Using a Cover Letter as a Sales Tool

Using a Cover Letter as a Sales Tool

A cover letter as the potential to set you apart from other candidates by demonstrating your exact match to the position and how you will fill the client's needs. As in sales you should do a client needs assessment before trying to sell them any product or service. The same theory applies to a cover letter. You will be able to tailor your experience specifically to the position and hopefully impart some of your enthusiasm about the role and potential employer.

You will be using a different format than a resume and will be able to add a bit more personal information that will set you apart from others with similar backgrounds. Make it less than one page and be sure to be as descriptive and persuasive in your writing style as possible. The same attention to accuracy that applies to your resume is important here as well. No spelling mistakes!

Like a Resumé, a cover letter contains several critical components:

The Heading:

Include full name, address, phone number and e-mail at the top of the page. If your address changes during your job search, send another Resumé and cover letter for the position that interests you. HR departments won't bother to change the information on your first version.
The First Paragraph. This is the introductory section of your cover letter. In the first paragraph, you should state how you learned about the job opening and your reason for sending the employer your Resumé. If you're applying for a specific position, be sure to include that information in the first sentence of your introduction.

If you've researched the company, be sure to mention why you're interested in it. You will differentiate yourself from the others by demonstrating your knowledge of company.
The Second Paragraph. Among hiring officials, the buzz word these days is "value offered." Explain the particular benefits you offer an employer. Not only will it get the employer's attention, it will distinguish you as a job hunter whose goal is to do the job rather than just get a job. Use this section of your cover letter to discuss your value as an employee over and above the information in your Resumé.

Talk about your transferable skills, such as being a self-starter and having excellent organizational abilities. Cite a specific reason why you're the ideal candidate for the position, then customize your letter to prove or demonstrate that point.

Focus instead on two or three qualities that distinguish you most. Also, try to connect these qualities to the position's key requirements. Focus on your particular area of expertise if it fits the position.

In closing, thank the reviewer for their time and mention that you are looking forward to meeting with them to discuss your fit for the position further.

This is a great sales opportunity, make the most of it by customizing your cover letter as a sales pitch of your skills and why the client needs you.

Best Jobs for 2009 and Beyond

Although we are currently still seeing higher unemployment numbers than in recent years due to the current economic downturn (anybody else out there ready for a switch to new terminology including the phrase economic upturn? I know I am!) there are still some areas that look like they will be strong this year and that will continue to grow in coming years.

I read an interesting article by Rachel Zupek today that gave some interesting facts and figures about what she thinks we can anticipate in the job market.

"The labor force is expected to increase by 12.8 million workers over the 2006 -2016 period, according to the BLS. Total employment is expected to increase by 10 percent to 166.2 million over that period as well, while an estimated 15.6 million jobs will be added by 2016. While that year seems like a long way off today, a certain number of new jobs will be added each year leading up to 2016 -- including in 2009. "

We will see growth in some areas that are new and some that have been strong in the past will decline. The landscape will look different however the important thing is overall growth. It may require some adaptability, however since the average person already changes careers several times in their working life, this shouldn't be a news to anyone.

So what are the trends looking like?

Here are 10 of the best jobs anticipated based on the jobs that saw growth in the second half of 2008.

Best jobs:
1. Public relations manager
2. Purchasing agent
3. Claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner and investigator
4. Human resources, training and labour relations specialist
5. Budget analyst

Industry: Professional and related occupations
Best jobs:
6. Computer programmer
7. Electrical and electronics engineer
8. Editor and writer
9. pharmacist
10. audiologist

There are several good free salary calculators on the web if you are interested in any of these careers and want to have a look at the general salary average that can be expected. These are some of the growth areas and if you look a bit closer you can see that may of them are related to the current demographic trends (audiologist, pharmacist) and to the advances in technology that are continually progressing (computer programming). If your really interested in where things are going to go with the job market demographic and consumer trends are a great place to start. You might not be able to tell the future but you will be able to make an educated guess at where you will want to be in the next 5 to 10 years.

Is Going Back To School worth the Investment

If you are out of work, or just wanting progress in your current career, you may have wondered is going back to school worth the investment? Will the money and the time (and the time away from other things you would have been doing instead) be paid back to you in increased employability?

Going back to school is an important decision that many returning adult students make at some point in their careers. A Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in any field can help open up the doors of opportunity in almost every industry, and as competition increases in the technology and business fields, it can become increasingly important to become specialized in a particular area.
Even though a two-year diploma offers many benefits, many people feel that going to back to school to obtain additional training is a wise decision. Additional certifications in your field are never a bad idea - especially since they usually have a direct impact on your compensation if you r employer recognizes it. It isn't cheap to go back to school, and you should set some goals and have a plan in order to make the most of the experience. In addition to the financial stresses of going back to school, you will need to appreciate the change in lifestyle and accommodate your schedule accordingly. If you are used to staying home with the kids during the day, you will need to make time for classes or if you are pursuing an online education, making time to study and stay up to date with class requirements.
The most common question returning adult students ask when deciding on furthering their education, is the question: "Is going back to school worth my money?" The answer largely lies in understanding how the additional education will have an impact on your salary. Will you be eligible for a raise after completing additional training? Can your company provide tuition reimbursement since you can contribute to the business in the long-term? What are your real intentions and goals for making the most of your educational training? These are all important questions to ask when making the decision to go back to school, and money is only a part of the process.
The benefits of going back to school may also involve increasing your social circle, meeting new people, and creating a network of valuable acquaintances. When you step into the world of ongoing education, it can be both an enriching and rewarding experience. You will be able to learn from new professors, receive training from key leaders in your industry, and make valuable friends along the way. In this case, the monetary compensation doesn't become quite so important. Instead, you will be improving your overall outlook and enhancing your current lifestyle as well. If you do not live in proximity to your chosen campus, an online education is another option. Even though you won't be in face-to-face contact with fellow students and professors, you can still enjoy the collaborative experience of working with a team in an online format.
The need for skilled and professional workers in a variety of industries is on the rise, and qualified candidates can increase their chances of getting ahead with a solid educational background. After completing your additional education training program and making the decision for going back to school, it's a good idea to approach your current or prospective employer with new goals. These goals can be focused on a raise or an increase in salary, and you can start to compete at a whole new level within your industry.

Quote of the Day

" Lose this day loitering, 'Twill be the same story Tomorrow -- and the next more dilatory.Then indecision brings its own delays, And days are lost lamenting over days!Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute!What you can do, or dream you can --begin it!Courage has genius, power, and magic in it.Only engage, and then the mind grows heated.Begin it, and the work will be completed."
--- Goethe

Quote of the Day

" Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being."
--- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Quote of the Day

" My interest is in the future because I'm going to be spending the rest of my life there."
--- Charles Kettering

Quote of the Day

" In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing."
--- Theodore Roosevelt