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Cover Letter Magic, Fourth Edition
By: Louise Kursmark; Wendy Enelow
Publisher: JIST Publishing
Pub. Date: November 1, 2009
Print ISBN-13: 978-1-59357-735-3
Pages in Print Edition: 448
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Overview

Reveals the inside secrets for creating phenomenal cover letters that get noticed and land interviews.

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Part I: Creating and Distributing Your Cover Letters

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 1. Cover Letter Formats and Types for Every Situation

Cover Letter Formats

Paragraph Style

Comparison-List Style

Sample Paragraph-Style Letter

Sample Comparison-List-Style Letter

Bullet Style

A Word About Electronic Communication

Sample Bullet-Style Letter

The Nine Types of Cover Letters

1. Ad-Response Letter to a Company

Sample Ad-Response Letter to a Company

2. Ad-Response Letter to a Recruiter

Sample Ad-Response Letter to a Recruiter

3. Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample Cold-Call Letter to a Company

4. Cold-Call Letter to a Recruiter

Sample Cold-Call Letter to a Recruiter

5. Referral Letter

Sample Referral Letter

6. Networking Letter

Sample Networking Letter

7. Follow-Up Letter

When Is It Appropriate to Send a Follow-Up Letter?

When Is It Not Appropriate to Send a Follow-Up Letter?

Sample Follow-Up Letter

8. Broadcast Letter

Sample Broadcast Letter

10. Sponsor Letter

Sample Sponsor Letter

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 2. Preparing to Write

Six Steps to Better Cover Letters

Step 1: Identify Your Key Selling Points

Know Your Objective

Summarize Your Experience

What Is a Summary Sentence?

Sample Summary Sentences

Where Did You Get Your Experience?

Let Your Achievements Sell for You

Identify Your Achievements

Sample Achievement Statements

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 3. Writing Your Cover Letters

Step 2: Pre-Plan

An Example: Chris Matthews

Step 3: Write the Opening Paragraph

Sample Opening Paragraphs

Sample 1: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 2: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 3: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 4: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 5: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 6: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 7: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 8: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 9: Ad-Response Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 10: Ad-Response Letter to a Company

Sample 11: Ad-Response Letter to a Company

Sample 12: Ad-Response Letter to a Recruiter

Sample 13: Online Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 14: Online Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 15: Cold-Call Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 16: Cold-Call Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 17: Cold-Call Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 18: Cold-Call Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 19: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 20: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 21: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 22: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 23: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 24: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 25: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 26: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 27: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 28: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 29: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 30: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 31: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 32: Cold-Call Letter to a Company

Sample 33: Cold-Call Letter to a Recruiter

Sample 34: Referral Letter

Sample 35: Referral Letter

Sample 36: Networking Letter

Sample 37: Networking Letter

Sample 38: Follow-Up Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 39: Follow-Up Letter to a Company or Recruiter

Sample 40: Sponsor Letter

Sample 41: Sponsor Letter

Chris Starts His Letter

Step 4: Write the Body

Highlight Your Features and Benefits

Refer to Your Key Selling Points Lists

Chris Writes the Body of His Letter

Step 5: Write the Closing

The Salary Question

Sample Closing Paragraphs

Sample 1: Ideal if responding to a recruiter advertisement

Sample 2: Solid closing for a company ad-response letter

Sample 3: Aggressive closing for a company ad-response letter

Sample 4: Strong closing for a company ad-response letter

Sample 5: Ideal closing for an ad-response letter (to recruiters or companies)

Sample 6: Clearly positions the candidate as an asset and highlights qualifications for a specific position

Sample 7: Closing for a cold-call letter to a recruiter

Sample 8: Concise and versatile closing for ad-response and cold-call letters

Sample 9: Cold-call letter closing

Sample 10: Concise and direct closing for a cold-call letter to a company

Sample 11: Focuses on how to contact the candidate

Sample 12: Focuses on a relocation requirement

Sample 13: Ideal if the candidate is seeking a position that requires relocation or travel

