Ack! - need real cover letter advice!

[HEyHEY]

I just had a real good conversation with a possible job oppurtunity. I am going to send my resume and clippings with a cover letter. Now I am writing the letter....anyone got any ideas of how to seal this up?

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. i dont think cover letters are en vogue nowadays

I could be absolutely wrong.

[underpants]

2. Tell them you are willing to bust your hump

:-)

[HEyHEY]

3. said that on the phone!

[bif]

4. tell 'em you'll work your dick off for them.

Seriously though, sum up why you're right for the job and what you can do for them. Do a little schmoozing about what a great company they are and how you'd love to work there. Keep it short and right to the point. And bring us something that was mentioned in your conversation so they'll remember who you are. Good luck.

[ewagner]

5. Try the dragemfacedownthruthecactus routine

First paragraph: Thank them for the time on the telephone and say that you want to confirm some of your qualifications

Second paragraph: "As you will find in the attached clippings/resume, my qualifications are an excellent match for your requirements."

bullets: * Doesn't sweat much for a big guy
* Will bust my hump without prodding
* Can leap tall buildings in a single bound
* etc.

Quick close: Looking forward to discussing my qualifications with you in detail and at your earliest opportunity.

love & kisses (in a businesslike, manly sort of way)

HeyHey

[meegbear]

6. What I do ...

is 3 parts.

Part I - Tell them what you're applying for and where you heard about the job posting.

Part II - Using the ad itself, highlight why you're the right candidate. For example: Secretary needed. 3+ years experince in law office, know shorthand and computer skills. MS Office a plus.

You write (with bullets):

* Over 3 years secretarial experince working in law firms
* Experienced with shorthand
* Knowledgable of computers and used Microsoft Word extensively

Use 3 bullets. The trick here is to use the second section as the eye catcher, marking off the exact skills they are looking for. If they want salary requirements, place it after the bullets.

Part III - Tell them the best way to contact you and thank them for the consideration.

Give it a shot.

[ACK]

7. ACK is here

Emphasize all the touchy feely skills that a resume might not touch on. Also, for a technical experience talk to the requirements of the position directly in a nice paragraph format that once again a resume is not great for.

[NoPasaran]

8. Spell check

[Habibi]

9. I hate writing cover letters almost as much as I hate

writing resumes. And I've had to write a lot of them lately. I think they are still expected, so I wouldn't blow it off.

What I did to get over the cover-letter-writer's block was google "cover letters" and read some examples on the net. That helped give me a template, and it was easier to deal with then.

[HEyHEY]

10. thanks folks

:-)

[Demobrat]

11. Keep it very, very short and to the point.

Example: I really enjoyed our conversation today. Attached are my resume and a few clippings. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for you time. Sincerely.

I once answered an ad with a few samples and a cover letter that said: "Per your ad in Adweek". I got the job.

Nobody wants to wade through a lot of bla bla bla. Tell them what they're going to see, over and out.