Part III: Job Letters: Sample the Best in .NET

Generation UPC - 13 in .NET Part III: Job Letters: Sample the Best

schools by stating those facts in boldface type This format works to hook the reader with clues to one s inspirational inner person but sustains interest by trumpeting the candidate s practical qualifications Home helpers A communication by a seeker of a household management position (Adamson) differs from the typical broadcast or prospecting letter because it volunteers biographical information not found in typical job applications This document, identified as a personal statement, is limited in usage to jobs such as domestics and bodyguards, where personal histories are very important It can be used in at least two ways: e-mailed with a cover note (see 14), or left behind in hard copy at job interviews as a reminder of a candidate s personal background and qualifications High flyers An executive (Armstrong) applies for an upscale job in the consumer products industry Grabbing the reader by the collar with a masterful accomplishment statement in boldface type at the top of the letter, he legitimizes his claims with Stand Out details and ends with an action close (See 6) An executive model, this letter is appropriate for alpha candidates who are itching to move on and up Quiet types A financial executive (Montgomery) writing to a recruiter immediately says he comes recommended, an opening that s likely to cause his letter to be among the first read in the crush of daily mail He quickly sounds the alarm that his search is under the radar by marking it confidential in capital letters and underlined boldface type, and then placing the statement where the eye can t miss it In another recruiter-targeted letter, a business technology executive (Thompkins), also wants to keep his search quiet but places his underlined request for privacy at the end of the letter Flagging confidentiality vastly improves the chances that a job seeker s letter won t inadvertently be sent to the seeker s current boss (Yes, that happens rarely, but it happens) Employer pleasers A candidate seeking to analyze business and technology issues (Monroe) announces upfront that he s a triple treat who can manage technology, money, and people Such a strong combination of talents resonates with many employers, especially when the claims are backed up with numbers in a quantitative statement of accomplishments Another letter from an executive/administrative assistant (Dempsey) immediately states that the job seeker s objective is to make her boss s job easier She continues to explain why her strengths and abilities are right on the pulse of the position The tone of her letter is perfect for a position as a right-hand assistant Writing effective letters begins with thinking through what employers really want and writing them from the employer s viewpoint

Repetition rewards A retailing executive (Lansing) chooses repetition namely, the popular Bottom-Line term and uses it three times to introduce three different accomplishments The technique of repetitive phrasing slams home a candidate s main message Quick takes A database manager (Dotreev) cuts to the chase with a brief but effective use of her career brand efficiency while maintaining quality, aided by tenacious problem-solving skills Short, tastefully designed letters spiced with persuasive information earn attention Down-times uppers A broadcast letter from a former entrepreneur now seeking employment (Brown) opens with a direct appeal to economically threatened small business owners This is a difficult sale, but the seeker does a good job of explaining that he beat adversity for years while others failed as he markets his survival skills When facing the need to stay up in down times, employers fear taking on additional labor costs Successful job seekers focus on ways to allay those fears in their reaching-out letters Smart strategies A real estate professional (Boudreaux) capitalizes on having done such a good job that he worked himself onto the job market! He follows his clever opening with knock-out statistics before closing with a time frame to talk about making money together A timeless tactic: Emphasizing at first glance impressive measurable success as an inducement to meet Recommendation vouchers A business executive (Anderson) combines an attractive design, targeted positions, and accomplishment-based text with rousing endorsements from two former employers What s not to like about this Stand Out marketing letter Self-referrals An outdoors enthusiast and customer of a sports company (Abbott) seeks to morph from customer to employee He writes of transferring his construction expertise to help build the company s new sports facility and then of transitioning to the position of facilities director for the completed structure Promising to make contact at an upcoming job fair, the candidate gets a leg up on being welcomed at the company s fair booth by establishing his bona fides in advance Psychology experts believe that we like people who are like us; identification as a customer creates instant readiness for acceptance Bullet pointers A CPA seeking employment as a controller or finance director (Kelham) makes smart use of five bulleted reasons to hire him In a second sample with bullet points, a supervisor (Kowal) highlights his readiness to relocate to a region of Canada that has advertised its desire to attract talented immigrants, wisely noting that his family is on board with the prospective relocation (In a buyer s job market, employers typically resist out-of-area candidates because they don t want to pay relocation costs when local talent is available; the situation described in this letter is an exception)