Sample 14: Ideal if the candidate is looking to remain in the same geographic area

Sample 15: Focuses on personal attributes and the reason for wanting to work for a specific company

Sample 16: Focuses on personal attributes

Sample 17: Focuses on professional competencies

Sample 18: Explains past employment experience

Sample 19: Explains the reason for leaving a company

Sample 20: Explains why the candidate is seeking to return to an industry where he had previous experience

Sample 21: Explains why the candidate is interested in changing careers and industry focus

Sample 22: Explains why the candidate wants to work for that particular company

Sample 23: Explains why the candidate is transitioning from consulting back to a corporate role

Sample 24: Explains why the candidate is remaining in the profession, but just changing industry focus

Sample 25: Excellent strategy to explain why the candidate is in the job market

Sample 26: Explains why the candidate is choosing to leave a company after years of employment

Sample 27: Clearly communicates why the candidate wants to remain in a particular industry

Sample 28: Demonstrates strong leadership and communicates a positive message of performance

Sample 29: Communicates stability with the current employer

Sample 30: Communicates performance and accomplishment

Sample 31: Follow-up letter to a recruiter, announcing that the candidate has accepted a new position

Sample 32: Informal network contact

Sample 33: Formal network contact

Sample 34: Ideal for a network contact with someone the candidate knows quite well

Sample 35: Effective, professional closing for use when writing to a venture capital firm

Chris Writes His Closing Paragraph

You’re Done with the Writing Part!

Chris’s Cover Letter

Step 6: Polish, Proofread, and Finalize

Things to Watch For

Tips and Tricks from the Top

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

Specialist Versus Generalist Letters

Sell It to Me; Don’t Tell It to Me

Getting Over Writer’s Block

Answer the Employer’s Most Important Question: “What Can You Do for Me?”

Cover Letter Checklist

Chapter 4. The Anatomy of a Winning Electronic Cover Letter (Plus Electronic Resume Tips)

Electronic Cover Letters

Electronic Cover Letter Hints

Sample Electronic Cover Letters

The Preferred Electronic Cover Letter Style for Companies

The Preferred Electronic Cover Letter Style for Network Contacts

The Preferred Electronic Cover Letter Style for Recruiters

Final Thoughts on Electronic Cover Letters

Electronic and Scannable Resumes

Electronic Resume Hints

A Word About Scannable Resumes

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 5. Cover Letter Presentation

Developing Winning Visual Presentations

Design Considerations

What Format Should I Use?

Block-Style Letter: Everything Is Flush Left

Modified Block-Style Letter: Indented Date, First Lines of Paragraphs, and Closings

What Font Should I Use?

Exercise: Experiment with Typestyles

What Type Enhancements Should I Use?

What Paper Color Should I Use?

What Type of Paper Should I Use?

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 6. Answers to Common Cover Letter Questions—and Tips to Help You Beat the Odds

Frequently Asked Cover Letter and Resume Questions

How Long Should My Cover Letter Be?

Exceptions to the One-Page Rule

Broadcast Letters

Should I Include Salary Information in My Cover Letter?

How Can I Best Communicate Salary History or Salary Requirements?

Should I Send My Resume to the Human Resources Department?

Should I Follow Up a Faxed or E-mailed Resume?

What Size Paper Should I Use?

Should I Use the Same Paper for Everything?

Do My Communications Need a Consistent Look?

What Size Envelope Should I Use?

What If I Don’t Know the Addressee’s Name?

What If I Am Unsure of the Addressee’s Gender?

Should I Follow Up with a Phone Call After Each Resume and Cover Letter I Send?

Exceptions to the Rule

Do I Need to Mention Why I’m in the Job Market?

Do I Need to Make My Cover Letter “Scannable”?

