Weekly Twitter Tweets at 2009-04-26
- Thanks @troywhite and @todd_herman for the retweets about the using Twitter for business article! http://tinyurl.com/cmqcev #
- Not all marketing gimmicks work as they should! Oops! http://tinyurl.com/dkhw5c #
- @Rowena_Helps oh yeah — I thought it was most amusing, too many “serious types” out there! Have seen other “clever” ideas bomb though too. in reply to Rowena_Helps #
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Three More Cover Letter Tips For Job Seekers
On Monday I posted six tips for writing cover letters when looking for a job, and there’s three more I’d like to share.
Remember in that post how my re-write of the letter landed a phone call within 30 minutes and an interview the next day? Well the report I got back from the job seeker was that they’d closed off applications — but opened them again after reading the letter and the resume.
The letter got the employer’s attention, and the applicant’s relevant skills got the interview… a good combination. That turned into a short-listed second interview — so it shows how important your first impression is — get attention and really show-off what’s important to the employer.
That part’s really important … as a copywriter, I’m always telling clients (and remembering to write myself) from the perspective of the prospect: it’s all about what’s in it for them, about their emotions, about what benefits they’ll get.
That applied too when writing your cover letter.
Three More Cover Letter Tips
So here’s three more cover letter tips if you’re looking for a job …
1: Raise and answer potential objections
The reason to do this is so you help control the answer — don’t leave any potential issues hanging for them to answer, that way you won’t get the chance to explain and turn the objection in your favour.
Let’s say the employer lists they want someone with 5 years of PowerPoint experience, but you’ve only got 2 in PowerPoint and 5 using another software presentation program. You could do two things: (a) highlight your combined 7 years of experience in creating persuasive presentations (still showing your competency with presentations and using PowerPoint); or (b) show how with just 2 years, your presentations have helped a sales team increase their close rate from 18 per cent to 37 per cent (specific improvements in results).
Even if your skills don’t match exactly, show how what you do have is still a benefit to your potential employer.
What if you have no experience in a particular software program? Let them know … and still show how you’re a benefit because perhaps you’re a very fast learner of new programs (give an example) or that you’ve used an equivalent program and understand the related theory and concepts. For example, a home builder could use several tools (some easier than others) to build a home — because he or she understands the building concepts. Give me the best tool, and it won’t necessarily help me, because I’m not a home builder. So, in the same way, show how you might understand a concept (eg a billing system) without necessarily understanding the particular software.
2: Assume The Sale
If you and the job are a good match, be confident about it! Include wording in your cover letter that helps show you think you’re a good fit and helps them already imagine you as an employee of the company.
For example: “As you’ll discover when I’m part of your team, …. …. ….” and then list relevant skills and abilities that match what the employer is seeking.
You’re writing to highlight the assumption that you will be part of their team, putting you in the picture.
This positive thinking also helps keep you fresh and in focus when you’re writing, so it helps you write with personality and to not be boring!
3: Your Call To Action — The Employer’s Next Step
Of course, this should be a no-brainer — but it can be overlooked!
Make it clear how to contact you. Be specific and don’t assume they’ll jump to your CV to find your contact details. Put them in the sentence of the cover letter.
So, instead of “I hope to hear from you”, be more specific:
“NAME, I am keen to meet with you to discuss how my experience and knowledge can effectively contribute to your company. To arrange a suitable appointment time, you can contact me on 000 000-0000 or 0000 000 000.”
Shows you’re looking forward to a meeting, and also gives clear, specific instructions with a relevant contact number (here I used a landline and a mobile/cell number).
Reminder …
You can see too from the sentence above that this cover letter would use the name of the person you’re writing to.
You of course found that out, didn’t you?
Personalise your letter to a real person where you can! If they’re the HR Director, find out their name.
Do your research: the company, the person you’ll be meeting. That shows initiative and interest — you’re not treating them “just like another job application.”
Put the name of their company in the body of your letter, along with their name.
Show that your letter is ONLY written for them. Show them you care about their company (because they sure do!).
Summary of Job Cover Letter Tips
Okay, here’s all of the tips together in a mini-checklist …
- Personalise your cover letter
- Don’t be boring: show your personality
- Use the cover letter to match relevant skills to what the employer is looking for
- Use their language/wording where possible to describe your skills and abilities
- Show how you solve their problem (it’s all about their needs)
- Read your letter out loud to check that it flows well
- Raise and answer potential objections
- Assume the sale: put yourself in the picture
- Make sure you have a specific call to action: what the employer should do next
That’s now 9 tips for you from a pro copywriter to help you find a job … I hope you put them to good use!
