluate,recommend,and purchase hardware,software,and
supplies.
a73
Manage,develop,and support multiplatform environments.
a73
Demonstrate proficiency with Appletalk,Novell,and Windows.
When we meet,you’ll find me to be a person with a positive outlook who
enjoys identifying ways to make something work rather than reasons not
to try,This perspective is invaluable in setting an example for employees
who are called upon to assume numerous responsibilities -- of particular
merit in this era of unavoidable downsizing and cost cutting.
If these are the qualities you seek,I hope you will contact me,I will be
happy to visit your office for an interview,at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Name
Telephone
Opening from
Letter 5-49
From Letter
5-5
From Letter
5-81
From Letter
5-8
Close from
Letter 5-94
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 184
LETTER 5-117,RELOCATING SENIOR EXECUTIVE (COMPOSITE LETTER)
This letter blends key points from five others to suit a relocating senior executive’s specific
talents and accomplishments.
185
Name,Title
Company Name
Company Address
City,State ZIP
Dear Mr./Ms,(Name):
Because I have long admired your achievement in building a successful
company,I was dismayed to learn of your recent layoffs,In today’s economy,
such a situation presents the vexing conundrum,how to maximize
opportunities for growth with diminished human resources?
To move forward powerfully,effectively,and rapidly,today’s
employees must align themselves with common goals and with
common ways to achieve these goals.
Invariably,in promoting the concept of goal-oriented performance
management,the organizations with which I have worked were pleased to
discover that what’s missing in many other quality initiatives is precisely what
I have learned in over 16 years of building high-performance teams,I have
combined my methodology with the tools of quality and process management
to create a synergy that is far superior to either approach standing alone.
This background arms me to lead a firm such as yours in generating results as
impressive as those I helped my current organization achieve:
-Margins surpassing industry averages by 23%.
-Operations productivity 45% over previous levels.
-Domestic market share growth exceeding 30%.
Having recently engineered the downsizing of our business-to-business
Marketing Services area,I am now anxious to apply my expertise to situations
in which the pace of growth and opportunity represents more of a challenge.
I will be relocating to the Seattle area shortly,It would be a privilege to meet
with you personally to discuss the opportunity to add to your team,I will
follow up by calling you soon to schedule an appointment.
Sincerely,
Name
Telephone
Opening from
Letter 5-8
This section is
from Letter
5-84.
Adapted from
Letter 5-68
From Letters
5-43 and
5-44
The next two
paragraphs are
from Letter
5-107.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 185
LETTER 5-118,SALES—SALARY (COMPOSITE LETTER)
This letter has been customized to reflect both the personality and background of this sales
executive.
186
Name,Title
Company Name
Company Address
City,State ZIP
Dear Mr./Ms,(Name):
Your advertisement addresses my qualifications so ideally,one would
think we’ve met,And we should—because I can offer you the precise
skills for which you’re searching.
As you’ll see on the enclosed resume,the depth of my experience in
sales offers you the opportunity to hire a real pro who needs little or no
training,and is comfortable and successful with cold canvassing.
Solid sales experience is only the first of my qualifications --
I have a successful track record and the recommendations to
back it up.
Proven ability to translate consumer desires into purchase
decisions is only the second of my qualifications -- I have
sold effectively within religious,upscale,and ethnic markets.
Superior customer service delivery is only the third
qualification I possess -- I project warmth,enthusiasm,and a
pleasant attitude.
In addition,I am able to work effectively and independently in the field
without requiring costly,time-consuming supervision,Perhaps most
importantly,I have developed strong presentation and sales-closing skills
that I can put to work immediately with the solid base of contacts I will
bring to your organization.
My resume,which is enclosed,details my career,accomplishments,and
my education (B.A,in Economics/M.B.A.),I would be pleased to discuss
my qualifications and salary/commission requirements in greater detail
when we meet in person.
Sincerely,
Name
Telephone
Opening from
Letter 5-82
From Letter
5-46
From Letter
5-48
The last two
paragraphs
are adapted
from Letter
5-42.
06 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 186
Chapter 6
The Follow-Up Letter
Before reading any further,it’s imperative to understand the distinction between
the Follow-Up Letter,which is covered in this chapter,and the Thank-You Letter,
which is covered in the following chapter,In a Thank-You Letter,your sole purpose
for writing is to express appreciation,In the Follow-Up Letter,your,thank-you”
is only an excuse for writing to those who have the power either to hire you or to
influence the hiring decision in your favor.
In this chapter,we focus on the Follow-Up Letter,the letter you write after
being interviewed for a position that you are interested in attaining,Although you
may begin your Follow-Up Letter by thanking your reader for a meeting,advice,
a referral,or for consideration,your primary goal is to continue promoting yourself
and your candidacy,You accomplish this by achieving your secondary goal,which
is to strengthen a connection with your reader that you established during an in-
terview,meeting,or other prior contact.
When should you send a Follow-Up Letter after interviewing for a position
in which you are interested? Always,When should you send the same person an-
other Follow-Up Letter after interviewing a second time for a position in which
you are interested? Always,When should you send a Follow-Up Letter after re-
ceiving help from someone who can influence the hiring decision? Always.
You’ll find Follow-Up Letters easy to draft if you follow these steps.
STEP 1,RE-ESTABLISH THE CONNECTION
Open your letter by mentioning something that will identify yourself to your
reader,such as the time or place of the meeting,Because it’s likely that your
prospective employer met with numerous candidates,it’s vital that she remem-
bers you,If your meeting occurred early on in the hiring process,it’s even more
critical that your interviewer remembers you,And it’s vital that her memory of
you is a positive one.
Therefore,in your opening refer to a common link that was revealed during
your meeting,You may have discovered,for example,that you and your inter-
viewer both worked at the same company in the past,or that you share an alma
mater,professional association,or business philosophy,Such a connection subtly
suggests that you and your prospective employer are similar in some way,and
will find common ground on which to build a rapport,(Unless you’re planning to
187
F
O
L
L
O
W
-
U
P
L
E
T
T
E
R
S
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 187
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
work for Scrooge himself,it’s a sure bet that your next boss will be searching for
someone with whom he can get along on a daily basis.)
If there is no apparent connection of this type,refer to an unusual topic you
discussed with your interviewer,or something you believe may be of interest or
importance to whomever you’re writing.
Sample Openings
a73
I enjoyed our lunch at the River Club,and I thank you for your inter-
est in me.
a73
It was a pleasure meeting you on Monday,and I appreciate the time
you spent with me.
a73
Our meeting last week was very valuable for me,and I appreciate
your willingness to fit me into your busy schedule.
a73
It was a pleasure meeting you again yesterday to discuss the opening
in your media department,I especially appreciate your willingness to
meet me so early in the morning.
a73
Thank you for your time last Friday,It was a pleasure discussing the
plans you’ve conceived for your sales team,and I would welcome the
opportunity to develop new business for your division.
a73
Meeting with you Tuesday morning was invaluable to me,It was re-
warding to discover that a fellow
U.S,Iron veteran has penetrated the
upper echelons of our industry.
Working with you would be a privi-
lege.
a73
Thank you for your time at our
breakfast on the 14th,I enjoyed
meeting you,and swapping
mountain bike trail secrets,Per-
haps our paths will cross on Mt.
Boulder; I certainly hope they will
cross in business.
a73
I appreciate the time you spent
with me on the 26th,and the infor-
mation you provided on Data In-
ternational’s growth strategies,It
was heartening to learn that we
share the same excitement regard-
ing the future of our industry,a fu-
ture in which I hope to play an im-
portant role.
188
AN INTERVIEW
TO REMEMBER
Interviewing in the office of
your prospective employer af-
fords you an unbeatable oppor-
tunity,Scan the room for pho-
tographs,trophies,awards,
diplomas,If it’s on display,it
probably represents something
positive to its owner,Use this as
a point of discussion that you
can refer to later on in your let-
ters,It will help you establish a
personal connection your com-
petition may not share—and
make you more memorable to
your interviewer.
RECRUITER’S TIP
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 188
a73
Thank you for your time this past
Wednesday morning,I enjoyed
meeting with you again and com-
paring HydroMat stories,Our
combined experiences certainly
represent the good,the bad,and
the ugly!
a73
I am grateful to you for introduc-
ing me to your colleagues,Meet-
ing Mr,Simon and Ms,Weiss has
only enhanced my desire to put
my strengths to work on your be-
half,I would be thrilled to join the
impressive legal team you’ve
built.
a73
Thank you for introducing me to
Jim Williams,As you predicted,he
offered me a wealth of advice,I’m
grateful for his perspective and for
your interest.
STEP 2,INFORM
You may notice that this step is the same as Step 2 in your Resume Cover Letters.
That’s because in both situations,your letter is dedicated to promoting your can-
didacy,To do so,you must sell your strengths as well as the benefits they will
bring your next employer.
In the body of your letter,remind your reader of the skills or knowledge you
possess that make you perfectly suited to fill the open position,But don’t stop
with that—as your competition will.
Link these qualities to the meaningful advantages they offer your next boss
and her company,To do this,think of your unique attributes as they fall under
four categories,profits,productivity,performance,or personal satisfaction,Ask
yourself how you can contribute to the success of the firm,a specific division,a
team of people,or your immediate supervisor,Will your skills help to enhance
productivity? Will your achievements play a role in increasing profits? Will you
add to or improve performance? Will your personal satisfaction contribute in
some way such as boosting morale,setting an example,or introducing new ideas
or a new perspective? You’ll find that the most important benefits you can deliv-
er will involve one or more of these areas.
In the body of your Follow-Up Letter,you might also supply additional ref-
erences or more detailed information on your skills,You might clarify or strength-
en comments made during an interview.
189
TO BE...OR NOT TO BE
MANAGER OR RECRUITER?
Few of the people with whom
you’ll meet are trained re-
cruiters or skilled interviewers.
They are simply managers with
a position to fill,A strong fol-
low-up letter can help them ac-
complish the following:
a73
Narrow their choices...
a73
Match your skills to their
needs...
a73
Let them know you’re still
available...
...and get back to work!
RECRUITER’S TIP
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 189
If you are attempting to overcome a problem raised in your interview,pro-
vide a clear explanation with valid support points—not excuses! A good illustra-
tion is provided in Follow-Up Letter 6-1,In this case,the writer traveled to Den-
ver to interview for a position in which she was very interested,Later,thinking
back on the meeting,she became discouraged,Although she was more than will-
ing to relocate for the job,she worried that her interviewer may have regarded the
fact that she was from out of town as a drawback—a problem she did not perceive
or address at the time,Instead of giving up,she responded with significant as-
surances that she could relocate successfully,building contacts and business rela-
tionships as she has before.
LETTER 6-1,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—INSURANCE SALES—RELOCATION
190
Mr,Howard Walsh
Sales Manager
Long Life Insurance Company
100 South College Boulevard
Denver,CO 80300
Dear Mr,Walsh:
Thank you for spending so much time with me during my visit to your headquarters on
Monday.
Seeing the respect evident between you and your colleagues was completely refreshing for
me—as was discovering the innovative sales strategies you’ve introduced,I am eager to
join forces with you.
You can count on me to quickly become a familiar face to prospects,clients,and
business leaders in and around Denver,Through previous moves,I have become adept at
forging contacts and friendships through my personal interest in the arts as well as my
participation in the activities of local business groups (such as the Lifers Club,United
Way,Police Athletic League,Financial Marketing Association,Advertising Club,and the
Red Cross in Atlanta),Turning these connections into sales is integral to my status as the
top biller at my agency for four years running.
I will forward additional information to you shortly to support what my record has already
proven,that I will produce nothing less than outstanding results for you and Long Life.
Sincerely,
Allison Deal
(555) 456-7890
Dispels
concerns
raised
during
interview
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 190
STEP 3,INSTRUCT
In many cases,you will benefit from adding a reference to the next step in the hir-
ing process—even if it’s simply that you will wait to be contacted,Putting down
on paper what will happen next,as you understand it,may help avoid misunder-
standings about whose,court the ball is in.”
If the next step will be his or hers,tell the reader what to do,Be sure to pro-
vide a complete address,e-mail address,and telephone number at which you can
be reached,stating whether the phone number is a work or home number,As you
did in your Resume Cover Letter,let your reader know if you prefer to be called
during certain hours and if confidentiality is an issue.
If you will be the one to take the next step,tell the reader what to expect,You
may make a general reference such as,“I’ll call you shortly.” Or you may be spe-
cific about what,when,and how you’ll follow up,by phone,by mail,by e-mail,
by express mail,by messenger,If you know that the hiring process has just begun,
inform the reader that you’ll call to follow up in two weeks,ten days,or whenev-
er you feel it’s appropriate.
Enclosing material with your letter always requires an explanation,Describe
what the enclosure is,a resume,a list of accomplishments,references.
If you will be sending something to the reader,such as a reference,state what
it is and when you will do so.
