ARE YOUR COVER LETTERS WORTH BEING READ?

For this edition of «Tricks and shrewdness«, we have selected a series of power phrases that will help you write your letters. Your cover letter should comprise 4 parts.

FIRST PART OF YOUR LETTER (INTRODUCTION):

1. «Is the ideal candidate for the position of _________________ highly motivated, professional and knowledgeable in all functions concerning __________________? Well, you may be interested to know a person possessing these qualities and much more, is responding to your ad for this position. «
2. «Your advertisement # 5211 in the March 25th edition of Le Droit has captured my interest. This position has a strong appeal to me. «
3. «Your ad captured my attention. «
4. «Please consider my qualifications for the position of ____________ which you advertised. «

SECOND PART OF YOUR LETTER (MARKETING YOUR SKILLS):

1. «I am accustomed to a fast-paced environment where deadlines are priority and handling multiple jobs simultaneously is the norm. I enjoy a challenge and work hard to attain my goals. Constant negotiations with all levels of management and employees have strengthened my interpersonal skills. I would like very much to discuss with you how I would contribute to your organization. «
2. «My accomplishments include: as my resume indicates, I have demonstrated commitment to clients and to my employer’s goals. That track record is consistent in my career endeavours as well as in my life as a whole. I dedicate myself to whatever task is at hand, marshal my resources and stay with the project until it is completed to my satisfaction. Since my goals and demands are even more stringent than my employers’ expectations, I consistently exceed quotas and objectives. «
3. «I am confident that with my abilities I can make an immediate and valuable contribution in your company. «
4. «I am an optimist, I enjoy new challenges and adapt easily to situations. «
5. «The skills you require seem to match my professional strengths. «

THIRD PART OF YOUR LETTER (SOLICITATE AN INTERVIEW):

1. «I feel confident that a short conversation about my experience and your growth plans would be mutually beneficial. I will be calling you early next week to follow up on this letter. «
2. «I will be calling you on Friday, May 10th to be sure you received my resume and to answer any questions you may have. «
3. «I look forward to hearing from you in the near future to schedule an interview. I would like very much to discuss with you how I could contribute to your organization. «
4. «May I suggest a personal meeting where you can have the opportunity to examine the person behind the resume? «

FOURTH PART OF YOUR LETTER (COURTEOUS CONCLUSION):

1. «Thank you for your time; I look forward to a favourable response. «
( ….your signature)
2. «Thank you for your interest and I look forward to our meeting. Sincere regards, « ( ….your signature)
3. «Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, « ( ….your signature)
4. «I’m looking forward to our conversation. I remain, « ( ….your signature)

Good luck!