Focus On Getting the Interview, Not Getting Hired

When most people write their cover letter, they have in their mind the goal of getting the job. They forget that the apply for a job is 2 step process. You first have to get an interview in order to get a job. When the hiring manager reads your cover letter, they are focused on who to bring in for an interview, not who to hire, so that should be your focus too.

Specifically Ask For the Interview

It is well known in business that one of the most effective ways to increase sales is to actually ask for sales. You can apply this strategy to your cover letter as well. If you specifically ask for the interview in your letter, this will drastically increase your odds of actually getting the interview. Notice I didn’t say ask for the job.

Keep It Short and Sweet

Don’t be long-winded and don’t try to cram in too many details. You want the hiring manager to notice you and invite you in for the interview - that’s all - end of letter. You can give them more details in the interview. It can be difficult to be succinct and almost painful to edit out certain things but if you really want to get hired, your cover letter needs to be short and sweet.

How Does It Look When You Squint Your Eyes?

Beyond what it actually says, you want your letter to be as visually pleasing as possible. Think of your letter as a piece of abstract artwork and blur out the words as you look at it. How does it look? Remember, white space is just as important as the words on a cover letter. How are the “blocks” laid out and is there any way to make them more visually appealing? You may want to play around with the formatting and borders.

Will They Ask You Out For a Beer?

People hire people they like. This is true even when they try to be “objective.” In reality, no one really is completely objective. They may be doing it subconsciously but the hiring manager will hire the person they like the most 99% of the time. If you come across as a likable person, someone they might like to have a beer with (or maybe a cup of joe), your odds of being hired go way up.

Don’t Use a Cover Letter Template!

I work in a job center and the vast majority of job seekers pull a cover letter template off the net or from a book and then modify it. While this may get you a “professional” sounding cover letter, it may not have the effect you want it to have - getting the interview and then getting hired. In our testing, unique letters beat templates almost every time. In fact, when I work with someone who is struggling to get hired, often times this is the only change it takes to start getting them interviews.

Do You Understand the Magic of Marketing?

You can have the best product in the world but if it isn’t marketed well, it will never sell well. When you are applying for a job, you are the product. One of the most effective ways to sell yourself is by using time-tested marketing phrases in your letter that will push all the right psychological buttons.

It’s Probably Better If You Don’t Write the Cover Letter Yourself

The vast majority of job candidates can’t write the kind of cover letter I describe above. This doesn’t mean you aren’t the best person for the job. It just means you can’t write a cover letter that will give you the very best chance possible to get the job(s) you want.

*** Good News! If You are struggling with Your Resume & Cover Letters. Here’s The Best Tips to Show You : How to get your telephone ringing off the hook with more top job interview requests faster and easier than you could ever imagine with 100% Guaranteed. Read More at “Amazing Resume Creator.” and “Amazing Cover Letters.“