OPTIONAL STEP 4,CLOSE WARMLY
In a business setting,it is perfectly acceptable to close your letter with a simple,
straightforward,Sincerely.”
On some occasions,however,you
may wish to use a more friendly sign-off.
You might make a personal reference or
mention something about the reader that
suggests that he is not receiving a form let-
ter,but rather a letter written specifically
to him,If you are on a first-name basis
with your reader,you might add the read-
er’s name to your closing,A warm ending
to your message makes you seem friendly
and approachable,and indicates that you
are the kind of person with whom most of
us would prefer to work.
Too much warmth for the situation
can sound unprofessional,though,As a
rule,the degree of warmth you add
should correspond with the number of
times you’ve met your reader—without
191
THOROUGH
FOLLOW-THROUGH
After an interview,follow-
through on your part is critical.
The person to whom you’re
writing may not scrutinize
every word in your Follow-Up
Letter,but he or she will surely
notice that you’ve sent one—
and be impressed that you did!
Plus,a good recruiter will
expect to hear from you on the
precise day you promised to
follow up—so do,Without fail.
RECRUITER’S TIP
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 191
ever crossing the line by getting too personal or rude,Use your judgment,do what
you feel comfortable with—but by all means,don’t choose not to close your letter
because you don’t feel like writing a closing line.
Here are some sample closings for the Follow-Up Letter that may inspire
you!
Sample Closings
a73
Thank you for your time and consideration.
a73
I appreciate your assistance.
a73
I thank you again for your time and candor,Let’s talk again soon!
a73
Thank you for the opportunity to pursue the position of Research Di-
rector.
a73
I look forward to our next meeting.
a73
I look forward to seeing you again,Randy,on the tennis courts and at
headquarters.
a73
I am eager to continue our discussions.
a73
My best wishes for your continued success in 20XX.
a73
My best wishes for another successful quarter for your team.
a73
I would welcome the chance to work with you.
a73
Bill,I would consider it a privilege to join forces with you and hope
to hear from you shortly.
a73
I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to your firm,and I
look forward to speaking with you soon.
a73
I have no doubt that my past success is a preview of what I can pro-
duce for you and MicroTech,I look forward to speaking with you
soon.
192
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 192
LETTER 6-2,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—BANK OPERATIONS MANAGER
193
Ms,Anne Rice
Constitution Savings Bank
3 Constitution Plaza
Miami,Florida 30330
Dear Ms,Rice:
Thank you for allowing me to present myself as a
candidate for Operations Manager,a prospect about
which I am very excited,It was a pleasure meeting
you on Wednesday—and discovering our mutual
midwestern roots!
Given my background,I can understand the need for a
manager who can attend to detail without
compromising the division’s overall profitability.
Throughout my tenure with Merrill Lynch,I have
worked to achieve these demanding goals,During the
past 10 years,I personally led the division to cut
costs by 12% while improving our overall accuracy
rate to 98%.
What this means for you is that as Constitution’s
Operations Manager,I can bring the same skill,
insight,and experience to motivate your staff to
improve accuracy,streamline costs,and increase the
effectiveness of the,back room,” bringing operations
to the forefront of the bank’s profit centers.
I will contact you shortly to see when we might meet
again to expand upon this vital goal.
Sincerely,
Jim Williams
home (555) 456-7890
Reaffirms
connection...
...informs
by providing
benefit
meaningful
to employer...
...instructs
how next
step will
occur.
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 193
LETTER 6-3,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—ATTORNEY
When her interview was interrupted,this writer continued it by telephone,She used this
unique fact to remind the reader of their meeting and then continued with an upbeat tone.
194
Ms,Freida Gencliffe
Vice President
Gencliffe,Ackerman and Hahn
120 East Wacker Drive
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Ms,Gencliffe:
I’m so pleased we were able to continue our discussions,even by phone,
and I thank you for your time.
As you can tell,I am very excited about the opportunity to work with
you and the top-notch team you’ve developed at Gencliffe,Ackerman
and Hahn,I am particularly inspired by your belief in the value of
promoting from within,which seems to be a rare insight these days,For
this reason,and to provide further proof of the unique talents I can bring
to your team,I have enclosed a summary of my recent case findings.
I am eager to prove my abilities and successes to you on a first-hand
basis,I will keep in touch to see when we might meet again,and if
there is any other information I can provide you in the meantime.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jamie Paksson
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 194
LETTER 6-4,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DESIGN
195
Ms,Elizabeth Porter
VisionQuest
3 Reading Way
Reading,PA 09876
Dear Ms,Porter:
Thank you for your time during our luncheon last week,My journey from
Conshohocken to Reading was a breeze,just as you predicted!
VisionQuest’s innovations are legendary among those,in the know,” and it was
fascinating to discover the efforts that went into your unique achievements.
Those who benefit from your firm’s breakthrough technologies in nonsurgical
visual impairment treatments cannot imagine the dedication and training
required of your teams.
I would welcome the opportunity to join a team such as yours and have,
therefore,enclosed a summary of my own accomplishments in research and
design,Because my procedures and standards of measurement are so similar
to those employed by VisionQuest,my assimilation with your team’s
methodology would be quite smooth—a breeze,in fact,like my trip to Reading!
Please let me know what additional information I can provide to help sway your
hiring decision in my direction.
I thank you again for your time.
Sincerely,
Alice DeNardo
(555) 456-7890 home
(555) 766-4321 work
Aids
recall.
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 195
LETTER 6-5,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—SALES/MARKETING
Another example of ingenuity following an interrupted interview,Enclosing a photo is un-
usual...exactly why it will attract attention!
196
Mr,Richard Clark
Vice President
The Prince Company
5 Prince Place
Albie,WY 09876
Dear Mr,Clark:
It was a pleasure meeting you during my visit to the Albie,and I look
forward to the opportunity to continue our discussion.
After a delightful and very informative lunch with Susan Camelitto,I
am tremendously excited by the prospect of working in the challenging
and highly creative environment you’ve established at Prince,In return,
I will bring you my proven strengths in research and new business
development.
As our meeting was cut short,I have taken the liberty of enclosing my
picture so that I’m clearly in your mind until we meet again,and I can
convince you that I’m the ideal addition to your team.
Sincerely,
Matt Aspin
(555) 456-7890 work
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 196
LETTER 6-6,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—SALES
197
Mr,Arthur Manning,President
Manning FiberOptics
Suite 900
111 Roosevelt Parkway
San Diego,CA 09876
Dear Arthur:
I want to thank you for your time on Wednesday,Our discussion left me
even more excited about your sales team—and convinced that I’d be a
perfect fit.
As you know,I have dedicated the last 10 years of my career to
electronic technologies,Now I’m eager to make that same commitment
to a challenging growth business—as Manning FiberOptics is.
Hire me,and you’ll get a loyal employee who is honest and hard
working,and who understands the industry,clients,and buyers; you’ll
get someone with an established,solid reputation who will add to your
image and your bottom line.
Arthur,I look forward to working with you to build big things together.
Sincerely,
Russell Brady
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 197
LETTER 6-7,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
198
Ms,Tanya Russo
Director,Facilities Management
The Sunray Corporation
800 Magnolia Drive
Pensacola,FL 09876
Dear Ms,Russo:
I enjoyed our meeting last week and appreciate your time and candor,As
another ex-IBMer,your perspective was especially meaningful to me.
My decade of experience in facilities management has made me a
planner,a promoter,and a problem solver -- and it is a real pleasure to
meet someone who values these qualities,Joining a division that
recognizes and depends upon these strengths provides precisely the
environment and challenge I seek.
In return,I offer you my proven track record in keeping costs
under control while always getting more from agents than they had
planned to offer,This is proven by the fact that I have been IBM’s
leading site manager for the past three years,and will use my
superiors as references!
I’d welcome the opportunity to work with you,I’ll be in contact to see
how we can make this happen.
Sincerely,
Voilet Nance Murray
Reaffirms
connection.
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 198
LETTER 6-8,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—GENERAL
The Case of the Poor Interviewer,Although this candidate could tell that the employer was
impressed with her qualifications,she also surmised that he didn’t know how best to make
use of her skills,So she gives him several ideas.
199
Mr,Walter Muhdi
NetworCorp
1500 North First Street
Suite 4400
Salt Lake City,UT 09876
Dear Mr,Muhdi:
Thank you for the time you so generously spent with me this afternoon.
Now that I know so much more about NetworCorp’s varied activities,I am even
more eager to be a part of the company’s future,Certainly,your firm and I both
thrive on creativity,innovation,the energy of the entrepreneur and of the
deal maker.
For this reason,as I mentioned during our meeting,I hope that you will think of
me should an opportunity arise,Whether it is sales or marketing,dealing with
the largest advertisers or new business development,working abroad or as your
right-hand man,I would welcome the chance to work with you.
I thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Damon P,Silhousky
(555) 456-7890
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 199
LETTER 6-9,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—GENERAL
200
Ms,June Ellis-Parker
Grummond Associates
101 Alden Terrace
Ames,IA 09876
Dear Ms,Ellis-Parker:
Meeting you today was a real pleasure,I enjoyed touring your facility
and seeing a staff that does not require formal attire to achieve impressive
productivity,Quite a departure from the typical corporate environment!
As we discussed,the position is an exciting one for which I am superbly
qualified,and it would be an honor to join your team,The range of
skills I can bring to your organization would allow your managers to
devote more time to joint fieldwork,and ultimately increase your
bottom-line profits.
I will call on Friday as you suggested to see whether Roger Transwood
has returned and is available to meet with me.
Thank you again for your time,I look forward to seeing you again
very soon.
Sincerely,
Linda Blumfeld
(555) 456-7890
Employer
benefits
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 200
LETTER 6-10,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—SECURITY
201
Mr,Randolph Charles,Vice President
National Safety Systems,Inc.
26 East Ontario Street
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Mr,Charles:
It was a pleasure speaking with you recently about your plans to expand
into the corporate market.
I have just returned from two weeks of vacation and am anxious to pursue
our discussion of the exciting profit potential such a program can offer
National Safety—a potential of which I am well aware,having built
Wytech Security’s corporate program from the ground up to its current
status as a major profit center for the company.
As a springboard for this discussion,I have enclosed another copy of
my resume,Since you last saw it,my responsibilities have been
increased,I now lead the planning and implementation of one of the
company’s major strategic initiatives,promoting multisite security
systems to firms that operate from coast to coast,I am responsible for
the sale of full-service security system packages,which include
customized system design,installation,and staff training.
As a result,I can offer National Safety Systems the experience,foresight,
and personal contacts required to tap the corporate security market and to
take full advantage of the potential for return this market offers.
I will contact you again shortly to see how we might proceed,I thank
you again for your consideration and look forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
A,Michael Greer
(555) 456-7890 work
(555) 766-4321 home
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 201
LETTER 6-11,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—STUDENT
202
Ms,Erica Magni
Brigham Products,Inc.
6534 Laudley Way
White Plains,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Magni:
Thank you for speaking with me at the recent State
Collegiate Career Fair,Our conversation made a
striking impression on me,and I appreciate your
interest and encouragement.
As we discussed,I have enclosed my resume as a
follow-up to our discussion,Allow me to provide
this brief overview of what I can offer your firm:
Leadership,Student Government Vice
President,Sorority President,Big Sister
Volunteer while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
Interpersonal Strengths,I am pleased to report
that my colleagues describe me as a go-getter who
is reliable,pleasant,encouraging,and loyal.
Drive,I will be available to begin work
immediately upon receiving my B.S,in Business
Administration this spring from State
University.
I will be in the area again next month,and will
call to set up an appointment,In the meantime,I
thank you again for your time at the Career Fair,and
look forward to meeting you again soon.
Sincerely,
Brian Fogarty
Telephone at School,(555) 456-7890
Local Telephone,(555) 766-4321
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 202
LETTER 6-12,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—BOOKKEEPER
203
Ms,Julia Klemperer,Comptroller
Howard Industries
Suite 300
67 Houston Street
Spring City,TX 09876
Dear Ms,Klemperer:
Thank you for the opportunity to meet you and interview for the Bookkeeper
position,Hearing you recount the growth your company has enjoyed,I am
certain that your own hard work and commitment are the roots of your success.
As your bookkeeper,I will bring the same dedication to the fulfillment of your
firm’s accounting responsibilities.
a73
I am adept at handling all aspects of your accounts payable,accounts
receivable,payroll,and payroll taxes,My five years of experience in
these areas means that you can rely on me for skill and accuracy.
a73
Unlike others in my field,I am well versed in handling a payroll with
diverse commissions/bonus structures,This reduces or eliminates the
potential for problems that arise when payment errors aggravate your
sales representatives.
a73
Furthermore,my computer expertise (Peachtree,MAS90,and
Quickbooks for MAC) allows me to contribute immediately,without
taking valuable company time for training.
I would very much like to join your firm,If you require any additional information
before making your decision,please let me know,I would be pleased to visit
your office again for another meeting or provide further references,if you wish.
