How to Transform a Boring Note Into A Killer Cover Letter - Part II

In Part I, we covered how to grab the reader's attention with the opening sentence. Now we'll get them interested, arouse desire, and get them to take action. Let's get moving.

Interest

Now that you have the reader's undivided attention. The next step is get them interested in what you have to offer. In this case, since you're applying for a job, the goal is to get the reader interested in you, right?

So how do you do that? You feed them interesting facts. Like how much money you saved your previous employer. By telling them how you were at top of your class. Or that you were one of the top salespeople and the qualities you possess that enabled you to become a top performer.

Look at your past. There have to be some accomplishments you can talk about. And you must possess some strengths that enabled you to achieve those accomplishments. Don't keep them to yourself. Tell the hiring manager. Create enough interest to make the reader want to know more. How else can they make an informed decision? You're not helping anyone by holding back.

Desire

You've grabbed the reader's attention and created interested, now you'll arouse desire by describing the benefits the company will get if it "buys" what you're selling (which is you). What are the benefits of hiring you?

You've got a proven track record. You possess qualities that have made you successful in the past and will continue to make you successful in the future. The hiring manger will be congratulated for making such an outstanding hiring decision. Those are some general ideas. I'm sure you can think of some that are more specific to you and your situation.

Fill in the details that apply to your situation. Do you have some special certification or accreditation? Do you have a specialized degree? Do you have unique and relevant experience that make you an ideal candidate for the job? Surely, there are several benefits you can use to sell the hiring manager on bringing you in for an interview.

Even if you're trying to switch careers, my killer "System" will get you noticed. You'll get interviews just because the hiring manger wants to meet someone who'd send such a creative cover letter.

Action

All that's left now is to get the reader to pick up the phone and call you. Don't leave the reader hanging. You've grabbed their attention, created interest, and aroused desire. Now tell them what to do next. And don't be timid. I like to use a subheadline - a headline within the letter. It looks like this:

Here's What To Do Next?

Can you be any clearer than that? I don't think so. You could also use something like: "Here's How To Schedule An Interview With Me?"

Then give them your contact information - all of it. Your phone number, fax number (if you have one), mailing address, email address, cell phone, etc. People are different and you don't know what their preferred method of communication is so make it easy for them to "order" an interview with you.

Some people will want to pick up the phone and call you. Others prefer email. So give them multiple ways to contact you. That increases the chance they'll contact you for an interview. And that's what you want, isn't it?

So there you have it, the AIDA formula. Apply it to transform stale, boring cover letters into Killer Cover Letters that'll get the phone ringing off the hook.

Here's What To Do Next?

Hey, haven't you seen that somewhere before? Well, if you liked this article, you'll absolutely love my Killer Cover Letter "System." You can get all the details at: www.CoverLetterGuru.com

Robert is an author, speaker, and real estate entrepreneur(both on & offline). Robert applied his direct response marketing skills to develop a Killer Cover Letter System that produced 3 job offers in 72 hours. Please visit http://www.CoverLetterGuru.com to find out more about Robert's Killer Cover Letter "System." To request your FREE Report send a blank email to report@CoverLetterGuru.com

