2. 1. Understand the purpose
While many recruiters say they don’t look at cover letters. Many do review or
scan them. Letters sent directly to department heads are often read.
For Now, A Cover Letter Is Needed!
A cover letter is the opening act to the resume
A good cover letter is high energy, captures the attention of the reader and
creates interest in reviewing the resume; ultimately getting an interview!
A cover letter is often referred to by many names
There are many types of cover letters and different names.
These steps can be followed for many types of letters.
The ultimate goal is to get an interview.
3. 2. Prep work: Know yourself
Identify what makes you unique
Review your career:
What relevant unique experience do you have that they want?
What relevant career accomplishments are you most proud of?
What problem can you solve for the company?
Are you confident in your abilities? Can you get positive results?
What are you most passionate about regarding your career?
What is your personal brand?
What do you want to come to mind when others think of you
from a career standpoint? Authenticity is key.
Are you a trusted leader who invites collaboration?
Do you have a reputation to solve complex problems?
Are you known for attaining difficult sales contracts?
What inspires you and keeps you engaged in your career?
4. 2. Prep Work: Know yourself (con’t.)
Make your lists of accomplishments
This will help as you quickly draft tailored letters to other companies.
Write good career accomplishment statements that answer
What? How? and Result?
Include metrics as much as possible to increase credibility.
List the relevant things in your career that you are most passionate about.
Recognize that you are a commodity!
Know that the qualities you possess is of high value to the right company!
Remember, YOU are a blessing!
5. 3. Prep Work: Know The Company
Research The Organization
Identify and make note of what you admire and where you can
make the greatest impact.
Understand the following (this will also help during the interview):
History
Mission/vision
Company culture (are you a fit?)
Notate the requirements of the position compared to your
experience.
What are key factors that you can connect with the
organization? For example; passion for community involvement,
etc.
Identify Key Leaders
Senior Executive Leaders (CEO/CFO etc.)
Leaders (1 to 2 levels above) in the area or department for which
you are applying. (This is who you will address the letter to).
6. 3. Prep Work: Know The Company (con’t.)
What are the organizations’ greatest assets and challenges?
What experience do you have that can make a sustainable positive
impact?
Are there any challenges that the company is experiencing that you have
solved in your career? (For example, rapid growth, staffing etc.)
Where to Get Information
Available Resources: company websites, glassdoor.com, indeed.com,
company.monster.com, careerleak.com, google searches including google
news, vault.com and linkedin.com.
7. 4. Create: Open with impact
Contact information: Be sure to have a name and title,
Never write to a generic contact or “human resources.”
Find the department head or hiring manager name through your networking research
In the subject line add position title and job number if applicable
Opening Paragraph: Convey confidence, enthusiasm and authenticity
Connect with the company’s needs and convey your relevant experience.
A connective statement or well guided question can quickly capture attention.
Example 1: “Annual growth at 40% is a great problem to have yet very challenging operationally.
As Vice President of Operations, our team successfully supported 50% growth while surpassing all of
our production goals and sustaining high customer response scores.”
Complete the paragraph by stating the reason for your letter.
Example 1a: “Annual growth at 40% is a great problem to have yet very challenging operationally.
As Vice President of Operations, our team successfully supported 50% growth while surpassing all of
our production goals and sustaining high customer response scores. It is because I understand the
multitude of challenges that comes with explosive growth, I want to add my expertise to the ABC
organization as Executive Vice President of Operations”
8. 5. Create: Body: Tell them Why You!
What problem can you solve for the company?
This is where your company research and networking comes in.
What key problem can I solve in this position?
As a leader, what is the one thing that bothers you most?
What is the biggest challenge facing someone in this position?
Identify big events the company is experiencing? A merger?, etc.
What is a normal challenge within the industry that you have experienced
and resolved?
Example: “In parallel to ABC’s current challenges, my expertise is in managing
aggressive annual growth while leveraging expenses and increasing efficiency.”
9. 5. Create: Body: Tell them Why You!
Parallel your relevant career accomplishments to their needs/requirements
This can be done as a bulleted list or in paragraph form.
List your most relevant notable career accomplishments.
Remember to answer the questions What? How? Result?
List no more than four accomplishment statements in the letter.
The statements should not be a repeat of your resume.
What are the listed requirements of the position?
Cite how it compares to your career achievements.
Example: “Implementing lean methodologies, we were able to build an infrastructure
that supported continual growth, streamlined processes and increased network
productivity 65% within one year.”
10. 6. Create: Close with enthusiasm
Reiterate why you are a perfect fit for the position.
Thank the reader for their time and consideration.
Include a reference to your attached resume.
Include the intention to follow-up.
Example: “I want to join the ABC team! In addition to the accomplishments listed,
attached is my resume that offers additional insight that may be considered strong
assets to ABC. I would be happy to make myself available to further discuss how my
qualifications may be a match for ABC. I will call to inquire about a mutually convenient
time to meet. Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forward to meeting
with you.”
11. 7. Proofread: make sure it is perfect
Check to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors.
Check to be sure that the letter is no more than one page.
Is there a name and contact for the addressee?
Does the first paragraph open with an impact statement that connects with
the company and illustrates why you are writing?
Check to be sure that the letter is unique and calls attention to your relevant
career accomplishments.
Did you convey a problem that you can solve for the company?
Does the letter demonstrate your interest in the company?
Did you only include relevant career accomplishments?
Did you close with enthusiasm and include a follow-up action?
You’re now ready to write your cover letter to get the interview!
12. Nanette Kirk is the President and CEO of NetKi Enterprises, LLC. NetKi
Enterprises offers resume writing services, free-lance writing, novels and
motivational speaking. As a motivational speaker, Nanette specializes in
speaking to children and adults on the subject of life choices and tapping
into their own unique talents to pursue their purpose. She also conducts
workshops on creating winning resumes and achieving career goals. As a
published author, Nanette writes faith-based stories with real life situations.
Nanette’s first novel, Familiar Strangers, Changing Faces can be purchased at
lulu.com or amazon.com. She is currently working on an exciting new
novel, “When do I get to the Good Part?” due for release in 2016.
Nanette has almost twenty years management experience at various levels.
She holds multiple degrees including a MBA from Indiana Wesleyan
University. She is also member of many professional organizations. A native
of Indianapolis, IN, Nanette has lived in several states and in Europe. She
currently resides in Maryland.
To learn more about Nanette and NetKi Enterprises, LLC please go to
www.NetKiEnterprises.com or www.netkient.com. She can also be found
on Linked In (Nanette Kirk, MBA), Facebook (NetKi Enterprises, LLC)
and Twitter (@NetKiEnterprises)
