cover letters: everything you need to...

Cover Letters: Everything You Need to Know

Speaker:

Peggy McKee

CHECK YOUR EMAIL: Free resources will be sent to you later CHECK YOUR EMAIL: Free resources will be sent to you later

Make sure you won’t have any interruptions…

I don’t want you to miss a

single second of this interview-getting

information.

I Will Take Questions (At the End of the Presentation)

I Will Take as Many Questions as I Can in the Time Left

I Won’t Be Able to Get to Every Question

I Will Look for Commonalities in Questions to Choose Topics that Interest You as a Group

If You Have a Question Please Do Ask, But…

Hold your questions until the end!

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• How to Ace Your Phone Interviews

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Poll #1

Do you have an multiple interviews scheduled in the next 4 weeks? a. No, I have no interviews scheduled in the next 4 weeks

b. No, I only have 1 interview scheduled in the next 4 weeks

c. Yes, I have more than 1 interview scheduled in the next 4 weeks


Interviews to Job Offers

14 Interviews to 1 Acceptable

Job Offer

17 Interviews to 1 Job Offer

Ave College Graduates

11.5 Interviews to 2.2 Job

Offers


3 Things That Keep Most People from Getting Interviews:

Your cover letter isn’t strong enough.

Your resume isn’t strong enough.

3 You are applying for jobs online.

1

2


Today You Are Going To Learn To Write a Killer Cover Letter

What you learn today will make hiring managers want to read your resume.

It will—

Set You Apart From All Other Job Seekers

Be What Hiring Managers Are Looking For

Show Your Personality and Professionalism

Writing The Cover Letter Is Something You Dread?

You—

• Agonize Over Every Word

• Think It is a Waste of Time

• Think That They Probably Won’t Read It

Your cover letter is critical, and they will read it.


Hiring Managers Expect a Cover Letter A bad cover letter is just as bad as no cover letter.

Most common mistakes:

Too Long

Too Hard to Read

Too Generic


Not sending a cover letter and sending a bad cover letter are

equally damaging to your job search.

A Good Cover Letter Has Multiple Goals A Great Cover Letter—

Impresses the Employer

Highlights Your Best Qualities

Is Easy for Them to Read

Makes You Stand Out

How do we meet all these goals in one short letter?

Let me show you… CHECK YOUR EMAIL: Free resources will be sent to you later

The Purpose of the Cover Letter

Your cover letter is the first place you start to sell yourself for the job.


“Hey, you need to pay attention to my resume. I’m someone you’re going to be interested in talking to.”

The job search is a sales process.

You Are the Product

The Hiring Manager Is the Buyer

You want them to buy your product, which is to hire you.


Psychology of the Sales Process • As a customer, you –

Buy Things All the Time

See Things that Interest You

Make Decisions Based on “What’s In It For ME?”

• Get the HIRING MANAGER’S attention – tell them what’s in it for them. What can you do for them?

In a job search, the hiring manager is the customer.


Use Your Cover Letter Like a Commercial

Gets Your Point Across Quickly

Is Easy to Skim

Is:

• Polite

• Professional

• Friendly

Shows Your Communication Skills

Shows Why They Should Talk to You About This Job

Makes Them Excited to Read Your Resume

Is Targeted to the: • Job • Company • Hiring Manager

A Good Cover Letter:


Addressing the Cover Letter

• Addressed to an Actual Person

• NEVER “To Whom It May Concern”

• Find the name of the person

Addressing them by name will show you as someone who goes

above and beyond.


The Body of the Cover Letter Has 3 Paragraphs

• 1st Paragraph - Introduction

– Grab Attention (Almost Like a Headline Does)

– Most Important Information First

– Clearly Say What Job You’re Interested In

• 2nd Paragraph - Details That Match The Job Description

• 3rd Paragraph - Closing Statements


First Paragraph – Introduce Yourself • Use It Like A Headline

• Mention Mutual Contacts

– “Jane Smith suggested I contact you.”

• Mention the Specific Job Opening

• No Opening? Use Your Objective Statement

– I’m a supply chain management expert looking for an opportunity to use my background in procurement and strategic sourcing as well as my demonstrated strategies for multi-million dollar cost reductions to improve metrics, profitability, and quality for the ABC organization.”