Thank you for considering me.
Sincerely,
Barton Hennessey
(555) 766-4321
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 203
LETTER 6-13,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—ASSISTANT BUYER
In her interview,this candidate picked up on the importance her prospective boss placed on
a single qualification,the ability to deal with difficult people,She focused on this here,even
providing additional references to support her claim.
204
Mr,Wesley Valentin
Valentin Designs
1515 Seventh Avenue
New York,NY 09876
Dear Mr,Valentin:
It was wonderful speaking with you last week,Thank you for spending
so much time with me.
I am extremely interested in pursuing the Assistant Buyer opening at
your firm because it represents the perfect match between your needs
and my strengths.
My retailing background has familiarized me with an industry where
diplomacy and tact are of supreme importance,As we discussed,the
ability to assess an individual quickly in order to respond appropriately
and productively is more a personality trait than an acquired skill -- it
can rarely be taught.
I am pleased to report that my colleagues have repeatedly
acknowledged my abilities in interpersonal communications,In
fact,I have taken the liberty of enclosing several letters of
referral that highlight this unique trait.
I hope it is evident that I would welcome the chance to work for
Valentin Designs with you personally,Mr,Valentin,Please let me know
if there is any further information you require.
Sincerely,
Rachael Isserman
(555) 456-7890 Telephone
Great
idea!
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 204
LETTER 6-14,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—TEACHING ARTIST
Like its predecessor,Cover Letter 5-87,this letter is heartfelt and sincere,yet still informa-
tive—very effective.
205
Ms,Leonore Valerio
Lincoln Center Institute
New York,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Valerio:
Thank you for taking an interest in me as a teaching artist for Lincoln Center,I
enjoyed our telephone conversation of last week,and have received the information
you forwarded to me.
This position represents an important opportunity for me to continue my productive
association with the Lincoln Center Institute,As both a dancer and dance captain with
LCI,I meet regularly with the artists prior to our performances to explore the link
between the classroom material and the postperformance open talk,Invariably,
this preparation proves priceless to students who benefit from a newfound
familiarity with the elements of dance,and the terminology introduced in class.
This,along with my current participation as a member of your affiliated New York
City Baroque Dance Company,reinforces my teaching philosophy,to share with
my students the great joy of movement,I have found that every student can
experience the pleasures of dancing,and of learning about the many methods for
expression through movement,Depending upon their age and level,I introduce my
students to various technical challenges,dance forms,and elements of composition,
With the advantage of live performance,which your program offers,a teacher can
guide the students towards a better understanding and appreciation of the
performing arts,Books,pictures,and video tapes can enhance,but not replace,the
experience of a live performance—and the students truly enjoy it!
As an artist,I believe we have an obligation to show society the ways in which art
can be brought into the mainstream of education,As a mother,I understand that a
child’s intellectual and emotional development must be well-rounded,I feel strongly that
we can allow neither the winds of politics nor families’ failings to affect an entire
new generation adversely,Plus,we owe it to our future artists to help create a society
supportive of the arts,one in which the arts may flourish.
Combined,my experience and commitment offer the advantages only a dedicated
artist and educator can offer,I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you
personally,I salute the wonderful LCI program,and thank you again for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Isadora Ilianya
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 205
LETTER 6-15,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—PHARMACEUTICALS
206
Ms,Chikara Itano
Denson & Denson Chemicals
1490 Anaheim Way
Anaheim,FL 09876
Dear Ms,Itano:
Congratulations on your promotion! It’s so gratifying to see women recognized
for their skills.
I enjoyed speaking with you on the phone yesterday,and as promised,I’ve
enclosed some information on myself and my capabilities,As you’ll see,I’ve
had a fair amount of experience within the financial services arena as well as a
pseudomedical education.
My particular expertise is in the pharmaceuticals industry,a field in which many
writers are less fluent,I am well-versed in the chemical and medical,lingo” that
supports a vast range of pediatric,nutritional,pharmaceutical,and biological
prescriptions,and over-the-counter products,as well as the government
regulations governing their discussion in any public forum,This knowledge
allows me to execute a greater number of projects at a far faster pace than other
technical writers.
I would welcome the chance to show you samples of my work,at your
convenience,When things settle down for both of us,let’s get together,I will call
you again towards the end of this month.
In the meantime,I wish you the best in your new position.
Sincerely,
Amy Rubenstein
(555) 456-7890
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 206
LETTER 6-16,FOLLOW-UP LETTER—COMPUTER—JOB LOSS
207
Mr,Harold Hancock
Vice President
Genebyte Technologies,Inc.
42-14 San Mateo Road
San Jose,CA 09876
Dear Hal:
It was great to see you yesterday and reminisce about our days at
Growth Systems,Seems like just yesterday—but I digress!
Although I am chagrined that Genebyte’s hiring freeze is still in place,I
do appreciate your offer to recommend me after the thaw,As you know,
our work at Growth Systems during those heady days when the com-
puter industry was being born provides a background few can match,It
would be a thrill to join forces with you again -- especially on a project
as exciting as your multimedia/cellular assignment.
Hal,thanks again for seeing me and filling me in on Genebyte’s
activities,Please give my regards to Jill.
I’ll keep in touch.
Best,
Jim Dixon
07 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 207
Chapter 7
The Thank-You Letter
Note,Before you proceed any further into this chapter than this paragraph,be sure you are
reading the appropriate material,The Thank-You Letter and the Follow-Up Letter are en-
tirely different from each other,Each is written and sent under completely different cir-
cumstances,If you have just concluded an interview and wish to send a letter to promote
your candidacy further,turn back to Chapter 6 for instructions on how to compose a Fol-
low- Up Letter,If you wish to send a brief,yet sincere,note of appreciation—and have no
hidden agenda—read on.
Thank-You Letters are honest and straightforward,with a simple,singular
message,Your only reason for writing is to say,thank you,” and nothing else,You
may be expressing your gratitude to someone for an introduction,advice,a refer-
ral,or serving as a reference for you,You may have interviewed for a job,which
you do not intend to pursue,but wish to thank your interviewer for seeing you.
These are the circumstances that occa-
sion writing and sending a Thank-You
Letter,and effective jobhunters never
overlook them,In fact,you should active-
ly seek opportunities to send Thank-You
notes,The reason is simple,people like to
be appreciated,Doing something for
someone else involves going out of our
way,and we feel (rightly) that we deserve
acknowledgment for it,If we give nothing
more than our time,we’ve given a great
deal,as time is,invariably,in short supply
in the business world,When you satisfy
this need to be appreciated,you help ce-
ment a positive image of yourself in your
reader’s mind—one that will serve you
well should you ever approach this per-
son with another request,And in today’s
complex,interactive business environ-
ment,you will,Not only are you highly
208
BERATE THE BELATED
Thank-you letters should be
short,direct,and easier to com-
pose than other jobhunting let-
ters—so there’s no excuse to
delay sending them.
Always send your letter
within one or two days of what-
ever occasion you’re acknowl-
edging.
If you can’t meet this
deadline,send one whenever
you can,even weeks after the
fact,It’s never too late to thank
someone for a kindness.
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likely to have additional contact with your reader,but successful networking de-
pends upon it,Do not miss an opportunity to send a thank-you note—you may be
repaid with unexpected surprises later on!
At its most basic,a Thank-You Letter is an expression of feelings,These let-
ters should be short and,contrary to popular belief,they are easy to write as long
as you state your message simply,Your primary goal is to thank someone for her
time,assistance,or support,You should have no secondary goal; if you do,it’s like-
ly that the letter you should be writing is a Follow-Up Letter (see Chapter 6) or a
Make Something Happen Letter (see Chapter 8).
STEP 1,STATE THE OCCASION
Open your letter by referring to the occasion that inspired it,Tell the reader why
you’re writing,Be clear,direct,brief,A few examples follow; you’ll find plenty
more in every sample letter in this chapter.
Sample Openings
a73
Thank you for your time and advice.
a73
Thank you for seeing me yesterday.
a73
Your time and advice are most appreciated,and I thank you for meet-
ing with me earlier this week.
a73
Knowing how busy you are at this time of year,I am grateful that you
were able to make the time to meet with me this past Wednesday
morning.
a73
Thank you for fitting me into your busy schedule,I appreciate the
suggestions you made regarding my search for work and have al-
ready begun to contact the organizations we discussed.
a73
I appreciate your willingness to help me in my job search and thank
you for passing my name along to your associates.
a73
Thank you for serving as a reference for me in my job search,Your
contribution will certainly prove valuable as your name is so highly
regarded in our field.
a73
Thank you for introducing me to Dr,Beatty,I appreciate your assis-
tance and the referral to such an outstanding professional.
STEP 2,PROVIDE INFORMATION OR STATE YOUR
FEELINGS
The body of your letter is the place to provide a bit of detail,This is where you’ll
tell your reader how his or her assistance was valuable to you.
209
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 209
Be specific about what you thank your readers for; if they don’t know you
personally,they may have already forgotten you! Make your thanks meaningful
to the person who helped you—if positive,mention the results of that help and
the difference it made in your job search,Say,for example,that a colleague rec-
ommended that you contact a Ms,Farrell,You called,scheduled a get-together,
and gained important advice during the meeting,Because your colleague will
want to know how you used the referral and how the meeting went,you might
write:
Meeting Ms,Farrell was invaluable to me,She shared with me her view of the
future of endocrine therapy research,which in turn,led me to refine my job-
search strategy,As a result of our meeting,I will be contacting Stan Whitmore,
an acquaintance of Ms,Farrell’s,who directs product development for Pfizer
Inc.’s pharmaceutical division.
Not only is it a courtesy to inform your colleague of the results of the referral,it’s
good networking,With the knowledge that you have properly handled the refer-
ral—and that Ms,Farrell found you impressive enough to further refer you to a
colleague of hers—your friend will likely be willing to provide additional assis-
tance in the future,(It should go without saying that the next letter you write will
be to Ms,Farrell.)
If you choose not to go into this level of detail—for example,if the results
were less than you expected—state your feelings instead of providing informa-
tion,In this case,the rule is always,say—don’t describe—how you feel,Whether
you’re mildly grateful,very grateful,eternally grateful,or not at all grateful,this
can be accomplished in very few words,Give the necessary information and
STOP.
Your Thank-You Letters should always be brief,direct,and written with a
positive tone of voice,Because they are short and easy to write,there’s no excuse
to avoid sending a Thank-You Letter,So don’t pass on this chance to network! Use
the sample letters provided on the following pages to guide you as you compose
your own.
210
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 210
LETTER 7-1,THANK YOU FOR TIME AND CONTACT
211
Ms,Irene Bernstein
Creative Director
Bruner and Bernstein Advertising
359 Madison Avenue
New York,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Bernstein:
Gracias! Merci! Danke schoen! Thank you! In any
language,my appreciation is genuine,You gave me
your time and your expert advice this past Tuesday,
and I am very grateful.
You reassured me that despite tough times in the ad
business,opportunities do exist for those willing to
create them—and nontraditional marketing seems to be
a terrific place to start,Thanks to my
experience in strategic planning and packaging,I am
ideally equipped to identify and exploit new
markets,especially on the international level.
Your suggestion to contact Victor Morelli is much
appreciated,I have just mailed him my resume with
hopes to discuss with him the overseas plans of
Victory Advertising to which,I am certain,I can
contribute fresh ideas,valuable experience,and
strategic insight.
With sincerest thanks,
Mercedes H,Grulnord
States
occasion
How it
helped
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 211
LETTER 7-2,THANK YOU FOR CONTACT
212
Mr,Ivan Dreshniv
Delaware Job Corps
1223 Christiana Way
Wilmington,DE 09876
Dear Mr,Dreshniv:
Thank you for passing along my resume to William Ford.
Mr,Ford has contacted me and we plan to meet on Tuesday,March 5,Our brief
telephone conversation assures me that he will be a valuable resource in my
job search.
I will call you next week to let you know the details of our meeting.
I appreciate your efforts on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Brain John Winakur
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 212
LETTER 7-3,THANK YOU FOR REFERRAL
213
Ms,Joan Pozzi
Executive Recruiting Company
990 Madison Avenue
New York,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Pozzi:
Thank you for referring me to Bill Hancock at
Manhattan Legal Services.
Mr,Hancock called me today and we have scheduled a
meeting for next Wednesday,the 17th of April.
I couldn’t have been more pleased when he indicated
that it was you who referred me to him,My sincerest
thanks for thinking of me,and making the time for an
introduction,You have become a valuable resource in
my job search,and I am grateful for all you have
done.
I will let you know the results of my meeting with
Mr,Hancock.
With best regards,
William P,Harmon,III
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 213
LETTER 7-4,THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION
214
Mr,Victor Hernandez
American Products,Inc.
427 Claremont
San Antonio,TX 09876
Dear Mr,Hernandez:
Thank you for your time and interest during our meeting last week,American
Products’ planned expansion into European and Russian markets is as
fascinating as it is challenging.
