Career Advice Podcasts & Job Seeker Network
Want Something Unique To Do With Your Cover Letter? Here's One Tip.
Written by Teena Rose; CoverLetterCentral.com
We all strive to better ourselves. I'm no different. In fact, I often find my nose deep into the writings of my colleagues ... also absorbing content written by writing experts in the marketing field. No doubt, people who write for the corporate world have a creative eye. So, not surprisingly, some of the freshest ideas for transforming stock documents like a cover letter actually come from writers who don't write cover letters for a living; i.e. those who write corporate communications for a living. Their sole purpose is to develop content that "sells."
A cover letter is designed to sell a product as well. That product is YOU, the jobseeker.
One copywriter in particular caught my eye a few years back -- although I must admit there's been a small bit of criticism that's hovered around the cover letter advice provided by Jimmy Sweeney. Although one ace in Jimmy's corner is he's proven how to sell a product using nothing more than the written word.
Being unique can certainly give a jobseeker an added bit of advantage. Correct?
In Jimmy's latest article, he advises the use of postscripts in a cover letter. Strange, sure. But, I find this strange suggestion to be a fresh idea on what some might considered a mundane document. Here's what Jimmy writes:
Will using a postscript generate a better return from your cover letter? No one can say for certain. But, what you could do is send a few cover letters with and without it, and somewhat test the waters.
For additional assistance writing a Cover Letter, visit CoverLetterCentral.com
We all strive to better ourselves. I'm no different. In fact, I often find my nose deep into the writings of my colleagues ... also absorbing content written by writing experts in the marketing field. No doubt, people who write for the corporate world have a creative eye. So, not surprisingly, some of the freshest ideas for transforming stock documents like a cover letter actually come from writers who don't write cover letters for a living; i.e. those who write corporate communications for a living. Their sole purpose is to develop content that "sells."
A cover letter is designed to sell a product as well. That product is YOU, the jobseeker.
One copywriter in particular caught my eye a few years back -- although I must admit there's been a small bit of criticism that's hovered around the cover letter advice provided by Jimmy Sweeney. Although one ace in Jimmy's corner is he's proven how to sell a product using nothing more than the written word.
Being unique can certainly give a jobseeker an added bit of advantage. Correct?
In Jimmy's latest article, he advises the use of postscripts in a cover letter. Strange, sure. But, I find this strange suggestion to be a fresh idea on what some might considered a mundane document. Here's what Jimmy writes:
Its 'proper' name is postscript. Its nickname is P.S. Add this little fellow to the end of your next cover letter and watch the phone calls for interviews roll in.
A person cannot not read a P.S. It is so powerful that it practically begs a person to skip down to the bottom and read it first.
Think about it. When you receive a letter with a P.S., don't your eyes move right to it? You're dying to find out what it's all about–whether a special offer, a bit of exciting news, free shipping on a product, a hug or kiss from a friend or loved one.
In marketing and advertising, the purpose of a P.S. is to state again the action you want the reader to take. For a job-seeker, it's a call for an interview. After sharing your qualifications in the letter, the P.S. reminds the reader of what you really want—the opportunity to meet in person to discuss the job. This ‘direct hit’ at the end of the cover letter can lead to that desired result.
THREE ways to use the P.S. in a cover letter
P.S. I'll follow up by phone and e-mail on June 20th. I would love to meet in person to discuss how I can fill the position (insert job title) I applied for. I can be reached right away at 555-555-5555. Thank you in advance.
P.S. I welcome the chance to meet at your convenience. Feel free to call me at 555-555-5555 to schedule an interview regarding (insert job title). I'm available any time you choose.
P.S. I'm eager to talk with you about how I can fill the position you advertised. {insert job opening title here}. {Company name} is number one on my list of organizations I'd like to work for. Contact me directly at 555-555-5555. Thank you for your time.
As you can see, the P.S. is hard to ignore! It's clear and focused and brief.
Tips for using the P.S. (postscript): Position the P.S. at the bottom of your cover letter and justified to the left. I recommend using either bold text or italics. Do not use both.
P.S. People are conditioned to read the P.S. so be sure to include one in your next cover letter.
P.P.S. Remember, the P.S. is our little secret. Share with others at your own risk!
A person cannot not read a P.S. It is so powerful that it practically begs a person to skip down to the bottom and read it first.
Think about it. When you receive a letter with a P.S., don't your eyes move right to it? You're dying to find out what it's all about–whether a special offer, a bit of exciting news, free shipping on a product, a hug or kiss from a friend or loved one.
In marketing and advertising, the purpose of a P.S. is to state again the action you want the reader to take. For a job-seeker, it's a call for an interview. After sharing your qualifications in the letter, the P.S. reminds the reader of what you really want—the opportunity to meet in person to discuss the job. This ‘direct hit’ at the end of the cover letter can lead to that desired result.
THREE ways to use the P.S. in a cover letter
P.S. I'll follow up by phone and e-mail on June 20th. I would love to meet in person to discuss how I can fill the position (insert job title) I applied for. I can be reached right away at 555-555-5555. Thank you in advance.
P.S. I welcome the chance to meet at your convenience. Feel free to call me at 555-555-5555 to schedule an interview regarding (insert job title). I'm available any time you choose.
P.S. I'm eager to talk with you about how I can fill the position you advertised. {insert job opening title here}. {Company name} is number one on my list of organizations I'd like to work for. Contact me directly at 555-555-5555. Thank you for your time.
As you can see, the P.S. is hard to ignore! It's clear and focused and brief.
Tips for using the P.S. (postscript): Position the P.S. at the bottom of your cover letter and justified to the left. I recommend using either bold text or italics. Do not use both.
P.S. People are conditioned to read the P.S. so be sure to include one in your next cover letter.
P.P.S. Remember, the P.S. is our little secret. Share with others at your own risk!
Will using a postscript generate a better return from your cover letter? No one can say for certain. But, what you could do is send a few cover letters with and without it, and somewhat test the waters.
For additional assistance writing a Cover Letter, visit CoverLetterCentral.com
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