Here’s a unique cover letter tip for this tough job market: Tie your cover letter to your resume by mentioning a particular skill or accomplishment the hiring manager can relate to for his company. For example, suppose you are applying for a job as a regional manager of a retail shoe company. You’ve had excellent experience training sales people and retaining them. Turnover is low and morale is high under your leadership, thus affecting the bottom line in a positive, profitable way.

 You could bring this information to the attention of the
hiring manager in this clever and effective way:

I would welcome meeting with you to discuss your need for a regional manager in the area where my family and I will be moving on September 1. I’ve been a shoe store manager for three years and during my time with The Right Fit shoe store I have trained five new salespeople who have remained with me the entire time. One salesman, Mike Johnson, was so enthusiastic about his job he gave me permission to quote him. “I can’t imagine a more pleasant place to work. I like the people here, especially Mark Smith, the manager, and I can earn a good living.” Now Mike Johnson is ready to assume my position when I leave!

As you can see from this paragraph, the job hunter, Mark Smith, is making clear to the hiring manager, his own qualifications, as well as the benefit to the company he hopes to work for by using a testimonial from an employee he has worked with at his previous job. If you were the hiring manager wouldn’t you want to interview this individual? I certainly would. He not only sounds like a nice guy-but one who knows how to train and retain sales people which increases staff morale and revenue for the company.

A well-written cover letter tied to the accompanying resume in this fashion is certain to win an interview for the writer. Try it for yourself and then get ready to answer the phone.

Express yourself in a clear and friendly manner, using language that will engage the hiring manager, wording that draws a reader in and compels him or her to read all the way through to the end.

In other words, write as though you were sitting together over a cup of coffee or tea.

1. Greet the hiring manager by name if possible (not Dear Sir or Madam).
2. Create a headline that will grab his or her attention, such as:

Sales Executive Ready to Expand Territory

3. Write one or two sentences about your experience. He can read more in your resume.
4. ASK to meet for an interview and offer a selection of dates and times. Be proactive.
5. Provide your contact information clearly-especially your cell phone number.
6. Thank the employer for reading your cover letter.
7. Sign your name and then add a P.S. in a friendly tone. “I’m really looking forward to meeting with you in person.”

A well-written cover letter that sets you apart from other job seekers is one that shows you’re not afraid to step out of your comfort zone and show the real you!

Try these three simple stress-reducing techniques and notice how your self-esteem will rise.

1. Arrive ten to fifteen minutes ahead of your appointment. Spend five of those minutes listening to soft music, and deep breathing with your eyes closed, before leaving your car.

2. Visit the rest room on your way to the interview site. Check your appearance,
smile into the mirror and say the following affirmation silently or aloud if you’re alone: The employer and I connect immediately. He/she sees me as the ideal candidate for this job.

3. Enter the company’s lobby or waiting room and take a moment to observe your
surroundings, to introduce yourself to the receptionist, and to sit quietly and review
your notes.

Take Charge Now!

Most important: PLAN AHEAD. Never allow yourself to ‘wing’ it. Take the active approach. Stress, like wild fire, will spread quickly and consume you if you don’t block it before it reaches you. Then move into the interview as a confident and balanced individual-a professional well suited to fill the job opening.

May I have a chocolate ice cream sundae, please?”
“Are you free for lunch tomorrow?”
“Can you give me a hand moving my desk?”
“Will you loan me a few dollars till payday?”

Life is filled with such mundane questions. In order to get what we need and want we must ask for it–whether it’s a snack, a date, an extra hand. Yet, when it comes to including in a cover letter, the all-important request for a job interview, some job-seekers shy away from asking, “May I meet you to discuss the opening for restaurant manager (or whatever the position may be)?” or “May I come to your office for an interview?”

ASKING is essential. Without the question, the hiring manager has no reason to respond. Your cover letter might read well, but unless you ask for an interview, the manager will likely set your letter aside. You risk the chance of never hearing from that person about your interest in the job opening.

1. GIVE the hiring manager reason to keep reading your cover letter by creating a HEADLINE written and centered in Bold Text right above the greeting in your cover letter.

I Would Welcome The Opportunity To Interview or The Position Of
[Fill In Job Title Here].

2. STATE your qualifications at the beginning of your letter:
Thank you for describing the candidate you’re seeking to fill the position of restaurant manager. Co-workers and supervisions have acknowledged me for all the character traits you mentioned. I am organized, friendly, a solid leader, knowledgeable about the restaurant business, and excellent with customers and staff.

3. SUGGEST a meeting time in your final paragraph.
Are you available to schedule an interview within the next ten days? I’m free any afternoon between 1:00 and 4:00. Expect me to arrive prepared and eager to listen to your expectations, as well as to answer any questions you may have.

4. COMMUNICATE your enthusiasm at the end of your letter.
I look forward to meeting you and to hearing in person what you want in the person you hire to manage your fine restaurant. I feel confident we will relate well to one another. You can reach me any time on my cell phone: 555-555-5555. Thank you for the opportunity.

No need to wait and hope. Instead, put these four keys into practice and unlock an interview for the job you most desire. Take charge of your future by asking for what you want. When you ask, you are much more likely to receive.