While the opportunity to participate in this exciting new venture is extremely
appealing,I must,unfortunately,withdraw my name from consideration,I had
hoped to be able to accept an international assignment,and have only recently
been offered additional responsibilities in my current position,which will also
involve limited travel overseas.
Nonetheless,I want to thank you for allowing me to explore what promises to be
a career-making opportunity for the executive fortunate enough to be selected.
Meeting you was a pleasure,and I will stay in touch,My best wishes for your
continued success.
All the best,
Myron Greenthal
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 214
LETTER 7-5,THANK YOU FOR REFERENCE
215
Ms,Angela Terchetti
GNC,Inc.
1200 Lincoln Avenue
Atlanta,GA 09876
Dear Ms,Terchetti:
I have just returned from my second interview with Phyllis Anderson at
Anderson,Wilton and Slatsky,She was thrilled with your comments about my
performance during my tenure with you at DPC International -- and so am I!
As you know,I am anxious to further my career,and working with Ms,Anderson
will supplement my experience in a meaningful and productive way.
I am so grateful to you for providing me with a positive recommendation,One
day the opportunity will arise for me to repay your kindness,and you can be
certain that I will be jumping to your side on that day.
In the meantime,with deepest thanks I am,
Nancy E,Alderson
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 215
LETTER 7-6,THANK YOU FOR ADVICE
This is a lovely thank-you note that sets the stage should Betty Anne decide to contact Mr.
Fremont later in the networking process.
216
Mr,William Fremont
Fremont,Mason and Lazard
150 Avenue of Hope
Trallin,North Carolina 09876
Dear Mr,Fremont:
I cannot let another day pass without letting you know how very
valuable I found your Jobhunting Seminar at North Carolina University
last month,Your suggestions,ideas,and tips were very enlightening,and
I have already put them to use in my job search.
Of greatest benefit for many of us was the motivation you instilled.
Continuing the search can be especially daunting for students who
compete against the hundreds of thousands of graduates flooding the
market each spring,not to mention the many Americans already looking
for work.
I shall remember your advice every day until I have successfully
secured employment—when I hope to have the chance to pass it along
to other students graduating in the years to come.
Best regards,
Betty Anne Marville
North Carolina University Class of 20XX
(555) 765-4321
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 216
LETTER 7-7,THANK YOU FOR REFERENCE
Predating this contact with Professor Price,this jobhunter wrote him to ask whether or not
he would serve as a reference for her,That letter appears in Chapter 9,(See Letter 9-1.)
217
Professor James Price
Economics Department
State University
University City,MO 09876
Dear Professor Price:
I owe you dual thanks,First,for serving as a
reference for me to aid in my job search,and second,
for your kind words.
I have just heard from John Brunswick at St,Louis
Federal,and Leslie Rubin at the South County Credit
Union,They both informed me that you offered high
praise of my work and my attitude.
As a result of your recommendations,I have been
invited to join South County’s training program,I
should learn my status at St,Louis Federal shortly,
and you can be certain that I will contact you as
soon as I receive this decision.
So,for your dual role in my search,I thank you
once,and I thank you again.
Fondly,
Jennifer Lawrence
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 217
LETTER 7-8,THANK YOU FOR CONTACT
Friends and family deserve recognition just as much as business colleagues do,The only dif-
ference is that a Thank-You Letter such as this one (which is written to the mother of a high
school buddy) may be handwritten on personal notepaper,if you choose.
218
Mrs,Helen Gold
24 Oakwood Lane
Moorestown,NJ 09876
Dear Mrs,Gold,
Thank you for introducing me to your brother,Charles Armour,I spoke
with his secretary just this morning and have scheduled a meeting for
next Wednesday at his Maple Shade plant!
Armour Development has such a fine reputation in our area,I am
looking forward to touring your brother’s facilities,and gaining the
benefit of any advice he may offer in my job search.
Mrs,Gold,it was so kind of you to help me,I truly appreciate your
interest,Just as when Tom and I were playing football for the high
school,you’re still cheering us on! That support means a lot,Thank you.
Fondly,
Mark Reed
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 218
LETTER 7-9,THANK YOU FOR TIME AND CONTACT
219
Ms,Miriam Goettel
Associate Publisher
Windy City News
404 State Street
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Ms,Goettel:
Just a note to thank you for a most enjoyable early Monday morning meeting,It
was nice meeting you and then seeing you again later at the CPG outing!
Now that I know more about Windy City News’s objectives and opportunities,I
am excited about the newspaper’s promise,I appreciate your willingness to
have me meet the publisher,Frank Harley,a meeting I have arranged for next
Wednesday.
Your offer to call with any questions that may arise is a kind one,and I will
surely keep in touch,Thank you again for your interest.
Warm regards,
Philip E,Osterman
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 219
LETTER 7-10,THANK YOU FOR CONTACT
220
Mr,Adam Hyland
Hyland,Kincaid,Stern
8484 Soundview Drive
Bristol Beach,RI 09876
Dear Mr,Hyland:
It was a pleasure speaking with you on the phone last week.
I want to thank you for arranging for me to meet with Bill Stern on Monday,
May 24 at 10:30 a.m,In preparation for this meeting,I am reviewing the Annual
Report you sent me.
I am looking forward to meeting Mr,Stern and discovering more about Hyland,
Kincaid,Stern.
Thank you again for your kind assistance.
Sincerely,
Moira O’Herlihy
08 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 220
Chapter 8
The Make Something Happen Letter
It never fails,You send in your resume,schedule an interview,ace it,and then you
wait...and wait...and wait,Who knows why? The firm might have hired another
candidate without informing you (as rude as this is,it happens all the time),The
hiring process may have been interrupted for any number of reasons,budget cuts,
a hiring freeze,downsizing,the company was put up for sale,Your interviewer
may be experiencing difficulty choosing from a strong field of candidates,Perhaps
the person responsible for hiring has simply taken a three-week vacation.
Whatever the reason for the unnerving quiet,you should consider yourself a
viable candidate until you hear otherwise,If you haven’t heard anything,you
haven’t heard,No,” so take advantage of the uncertainty,Whip out that pen,turn
on that computer,and keep that motivation flowing,Try and get the hiring
process moving in your direction,Writing and sending a well-planned Make
Something Happen Letter demonstrates your eagerness to work for the person or
firm,and your ability to follow through on an endeavor to completion—both of
which are impressive qualifications to most employers.
The Make Something Happen Letter is aptly named,Its purpose is to make
something happen,It is meant to rev the hiring engines and to re-present yourself
as a sterling candidate for the open position,This letter also helps to sway the de-
cision maker’s opinion away from your competition,and towards you,In writing
this letter,your primary goal is to promote yourself,Your secondary goal is to jump-
start the hiring process,And with a little preparation,you can accomplish both si-
multaneously.
Before you begin to write,take a moment to reassess the situation,Be certain
that you have not been rejected so graciously,in fact,that you may have misun-
derstood,Be sure that you are a viable candidate,with relevant skills and experi-
ence; if you are irrefutably unqualified,there may be little point in pushing now.
Most importantly,try and discern whether the person to whom you’re writing
will be receptive to your assertiveness.
If you determine that you are a reasonable candidate and that an active,ag-
gressive step is called for,the Make Something Happen Letter can often do the
trick,If you’re unsure but figure it’s worth a shot,lessen the risk by matching the
tone of voice you use in your letter to that of your reader or the position you seek.
Many of the sample letters that follow in this chapter involve sales positions,for
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which assertiveness is a desired quality;
the letters reflect this trait in the tone the
writers adopt.
STEP 1,GET TO THE POINT
No two Make Something Happen Letters
are the same,Each relates specifically to
the position you’re after,the organization
you’ll be a part of when hired,the indus-
try,the characters of those with whom
you’re dealing,and your own personality.
Weigh each of these elements in your ef-
fort to create an appropriate opening for
your letter.
A conservative industry,for example,
might dictate the use of a reserved,under-
stated tone,Or,a bolder approach might
be effective in shaking things up a bit.
Writing to an interviewer who appears to
be all suit and wingtips,who would never
dress down on a summer Friday,might
call for a completely different opening
than one you would use with a colleague
you’ve known for years,You’ll find examples of these and other openings in the
sample letters that follow.
If your instinct has proven generally reliable in the past,you’ll probably con-
jure up an opening that is clever,yet appropriate,If you’re uncertain,adopt a
more conservative approach,The bottom line,however,is to get to the point,Your
opening should never require as much time to read as you have invested in plan-
ning it,Whether you’re thanking your reader for a meeting,reminding him who
you are,providing additional information or references,or asking for the job,get
to the point,Then,move along to Step 2.
STEP 2,MAKE THE POINT
A quick opening will direct your reader to the body of your letter,in which you’ll
make your central point (or points) clearly and concisely,In virtually every case,
your Make Something Happen Letters will be brief.
Say something new in the body of your letter,There’s no justification for re-
peating points you’ve already made during an interview or in a previous letter—
evidently,they didn’t work the first time,Instead,provide new information that is
meaningful and beneficial to the reader,If appropriate,furnish additional refer-
222
RESUME LOST...
AND FOUND
Not hearing anything after
sending your resume or after in-
terviewing may,indeed,mean
that you haven’t been selected.
Or,it could mean that the
firm has:
a73
No system for responding.
a73
Actually lost your resume.
a73
Never received your resume.
a73
Added your resume to,the
stack.”
a73
Not completed scheduling
interviews.
So WRITE! Make selection
an active—not a passive—
choice on their part.
RECRUITER’S TIP
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 222
ences that might support your candidacy.
Offer to spend more time with your
prospective employer,particularly if you
suspect that the decision maker is having
trouble selecting from a field of strong can-
didates,Enclose a newspaper article that is
germane to a topic discussed during your
meeting,Inform your reader of a relevant
event that occurred since you met,such as
a goal you achieved,an important sale you
netted,an award you earned,or a project
successfully completed.
If you genuinely can’t come up with a
single idea to add,try summarizing your
qualifications in order to reinforce the fact
that you meet all the employer’s require-
ments.
Whatever your reason for writing,state it succinctly,Remember that you’re
writing to get the hiring process moving,and not to bog it down further.
OPTIONAL STEP 3,THE KILLER CLOSE
As you review the sample letters that follow,you’ll encounter a variety of differ-
ent styles,The rule of thumb is this,the more forceful the letter,the more hard hit-
ting the close,From the direct,Hire me” to the warm,polite,I hope all is well
with you and look forward to seeing you soon,” each letter reflects the specifics of
that writer’s situation and the players involved.
The assessment of your own situation that you make before beginning to
write should carry you through to your close,if you choose to include one,Con-
tinue with the same tone of voice you’ve used throughout the letter,Changing
your tone now will make you sound insincere.
223
WHO SAYS THERE’S
NO FREE LUNCH?
If you’re unemployed,you may
need to get a bit creative.
If it’s appropriate for your
industry,offer to do the job on
a trial basis,part-time,for a
special salary arrangement,or
for free (with a time limit,of
course,and a promise—in writ-
ing—to hire you should you
meet their conditions).
RECRUITER’S TIP
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 223
LETTER 8-1,MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN (GENERAL)
224
Mr,Steve Pincus
Human Relations
Winfield Medical
100 Main Street
Winfield,FL 09876
Dear Mr,Pincus:
Our last discussion left me thoroughly convinced that I can produce
dramatic results for Winfield Medical.
Count on my intelligence,experience,innate,people power,” top-notch
positioning,negotiation,and follow-up skills to bring in the steady
stream of business you seek.
Hire someone with the know-how,the guts,and the goods to succeed.
Hire someone as committed to performance as you are.
Hire me.
Sincerely,
John Apgood
(555) 456-789 Home Phone
(555) 765-4321 Work Phone
Strong
opening
Equally
strong close
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 224
LETTER 8-2,TEACHER
To keep her name in front of the decision maker,this writer sends additional recommenda-
tions supporting her candidacy,Notice her tone of voice,positive,yet polite.
225
Ms,Melanie Orloff
Principal
Habingdon High School
Habingdon,ME 09876
Dear Ms,Orloff:
I had the pleasure of meeting with Marie Hammer last month regarding the
opening in the Math Department at Habingdon High School,Because she
suggested that you might be considering candidates at this time,I thought I
would send you my most recent recommendations.
In May of 20XX,I received my M.A,in Math Education from the University of
Vermont where I was fortunate to have been selected to assist Dr,Michael
Gutfreund with his research on the visual acquisition of math skills,Since then I
have been teaching at Prescott South,and have thoroughly enjoyed my
experience there.
Thank you for your time,Ms,Orloff,I would consider it a privilege to meet with
you in person!
With regards,
Fredericka A,Drummond
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 225
LETTER 8-3,GENERAL
Envisioning a tough selection choice,this candidate offers to meet again with the decision
makers,and suggests an additional course of action even the employer may not have con-
sidered,Notice the creative visual approach.
