A few weeks ago, a job seeker asked me the following, and below is my response.
(From LL)
“I have been given names of a few companies that I am interested in exploring. At the moment I do not have any contacts that can walk me in the door, however, I would like to send out exploratory letters. Would you briefly give me an overview of what should be said in this type of letter. Once I have a general gist, I will be able to create something in my own words.”
(My response)
Start your letter with a genuine statement of interest in the company to which you are writing. An example of what you might say is, "I am a job seeker in transition, and have been researching employers that I would like to work for, and COMPANY NAME is a company in which I have a strong interest." If someone referred you to a specific contact, be sure to mention that in the first sentence, ideally. If you don't know the name of the head of the department, try calling the receptionist (if there is one) and indicate that you need to direct something to the head of (MENTION DEPT.), and would like that person's name and title. If you cannot get a contact name, simply address your letter to "Director of ENTER DEPT. NAME"). Just remember, if you hear back from the company and are asked why you were specifically interested in working for them, be clear and prepared to share what attracted you to them. An exploratory letter should contain a list of the best skills and experience you have to offer. Ideally it should comprise the type of background employers seek most today. If you're not sure what skills and experience that you possess are the most marketable/in demand, simply pull three to five job postings and circle or highlight the words that represent skills and work style attributes (e.g., organized, team player, detail-oriented). You will begin to see common skills/attributes when you do this. It should also provide a summary paragraph of who you are professionally in terms of a general title, number of years of experience, possibly industries or companies you've worked for, etc. It's a snapshot to "frame" your background. Many job seekers reword the summaries on their resumes and use that as the frame. It all works!
You should also provide a paragraph with "warm and fuzzy" personality and work style attributes. For example: "I am detail-oriented, analytical, excel at problem-solving, and possess solid interpersonal and team-building skills. In addition, I am highly organized and have built a reputation for possessing a strong work ethic and "do what it takes" mentality. My references will confirm that I readily and willingly take on new challenges and within relatively short periods, rise to meet and exceed stated expectations.
Also, it's best to close the letter by stating that you plan to follow up within a week at which time you hope to arrange a mutually-convenient time in which to discuss how your experience can benefit COMPANY NAME. If you do this, be sure to follow up within a week! Create a simple log spreadsheet to keep track of who you said you would follow up with, the date of follow up and the outcome and any next steps. If any one needs a sample log that's ready to go, please comment and provide your email address.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Cover Letters that Intrigue/Compel Hiring Managers to Call You – EVEN Against the Odds
One outgrowth of today’s tough job market is that job seekers are rethinking their careers and more than ever before, are open to changing careers, pursuing careers they’ve only dreamt of, retiring early and doing part-time work, or taking positions that are lower level/lower paying than ones they’ve held in the past. In terms of taking lower level/paying positions, those who are able to do this may have different reasons for doing so. For some, it is out of necessity; they need income immediately and are willing to take less pay. Others are seeking less responsible jobs in exchange for a better quality of life.
The question is, “How do you get the attention of hiring managers and get them to seriously consider you when you are overqualified and/or are accustomed to a higher level of pay?” Part of the answer may lie in trading places with the hiring manager, and considering what it would take to convince YOU that the job seeker was serious about taking a lesser role. Also key is your ability to write a compelling, logically laid-out letter that comes across as sincere/genuine and matter-of-fact.
Today’s hiring managers have less time than ever before to make critical hiring decisions. The last thing they want is to hire someone who is highly skilled for less pay (which, on the surface may seem like a positive achievement for them in terms of their negotiating “prowess”), and risk that the new hire will be “jumping ship” as soon as a more suitable and/or higher paying job comes along. YOUR job, therefore, is to influence them to consider you, despite their concerns that you are only interested in the job until something better comes along, and instead, to ameliorate their concerns. Here are some ideas you might incorporate in your letter.
Dear (hiring manager name, if known; otherwise, “To Whom it May Concern”):
I am writing to express interest in your JOB TITLE opportunity. (NOTE: IF SOMEONE REFERRED YOU, BE SURE TO STATE THIS IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF YOUR LETTER, IDEALLY. FOR EXAMPLE: A FORMER COLLEAGUE OF MINE, JOHN JONES SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT YOU REGARDING THE JOB TITLE OPPORTUNITY AT COMPANY NAME.)
I am a(n) INDUSTRY OR JOB CATEGORY TYPE (e.g., ACCOUNTING) professional with over XX years of (SPECIFY EXPERIENCE TYPE IF YOU WISH AND SEPARATE WITH COMMAS, IF APPROPRIATE) experience in a variety of companies. Given my depth and breadth of skills and strong work ethic, I have a great deal to offer the right employer. After researching your company, I genuinely believe my background is well suited to your needs and can be of immediate value.
