On a weekly basis any hiring manager probably receives between 50 to well probably hundreds of resumes and cover letters. The key is to catch their attention from the start and the best place to do that is in your cover letter. So I am going to tell you what the worst possible way is to start your cover letter and then give you some creative alternatives to use instead.
This is the most boring intro line because everyone uses it:
Please accept my resume for consideration of the (XYZ) position within your organization.
What a snoozer! Everyone uses that line, let’s see… being like everyone else isn’t going to get you very far in your job search now is it? No it’s not. So what you need to be is different, but more than different, unique and valuable. Let’s take a look at some more creative and attention grabbing opening lines:
Administrative:
If you are spending too much time on tedious office duties and administrative tasks then I have the solution for you. My experiences in office administration and client services have equipped me with a multitude of skills including office management, business operations and exemplary customer service. I am confident that my application of these and my many other skills would be an asset to your company.
Customer Service:
It’s twice as hard to attract a new customer as it is to maintain an existing one. Unfortunately, this fact is often overlooked by many businesses. Delivering high-quality, responsive service is vital in (industry ex. Banking) and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you hire me. As my resume indicates, I have worked in client services for more than (number) years so you won’t have to go to great expense training me.
Non-profit:
In today’s challenging economic climate, many people will respond to your advertisement. Few will be interviewed. One will be hired.
However …
Of the many to respond, few will be as qualified as I am, having in-depth experience in community and public outreach. No one else will bring my track record and the expertise I can offer – expertise that equips me to start delivering results for you immediately with maximum positive effect for your bottom line.
General:
Integrity. Innovation. Initiative. If you had these qualities in mind for the position of (position title) then I suggest we meet to discuss the numerous qualifications I would bring to the organization. With my demonstrated track record of successfully directing pharmacy operations and introducing initiatives that directly impact the bottom line, I am confident that I would be an excellent fit for the position at (company name).
Of course, these are only a few sample introductions and the remainder of your cover letter needs to be just as dynamic as these introductions.
|
About Jessica: Jessica Holbrook is a former Executive Hiring Manager for Fortune 500 companies and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates powerful, customized, and targeted resumes that are guaranteed to get her clients interviews. For a free resume analysis visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or for a free phone consultation call 1.877.875.7706. |
Related posts:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Jessica,
I’ve enjoyed reading many of your posts and have even incorporated several of your ideas and recommendations into the advice I’ve passed along as an executive recruiter prepping a candidate for an interview, as a résumé writer, and as a career coach. While you are right about how “not” to start a cover letter, I have to disagree with you on the suggestions you provided.
I’ve found that most cover letters are not read thoroughly before the résumé is read and then, and only if the résumé is strong will a hiring or HR manager go back to reread the cover letter. That might not entirely be the case when the letter is sent in the body of an email or as part of an online application, but almost always is if sent as a second attachment. We live in an era of bullet-points and people want to get to the meat of the matter. So the heck with the letter, let’s go to the résumé.
As a result, the letters need to capture the reader immediately and not threaten to hold him or her too long. The, “If you’re looking for…” or, “In today’s business climate…” kind of starts are looked at every day and make a letter too long. The writer needs to jump right into presenting a reason to make the résumé want to be read. It’s my opinion that the letter needs to be “all about you.”
These are a few of the alternatives I’ve suggested in the past.
“Throughout my professional history, I have built a successful financial management career with an emphasis in commercial banking. I have extensive experience in senior management including having held both the CFO and COO positions of a publicly traded bank with $4.5 billion in total assets.”
“Over the last 17 years I have worked for four companies without having changed locations, the last three each a successor to the previous three. With each change of ownership and company name, I was retained to assist with the transition during which time I was not only able to help the new company meet its goals and deadlines, but giving me an opportunity to prove my value and allow me to continue moving my career upward.”
Would appreciate your view point as well.
Hal
Hi Hal,
Thank you for the feedback! I appreciate your comments. In my experience and with the recruiters and HR staff that I have worked along side what I have provided has been their preference. Ideally grabbing their attention from the start is the best method. Most HR professionals I’ve known have requested a cover letter and chose to read the first paragraph or two before skimming the resume. But again every one is different and has their own methods and strategies for finding talent. I appreciate your feedback and love your alternatives! If you approve I would love to add your comment to our blog. Thanks again!
Jessica
Please feel free to do so.
Wouldn’t it make all our jobs easier if every hiring and HR manager followed the same protocol? Therein lies our challenge: to provide the best counsel to the widest audience. Unfortunately, in today’s economy our audience is growing larger daily and their specific needs and issues more diverse.
Hal
Hi Jessica & Hal,
Great volley! You’ve both provided solid advice and examples. Perhaps another consideration is that the individual should feel that the letter represents them, and is written in their voice. Ever interview someone and in two seconds you know they had nothing to do with writing the letter that got them the interview? Ever read a cover letter that you just know was written from the heart, and you can’t wait to meet the candidate? Amazing snap judgements we can make based on a piece of paper, don’t you think?
- Leah