226
Ms,Betty Maynard
PillowTek
400 Broadway
New York,NY 10101
Dear Ms,Maynard:
Now that we’ve met several times,you know more about me,For
instance,you know that...
I am loyal and reliable.
I am willing to take on any project.
I see things through to completion.
I help my co-workers whenever I can.
I want very much to work for you!
Now that your hiring deadline is approaching,perhaps I can help make
your selection easier,Please feel free to call me in at any time for
another meeting,I would be happy to meet with others on your staff or
to complete a sample assignment for you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kevin P,Cast
(555) 456-7890
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 226
LETTER 8-4,SALES
227
Ms,Annette Norcross
Sales Director
American Appliance,Inc.
100 Southern Boulevard
San Diego,California 09876
Dear Ms,Norcross:
No,I could not be more eager to join forces with you! Yes,as the new leader of
your sales team,I will use and foster effective sales skills like this,follow through
until the deal is closed.
That’s why I’m writing you again—to remind you of the uncommon benefits I
will provide as your Sales Manager:
a73
The advantage of existing profitable relationships with decision makers
at top retailers in all major markets.
a73
Unusual strength in perceiving industry trends and challenges,and
translating them into sales opportunities—well before others do.
a73
Proven ability to put these advantages to work for you from day one.
As you know,Ms,Norcross,I am very anxious to work with you,Please let me
know if I can help you make your selection by providing any further information
or coming in for another interview,Feel free to call me at work or at home.
Sincerely,
Bill Dial
(555) 456-7890 home
(555) 765-4321 office
Unusual
opener
grabs
attention.
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 227
LETTER 8-5,SALES/MANAGEMENT
Instead of including them on his resume,this jobhunter saved a listing of his accomplish-
ments for just this purpose—to make something happen.
228
Ms,Alice B,Singleton
President
National Silk Company
2124-56 Wilton Avenue
Billingham,WA 09876
Dear Ms,Singleton:
Since my eye-opening and mouth-watering visit to your headquarters
(thank you again for your time!),I’ve been fortunate to have resumed
my conversation with Paul Salamone,which was sadly interrupted.
Along with the ones you and I had,this discussion fanned my desire to
be a strong and vital part of your sales team.
For evidence of the experience and maturity I can offer you,you have
only to look at the outstanding results I’ve produced in a variety of
marketplaces under a variety of market conditions,But should you seek
greater confirmation,I have enclosed an overview of my
accomplishments in both sales and management,which I also sent to
Mr,Salamone.
I have no doubt that these successes are but a preview of what I can
produce for you and National Silk,I look forward to speaking with you
soon.
Sincerely,
John M,Leventhal
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 228
LETTER 8-6,TRAVEL—SALES
229
Ms,Georgette Filamina
Vice President
Travel International
260 Madison Avenue
New York,NY 10016
Dear Georgette:
It was a pleasure meeting with you yesterday morning,and I thank you
for your time.
I thought you’d be interested in the enclosed article,which I came
across this morning,analyzing the public’s reaction to the transformation
of the Soviet Union,It’s the prospect of working with precisely this kind
of challenge -- where attitudes can change rapidly and dramatically --
that is so tremendously exciting for me.
If you’re looking for proven results within both the traveling private and
public sectors,success in and outside of New York,the innovation it
takes literally to find money,and someone who can hit the ground
running—look no further,My expertise,interest,desire,and track
record will fit perfectly.
I have always succeeded by finding or creating opportunities where
others thought none existed; it’s how I’ve become and remained top
biller at Corporate Travel,Inc.,and it’s what I will do for you.
Let’s make it happen!
Sincerely,
Ruth Stella
(555) 456-7890
Good
reason to
write..
nice
tie-in
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 229
LETTER 8-7,BROADCAST SALES
The length of this letter is justified by the strong and in-depth support points the jobhunter
has included to overcome her interviewer’s concerns.
230
Mr,Anton Revinsky,Director of Sales
Cable Information Systems,Inc.
400 Avenue of the Americas
New York,NY 09876
Dear Anton:
My meeting last week with you and Carol Keller has left me even more eager to
work with you both,and the Cable Information Systems team,The more I
ruminate,the more convinced I am that the match of your needs and my talents
is an ideal one,I take the liberty of putting my thoughts on paper to reinforce
our discussions!
I mentioned that when I joined WDEN-TV Sales,my list was by no means the
largest at the station,I built it up to the top-billing list and keep it there through
concentrated effort,with exceptional organizational skills,and most importantly,
by finding new and better ways to serve the customer -- as I will do for you.
For example,I provide consistent,thorough service to my clients,When my
clients invest in the station,it’s a direct result of the TRUST they have in me,
Not only do I accurately book a large volume of orders,but I regularly monitor
their schedules to assure correct placement and rotations -- which also serves
to limit discrepancies and ensure collections.
Plus,I serve as a valuable resource for my clients,My strong research
background means that my sales technique goes well beyond selling numbers
out of a rating book (at which I excel),To give current and potential clients more
information and greater perspective,I take advantage of qualitative marketing
tools such as trade publications,newspapers,and competitive information,I
have also augmented my computer proficiency in a wide range of systems with
my own home computer.
Finally,clients get the benefit of my experience,which is broad and unique,
Having been a Local Sales Manager,sold nationally,and worked for a major
station group,I have sold a wide variety of products in a wide variety of
marketplaces,I mentioned when we talked that this exposure has broadened my
outlook,It enables me to help my clients target audiences more effectively by
identifying appropriate vehicles on my station or through a combination of
stations (or cable systems!) -- and thus,to improve the clients’ efficiencies
and our bottom line.
A cliché perhaps,but one I subscribe to,is that the key to success is to,work
harder and be smarter”—both of which I want to do for you!
Sincerely,
Dierdre L,Salman
(555) 456-7890 office
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 230
LETTER 8-8,BROADCAST SALES
After meeting with the Director of Sales and the Sales Manager several times,this jobhunter
wrote to both people to make something happen,Notice the link between this letter and the
previous one.
231
Ms,Carol Keller
Sales Manager
Cable Information Systems,Inc.
400 Avenue of the Americas
New York,NY 09876
Dear Carol:
I’ve enclosed a copy of a letter I sent to Anton Revinsky yesterday,which I want
to make sure you see as well.
As I wrote to him,our meeting last week left me more convinced of the
advantages I can offer Cable Information Systems -- and I wanted to reinforce
these important benefits.
I am extremely eager to work with you,with CIS,and in an environment where
my talents can be applied to produce groundbreaking bottom-line results,
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to make this happen -- or if
you or Anton have any further questions or need additional information or
references.
I hope all is well with you and look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Dierdre L,Salman
(555) 456-7890 office
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 231
LETTER 8-9,EDITOR/WRITER
232
Mr,Nicholas Thomas
Business Editor RE,Your 6/23/XX
The Montague Corporation City Times ad for
1835 Athens Boulevard Editor/Writer
Oklahoma City,OK 09876
Dear Mr,Thomas:
I have already faxed my resume to you but thought this packet of
writing samples,written for The Business Journal,would be useful.
Your ad calls for a candidate experienced in developing complex
subjects in-depth,As my resume depicts,I have years of experience in
interpreting,organizing,and expounding the main points of a story or
an issue,In addition,I am skilled at ghost writing,which is handy for
composing speeches,brochures,letters,and research reports,In the
Journal’s,Insights” column,I translate the off-the-cuff thoughts of
business leaders into logical English,Examples of this are enclosed.
Since our meeting last month,I completed a short-term project working
as editor and advocate for a foreign-born doctoral candidate,I framed
his ideas into clear prose,and often clarified conceptual problems
relating to his thesis.
I sincerely hope to hear from you soon.
Cordially,
Fred Liston
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 232
LETTER 8-10,GENERAL
Your Make Something Happen Letter can take unusual forms,as in this example.
After her interview and after sending her follow-up letters,this executive knew she
was among the finalists for a job she very much wanted,To pivot the hiring decision in her
direction,she sent her prospective employer this gift by messenger.
In Tiffany’s signature blue box with its white ribbon,she placed a walnut shell,which
she had previously emptied of its fruit.
Inside the shell,she put a small slip of paper,slightly bigger than the paper on which
fortunes are printed in traditional fortune cookies,Along with her handwritten signature,
the paper contained the following typewritten message:
She got the job.
233
In a nutshell,I would love to work for
you.
A
n
n
Tr
ip
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 233
LETTER 8-11,FINANCIAL SERVICES
Here is another unique take on the gutsy approach.
A jobhunter,seeking a high-level position at a leading financial services corporation,
knew he was a finalist,To keep his name squarely in the mind of the decision maker,he sent
an overnight express package containing a smaller box,In this box,he placed a length of
adding machine tape,On the tape,he had typed the following message and signed it.
234
Gregory Allen
(555) 987-6543
BA,Finance
MBA,Economics
14 yrs,Experience
Published Articles
VP,Economists Society
Panelist,Money Forum
Exceptional Track Record
+ Superior Recommendations
_______________________________
= Increased Profitability
for USD Corporation
Bottom Line,Let’s make it happen!
G
r
e
g
A
l
l
e
n
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 234
LETTER 8-12,SALES—GENERAL
235
Ms,Monica Anderson,President
Anderson,Anderson & Sticht
540-87 North Cumberland Street
St,Paul,MN 09876
Dear Ms,Anderson:
With your hiring deadline fast approaching,perhaps I can simplify this
difficult decision with a brief review of what I can accomplish for you.
New Business Development,Like the 40 new customers I’ve
brought in during the last six months alone.
Growth,Like the 20% increase in sales I achieved last year.
Leadership,Like the respect my team members have for me,
as demonstrated in the letters of reference I’ve provided for
you,and the mentoring program I created.
I have not concealed my excitement at the prospect of working with you
because it’s the same enthusiasm I bring to my sales efforts,and to
supporting my co-workers in their efforts.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to influence your
decision in my favor.
Sincerely,
Karen G,Kirk
(555) 765-4321 extension 43
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 235
LETTER 8-13,GENERAL
236
Mr,Dominick Dunleavy
Fargo Manufacturing Corporation
1234 Main Street
Fargo,ND 09876
Dear Mr,Dunleavy:
Mediocrity
didn’t take Fargo Manufacturing
to the heights it has achieved to date.
Mediocrity
won’t put your bottom line at the top of the industry.
Mediocrity
is what you avoid when you hire the best.
Who is the best?
The answer is in your hands.
Sincerely,
Jorge Mirales
(555) 456-7890
Super
visual
treatment
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 236
LETTER 8-14,GENERAL—PHONE TAG
Here is an effective way to handle a familiar,frustrating scenario.
237
Mr,Bill Coombs
Vice President,Domestic Operations
Ladimor Worldwide Enterprises
1800 Ladimor Quadrangle
Washington,DC 09876
Dear Mr,Coombs:
Since you and I are in the midst of,phone tag,” I thought I would write
you a quick note,It was a real pleasure meeting you several weeks ago,
and discussing the exciting opportunities within Ladimor Worldwide.
You mentioned that it would make sense for me to speak with John
Allen to learn more about the International Division,Given your busy
schedule,I have taken the liberty of contacting him directly,and have
scheduled an appointment for next week,I am looking forward to
meeting him and will let you know the results of our session.
Thank you again for your time.
Sincerely,
Angelique Butron
(555) 765-4321 work
(555) 456-7890 home
Very
proactive!
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 237
LETTER 8-15,CONSULTANT—PART-TIME/FULL-TIME
Here is an excellent letter from a part-time worker anxious to transform her position into a
full-time one.
238
Ms,Carolyn Grasso
President
Grasso,Milstein & Greco
1234 Main Street
Tucson,AZ 09876
Dear Ms,Grasso:
Working with you and your exceptional team over the past 16 months
has been exceedingly rewarding,and for this I thank you.
My status as a consultant notwithstanding,you and your colleagues
have welcomed me as a regular,valuable member of your team,You
have given me the authority to supervise co-workers,create budgets,
and represent the objectives of senior management in the successful
execution of projects of my own design.
I am gratified to report that my efforts have produced authentic results:
52 new clients,$3.2 million in new sales,9% reduction in overhead
expenses,With the acquisition of such significant new business,the
corporate culture is simultaneously rejuvenated,and the corporate image
is reaffirmed.
Results such as these are precisely what I intended to achieve for you --
and what I hope to continue bringing to the firm,I would welcome the
opportunity to make my success a permanent contribution at Grasso,
Milstein & Greco.
Let’s get together to discuss this promising partnership,I’ll call you
shortly.
Sincerely,
Emily Richardson
Extension 903
She makes
it hard to
argue with
success.
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 238
LETTER 8-16,GENERAL—CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY
239
Mr,George J,Johnson
The Syntex Corporation
1201 Encenada Drive
Fullerton,CA 09876
Dear Mr,Johnson:
Three weeks ago,we had the opportunity to meet and discuss the
possibility of providing additional office support for your agents.
