Cover Letters Par Excellence

*Magical* cover letters scream–ever so politely–that you have the intelligence, experience, and soft skills to be the answer to an employer's staffing problem.

*Marginal* cover letters also scream–unfortunately, their message to an employer is that of another "cookie cutter candidate" with a canned letter or "another self-aggrandizing applicant" who hasn't once indicated his interest in the employer's needs.

~*Elements of a Good Cover Letter*~ The Carrot - An introduction that is fresh, interesting, and relevant. The Corroboration - Content that shows an intelligent understanding of the employer's needs and your ability to fill those needs. The Close - A confident finish that suggests a meeting or invites the reader to take further action.

~*Sample Cover Letter (Sales Position)*~ Delivering solid gains has been the norm throughout my career in sales. My commitment to you would be the same–expand sales in existing accounts, convert new accounts from competitors, and maximize sales of high-net products.

The qualifications that I can bring to Any Corporation are outlined in my attached resume. You will note that I have spent almost 10 years in the building materials industry. During that time, I have:

* Launched a new central California territory and captured more than $8 million in sales volume. * Expanded a ready-mix business to gain a significant piece of the commercial building materials market (35%). * Managed the time, resources, and systems to maintain a healthy profit margin 6% above the industry average. * Hired, trained, and supervised an aggressive sales team who were well-versed in competitive building materials.

What is not mentioned on the resume is that I virtually grew up in the roofing business. My father owned Peach State Roofing, so I had an early exposure to the industry and the people in it.

Given my skills in relationship selling, familiarity with the product line, and understanding of your clients' needs, I could step into the position and be of immediate value. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss a position with your company.