Using Your PC in Your Job Search

Word Processing and Desktop Publishing

Quick Typesetting Rules

Mail Merge

Database Management

PC-Based Calendars and Appointment Books

The Internet

Create a Text (ASCII) Version of Your Resume

Post Your Resume on Resume Web Sites

Visit Job-Posting Sites

Visit Professional Association Sites in Your Field

Explore the Sites of Companies That Interest You

Research Companies, Industries, Business Trends, and Salaries

Distributing Your Resumes and Cover Letters

Managing the Paperwork and the Job Search Process

Managing Your Campaign on Paper

Managing Your Campaign with Your PC

Helpful Hints

Keep Everything

Touch Everything Only Once!

Write Down Everything!

Checklists Are Great Things

Develop a Schedule and Stick to It

Part II: Sample Cover Letters

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 7. Before-and-After Cover Letter Transformations

How to Use the Samples

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 8. Winning Cover Letters for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions

Top 5 Cover Letter Writing Tips for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 9. Winning Cover Letters for Young Professionals/ New Graduates

Top 5 Cover Letter Writing Tips for Young Professionals/New Graduates

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 10. Winning Cover Letters for Mid-Career Professionals

Top 5 Cover Letter Writing Tips for Mid-Career Professionals

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 11. Winning Cover Letters for Senior Managers and Executives

Top 5 Cover Letter Writing Tips for Senior Managers and Executives

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 12. Winning Cover Letters for Technical and Scientific Professionals

Top 5 Cover Letter Writing Tips for Technical and Scientific Professionals

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 13. Winning Cover Letters for Career Changers

Top 5 Cover Letter Writing Tips for Career Changers

Part III: The Total Job Search: Thank-You Letters, Recruiters, and Resumes

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 14. Winning Thank-You Letters

How Thank-You Letters Can Help You Land a Job

Reinforce Points from the Interview

Communicate New Information

Respond to Objections from the Interview

Share Relevant Personal Information

Keep Your Qualifications on the Manager’s Mind

Distinguish Yourself from Other Candidates

Build a Relationship

Frequently Asked Questions About Thank-You Letters

Thank-You Letter Checklist

One Final Recommendation

Sample Thank-You Letters

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 15. Cover Letter Tips and Techniques from Recruiters

Advice from the Recruiters

Randy Block: Retained Recruiter Information Technology, High-Tech

Position-Specific Letters

General-Contact Letters

Online Cover Letters

Immediate Turnoffs

Shelly Goldman: Retained and Contingency Recruiter Health Care, Finance, Accounting, and Technology Industries

Darrell Gurney: Retained and Contingency Recruiter

Mitch Halaby: Executive Recruiter—Accounting and Finance

What to Include in Your Letter

The Salary Question

Rolande LaPointe: Contingency Recruiter—Generalist

Key Points to Remember

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 16. Next-Generation Job Search Letters

High-Impact Networking Letters

Personal Branding Letters

Reconnecting Letters

Career-Update Letters

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1 TokenChapter 17. Winning Resume Strategies

Resume Strategy

Focus and Perception: Who You Are

Career Goals and Objectives: Who You Want to Be

Sales and Merchandising: What You Have Accomplished

Resume Writing

Content

Objectives and Career Summaries

Objectives

Career Summaries

Education

Employment Experience

“Older” Experience

Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar, and Syntax

Writing in the First Person and in the Correct Tense

Length

Resume Presentation

Format

Visual Presentation

Recommended Resume Formats

Blue-Collar Job Seeker

Graduating Student with Minimal Work Experience

Young Professional Uncertain About Career Objectives

Career Changer

Industry Changer

Mid-Level Management Candidate

Technologist or Scientist

Candidate Leaving the Military or Government for a Corporate Position

Senior Manager or Executive

Consultant

Magical Tips on Resume Writing

No Rules—Just Write

Sell It to Me; Don’t Tell It to Me

Be Honest, but Not Modest

The Essentials: Employment and Education

It’s OK to Leave Out Some Things

Never Include Salary Information on Your Resume

Wording to Avoid

Presentation Counts

Include Your E-mail Address

Take Everyone’s Advice with a Grain of Salt

Is Your Resume Working for You?