Since you were just beginning to explore this prospect at that time,I
realize it may be a while before you are ready to make a decision,For
this reason,I am writing to restate my interest and to recap my
qualifications.
My present position was a start-up position—one that was also new to
the company,In this role,I began by immediately assessing tasks that
needed to be fulfilled,I then created the position and my role to meet
the goals of the individual representatives most effectively,and the
corporation as a whole,This required initiative,the ability to organize
people and tasks,as well as the confidence to work in a new
environment and quickly achieve rapport with the executives and staff.
I can do the same for you.
I am excited by the challenge of creating a new position,Allow me to
use my expertise to make this position a meaningful,productive part of
your organization.
I am available to meet again to answer any additional questions you may
have.
Sincerely,
Susan Carroll
(555) 456-7890
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 239
LETTER 8-17,EDUCATION
240
Dr,Joan Silverstein,Chairperson
CSE-43
76-43 Queens Boulevard
Queens,NY 09876
Dear Dr,Silverstein:
I am extremely honored to be among the finalists for the position of Assistant
Chairperson in District 43,Our meetings have convinced me that it would be a
genuine pleasure to work with you as well as the members of your staff.
To assist you with what may be a difficult selection process,let me summarize
the expertise I have acquired during my 18-year career in Special Education:
-Diagnostic and prescriptive evaluations
-Case management
-Team facilitation
-Development of IEPs and individualized curricula
-Mainstreaming
-Staff training
-Parent counseling
-Child advocacy
-Coordination of therapeutic ancillary services
-Preparation of proposals for federal,state,and private grants
I gained this diverse experience working with mentally retarded,emotionally
handicapped,and multiply handicapped children from preschool age to age 21.
It would be a pleasure to bring to CSE-43 my familiarity and hands-on
contributions in each of these vital areas,If there is any other information you
require,please let me know,I would be happy to return for additional
interviews at any time.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Helen Cavinaw Holtswoman
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 240
LETTER 8-18,EDUCATION
241
Mr,Maurice Sachs
Principal,South Helena School District
One Municipal Way
South Helena,MA 09876
Dear Maurice:
Since you’ve seen my curriculum vitae,you know that I have been an
educator for over 17 years.
Since we’ve met several times,you know that I still retain the drive,
energy,and commitment it takes to excite students in a subject they find
dull,at best—irrelevant,at worst.
Since we’ve discussed my fortune in receiving the State of Connecticut’s
“Outstanding Educator Award” for the past three years,you know that my
abilities are well recognized,for which I am grateful.
So,if there is any uncertainty at all,please be assured beyond a shadow
of a doubt that I am extremely eager to bring my talents and experience
to bear on behalf of the students,families,faculty,and administration of
my new home in South Helena.
Thank you once again,Maurice,for your time and candor.
Most sincerely,
Adam Rodman
(555) 456-7890 home
“Parallel
construction”
adds strength
to the writer’s
message.
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 241
LETTER 8-19,GENERAL
242
Ms,Amy Finkle-Rice
Vice President
American Home Services,Inc.
4500 Lake Shore Drive
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Ms,Finkle-Rice:
You have been so generous with your time and attention during the past
few weeks,I must express my gratitude.
Rarely have I enjoyed an interview process as thoroughly as I have
yours,You and your staff have made me feel entirely welcome at
American Home Services,There is no doubt in my mind that I will be
able to fit into your organization and corporate culture at once -- and
begin contributing immediately to your reputation for service and your
overall profitability.
If there is anything else I can do to demonstrate how ideal the match is
between your needs and my strengths,please let me know,The
opportunity to work closely with you is tremendously exciting.
Thanks again for your time and consideration.
With best regards,
Mary Anne Engstrom
(555) 765-4321 home
(555) 456-6789 work
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 242
LETTER 8-20,SENIOR MANAGEMENT
243
Mr,Reginald K,Linder
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Linder Organization
7600 Corporate Drive
New Hope City,LA 09876
Dear Reg:
30% reduction in overhead,43% reduction in operating costs,12%
reduction in staff,20% reduction in employee benefits expenses.
These are the savings I achieved for Morgan Engineering and the
potential I offer to The Linder Organization.
Another day (without me)...another dollar (spent).
Sincerely,
Milton V,Childress
Killer
opening
Killer
close
09 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 243
Chapter 9
Additional Jobhunting Letters
Effective networking pays off not only in your current job search,but in any you
may undertake in the future,as well,For this reason,it’s imperative that you treat
with respect anyone with whom you have had contact during the jobhunt,You
never know who may provide your next lead or job offer! So it pays to take a few
minutes to acknowledge your interaction with those you encounter,If not,you
can certainly predict who will not provide your next lead or job offer!
a73
The Reference Request,Always get permission to use someone as a
reference,In many cases,this may be done by telephone,But when
you choose to write,make your letter straightforward and to the
point,Supply the person who will be serving as your reference with
information on anyone who might be contacting him or her to discuss
your qualifications,If you know who will be contacting your refer-
ence,say so; provide names,titles,companies,and state the position
for which you are interviewing,If you can’t be specific,describe the
types of positions for which you’ll be interviewing,Always send a
copy of your resume to the person serving as your reference—either
with your request or afterwards,You’ll find sample Reference Re-
quest Letters later in this chapter.
a73
The Meeting Confirmation,On rare occasions you may wish to con-
firm a meeting or an interview in writing,Such letters are always
short,polite,and to the point,Reconfirm all pertinent details,date,
time,location,with whom you’ll be meeting,what you’ll bring,what
they’ll bring,for what position you’re interviewing,etc,By all means,
reconfirm your interest in the position or the company by making
your letter sound enthusiastic! Samples follow.
(Note,If you’re using your confirmation as an excuse to make a
premeeting sales pitch to your interviewer or to provide additional
information prior to a second meeting,you’re really writing an Ad
Response/Resume Cover Letter or a Follow-up Letter; refer to the
chapters that focus on these letters.)
a73
The Job Acceptance,If you choose to write one,your Acceptance Let-
ter should be short,precise,and to the point,In it,you can simply say
244
A
D
D
I
T
I
O
N
A
L
J
O
B
H
U
N
T
I
N
G
L
E
T
T
E
R
S
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 244
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
“yes” to a job offer,Or you can confirm,in writing,the results of your
jobhunting,interview,and negotiation efforts,the terms of your em-
ployment agreement,Remember that whatever you put in writing
stays on the record,So be certain your facts are accurate.
a73
The Negotiation of an Offer,Typically,negotiating a job offer is han-
dled in person or by phone,and often by a recruiter or placement
agent,If you find that you must negotiate in writing,be clear and to
the point,Justify your requests with support points that are important
to the reader,Above all,remember that whatever you put in writing
is on the record forever,Don’t exaggerate,prefabricate,or make
promises you can’t keep.
a73
The Offer Rejection,Whether or not you’ve turned down a job offer
in person,you may wish to put it in writing as well,You may,for ex-
ample,be asked to put your rejection in writing for the company’s
records,or you may wish to do so for your own records,(If,however,
you’re writing to maintain friendly relations so that you may be con-
sidered for future positions,this is a Follow-up Letter.) If the inter-
view process was lengthy,you may wish to give a reason for your de-
cision,(“Although you had...I chose to...”) Generally,there’s no need
to say where you’ve accepted an alternate job,especially if you’ve
moved to a new field,If the person you’re writing has gone out of his
or her way on your behalf,be sure to acknowledge this kindness.
a73
The Letter of Resignation,Congratulations! Your hard work paid off
with a job offer that you’ve accepted,Now comes the fun part,quit-
ting your old one!
You’ve heard the advice of the experts,“Don’t burn your bridges.”
They counsel against composing a scathing,biting attack on your old
boss,your mean spirited co-workers,the associate who sabotaged
you,and the negative corporate culture,And they’re right because
you never know where these people will land when they switch
jobs—perhaps at the firm you’ve longed to work for all your life,Who
knows? You might be asked to return and serve as their boss one day!
(Isn’t revenge sweet?)
So now is the time to write a professional,positive letter of resig-
nation,You simply state that you are relinquishing your position and
when,That is all you are required to do,although few people stop at
that,The following sample letters demonstrate several alternative
methods for resigning,the happy camper,the disgruntled (but pro-
fessional employee),and the one who,plays it close to the vest.”
Choose your own style—just remember,whatever you put on
paper remains on the record forever!
245
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 245
LETTER 9-1,REFERENCE REQUEST—STUDENT
This jobhunter maintained the pleasant tone of voice she used in this letter in her subse-
quent Thank-You Letter (which you’ll find in Chapter 7) to Professor Price.
246
Professor James Price
Economics Department
State University
University City,MO 09876
Dear Professor Price:
After all you’ve done for me -- as professor,
advisor,and friend -- do I dare ask for more? Well,
I must,so here it goes,Would you be willing to
serve as a reference for me in my job search?
As you know,I’d like to join the training program of
a financial services organization in the St,
Louis area,In fact,I have already interviewed with
three firms,each of which has asked me to provide
references,With your permission,I will have the
following people contact you:
1,John Brunswick,Loan Officer
St,Louis Federal Bank
2,Muriel Howard,Vice President
Credit Services
Clayton Bank and Trust
3,Leslie Rubin,President
South County Credit Union
Knowing how busy your schedule is this time of year,
I shall call your office next Wednesday during the
late afternoon to see whether you’re able to speak
with these people.
I thank you in advance for your time and help.
Fondly,
Jennifer Lawrence
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 246
LETTER 9-2,REFERENCE REQUEST
247
Mr,Ronald H,Burke
President
Burke Enterprises
245 East 42 Street
New York,NY 09876
Dear Ron:
I hope this letter finds you well and prosperous,During my 1999?2002
tenure at Burke Enterprises,your insistence on premier product
innovations was legendary,Since then,I have kept abreast of Burke’s
impressive growth,so I know that your admonitions are still being
heeded.
As you may recall,I left Burke when my wife’s firm sent her to
California to open a west coast division,After two years with the
government,I am now in the process of continuing my career in product
development,and would consider it an honor to add your name to the
top of my list of references.
With your approval,I will authorize representatives of firms with which
I am in the final stages of the selection process to contact you,I have
enclosed an updated resume with this letter to remind you of my
qualifications—and I will call you shortly to see whether you might be
willing to assist me,If so,I will provide you,in advance,with the
names of those who may be in touch with you.
Ron,I was grateful for your thoughtfulness and support when I was part
of the Burke team,and I am equally grateful now for your help.
All best,
Stuart Goodman
(555) 456-7890 home
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 247
LETTER 9-3,MEETING CONFIRMATION
248
Ms,Loretta Smits
Personnel Officer
HealthCom,Inc.
340 Woodside Drive
Pleasantville,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Smits:
I am looking forward to meeting you on January 12,20XX at 3:00 p.m.
at the Pleasantville Hyatt to discuss the programming position in your
eastern division.
I feel certain that my training and practical experience will prove
valuable to you,and I am eager to provide you with details on my
background.
Until then I am sincerely,
Alfred Strong
(555) 456-7890
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 248
LETTER 9-4,ACCEPTANCE OF JOB OFFER
249
Ms,Loretta Smits
Personnel Officer
HealthCom,Inc.
340 Woodside Drive
Pleasantville,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Smits:
It is with great pleasure that I accept your offer to serve as a Programmer
for your eastern division,I look forward to joining HealthCom begin-
ning on March 1,20XX with a starting salary of $35,000 per year.
I am especially eager to work with Dawn Sinclair in her new Urban
Development Unit.
Thank you for your assistance and consideration.
Most sincerely,
Carol L,Zimmer
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 249
LETTER 9-5,NEGOTIATION OF JOB OFFER
This letter and the one that follows differ only slightly—but on the rare occasions that job
negotiations are put in writing,details like these are of key importance.
250
Mr,Harold C,Pynter
American Eagle Publishers
1200 Wacker Drive
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Harold:
You’ve certainly built an exceptional editorial team over the years,and
your offer to join it is enormously gratifying.
As you know,I am very eager to accept this honor,I look forward to
bringing my contacts,authors,and their projects in progress to
American Eagle,Because these relationships are ones I’ve nurtured for
more than 10 years,they’re naturally of great value to me -- and to you.
The profit potential they represent is substantial,I feel it is reasonable
and fair to adhere to my request for a 10% stake in the profits these
properties generate.
Harold,in light of the many benefits of our joining forces,this detail
seems minor,It is,however,of great importance to me,Let’s agree on
this right away,and launch our promising partnership!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jim Enright
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 250
LETTER 9-6,NEGOTIATION OF JOB OFFER
251
Mr,Harold C,Pynter
American Eagle Publishers
1200 Wacker Drive
Chicago,IL 09876
Dear Harold:
You’ve certainly built an exceptional editorial team over the years,and
your offer to join it is enormously gratifying.
