As always, I'm delighted to send you this months new newsletter; I am sure you'll find the subjects interesting and the content useful. There is quite a lot to read this month so... take your time and enjoy!

You can still claim your free 7-part email course 'Get Your Dream Job in Only 90 Days' right here.

Now that the children are back at school, and the holiday season is over, many of you will be thinking more about where your career is going and what you should be doing about it.

If its not as good as you know it could be, use my guidance and take the first steps to complete your career change.

If you like this e-zine, which I sincerely hope you will, why not do a friend and me a big favour and "pay it forward", e-mail it to a friend and let them get the benefit as well.

Did you receive this newsletter from a friend, if so and you like what you've seen, subscribe yourself by visiting my Careers Update page where you can sign up for your own FREE copy.

In recent issues we covered:

• The Interview;
• Dealing with Interview Nerves;
• Assessment Centres;
• Psychometric Tests;
• Body Language;
• What do you look like?
• Presentations;
• Assert yourself and how to
• Avoid Your CV Ending Up in the Bin

Just follow the link at the bottom of this newsletter if you want to check out the back-issues

And this month's issue is devoted entirely to the most important issue of getting your cover letters working for you. So we're going to talk about:

• Dead Cert Cover Letters

Favourite Quotes of the Month

"I consider it a good rule for letter-writing to leave unmentioned what the recipient already knows, and instead tell him something new."

~Sigmund Freud

"In an age like ours, which is not given to letter-writing, we forget what an important part it used to play in people's lives."

~Anatole Broyard

Dead Cert Cover Letters

Before your start to write your cover letter let me tell you about the most common cover letter mistakes that people usually make.

Most people are going to have some difficulty when having to write an effective cover letter, but that’s only because they aren’t practiced at it. Besides, how many people actually write any kind of letter these days – its usually txt or email where different rules seem to have become the norm?

A well written letter says more about you than merely the words on the page.

Without question the cover letter is the most difficult letter that you will have to write because there is the question of getting the right style, the right format and knowing how best to inform the prospective employer. It should be obvious that a good cover letter can help you win the job, so why do so many people mess up?

Now let’s try to remove any mystery still surrounding the cover letter.

No matter how you are applying for the job; whether on-line or by email or even traditional mail you MUST include a cover letter. If you don’t there is a good chance that your application will be ignored. Any employer might decide that you are not a good candidate because:

• You don’t follow normal procedure

• You don’t know how to present yourself properly

• Perhaps you’re unable to express yourself in writing

• You simply can’t write letters

If any of this is true – would you bother to interview YOU?

So a cover letter is an absolute necessity. Without the cover letter your application just isn’t complete. Whilst a CV or resume needs to be capable of being a stand-alone document; it needs a cover letter to draw the reader to the relevant detail. This means that the cover letter is there to:

• Introduce you to the potential employer

• Provide an intro to the CV or resume

• Define your strengths and their relevance

• Show your value to the organization

• Confirm your interest and enthusiasm

• Illustrate your background, experience and expertise

• Provide additional information that is requested in the advertisement.

• Show why you should be called for an interview

A great application letter should also have a beginning, middle and an end. Sounds simple; not so but you can do this if you follow my ideas through and use them in your own cover letters...

LETTERS YOU MAY NEED:

1) Cover letter in response to advertisement

2) Target or Direct Approach letter

3) Letter to Recruitment Agency

Take a look at these cover letter examples and see how you can adapt them for your own needs.

THE BASICS OF WRITING A GREAT COVER LETTER

1. Address to the person named in the advertisement

2. Use the formal style Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms

3. Quote any reference number and job title

4. Quote where you saw the advertisement and the date

5. Show that you meet their requirements

6. Match your language to that used in the advertisement

7. Be positive, show interest and enthusiasm

8. Keep it brief (KISS)

Look at some examples then you'll see how easily you can write your own cover letters.

The basic rules are quite straightforward, yet it's surprising how some people burst into 'flowery' language as soon as they start to write a letter.

You and I wouldn’t say this (would we?)

"I enclose my curriculum vitae for your perusal"

Yet some people write it!!

Resist the temptation, keep it simple and your application letters will be great.

1) The cover letter in response to an advertisement

This is the easiest one to write. The advert will give you an indication of the type and amount of information that is required.

First you must read and re-read the advert so carefully that when you construct your cover letter it very clearly says:

“This candidate understands what we want.”

Your letter must convey your interest, confidence and competence to the reader who may be ploughing through hundreds of similar applications.

If yours is the same as all the others, what’s going to make them select you? First off, you must GRAB THEIR ATTENTION so PLEASE say you're interested in the job (hardly anyone ever does!!)

Then talk about what you know about the employer and not just yourself; illustrate your points clearly by using your skills analysis, to show exactly how your experience and skills fit their demand. Be very careful to comply with all of their instructions.

You will need to consider how you are going to include things like why you consider that you are the best person for the job, why you are enthusiastic about the position, why your expertise will be of benefit to the employer.

2) The target or direct approach cover letter

Your job target or the job market you are working within may mean that you have to introduce yourself to companies with a direct approach letter.

As you know, not all jobs get advertised; but you can help the business save money with this approach, and fast-track yourself at the same time.

