Five Strategies to Write Your Way to Job Search Success
By: JoAnn Nix, CCMC, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP

Do you know that writing should be a very important part of your job search? And I’m not referring to e-mail correspondence, but the good old fashioned handwritten notes and computer-generated business letters. I ask a lot of job seekers this question and they are puzzled – they believe that a cover letter is the only document they need to use in their job search. So let’s discuss 5 documents that can make people take you more seriously, and help you get the job you want! Remember that every document is another chance to sell yourself!

Cover Letters

“Do hiring managers really want/read cover letters? Do I need a cover letter?”

I am asked these two questions dozens of times each day, and the answer is always an enthusiastic “YES!” 80% of hiring managers demand and actually read cover letters. A low percentage of people will not read one word of a cover letter. So my question to you is, “Why take the risk?”

Your cover letter should not be a rehash of what’s already in your resume. You need to incorporate a new strategy, an “angle”, a few key messages you really want to get across to your reader – messages that they won’t necessarily read in your resume! Sprinkle it with your personality, your philosophies and why you “do what you do.” Above all else, make it FRESH and ENTERTAINING. I am in constant communication with hiring authorities and the consensus is that 95% of cover letters are extremely boring and when they read a very innovative, “out of the box” letter, they will nearly always contact the job seeker, especially when their resume is equally compelling!

Here’s a tip: in the right hand corner, in a diagonal fashion, handwrite some note to make a connection with this person/company.

So always include a cover letter. Don’t take the risk!

Thank You Letters

You might be surprised to learn that only a few job seekers write thank you letters. The majority of job seekers never thank anyone for interviews or for their assistance! These letters are very important. I suggest you write a letter that is not predictable, not boring! Write a great letter that will really keep you at the top of their list of candidates. This is another one of your sales tools; you need to keep the sales momentum going. Letters that merely cite “Thank you for the interview. I will wait for your decision.” will not sell you a second time.

Furthermore, you should be writing hand-written thank you notes to everyone that helps you in your job search - anyone who provides you with key information, receptionists that you talk to, those who refer you to others, etc. These letters are really important and can have a tremendous impact! A hand-written note to a receptionist can help you!!! Tip: it’s nice to send a small gift with your letters. For example, send a small coupon to Starbucks, or a movie ticket, etc. There are many low-cost ways to reward those who help you!

Resurrection Letters

If you didn’t get the job or it’s been awhile since you applied for the position, why not resurrect your interest in the company? These letters are also important. They keep your name in front of the hiring managers! Don’t forget to use these letters in your job search!

Referral Letters

Be sure to have several of your former managers write strong referral letters for you, and take them to the interview. I suggest you tell the managers what you would like for them to say in the letter. For example, if you are interviewing for a specific job, then you want your manager to address your qualifications for this job. 99% of all referral letters I have read have been very plain and dull. They basically say that the job seeker was employed on certain dates, did a great job and they would hire them back! Wow, there’s so much more that could be said to SELL the job seeker! So be sure to give this person some information on what they need to write! They don’t know what to say unless you tell them.

Hiring Proposal Letters

Finally, this letter is more powerful than a typical thank you note and should be written following the interview. This provides evidence to the reader that you were paying close attention during the interview and you understand their problems. You will want to provide a few solutions to their problems. But you have to walk a fine line here, because you may end up “writing yourself right out of a job!” Use extreme caution when you make your proposal. You don’t want to give away all your best ideas only to find out that they put your list in some staff member’s hands and say “Here’s the solutions we’ve been looking for! Handle it!” and the job disappears!

So when you write this letter don’t go into detailed specific information – be general in nature to avoid giving away all your secrets!

Now go grab your personalized stationary, your personal business cards and start writing your way to success!

If you hate to write or don’t know what to say, I do! Call me, JoAnn Nix, at 1-800-265-6901 or send me an email.