As you know,I am very eager to accept this honor,I look forward to
bringing my contacts,authors,and their projects in progress to
American Eagle,Because these relationships are ones I’ve nurtured for
more than 10 years,they’re naturally of great value to me -- and to you.
The profit potential they represent is substantial,I feel it is reasonable to
request a share in the profits these properties generate.
Let’s agree on a specific percentage right away,and launch our
promising partnership!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jim Enright
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 251
LETTER 9-7,REJECTION OF JOB OFFER
252
Ms,Loretta Smits
Personnel Officer
HealthCom,Inc.
340 Woodside Drive
Pleasantville,NY 09876
Dear Ms,Smits:
Thank you very much for offering me the position of Programmer for
your eastern division,Unfortunately,because I have just accepted
another firm’s offer,I am unable to join HealthCom’s staff at this time.
I am very grateful to you for your assistance during the interview
process,and I thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Milman-Speers
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 252
LETTER 9-8,REJECTION OF JOB OFFER
253
Mr,Anthony Rubens
Personnel Officer
Johnson & Miller,Inc.
6500 Executive Parkway
Bristol,PA 09876
Dear Mr,Rubens:
I am writing to withdraw my name from consideration for the position
of Executive Administrative Assistant with your firm,as I have accepted
an offer from another company.
However,I must thank you for your time and candor in describing both
the position and the corporate culture,You were most kind,and I
appreciate the encouragement you offered me.
With best wishes for your continued success,I am
Crystal E,Evans
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 253
LETTER 9-9,RESIGNATION LETTER
This letter is short,sweet,and to the point—very professional!
254
May 15,20XX
Ms,Claire Danielle,Vice President
Burger Products International
67676 Walton Way
Nanaimo,AK 09876
Dear Ms,Danielle:
With this letter,I hereby submit my resignation from Burger Products
International,effective Friday,June 4,20XX,to further my career in
Facilities Management.
At your convenience,I will be glad to discuss the reassignment of my work
to others.
I wish you good luck and continued success.
Sincerely,
Matthew Lewis
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 254
LETTER 9-10,RESIGNATION LETTER
This writer reminds her boss of the productive changes she’s implemented,Nice touch!
255
February 15,20XX
Mr,William Hedger,President
The Technix Corporation
9755 Old Lyme Road
Old Lyme CT 09876
Dear Mr,Hedger:
I am writing to inform you that I will be resigning my responsibilities as
Comptroller effective March 1,20XX.
I realize that selecting and introducing a new Comptroller may be difficult,and I
will do whatever I can to make this transition a smooth one,In large part,the
streamlined accounting and record-keeping practices I developed during the last
four years will help a new Comptroller master our systems and data quickly.
I am pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Technix,I wish you
continued success and growth.
Sincerely,
Christine Mikabi
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 255
LETTER 9-11,RESIGNATION LETTER
The cleverly worded opening paragraph may leave Mr,Andrews wondering what this
writer’s opinion of the company really is—but its clever wording won’t endanger the
writer’s reputation or future.
256
November 3,20XX
Mr,Jack Andrews
Andrews Housewares
189 East 40th Street
Quincy,IL 09876
Dear Jack:
Effective November 30,I am resigning from my job as Media Director at
Mercury Advertising,My decision to leave is both personal and professional,
and does not reflect a change in my opinion of the company.
Donna Frey has performed admirably as my assistant,and is well equipped to
assume my responsibilities at once,If you prefer to look outside the company to
replace me,I will be happy to assist in the search between now and the end of
the month.
Thank you for your continued confidence in me throughout the past two years.
Sincerely,
Thomas Keith
10 6/27/03 9:21 AM Page 256
Chapter 10
Killer Resources
If you’ve made it this far,the hard part is done,You’ve identified your strengths,
determined what benefits they offer your next employer,and fashioned them into
sentences and paragraphs you can use in your jobhunting letters,You’ve written
attention-grabbing openings,action-oriented closings,You’re ready to mail your
own killer cover letters,Before you seal those envelopes,take a few minutes to be
certain that you’ve thought of everything.
The following pages will help ensure that your letters are really as strong as
they possibly can be.
First,scan the list of words and phrases to avoid,If your letter is replete with
jargon,your message may not get through as clearly as it should.
Then,run down the Cover Letter Checklist,comparing it to your letters,The
Checklist will help ensure you’ve,covered all your bases,”,have all your ducks
in a row,” and are,indeed,ready to mail your Killer Cover Letters.
257
11 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 257
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
The most valuable of all talents
is that of never using two words
when one will do.
—Thomas Jefferson
WORDS AND PHRASES TO AVOID
AVOID USE INSTEAD
additionally in addition
along the lines of like
alright all right
alot a lot
answer in the affirmative yes
arrived at the conclusion that concluded
as per I find or according to
as stated above from these facts or as I have shown
at a later date later
at the present writing now
at the present time now
at the time of three in the afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
at this point in time now
attached hereto attached
attached herein attached
attached please find attached is or attached you’ll find or I enclose
awaiting the favor of a response please let me know
beg to inform you inform you
came at a time when came when
city of New Orleans New Orleans
close to the point of close to
concerning the matter of concerning or about
due to the fact that because
enclosed herewith enclosed
enclosed please find enclosed is or enclosed you’ll find or I enclose
fewer in number fewer,less
file away file
for the purpose for or to
for the reason that because
for your information (delete entirely)
in accordance with your request as you requested,
in the amount of for
in respect to the matter of about or regarding
in the area of about
in the field of accounting in accounting
in the near future soon or shortly
in the neighborhood of about
in this day and age now or today
in as much as since
irregardless regardless
is at this time is
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11 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 258
most unique unique
my personal opinion my opinion
myriad of myriad
of the fact that (delete entirely)
on the grounds that because
on the occasion of when (or state occasion)
prior to before
prolong the duration prolong
quality high quality or low quality,superior quality or poor
quality
shows a preference for prefers
subsequent to after
that is the reason why that is why
the reason is due to because
the undersigned I
under separate cover (delete entirely; say how it’s being sent,by airmail,fax,
etc.)
utilize use
with reference to about
with regard to about or regarding
with respect to about
without further delay now or immediately
259
11 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 259
COVER LETTER CHECKLIST
260
______ Have you used the same type of paper for your resume,letter,and envelope?
______ Do your name,address,e-mail address,and phone number(s) appear at the top
of each page?
______ Have you verified that you are addressing the company by its correct name
(Reebok International Ltd.,not Reebok,Inc.)
______ Is your envelope typed,not handwritten?
______ Have you signed your letter?
______ Have you proofread your letter before and after using your computer’s spelling
check function? (Remember,Your computer won’t catch an error such as,thin”
instead of,this.”)
______ Does your letter look visually appealing?
______ If your letter is skimmed,will your reader be impressed with key points?
______ Will your reader know to which advertisement you’re responding? In which
position you’re interested?
______ Will your opening make the reader want to read on?
______ Does the body of your letter support your opening?
______ Is your letter honest?
______ Is your tone of voice conversational,not stuffy?
______ Have you avoided repeating,word for word,many of the details that appear
on your resume?
______ Have you summarized your experience and education?
______ Have you described your strengths from your reader’s point of view? (“What
this means for you is...”)
______ Did you provide necessary background information in cases where a reader or
recruiter is unfamiliar with you or your area of specialty?
______ Have you used any terminology that might be unfamiliar to your reader? Can
you simplify it? If not,have you defined it clearly?
______ Have you told your reader what you will do to follow up?
______ Did you supply any and all information your reader will need to contact you
or comply with your request for help?
11 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 260
Index of Letters
That Address Specific Issues
Many of the letters in this book and on the accompanying CD-ROM address spe-
cific issues of concern in today’s jobhunting environment,To help you locate ways
in which you might handle such situations,many of the letters throughout the
book are labeled according to the issue they address,Such letters are also listed
below for quick reference,(Letter 3-3,for example,refers to Chapter 3,letter 3.)
For example,if you are returning to work after an absence,check the letters
listed under,Workforce Return.” If you are switching fields,refer to the letters list-
ed under,Career Change.” Graduating seniors and recent MBAs,be sure to review
those listed below under,Student” for ideas to adapt and use in your own letters,
ISSUE CHAPTER—LETTER NUMBER
Career Change 4-4,4-7,4-8,4-12,5-20,5-24,5-27,5-37,5-59,5-71,5-88,5-89,5-109,5-112
Confidentiality 5-49,5-52,5-58,5-82,5-92,5-114
Entry Level 5-9,5-12,5-13,5-14,5-15,5-16,5-17,5-20,5-21,9-1
International 5-10,5-61,7-1
Jobhopper 5-11,5-46
Job Loss,layoffs/hiring
freeze/downsizing/tough
economy/merger 4-1,4-8,4-9,4-11,4-17,5-8,5-46,5-64,5-65,5-76,5-85,5-97,5-99,6-16
Language Skills 5-10,5-23,5-70,5-115
Part Time/Full Time 5-21,5-90,5-101,5-108,8-15
Phone tag 8-14
Relocation 5-22,5-68,5-78,5-90,5-117,6-1
Salary Discussion 5-1,5-11,5-26,5-33,5-34,5-42,5-51,5-53,5-56,5-60,5-63,5-76,5-78,5-81,5-98,
5-118
Student 2-2,4-7,4-15,4-18,5-9,5-12,5-13,5-14,5-15,5-16,5-17,5-18,5-19,5-27,5-54,5-55,
5-61,5-89,5-94,6-11,9-1
Workforce Return 3-3,4-5,5-24,5-47,5-91,5-93,5-95
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Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
Index of Letters by Industry
and Job Title
All the letters in this book and on the accompanying CD-ROM are listed below by
industry,(Letter 4-30,for example,refers to Chapter 4,letter 30.) Jobs that fall
under more than one category are listed under each grouping that may apply,For
example,an Insurance Sales cover letter is listed under both,Financial Services”
and,Sales.”
Most importantly,don’t limit yourself by reading only letters dealing with a
specific job,Take the time to skim many of the letters in this book,Since your let-
ters should not repeat what’s on your resume,cover letters written by jobhunters
in fields unrelated to your own will contain ideas that you can easily adapt for use
in your own letters.
