!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics --> WiserUTips: 50 fast fixes to improve your job chances today. Part 2: Cover Letters and Email Messages

50 fast fixes to improve your job chances today. Part 2: Cover Letters and Email Messages

50 fast fixes to improve your job search, 50 fast job fixes, improving your job search,
Improve your cover letters and emails.
Recently I shared the start of 50 fast fixes to improve your job chances by improving your resume. Now, here are tips to quickly fix your cover letters and email messages.  


Cover letters/email messages
Don't waste opportunities just saying, "Please find my resume attached," in your cover letters and email messages! Truly "work it" every time you write to a hiring company. Here's how ...

1) Establish a professional sounding email address that does not contain your birth or graduation year (including these years tells people your age!) Also get a new email address if you share an email address with your spouse. For obvious reasons, recruiters don’t like reaching out to both Kimmy and Timmy when they're hiring just one of them. Learn the importance of a professional sounding email address. 
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2) Add an email signature so recruiters can easily contact you. Here’s how.
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3) Attach your attachments! Here’s an easy way to remember to do so: Attach your documents as soon as you type the word “attached” or "enclosed" as in “Please find my resume attached.”
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4) Simplify your email background. Remove flashing graphics, colorful email backgrounds, and multiple colored and sized type faces. Also avoid excessive bolding, italics, hard-to-read script type and all-capped words. Don't let anything detract from your message.
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5) Consistently use spell check. Also improve your grammar. Get help doing both. Don't skim over this tip. I often get messages from job seekers with typos and wrong verb tenses. Take time to check your messages.
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6) Learn and use the hiring manager’s name. You can usually discover this information by calling the company’s switchboard or by typing the company name, city and the person's probable title using the Search People feature in LinkedIn.
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cover letter, table cover letter, t-cover letter, improve your cover letter,
Add a table to your cover letter
7) Include a simple table to help your qualifications stand out. On the left side, list the key job requirements. On the right side, list how your background meets or exceeds the requirements. (Note: Limit your maximum experience to 15 years lest you sound too old and expensive.)
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8) Tell an interesting story to show you are qualified. Example:
What intrigued me about your position is the broad skill set required. A colleague once referred to me as an "ace utility player." He explained, "If a company needs a public relations leader, you are an expert publicist. If they need a marketing director, a communications pro, an editor, whatever they need -- you're it. Most people can do one thing well, two at the most, but Richard, you can do it all well." What struck me about his kind words was that he zeroed in on what I offer that makes me an excellent match for this position … versatility …
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9) Use a simple case study to convey how you’ve helped a company succeed. Mention a problem, the solution you implemented and the successful outcome because of your efforts.
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10) State what you know and like about the hiring company. Conduct research on LinkedIn, the company’s web site and on Google and other sites so you are well informed.
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11) Drop names of people who you know in the company or who have influence with it (such as clients or consultants), particularly those people who have agreed to vouch for your abilities with the company.
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12) Include recent samples to reinforce your abilities. (Remove dates from older samples or redo them lest people think you haven't done something impressive in years.)
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LinkedIn recommendation sheet, list of LinkedIn recommendations,
LinkedIn recommendation sheet

13) Attach a list of your LinkedIn recommendations. It's easy to do and can ensure it will be seen by many more people than would seek out the recommendations on your LinkedIn profile. Simply copy/paste your recommendations onto a Word document, make it look presentable and then attach the document when applying for jobs via email or when an application system allows you to include attachments. Here’s how.


View all 50 fast fixes


Part 1: Resumes
Part 4: Networking
Part 5: Interviewing

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4 comments :

  1. It's also helpful to paste things into the body of the email.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's also helpful to paste things into the body of the email.

    ReplyDelete
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  4. An essential part of the job application process is the letter that accompanies your resume. To make sure that you get noticed and get hired use these tips to create a flawless cover letter. resume and cover letter services

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