Outlined below is the background that I believe is most relevant to your needs:
* (List 4-8 bullets that tie to the opportunity, using their keywords to demonstrate the match)
Although you will note that I have held somewhat more accountable roles in the past, at this juncture in my career, I am more focused on work life balance and quality of life. I therefore am purposefully identifying opportunities that will address my needs while allowing me to optimally contribute to my employer’s business objectives in a very meaningful way.
NOTE: IF YOU RECENTLY RELOCATED, YOU CAN USE THAT AS A NATURAL TRANSITION AND WEAVE IT INTO THE ABOVE: I recently relocated to the area, and after reflecting on what is most important to me and factoring in the unique skills and abilities that I bring to bear, ... (etc.)
I am detail-oriented, analytical, excel at problem-solving, and possess solid interpersonal and team-building skills. In addition, I am highly organized and have built a reputation for possessing a strong work ethic and "do what it takes" mentality. My references will confirm that I readily and willingly take on new challenges and within relatively short periods, rise to meet and exceed stated expectations.
I will follow up within a week at which time I hope to arrange a mutually-convenient time in which to discuss how my experience can benefit COMPANY NAME. In the interim, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX or by email at EMAIL ADDRESS.
(Please refer to my related post on cover letters for additional insight about what content to include.)
The question is, “How do you get the attention of hiring managers and get them to seriously consider you when you are overqualified and/or are accustomed to a higher level of pay?” Part of the answer may lie in trading places with the hiring manager, and considering what it would take to convince YOU that the job seeker was serious about taking a lesser role. Also key is your ability to write a compelling, logically laid-out letter that comes across as sincere/genuine and matter-of-fact.
Today’s hiring managers have less time than ever before to make critical hiring decisions. The last thing they want is to hire someone who is highly skilled for less pay (which, on the surface may seem like a positive achievement for them in terms of their negotiating “prowess”), and risk that the new hire will be “jumping ship” as soon as a more suitable and/or higher paying job comes along. YOUR job, therefore, is to influence them to consider you, despite their concerns that you are only interested in the job until something better comes along, and instead, to ameliorate their concerns. Here are some ideas you might incorporate in your letter.
Dear (hiring manager name, if known; otherwise, “To Whom it May Concern”):
I am writing to express interest in your JOB TITLE opportunity. (NOTE: IF SOMEONE REFERRED YOU, BE SURE TO STATE THIS IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF YOUR LETTER, IDEALLY. FOR EXAMPLE: A FORMER COLLEAGUE OF MINE, JOHN JONES SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT YOU REGARDING THE JOB TITLE OPPORTUNITY AT COMPANY NAME.)
I am a(n) INDUSTRY OR JOB CATEGORY TYPE (e.g., ACCOUNTING) professional with over XX years of (SPECIFY EXPERIENCE TYPE IF YOU WISH AND SEPARATE WITH COMMAS, IF APPROPRIATE) experience in a variety of companies. Given my depth and breadth of skills and strong work ethic, I have a great deal to offer the right employer. After researching your company, I genuinely believe my background is well suited to your needs and can be of immediate value.
Outlined below is the background that I believe is most relevant to your needs:
* (List 4-8 bullets that tie to the opportunity, using their keywords to demonstrate the match)
Although you will note that I have held somewhat more accountable roles in the past, at this juncture in my career, I am more focused on work life balance and quality of life. I therefore am purposefully identifying opportunities that will address my needs while allowing me to optimally contribute to my employer’s business objectives in a very meaningful way.
NOTE: IF YOU RECENTLY RELOCATED, YOU CAN USE THAT AS A NATURAL TRANSITION AND WEAVE IT INTO THE ABOVE: I recently relocated to the area, and after reflecting on what is most important to me and factoring in the unique skills and abilities that I bring to bear, ... (etc.)
I am detail-oriented, analytical, excel at problem-solving, and possess solid interpersonal and team-building skills. In addition, I am highly organized and have built a reputation for possessing a strong work ethic and "do what it takes" mentality. My references will confirm that I readily and willingly take on new challenges and within relatively short periods, rise to meet and exceed stated expectations.
I will follow up within a week at which time I hope to arrange a mutually-convenient time in which to discuss how my experience can benefit COMPANY NAME. In the interim, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX or by email at EMAIL ADDRESS.
(Please refer to my related post on cover letters for additional insight about what content to include.)
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