Keep this paragraph short and to the point – 2 to 3 sentences.


Write to an Actual Person

Think about that person –

─ Is it a recruiter?

─ Is it a hiring manager

Put yourself in their shoes. – What are their problems?

– How could you be a solution?

Be direct. Be aggressive. Tell them how you can solve their problems.


Second Paragraph – Specific Details Back up what you’ve said in the first paragraph with hard evidence—details that whet their appetite for your resume.

Use bullet points – – Draw Your Eye

– Visually Appealing

– Easy to Read

– Bite-Sized

BULLET POINTS deliver your important information effortlessly.


Which would you prefer to read?

My long-term experience in the service industry shows that I have learned to meet and exceed each customer's expectations with service. I have worked with all types of customers in a variety of settings. I realize how important it is to gain repeat business through customer loyalty and word-of-mouth advertising. I have been able to consistently position companies for better exposure and greater marketability many times. I also consistently achieve ongoing success with my teams with excellent training. My training focuses on building morale, maintaining teams' self-confidence and training them to build the sale by improving their people skills.

Example 1:

• Exceed customer’s expectations with service

• Experienced with all types of customers

• Actively cultivate valuable customer loyalty and repeat business

• Consistently successful at gaining exposure

• Build successful teams through training and morale-building

Example 2:


What should you write in bullet points? • Don’t copy and paste what’s in your resume.

• Use their requirements from the Job Description to guide your bullet points.

Company wants X, You’ve got X

• Talk in terms of accomplishments.

At ABC Company, I led my team to a 25% increase in revenue.

Think about answering their needs. Tell them how you can help them.


Ex. #1 - Bullet Points for Sales Rep

Position Summary: We are currently searching for a New Business Sales Representative (New Contracts Sales Hunter) who will aggressively grow our landscape maintenance business in a defined territory. This position will cover the Los Angeles market, local qualified candidates currently residing in those areas are highly preferred. Being a New Business Sales Representative for ABC Company is both challenging and rewarding, and it might be a great career opportunity for you if: • You are driven, disciplined and focused, and consider yourself as a

HUNTER of new business • You enjoy PROSPECTING and you’re able to open new doors • You can create rapport, credibility and build trust-based

RELATIONSHIPS • You can effectively QUALIFY opportunities with key decision makers

to gain valuable intelligence • You’re obsessed with developing value-based solutions for

customers • You can build and present compelling and customer-centric

PROPOSALS • You love to work in a service industry with a product that is beautiful • Like being challenged with ACTIVELY SELLING to many different

customer segments • You like working in a team-selling environment • You are resilient and persistent in CLOSING DEALS

If the Job Description Says This:

• Gained 25 new customers in 6 months, a 25% increase

• 50% of customer base is repeat business

• Cold call success rate of 30%

• Voted “Most Valuable Player” for sales team 2 years in a row

• #1 out of 17 sales reps

• Grew annual sales 40%

• Lived in Los Angeles area for 15 years

Then the Bullet Points Could Say This:


Ex #2 - Bullet Points for Operations Manager

Job Description: Reports to Plant Manager and develops and executes 1yr and 3 yr business plans supporting national/regional/local objectives including the development of strategies, processes, and programs. Responsibilities: • Motivate, direct, coach, and develop a diverse, high-performing leadership

team

• Satisfy the needs and service requirements of internal and external customers

• Sustain a consistent, long-term vision through continuous process improvement

• Develop a culture that embraces the tenets of operational excellence • Demonstrate behaviors needed for effective implementation of change • Effectively translate plant goals and objectives to all levels of the

organization ensuring alignment on relevant perfomance data • Ensure compliance to company and regulatory policies • Foster an environment that supports an engaged safety culture

Requirements: • Master’s Degree • 8+ years manufacturing experience • ISO or other management experience • Lean, Six Sigma Certified

If the Job Description Says This:

• Led 23-person team ranked #1 performance team in organization

• Customer Satisfaction Rate 100%

• Consistently improved efficiency 10% every year for 5 years

• Reduced injuries on shop floor from 13 to 1 in one year

• Increased policy compliance rate from 80% to 99%

• 12 years manufacturing experience

• Six Sigma Certified in 2004

Then the Bullet Points Could Say This:


