Cover Letter Writing

In today’s job market, are cover letters still necessary?
We say yes.

Cover letters are where you do your own personal marketing. It is through the cover letter that you can show the hiring manager your strengths, your attention to detail and ability to follow instructions, your interest in the opportunity (versus desperation for any job), and your enthusiasm and communication skills.
As yet another tool to differentiate yourself from the competition, why wouldn’t you take advantage? Just make sure you are effective in doing so…here are a few tips on how:
• Avoid using form letters. Cover letters that appear generic do little to separate you from the crowd and make you appear lazy and uninterested. Make sure to customize each letter, and if you’re using a template from another letter, triple check that the “variables” like salutation and company name match up.
• State the position to which you are applying and make sure to adjust this for each posting.
• Match your skills and experience to those noted in the job posting. Use specific examples from your background to provide evidence. Don’t make the hiring manager “work” to figure out your qualifications.
• Be brief yet specific. With hiring managers spending less than 20 seconds on each letter, you want to supply the necessary information in as little space as possible. Three to four paragraphs is sufficient.
• Refrain from asking for a specific salary or making other work-related demands. The purpose of your letter is to explain what you can do for the company, not vice versa.
• Check for errors. As the first document seen by a prospective employer, it must be very well written and free of spelling, grammatical, or typographical errors. Always ask a trusted friend or colleague to review the document before sending it out.
The number one factor to keep in mind when deciding on whether or not to include a cover letter is to follow instructions. Though most industries and most companies seem to prefer a cover letter, there are some situations where it is not required. At the very least, include a short paragraph of three to five sentences describing how you learned of the position and why your qualifications are a perfect fit.

By Sharon Rivera

What Is Your First Impression?

Less than 5% of executive applications for posted positions get consideration from employers and recruiters. This is not because candidates lack required credentials, but due to the fact that the vast majority of executive resumes look and sound alike. Most applications are either rejected or ignored because they never answer this key question – WHY YOU? Without a prior history with employers, you are asking them for a lot - to grant you interviews, hire you, and pay you a high salary. Therefore, your message needs to be exceptional and impactful, without sounding like a recycled commercial. In this job market, employers are more cautious about recruitment. They also have a larger pool of applicants to choose from. The main way, at least initially, for employers to determine the best fit is from executive resumes. Therefore, having a powerful, action-focused message is no longer an option for a serious job seeker. You can either present yourself as an average, mass-market applicant or convey that you are a stronger candidate who is offering superior value. By effectively communicating your real and unique strengths, you can significantly boost employer response. HERE’S HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MESSAGE: Aim to position yourself as a specialized generalist, i.e. someone with a well-rounded general background but also with one or two specific areas of expertise that distinctly make you more attractive than others in your peer group. Promote yourself a value-added candidate. Instead of merely describing your previous duties and responsibilities, give special attention in your resume to factors that will give your candidacy a notably higher appeal. For instance, if you are a CIO, explain how you can bridge business and technology within an organization. Translate your executive experience into potential financial benefits employers can expect to receive. Clearly convey – on paper and in interviews - how you can help new employers make and save money. Give illustrations of prior successes but most importantly, expand on the likely gains these can bring to companies. By enhancing the quality of your executive message, you improve your first impression. This is essential for staying ahead and getting the opportunities you deserve. By Wayne Richardson

Tips for Assessing a Job Offer

Getting a job offer in this environment can feel like a victory. But all job offers are not equal, and especially in the recession, it pays to do your homework before accepting. Here are three tips for doing the right research before you say yes:

1. Know the company's financial situation. Don't assume that just because the company is making an offer, there isn't trouble ahead. Find out as much as you can about the company's financial stability and market position.

2. Assess your cultural fit. Yes, the hiring manager should be doing this, but you are the one who will suffer most if there is a mismatch between the company culture and your working style.

3. Don't rely on the job description. Ask specific questions about what you will be doing, who you will be working with, and what the expectations are for your role.


Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Managing Yourself: Five Ways to Bungle a Job Change" by Boris Groysberg and Robin Abrahams.