Quintessential Careers Press:
The Quintessential Guide to Storytelling that Propels Careers
Chapter 6: Cover Letters That Tell a Story
Page 83
Tell only the stories that are relevant to the employer’s requirements, the problems you can solve,
and the results you can achieve. If the relevance isn’t immediately obvious from your story, help the reader
make the connection by pointing out the skills and qualifications the story illustrates. For example:
The exceptional organizational abilities and detail orientation I deployed to set up photo shoots
are directly applicable to the skills needed to plan and coordinate events. I can enhance your profitability
by prospecting new business opportunities, strategizing communication initiatives, successfully managing
client relationships, delivering presentations, and much more.
Do use some of the employer’s own messages and language in your story. Go to the employer’s
Web site or pick up print publications about the organization. Pick out buzzwords and phrases. Play
these back to the employer in your story. Employers who read language-mirroring stories conclude that
the job-seeker "gets it." Decision-makers love to see the organization’s own words reflected back to them.
Both of these examples are take their inspiration from employer Web sites. In the first example, the site
stated that the company was staffed by people who could, like Superman, "leap tall buildings in a single bound."
I’m ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Knowing that you surround yourself with people
who care passionately about their work, I’m here to tell you that I am passionate about working for Henderson
Partners. My solid experience in serving the administrative needs of busy offices in fast-paced environments
would enable me to make a significant contribution to the Administrative Assistant/Receptionist position you
are currently advertising.
The description of The Limited at your Web site leads me to believe that your company and I share
a philosophy about creativity, fashion, and customer service. That’s why I’m eager to contribute my experience
in interacting with all kinds of people, combined with a genuine passion for fashion and a tremendous admiration
for The Limited, in an Associate capacity, particularly with Express.
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