Poll #2

If your cover letter grabbed the attention of the hiring manager would you get more interviews? a. Yes, I would

b. Yes, I would and I know mine has not been successful

c. No, I would not


Quantify Your Accomplishments

State your accomplishments in terms of:

Numbers

Voted Most Valuable Employee 6 Times

Dollars

Increased Revenues by $2MM With XYZ Project

Percentages

Developed procedure that reduced costs by 50%


Examples of How To Quantify Responsible for developing new customer relationships

Developed 3 new customers into multi-million dollar accounts in 1 year

Responsible for delivering product on time

98% on-time product delivery

Responsible for improved efficiency Reduced lead time by 30%

Responsible for ensuring accuracy in warehouse log

Improved warehouse log accuracy from 75% to 99%

Responsible for reducing costs Developed procedure that saved $20,000 in first 6 months


Quantifying Your Accomplishments is Powerful Numbers really get the attention of hiring

managers.

• Back up what you say with measurable results.

• Numbers prove what you can do.

• Pull the stats that sell you.

You’re answering the question, “Why should I talk to you about this job?”

Put yourself in their shoes.

Figure out what they need.

Show them why you meet that need.


Third Paragraph - Your Close

Your last paragraph should be direct and to the point –

– Sum up why they should see you.

– Let them know when you intend to follow up.

Say something like:

– “I am very excited about the potential for this company and this position, and know that my skills in x, y, and z will advance your goals for this division. I look forward to discussing it with you, and I will call within a few days to set up a time to meet. Thank you for your consideration.”


If there’s no specific job opening… • Say something like:

– “If you are interested in someone like me, I would love to set up a time to speak with you. If you know of anyone who would be interested in someone like me, I would appreciate getting their contact information. I will call in a day or so to discuss it with you.”

• Be direct, aggressive and to the point.

You want your own personality to shine through.


How to End Your Cover Letter

• Always write “Sincerely,”

• Below that goes your name.

• Your contact information:

– Address

– Phone Number

– Email Address

Best fonts are 12-point:

Arial

Verdana

Times New Roman

Helvetica

Proofread… proofread again… and then get someone else to proofread it, too.

Don’t Send Your Cover Letter As An Email Attachment

• Never send cover letter as an attachment to your email.

• They’ll never open it.

• Don’t make the hiring manager (or recruiter) go through an extra, unnecessary step.

Make it easy for the hiring manager to see your information.

X


The Cover Letter IS the Body of the Email

The body of the email is the ideal place to write what you need to say.


The Goal of the Cover Letter

Get the hiring manager to—

• Open and Read Your Resume

Follow the strategies we’ve talked about today—

Recognize the cover letter is a selling document.

Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes.

Make it easy for them to see why you’re someone they need to talk to.


Poll #3

Would you like to know that your cover letter will keep your resume from getting filed in the circular file? a. Yes, I would

b. No, I would not


3 Main Reasons You Don’t Get Interviews Reason #1 – Your Cover Letter Isn’t Strong Reason #2 – Your Resume Doesn’t Communicate Your Value Reason #3 – You Are Not Speaking To the People Who Can Hire You

If you don’t have one interview

in the next 4 weeks, you need my additional training.

What happens if you don’t have an interview in the next 4 weeks?

• You won’t get a job in the next 4 weeks.


You won’t get a PAYCHECK in the next 4 weeks.

Poll #4

How many interviews is your current resume generating for you now? a. 1 per month b. 2-3 per month c. 4-6 per month d. 7 or more per month e. My resume is not working


If based on what you have learned here, you know you need to update and improve your

resume then I have a SOLUTION for you.


Get the Best Resume You’ve Ever Had By incorporating some of the things we’ve talked about today –

Write an Objective Statement That Acts as a Headline and SELLS You

Summarize Your Accomplishments in Attention-Getting Bullet Points That Hiring Managers Love

Quantify Your Accomplishments No Matter What Job You Do

The 3 most effective changes for your resume—all in my Extreme Makeover Resume Kit.