Download Chapter
1 TokenChapter 18. Strategies, Tips, and Techniques to Recession-Proof Your Career

Job Search in a Challenging Economic Environment

The Eight Most Important Elements of Job Search Success

The Bicycle Model of Job Search

Ad Responses and Online Job Postings

Online Resume Postings

Traditional Networking

Web 2.0 Networking

Recruiter Contacts

Company Contacts

Venture Capital Contacts

Job Fairs

Choose Your Strategy

The Top Eight Lifelong Career-Management Strategies for Success

Moving Forward

Part IV: Appendixes

Download Chapter
1 TokenAppendix A. Using Keywords to Win in Your Job Search

What Are Keywords, and Where Did They Come From?

What Is All This Talk About Keywords and Scanning?

How Do I Use Keywords in My Cover Letters?

Integrating Keywords into the Text

Using Keywords in a Separate Skills Section

Using Keywords in a Career Highlights Paragraph

Using Keywords in a Comparison-List Format

Which Keywords Are Right for Me, My Profession, and My Industry?

Administration

Association and Not-for-Profit Management

Banking

Customer Service

Engineering

Finance, Accounting, and Auditing

General Management, Senior Management, and Consulting

Information Systems and Telecommunications Technology

Law and Corporate Legal Affairs

Manufacturing and Production

Public Relations and Corporate Communications

Real Estate, Construction, and Property Management

Retail

Sales and Marketing

Security and Law Enforcement

Teaching and Education Administration

Download Chapter
1 TokenAppendix B. Action Verbs for Cover Letters

Download Chapter
1 TokenAppendix C. Recommended Job Search and Career Web Sites

Dictionaries and Glossaries

Job Search Sites

General Sites

Career-Specific Sites

Accounting Careers

Arts and Media Careers

Education Careers

Food Service Careers

Government Careers

Health Care/Medical/Pharmaceutical Careers

Human Resources Careers

International Careers

Legal Careers

Sales and Marketing Careers

Technology/Engineering Careers

Sites for Miscellaneous Specific Fields

Download Chapter
1 TokenAppendix D. Index of Contributors

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Index

Notes

Footnote

Chapter 15

Extras

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Visit the catalog page for Cover Letter Magic , Fourth Edition	Catalog Page

Download Safari Books Online apps: Apple iOS | Android

Cover Letter Magic, Fourth Edition

Overview

Other Titles in This Category

Subscriber Reviews

Browse Similar Topics

Table of Contents

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 1. Cover Letter Formats and Types for Every Situation

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 2. Preparing to Write

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 3. Writing Your Cover Letters

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 5. Cover Letter Presentation

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 6. Answers to Common Cover Letter Questions—and Tips to Help You Beat the Odds

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 7. Before-and-After Cover Letter Transformations

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 8. Winning Cover Letters for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 9. Winning Cover Letters for Young Professionals/ New Graduates

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 10. Winning Cover Letters for Mid-Career Professionals

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 11. Winning Cover Letters for Senior Managers and Executives

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 12. Winning Cover Letters for Technical and Scientific Professionals

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 13. Winning Cover Letters for Career Changers

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 14. Winning Thank-You Letters

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 15. Cover Letter Tips and Techniques from Recruiters

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 16. Next-Generation Job Search Letters

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 17. Winning Resume Strategies

Download Chapter1 TokenChapter 18. Strategies, Tips, and Techniques to Recession-Proof Your Career

Download Chapter1 TokenAppendix A. Using Keywords to Win in Your Job Search

Download Chapter1 TokenAppendix C. Recommended Job Search and Career Web Sites

Download Chapter1 TokenAppendix D. Index of Contributors