The Three Key Elements Of A Perfect Cover Letter

1
The Three Key Elements

• of a Perfect Cover Letter

2
Its arguable as to whether it is worse for
someone to reject you outright or to just ignore
you completely -
3
- but in the hypercompetitive world of the job
seeker it isall too easy set oneself up for
either outcome if onedoesnt go in swinging for
the fences with an attention-grabbing cover
letter.
4
The cover letter is the first and in all too many
cases the only thing that a headhunter or hiring
manager will see in a resume package.
5
If it doesnt jump out of the pile and scream
look at me in the first thirty seconds its
going into the round file and that job is going
to go to somebody else
6
- the person whose cover letter did jump out and
grab the attention. There are three key
components to an eye-catching cover letter that
stands out
7
Personality
8
Give your cover letter some personality.
9
Most of your job-seeking competition will use
resume and cover-letter templates from the
internet, and most of them will look and read
exactly the same.
10
While its important to maintain good
professional form, its just as important to give
your prospective employer a sense of who you are
as a person.
11
Most of the substance is in the resume the cover
letter is an ideal place to show a bit of your
style and how it will contribute to your job
performance.
12
For instance, if the position is for a financial
advisor, then you can explain how your personal
approach to and viewof the markets would
convince the customer that youradvice is
beneficial,
13
- and how those things will also benefit the
company in achieving its goals.
14
Character
15
The resume is a fairly straightforward collection
of facts and dates, and the structure leaves
little room for elaboration.
16
In keeping with the idea of personalization, the
cover letter is ideal for adding in relevant
information that doesnt fit into the format of
the resume.
17
Its a good place to briefly expand on things
like additional education, outside interests that
are relevant to ones field, or services to the
community.
18
Do your homework about the job and the company
tell them a few things that they might not know
or might be surprised that you would know.
19
Every company has its own tone and language in
its communications emulate that tone and use its
own phrasings and keywords in describing your
fitness for the position.
20
Action
21
Most people approach a job search as if theyre
asking for something. Make your cover letter an
offer of something your service, experience, and
loyalty.
22
Dont come across as timid or as if the company
is doing you a favor. Show them your ambition and
initiative.
23
Following the example for the position above
Find out who the finance industry recruiter is,
address them by name, and make it a communication
between equals.
24
Tell him when and where youll be available to
meet him for the interview, and that you will
contact him again by a certain time if you
havent heard from him.
25
Do not succeed at gaining his attention just to
leave the ball in his court.
26
Every job worth having has at least a few
applicants that are also worth having.
27
A short scan of one piece of paper is often all
that makes the difference between any given
applicant and an interviewee.
28
A financial advisor needs to have a quality of
salesmanship about her, but she might not be a
very naturally persuasive writer.
29
Taking the time to craft a colorful, descriptive,
and actionable cover letter may make all the
difference between pounding the streets for a job
and enjoying a fulfilling career.
30
To get the job you wanted, you need to create a
cover letter that shows how great an asset you
are for the company.
31
If you are looking for a job in the finance
industry call our finance recruiters to learn
more about available positions.
32
Check our listings herewww.willis-consul
ting.com/financial-advisor-jobs
33
Willis Consulting, Inc.Los Angeles Office
Corporate Headquarters719 Yarmouth Road, Suite
203Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274310-373-7400
PSTScottsdale Office15051 N Kierland Blvd,
Suite 210Scottsdale AZ 85254480-361-9490
PSTNew York Office244 5th Avenue, Suite
1855New York NY 10001212-726-2041 PST