You should use this approach when a need exists because of:

• Expansion or new locations;

• Departure or retirement of employees;

• New product launches;

• New markets at home or overseas;

• Downsizing (businesses often lose people they’d rather keep;

• Changes in legislation.

…somebody has the problem to solve. You can present yourself as the solution, and so remove their headache.

If you can write a good business letter and fulfill the company’s needs you are likely to receive a positive response – demonstrate your knowledge of the company, your interest and particularly what benefits you bring. Always follow up this letter, don’t just leave it to them to call you.

3) Letter to a recruitment company

If the recruitment company is recruiting for a specific vacancy for a particular employer, use the same guidelines at No. 1 as for a company advertising but substitute “your client” for any reference to the employer.

If the recruiter is not advertising specifically you can still approach as per No. 2 but make sure you include either particular companies you would be interested in or types of company you would be interested in. Remember though that recruiters are usually driven by the paying clients and so may not respond unless you match a given need.

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Does you cover letter really SELL you?

Can you be sure your cover letter REALLY sells you?

Most cover letters are actually really very poor. How is yours?

Do you really sell your professional contribution, your personal style, and your technical competence; demonstrating where you have most impact on the business you work for?

Now discover how you can write a winning dead-cert cover letter.

If you would like more advice on your CV or resume and cover letter click cover letter advice for further information.

Things you should avoid:

1. Most cover letters fail because they don’t engage the employer.

2. Candidates focus too much on their own needs and not on the employer’s needs.

3. The letter only states that your CV is enclosed, rather than reconfirming your areas of expertise.

4. Pushy letters that imply or state how the company should run its business; this approach gives the employer a negative image of you.

5. Save your sense of humour for the times when you are face to face with the interviewer. You can then judge the response and modify your approach accordingly.

6. Use of flowery language.

You increase your chances of success if you write a really good cover letter, so it is worth spending some time getting it right.

Tips for Great Letter Layout:

• Properly addressed with contact details clear;

• Banner headline in bold typeface identifies the Job title, reference number and publication;

• Some companies may be advertising several positions in different papers so this leaves no doubt;

• Avoids starting each sentence with “I” (causes I-strain if overdone!!)

• Simple, clear 1-page layout;

• Positive and reassuring tone throughout;

• Bullet points (max 5) matched to key requirements in advert;

• When addressed to a name, ends with “yours sincerely”;

• Exudes interest and confidence because those words are actually used;

• Complies with instructions i.e. salary, location, CV enclosed;

• Ends confidently – expects to be interviewed. (This is quite acceptable; you know you meet the requirements so they will want to see you.)

If you try to use these pointers in your own letter layout, you'll find much more interest from the eventual reader.

For more help with letter layout, including a “Thank-you letter” and examples of letters you can use look at this page of cover letter examples.

Your Own Web Business?

We’ve talked elsewhere about you considering or even choosing to build your own on-line web business as your career change.

There are lots of ways to do this and I use Site Build It! as my toolbox; go there to learn more about whether it would help you as well.

Here are some additional tools and strategies that I am finding both inspiring and helpful.

You could own the MASTER RESALE RIGHTS to the Most Up-to-date Software and Ebooks on the internet. -> Highly Sought-after Reseller Products. -> Plug-n-Go Minisites for EVERY product. -> FREE UPGRADES for LIFE. -> Master resale Rights to the Package Itself! Go to Master Resale Rights If you are getting frustrated by a lack of traffic to your own websites - I empathize. I’ve been there.

But I also have something better than empathy: I have found a solution. I can show you exactly how to get masses of traffic to and sales from any site you wish, and once you get going it’s like throwing a switch.

This strategy is called the Content Based Traffic System, and I have seen it used to generate over 5.1 million visitors to Kevin Bidwell’s sites. Each day it automatically brings him several thousand more visitors, so it’s worth learning how he does this.

No matter what you offer on the Web, your site must SELL!

Has your own profitable Web site just been a dream until now? Well, everyone's an expert on something!

Think! Brainstorm a little. Can you offer?

• World-class consulting services on your special area of expertise?

• Special travel services, like bike tours through the Andes?

• Unique info-products, based on knowledge from your job or hobby?

It doesn't matter. Here's the bottom line – this book Make Your Site Sell will show you exactly what to do.

And to learn about filling your site with words that make people want to buy, you should take a look at this book, Make Your Words Sell

This is pretty serious stuff, especially when so many people think... "I Am Not a Writer"

I hope these help you as they are helping me.

Comments, ideas or feedback?

I'd really love to hear from you - just reply to this e-zine and let me know what you think.

Best Regards

Peter

p.s if you haven't yet signed up for your own FREE copy of Careers Update request one now. and I'll make sure you get one.

Disclaimer: As with all advertising, you should examine the opportunities and any claims made thoroughly and take appropriate advice before committing yourself.

7 Steps to Your Career Change Success

To help you make the most of your career change, I've written a book "7 Steps to Your Career Change Success" which you might want to take a quick preview - see the e-book here.
But don't forget to claim your 7-part email course 'Get Your Dream Job in 90 Days' - it's FREE and based on my book.

Just claim it here.