The Extreme Resume Makeover Kit… • Shows you how to write

the selling document that gets interviews

– Takes Out All the Guesswork

– Easy Video Coaching

– Step-by-Step Instructions

– Lots of Examples

– Sample Resumes

– Proven Resume Template

– Reverse Chronological Format

– Get the Best Resume You’ve Ever Had in Less Than 2 Hours


Extreme Resume Makeover Gets You More Interviews

Hi Peggy,

Thanks for the valuable information in the Extreme Makeover Kit. My resume looks more clear and tells in powerful language exactly what the hiring manager needs to know. The proof is I applied 3 times this week and got 3 invitations for an interview.

Kind regards, Els Van den Brempt

I completed your Extreme Resume Makeover and within the first week was called to interview at a company for four different positions.

Tammy D


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I Tell You All the “Knockout Factors” in Every Section

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You will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have a powerful, effective resume.


#1

Personal Cover Letter Review

• I will review your Cover Letter for you.

• I will make sure that your Cover Letter is well-written and will capture the attention of any hiring manager—and tell you what to do if it doesn’t.

Your cover letter will make a fantastic first impression.


#2

A Group Coaching Call With Me

Ask me personally:

• How to Get your Cover Letter and Resume in front of any Hiring Manager at Any Company

• How to Start Getting Multiple Job Interviews

Multiply Your Effectiveness Exponentially.


#3

Job Seeker Feedback from Previous Group Coaching Calls

…[Peggy’s] approach to the career/job search is right on target. So many people looking for work use the Internet only and experience a total waste of time. Peggy’s approach is more about marketing your solutions than begging for a job….She’s personal, direct, and considerate….you can tell she has only your best interests at heart. Get Peggy on your team and get the job you want. ~Cole Silver

I just wanted… to say "Thank You!" for this truly personal small group discussion. I wish I had discovered you 8 months ago! Your answers are most informative …no sugarcoating, you call it as you see it…What a super boost you have given to my job search and to my morale!...I truly appreciate…the personal attention…[This call] exceeded my expectations and has really recharged my batteries!! ~Steve Schulte


The Extreme Resume Makeover Kit PLUS 3 Bonuses:

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#2

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When You Get This Bundle… You will have a cover letter AND a resume that shows how valuable you really are to any organization – they will:

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You Will Stand Out!

You Only Have 24 HOURS To Get This Special $74 Offer

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Only Available for 24 Hours. Act Now!


#2

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How to Make the Purchase

• Click on the “More Info” button or lick on the Link in the Chat

• Click on the ‘Add to Cart”


Click the Link Now.

800-691-2562

Or

972-382-3139

My ordering process is as

safe as Amazon’s.

Add to Cart

• Fill Out Your

Name

Address

Email Address

Credit Card Information


Access Your Kit in Minutes 1) When your purchase clears, you’ll receive

an email confirmation.

2) Follow the instructions in the email to go to my website.

3) Access your Resume Kit with your exclusive log in credentials.

4) Look for another email for directions to send your resume and cover letter to me for review.

5) You will get an email that tells you how to participate in the coaching call.


Take Advantage of This Offer

• Without a resume that markets you, you will be less likely to get an interview.

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You will never see this offer again.


For Only $74 –

Resume Training and Templates

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Resume Review Cover Letter Review Group Coaching Call


You will get the interviews you want.

Q & A with Peggy McKee (LIVE)

Phone: 800.691.2562 OR 972.382.3139 ATTENTION: PowerPoint Slides will be sent to you by email

Resources • Purchase Link:

http://tinyurl.com/CL012915 • Training Webinars Page:

http://careerconfidential.com/training-webinars/ • Peggy’s Personal Coaching:

http://www.phcconsulting.com/WordPress/interview-coaching/ • Total Access Club (TAC):

http://careerconfidential.com/total-access-club-product-reviews/

• Phone: 800.691.2562 OR 972.382.3139


http://tinyurl.com/CL012915



http://careerconfidential.com/training-webinars/





http://www.phcconsulting.com/WordPress/interview-coaching/















Best of Luck!


cover letters: everything you need to...

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