Twitter vs Rollerball
Did you catch any of the CNN/Ashton Kutcher Twitter race at the end of last week, as they both raced to one million followers?
Was it just me, or was anyone else reminded of the movie Rollerball from the mid 1970’s — the violent, full-contact “sport” on TV set in 2018, where as things got more gory, the ratings soared?
The follower numbers, jumping 1000’s per hour… is Twitter the 2009 web equivalent of mass crowd behaviour? Voyeurism? Do one million people really want to hear what Ashton Kutcher has to say? Or are they fascinated by the “drama” and drawn in like motorists who slow down to check out a car accident on the other side of the road?
Or is it, as in the speech Kutcher gave when he hit the million mark first, about media democracy, public control of what is reported, without the filters of the big networks? The “new guard” of information publishing, uncensored and in our control?
I’m sure many theories will come forward over coming months.
Six Cover Letter Tips For Job Applicants
Gotta say I’m feeling quite chuffed this morning … yesterday, I re-wrote a cover letter for a job application (not for me, but for someone seeking full-time work).
Today it was used for the first time … one email, one job application — 30 minutes later, the company called and offered an interview for 10am tomorrow!
Even in this economic climate, the good jobs are still there to be had if you apply proven copywriting skills to your application.
The comment back about this particular letter: of 160 applicants, it was “the best letter he’s ever seen”.
Always makes me feel good to help someone get a job they’re after — at least to get the attention of employers to get an interview. So far all the letters I’ve done for jobs have gotten an interview for the applicant — only about a dozen, but I’ve helped each of them stand out.
Of course though it’s their skills that I’m highlighting, to make the letter as relevant as possible to match the job… I’m simply making sure it gets the right attention.
Six tips for your own job cover letter:
- Personalise each cover letter. Use the name of the company and the person you’re writing to in your letter. This makes it look much more like you care about what you’re writing, not just some generic cover letter.
- Don’t be boring! If you can, avoid the “same old” style of letter writing that everyone else uses. Still be careful, and make sure it is business orientated. But use words that are more lively and active, not something that starts off like “I’m writing in response to the job application in XYZ newspaper for the ABC role.” You don’t also want to appear arrogant, eg avoid “Your job search is over, here I am!” .. but instead, something that shows you’re excited about the prospects of working for the company and you’re ready and able to be part of their team.
- Relevance: Be very specific about matching your skills to the duties they’ve outlined. Focus on the few main things they’re looking for and show how your skills suit the role
- Be clear in the language you use — if they want someone who has a “can-do” attitude, use those words in your cover letter (so long as it is congruent with your attitude!)
- Show how you’ll “solve their problem” — how your attitude and skills takes away any problems they’d potentially have in that role because of your skills and abilities (so they can get on with running their company)
- Before you send your letter — read it out loud and make sure it “flows” okay. If you stumble over any parts, re-write them so they’re clear.
Hopefully, that helps get you the attention of your future employer in the same way as it did for the letter I wrote yesterday!
Weekly Twitter Tweets at 2009-04-19
- I see the AMA in America is now using Twitter to keep doctors updated http://tinyurl.com/cbsjla #
- @Ed_Dale Great to see Ed that you’re still contributing to the wonderful Rotary cause! in reply to Ed_Dale #
- Oooh, nice, esp Arthemia —-> RT: @hensel : cool link: 15 Awesome-Looking Yet Free Magazine Style Wordpress Themes http://twurl.nl/kff4lt #
- Crikey, my ol’ 20″ LCD pivot monitor died yesterday and now have Viewsonic VX2433 HDMI widescreen … will have to get used to 1920px width! #
- @thetappingman thanks — yes, great tip, easy to forget that (esp. as I have my emails full screen!). I’ll see if I have a word wrap option! in reply to thetappingman #
- Hey @aplusk awesome fun — congrats from Melbourne downunder! (Ashton Kutcher Live > http://bit.ly/xEu6c) #
- RT @aplusk: Victory is ours!!!!!!!! <—- fascinating to watch the “new guard” in action! #
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