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Gen-Y-Holiday-Jobs-Nearly/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B8503523E-6D70-4670-BCF2-B10C52126A9C%257Dcid=1272277986ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNHcGYs9ZR5hd7GNrtPUDV3nmmSTVAGen Y and Holiday Jobs: Nearly 80% Seeking bEmployment/b During b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobrNov 19, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Gen Y job seekers anticipate finding bemployment/b through their university bcareer/b centers (22 percent), word-of-mouth (23 percent) and online job boards (21 b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/SaleSpidercom-Adds-a-Job-Center/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B9B57E981-3949-4F84-9966-9A34AC0FFF02%257Dcid=1272599192ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNE4eN-3j9JCFlFbyvdUJ2Bv8TBLKQSaleSpider.com Adds a Job Center Menu in Navigation Pane as b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b from home bcareers/b by browsing through a particular job listing. Employers, recruiters, and bemployment/b agencies can post job ads with a job description, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Military-MBA-Sees-Bright-Spot/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B68646BEE-D9D5-4BA4-8867-5145DFA8989F%257Dcid=1271920639ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNEjZY99G5a33Er6ZUoivafOWcSG-wMilitary MBA Sees Bright Spot in Lackluster bEmployment/b Market b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobrNov 18, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1quot;This is a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster bemployment/b market.quot; Discussions with the event#39;s participating bcareer/b experts reinforced Military MBA#39;s b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122697125541435813.html%3Fmod%3Dspecial_page_campaign2008_mostpopcid=1271920639ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNFwNcha2_4esp2U5QFHfrrTddlSEgMBAs Veer Off Path to Big Finance Jobs/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrWall Street Journal/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1271920639hl=ennobrall 8 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1638444.htmcid=0ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNEj2P1s3r76_jBgNKldGrxYYX-W8AVoiceAmerica Internet Radio Show - Total bCareer/b Success With Ken b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fEmediawire (press release),nbsp;WAnbsp;-/font nobr8 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1NACE is the leading source of information on the bemployment/b of the college educated. The professional association connects more than 5200 college bcareer/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal/index.cfm%3FPID%3D15758%26artid%3D512cid=0ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNFyZ2idN-nTNHeXj4cdRXDzU27Zuwimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=PEtFfmkugToJimgurl=www.liberty.edu/media/9972/lj_11-20-08_DCinterns.jpg width=80 height=48 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Liberty News/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal/index.cfm%3FPID%3D15758%26artid%3D512cid=0ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNFyZ2idN-nTNHeXj4cdRXDzU27ZuwbCareer/b Center heads Washington Semester Internship Program/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fLiberty News,nbsp;VAnbsp;-/font nobr40 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1“When they get to DC they make contacts and develop relationships with networks that help secure bemployment/b later in life,” she said. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.emaxhealth.com/1/38/26717/top-medical-careers-and-asistant-jobs.htmlcid=0ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNHMVBFkd9mkiDGqMka_Db8SVCPbGwTop Medical bCareers/b And Asistant Jobs/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6feMaxHealth.com,nbsp;NCnbsp;-/font nobr15 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Certification means that one is competent and has more credibility and so increases the chances of bemployment/b. The bemployment/b chances of medical assistants b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/11/19/in_mass_sector_many_are_unruffledcid=1272495339ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNHVVHttWq6pmKvvGk-VacayND6wYAimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=c9rzQOCCHjgJimgurl=cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2008/11/19/1227074002_6369/539w.jpg width=80 height=53 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Boston Globe (registration)/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/RetoolingSEMichiganWorkforce0094.aspxcid=1272495339ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNGrkbCQpNFLIwvLX33_nmeoDQqpeARetooling SE Michigan#39;s Workforce/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMetromode Media,nbsp;MInbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Aubry says advisors are educating visitors about 50 quot;hotquot; bcareers/b in Michigan and apprising them of their earning potential and requisite level of education b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/motor-city-from-motown-to-nohope-town-1024597.htmlcid=1272495339ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNHUKO-RZepX38t9xMAnQAqALAhdAQMotor City: From Motown to no-hope town/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrIndependent/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news?btcid=e3abfae965230256img src=/images/news_comment_bubble12.gif alt=google news comment class=comment-iconComment bynbsp;Gary Chaison/afont size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnbsp;Prof. of Industrial Relations, Clark University/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1272495339hl=ennobrall 1,027 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081120.CFLMAIN20/TPStory/Sportscid=1272609970ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNGM-ffxThlRatKLL0naRRIFWLNxLwCoaches#39; bcareers/b bounce toward common goal/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fGlobe and Mail,nbsp;Canadanbsp;-/font nobr8 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1But without a higher profile and a friendlier bemployment/b environment, there#39;s no telling when they might arrive. quot;We will always have a great football b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.management-issues.com/2008/11/19/research/how-to-prevent-your-career-collapsing-with-your-company.aspcid=0ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNEkEzXkTPRvi46lZC7ZlpscATphOQHow to prevent your bcareer/b collapsing with your company/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fManagement-Issues,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr23 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b and are in a good position to plan a departure that will benefit their bcareers/b,quot; he added. For the study, Semadeni examined the bemployment/b situations of b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/26649cid=0ei=Yp4lSaaQHqTe6APBlMj_AQusg=AFQjCNFSTcHKoXzVfm7YvmRs2XjpknxPSAFor musicians, job market hits sour note/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fYale Daily News,nbsp;CTnbsp;-/font nobr9 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b stressing persistence, networking, marketing and diversifying bemployment/b options. Students stressed the importance of having a back-up bcareer/b plan since b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
careers employment - Google News

Resume Writing - Importance of a Professional Summary

The Summary is the preview of your entire resume. This... Read More

Job Interviews and The Secret of Selling Yourself

A very effective and persuasive tactic when selling something is... Read More

Relocation Issues...Who Will Pay?

In light of recent unemployment figures, and a continual downturn... Read More

Business Experience is YOUR Security Cover

Some may want to interpret "independent" to mean WITHOUT others.... Read More

Whats Stopping You from Getting Your Next, Good Job?

This question comes up often when I'm working with someone... Read More

Keep Your Phone Costs Down!

When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More

How To Write A Resume Cover Letter That Will Get Your Resume Read

A Resume Cover Letter has only one purpose - to... Read More

Working In Iraq: Is It For You?

The US Army Corp of Engineers and numerous private companies... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About How to Overcome Boredom

Do you find yourself easily becoming bored or tired at... Read More

The 10 Biggest Career Change Mistakes - And How to Avoid Them

Career change is no walk in the park.If it was... Read More

Career Development - When Its Time for a Change

There's a certain courage required to hear your gut. To... Read More

Searching for an Executive Job

A job search for executives is far less complicated today... Read More

Is A Career a Calling or Choice?

How much of our career path is destiny and how... Read More

Take the Personal Out of the Workplace: Leave Your Troubles at the Door!

Bringing your emotional baggage into the work place is inappropriate... Read More

Online Business: The Underground Railroad for Corporate Escapees

Millions of people everyday spend eight hours or more in... Read More

Online Resume Formats

There are several types of online resume formats that can... Read More

Are You Busy Living or Dying?

If you are not busy living, then you must be... Read More

Have You Been Fired? Laid Off? No? You Will Be!

It's true. Things have changed. You need to know the... Read More

Leaders Meet Challenge Heads-UP With Confidence --

Maybe "buck" is better referred to as the Boss' Challenge.... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: Read, Dont Copy

The resume objective statement is typically something that trips people... Read More

What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

The fastest way to make a good interview go bad... Read More

Should I leave My Job?

Most of us have to work for a living. Since... Read More

Finding a Career in Harmony with Your Life Path

Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More

What is Experience Anyway?

I learned in first grade that one plus... Read More

How To Get a Job Offer From Every Interview

About four years ago a friend told me one night... Read More