One Cover Letter Secret You Can't Afford To MissWritten by Jimmy Sweeney
Suppose you were hiring manager, your desk piled high with cover letters and resumes to sort through. Which of following cover letter greetings would grab your attention?Example #1: Dear Sirs: Dear Sir/Madam: Dear Gentlemen: To whom it may concern: Example #2: Dear Manager: Dear HR Director: Dear Human Resources: Example #3: Dear Mrs. Thomas: Dear Mr. Friedman: Dear Sally Williams: Clearly Example #3 is best of bunch because job-seeker has taken time to find out your name and to spell it correctly. Consider how you'd feel if you received a cover letter that said Dear Sir or Madam, or worse yet, 'To whom it may concern.' No one will be concerned if you address your cover letter to no one in particular! Remember, there is nothing as sweet to ear as sound of ones name. Exercise this simple secret and your cover letter will rise to top of pile! "But I don't know who to address my cover letter to!" If you don't have this information, take time to get it. Call company. For jobs posted online this may be a challenge. But still, go extra mile. Then at very least address your letter to appropriate entity. Example: Hiring manager; HR Director; etc.
| | A Killer Secret To Get Your Cover Letter ReadWritten by Jimmy Sweeney
You're still reading–so I know my title grabbed your attention.Why? Because it 'packed a punch.' You have three seconds to nab your reader in any written communication. Do it with a smashing title or headline! This secret technique, when used properly, practically guarantees that he or she will stay with you till last line of your cover letter, article, or report. How does this little secret apply to a resume cover letter? I'm glad you asked! Put it at top of your next job-search cover letter and you'll attract employer's undivided attention. Without this powerful little gem, however, you risk being a victim of 'scan and trash' syndrome. Why do I use phrase, "Killer Secret?" To make my point. It's an attention-grabber! I got your attention and curiosity. You can lasso same things from your reader. When it comes to cover letters, however, use of a headline is hardly a theory. It's a FACT that everyone is attracted to books and articles and letters that have a title that sizzles like a burger on a grill! People today pick up a magazine, newspaper or advertisement, scan first and read later. You can stop that process cold. A strong headline that 'jumps' off page of your cover letter will keep them reading your writing. And if you're trying to land a job interview, what could be more important than riveting person to your every word? Imagine results you'll experience in your job search when your cover letter opens with an attention-grabbing headline that is so unique and so compelling that hiring manager cannot put it down? He or she will actually be excited to meet you, to discuss job, and to hand it over to you! Potential employees that show creativity and color in their communication are a boon to any company.
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