INDUSTRY/JOB TITLE CHAPTER—LETTER NUMBER
Administration (See Business—General,Senior Management)
Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
Advertising/Marketing Representative 5-33,7-1
Art Director 5-31
Broadcast Sales 8-7,8-8
Corporate Marketing Director 5-43,5-44
Copywriter 5-32
Design Specialist 4-12
Events Planner 5-29
Market Research 5-38
Marketing Associate,Senior 5-41
Marketing Communications Supervisor 5-1
Marketing Representative 5-39,5-40,6-5
Product Design and Development 5-36
Product Management 5-35,5-39
Public Relations Manager 4-11,5-30
Technical Writer 6-15
Agriculture
Agricultural Economist 4-2
Architecture
Architect 5-68
Arts
Actor 5-86
Esthetician 5-100
Fundraiser 4-8,5-112
General 4-7
Teaching Artist 5-87,6-14
Business,General
Account Executive 5-34
Accounts Receivable Coordinator 5-53
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Administrative Assistant 5-23,5-24
Bookkeeper 6-12
Chief Financial Officer 5-113,5-114
Customer Service Representative 3-1,5-19
Distribution Manager 5-51
Employee Benefits Manager 5-104
Executive Secretary 5-25,5-115
Executive 5-117,8-20
Human Resources and Administration Director 5-109
Information Architect 5-77
Market Research 5-38
Office Administrator 5-26
Product Design and Development 5-36
Product Management 5-35,5-37,5-39
Productivity Improvement Director 5-111
Quality Improvement Program Director 5-96
Quality Management Director 5-110
Recruiter 5-73,5-108
Subcontracts Administrator,Senior 5-52
Computer Technology
ASP Director 5-74
Communications Specialist 5-83
Computer Executive 4-3,5-84
Computer Program Designer 5-80
E-Learning Manager 5-75
General 4-1,4-3,4-4,6-16
Information Architect 5-77
Internet Sales Representative 5-76
Java Programmer 5-78
MIS Manager 5-81,5-116
Network Administrator 5-79,5-82
Web Site Manager 1-1
Word Processing Format Specialist 5-72
Word Processor 5-69,5-70,5-71
Construction/Building Management
Building Superintendent 5-65
Construction 5-64
Facilities Management 6-7
Education
Child Care Worker 5-91
General 8-17,8-18
Human Resources and Administration Director 5-109
Kindergarten Teacher 5-89
Speech Pathologist 5-94
Teacher 5-88,5-89,5-90,8-2
Teaching Artist 5-87,6-14
Electronics
Electrical Engineer 5-85
Sales 5-42
Telephone Repair 3-2
Engineering
Electrical Engineer 5-85
Environmental Engineering 5-61
Training Engineer 5-106
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12 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 263
Entry Level
General 5-21
Student 4-7,4-15,4-18,5-9,5-12,5-13,5-14,5-15,5-16,
5-17,5-18,5-19,5-55,5-61,5-94,6-11,9-1
Financial Services
Bank Operations Manager 6-2
Bookkeeper 6-12
Cash Management Sales Officer 5-56
Customer Service Representative 3-1
Financial Analyst 5-54
General Financial Services 2-2,2-4,4-6,4-9,4-10,5-18,5-55,8-11,9-1
Insurance Sales 6-1
Lending Officer 5-58,5-59
Private Banker 5-57
Health Care/Medical
Dental Hygienist 5-92
Emergency Medical Services Director 5-98
Health Care Worker 4-5
Medical Research and Design 6-4
Pharmaceutical Writer 6-15
Pharmacist 5-97
Registered Nurse 4-5,5-95,5-96
Research Director 5-60
Speech Pathologist 5-94
X-Ray Technician 3-4
Hospitality (See Service/Travel/Hospitality)
Human Resources/Training
Corporate Trainer 4-19,5-105
E-Learning Manager 5-75
Employee Benefits Manager 5-104
Human Resources and Administration Director 5-109
Information Architect 5-77
Management and Quality Training 5-107
Recruiter 5-73,5-108
Training Engineer 5-106
Law
Attorney 6-3
Paralegal 5-20,5-21,5-22
Management Consulting
Communications Specialist 5-83
Consulting Associate 5-27,5-28,8-15
Productivity Improvement Director 5-111
Quality Improvement Program Director 5-96
Quality Management Director 5-110
Marketing (See Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations;
Sales)
Medical (See Health Care/Medical)
Public Relations (See Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
Publishing
Editor 8-9
Editorial Assistant 5-103
Word Processing Format Specialist 5-72
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12 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 264
Word Processor 5-69,5-70,5-71
Writer 6-15,8-9
Real Estate
Real Estate Planner 5-67
Real Estate Executive 5-66
Restaurant (See Service/Travel/Hospitality)
Retail
Buyer 6-13
Buyer,Senior 5-49
Distribution Manager 5-51
Retail Operations Director 5-50
Retail Sales 5-47,5-48
Sales
Broadcast Sales 8-7,8-8
Cash Management Sales Officer 5-56
Cruise Product Development 5-37
Electronics 5-42
Financial Services 4-9,4-10,5-55
General 2-4,4-4,4-7,5-34,5-43,5-46,5-118,6-5,6-6,8-4,
8-5,8-6,8-8,8-12
Insurance Sales 6-1
Internet Sales Representative 5-76
Real Estate Sales 5-66
Retail Sales 5-47,5-48
Telemarketing 4-13,5-45
Security
Security Officer 5-62,5-63,6-10
Senior Management
Account Executive 5-34
Bank Operations Manager 6-2
Chief Financial Officer 5-113,5-114
Communications Specialist 5-83
Computer Executive 5-83,5-84
Corporate Marketing Director 5-43,5-44
Emergency Medical Services Director 5-98
Productivity Improvement Director 5-111
Quality Improvement Program Director 5-96
Quality Management Director 5-110
Recruiter 5-73,5-108
Research Director 5-60
Retail Operations Director 5-50
Subcontracts Administrator,Senior 5-52
Service/Travel/Hospitality
Casual Van Driver 5-101
Chauffeur 5-102
Child Care Worker 5-91
Cruise Product Development 5-37
Customer Service Representative 3-1,5-19
Driver 5-101,5-102
Esthetician 5-100
Language Skills Professional 5-10
Personal Trainer 5-99
Restaurant Manager 4-20
Travel Agent 3-3
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12 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 265
Student (See Entry Level in this index and Student in
Issues index)
Social Services
Child Care Worker 5-91
Social Worker 5-93
Speech Pathologist 5-94
Theater (See Arts)
Training (See Human Resources/Training)
Travel (See Service/Travel/Hospitality)
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Alphabetical Listing of Letters
Account Executive 5-34
Accounts Receivable Coordinator 5-53
Actor 5-86
Administrative Assistant 5-23,5-24
Advertising/Marketing Representative 5-33,7-1
Agricultural Economist 4-2
Architect 5-68
Art Director 5-31
ASP Director 5-74
Attorney 6-3
Bank Operations Manager 6-2
Banking 3-1,4-6,4-9,4-10,5-18,5-55,5-56,5-57,5-58,5-59,
6-2,9-1
Bookkeeper 6-12
Broadcast Sales 8-7,8-8
Building Superintendent 5-65
Buyer 5-49,6-13
Cash Management Sales Officer 5-56
Casual Van Driver 5-101
Chauffeur 5-102
Chief Financial Officer 5-113,5-114
Child Care Worker 5-91
Computer Executive 4-3,5-83,5-84
Computer Program Designer 5-80
Computer Sales 4-4,4-7
Computer/Communications Specialist 5-83
Construction 5-64
Consulting Associate 5-27,5-28,8-15
Copywriter 5-32
Corporate Trainer 4-19,5-105
Cruise Product Development 5-37
Customer Service Representative 3-1,5-19
Dental Hygienist 5-92
Design Specialist 4-12
Distribution Manager 5-51
Driver 5-101,5-102
Economist 4-2
Editor 8-9
Editorial Assistant 5-103
E-Learning Manager 5-75
Electrical Engineer 5-85
E-Mail Examples 1-1,4-3,4-17,5-73,5-74,5-75,5-76,5-77,5-78,5-79
Emergency Medical Services Director 5-98
Employee Benefits Manager 5-104
Engineer,Training 5-106
Environmental Engineering 5-61
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Esthetician 5-100
Events Planner 5-29
Executive Secretary 5-25,5-115
Executive 5-117,8-20
Facilities Management 6-7
Financial Analyst 5-54
Financial Services 2-2,2-4,4-6,4-9,4-10,5-55,8-11
Fund Raiser 4-8,5-112
Health Care Worker 4-5
Human Resources and Administration Director 5-109
Information Architect 5-77
Insurance Sales 6-1
Internet Sales Representative 5-76
Java Programmer 5-78
Kindergarten Teacher 5-89
Language Skills Professional 5-10
Lending Officer 5-58,5-59
Management and Quality Training 5-107
Management 8-5,8-20
Market Research 5-38
Marketing Associate,Senior 5-41,5-43,5-44
Marketing Communications Supervisor 5-1
Marketing Representative 5-39,5-40,6-5
Medical Research and Design 6-4
MIS Manager 5-81,5-116
Network Administrator 5-79,5-82
Nurse 4-5,5-95,5-96
Office Administrator 5-26
Paralegal 5-20,5-21,5-22
Personal Trainer 5-99
Pharmacy 5-97,6-15
Product Design and Development 5-36
Product Management 5-35,5-37,5-39
Productivity Improvement Director 5-111
Public Relations Manager 4-11,5-30
Quality Improvement Program Director 5-96
Quality Management Director 5-110
Real Estate Planner 5-67
Real Estate Executive 5-66
Recruiter 5-73,5-108
Research Director 5-60
Restaurant 4-20
Retail Operations Director 5-50
Retail Sales 5-47,5-48
Sales 2-4,4-4,4-7,4-10,5-34,5-42,5-46,5-47,5-48,5-56,
5-66,5-76,5-118,6-1,6-5,6-6,8-4,8-5,8-6,8-7,8-8,
8-12
Security Officer 5-62,5-63,6-10
Social Worker 5-93
Speech Pathologist 5-94
Student Training Program and Referral letter 5-18
Student 2-2,4-7,4-15,4-18,5-9,5-12,5-13,5-14,5-15,5-16,
5-17,5-18,5-19,5-27,5-54,5-55,5-61,5-89,5-94,
6-11,9-1
Subcontracts Administrator,Senior 5-52
268
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Teacher 5-88,5-89,5-90,8-2
Teaching Artist 5-87,6-14
Technical Writer 6-15
Telemarketing 4-13,5-45
Telephone Repair 3-2
Trainer,Corporate 5-105
Trainer,Management and Quality Training 5-107
Trainer,Personal 5-99
Training Engineer 5-106
Training 4-19,5-18
Travel 3-3,5-10,8-6
Web Site Manager 1-1
Word Processing Format Specialist 5-72
Word Processor 5-69,5-70,5-71
Writer 6-15,8-9
X-Ray Technician 3-4
269
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About the Authors
For more than two decades,Sandra Podesta has used her marketing and
writing talents to convince people to make decisions and act on them,In
the corporate arena,Ms,Podesta has served as Creative Director and Di-
rector of Advertising for Fortune 500 organizations,producing results on
promotions that span a cross-section of industries,On the advertising
agency side,she’s lent her talents to both Creative and Account Manage-
ment teams,As President of eBusinessWriting.com LLC,she supports
the marketing efforts of clients in both the public and private sectors in-
cluding major financial institutions,technology companies,consulting
firms,non-profit and other organizations.
In her seminar,“Mastering the Art of Effective Business Writing,” Ms.
Podesta introduces executives,managers,administrators,sales and
customer service representatives to her proven and straightforward,
four-step business writing process,Combining systematic guidance
and relevant examples with supervised application and immediate
feedback,she leads participants from conceptualization through final
edit,This stimulating workshop has earned praise from clients,col-
leagues and seminar participants alike.
Andrea Paxton offers the insider’s view that only a solid back-
ground in human resources and training can produce,She has worked
extensively with every phase of the interview,selection,hiring and
training processes at major corporations such as Chase Manhattan Bank
and John Hancock Financial Services as well as at smaller,growing
firms,For companies without them,she has built recruitment programs
from the ground up,Through her most recent experience with AIG,the
largest US-based international insurance company,Ms,Paxton’s human
resources perspective is now global in scope.
12 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 270
Copyright 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc,Click Here for Terms of Use.
CD-ROM WARRANTY
This software is protected by both United States copyright law and international copyright
treaty provision,You must treat this software just like a book,By saying,just like a book,” McGraw-
Hill means,for example,that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely
moved from one computer location to another,so long as there is no possibility of its being used at
one location or on one computer while it also is being used at another,Just as a book cannot be read
by two different people in two different places at the same time,neither can the software be used by
two different people in two different places at the same time (unless,of course,McGraw-Hill’s copy-
right is being violated).
LIMITED WARRANTY
Customers who have problems installing or running a McGraw-Hill CD-ROM should consult
our online technical support site at http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/techsupport,McGraw-Hill takes
great care to provide you with top-quality software,thoroughly checked to prevent virus infections.
McGraw-Hill warrants the physical CD-ROM contained herein to be free of defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of sixty days from the purchase date,If McGraw-Hill receives written no-
tification within the warranty period of defects in materials or workmanship,and such notification is
determined by McGraw-Hill to be correct,McGraw-Hill will replace the defective CD-ROM,Send re-
quests to:
McGraw-Hill
Customer Services
P.O,Box 545
Blacklick,OH 43004-0545
The entire and exclusive liability and remedy for breach of this Limited Warranty shall be lim-
ited to replacement of a defective CD-ROM and shall not include or extend to any claim for or right
to cover any other damages,including,but not limited to,loss of profit,data,or use of the software,
or special,incidental,or consequential damages or other similar claims,even if McGraw-Hill has
been specifically advised of the possibility of such damages,In no event will McGraw-Hill’s liability
for any damages to you or any other person ever exceed the lower of suggested list price or actual
price paid for the license to use the software,regardless of any form of the claim.
McGRAW-HILL SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,EXPRESS OR IM-
PLIED,INCLUDING,BUT NOT LIMITED TO,ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABIL-
ITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Specifically,McGraw-Hill makes no representation or warranty that the software is fit for any
particular purpose and any implied warranty of merchantability is limited to the sixty-day duration
of the Limited Warranty covering the physical CD-ROM only (and not the software) and is otherwise
expressly and specifically disclaimed.
This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights; you may have others which may vary from
state to state,Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages,or the
limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts,so some of the above may not apply to you.
12 6/27/03 9:22 AM Page 271
HOW TO USE THIS CD-ROM
System Requirements
a73
Windows 3.1 or higher
a73
CD-ROM drive
a73
8MB RAM
Installation Instructions
Step 1,Insert the CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.
Step 2,Double-click on the 201 Killer Cover Letters CD-ROM icon on
your Windows desktop.
Step 3,Double-click on the folder entitled KILLER to see a series of
folders,each one containing the cover letters for a particular
chapter,Then,double-click on the appropriate folder to navi-
gate to the cover letter with which you’d like to work,For ex-
ample,if you’d like to work with a cover letter in Chapter Two,
just double-click on the folder for Chapter Two,locate the
cover letter you want (for example,“2-2” is cover letter 2-2)
and double-click on the document to open it,The cover letters
are saved in a simple text format you can copy and paste into
the word processing program of your choice.
or
You can also open the cover letters within your word processing
program,Simply launch your word processing application,choose
File,and then Open from the menu (or simply click the,open file”
icon on your tool bar),and when prompted to choose a file to open,
choose the 201 Killer Cover Letters CD-ROM,and then the chapter fold-
er,and then finally the desired cover letter,
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