Quintessential Careers Press: Surefire Resumes for New Graduates and Other Entry-Level Candidates Chapter 2: Forget About the One-Size-All Resume and Cover Letter Page 16 Specific benefit to employer: Jeffrey Gunhus writes in his new book, No Parachute Required, "The purpose of a cover letter is to explain how you (the candidate) will benefit me (the company)." Your letter should should tell very specifically how you will meet the employer's needs, solve the employer's problems, or otherwise benefit the hiring company. For example: When I interviewed Ms. Kirkwood six months ago to obtain information about a career in real estate, she mentioned that the agency would like to establish a Web presence. I'd like to combine my interest in real estate with my knowledge of Web page design and HTML programming to help you create a Webmaster position in your office. I've even sketched out some preliminary ideas on what your Web page might look like, and I'd love to get together and show them to you. Specific request for action and specific description of your planned follow-up action: Don't be vague about your desire to be interviewed. Come right out and ask for an interview. Then, take your specific action a step farther and tell the recipient that you will contact him or her in a specified period of time to arrange an interview appointment. Obviously, if you say you will follow up, you have to do so. If you take this proactive approach and follow up, you will be much more likely to get interviews than if you did not follow up. This follow-up aspect is another good reason to obtain the specific name of the hiring manager. Here's a sample closing paragraph requesting specific action and describing the writer's planned follow-up. I would like to be considered for a sales position in which someone of my background could make a contribution. I will contact you soon to arrange for an interview. Should you require any additional information, I can be contacted at the phone numbers listed above. Previous Page Next Page Back to Surefire Resumes for New Graduates and Other Entry-Level Candidates Index Page