Five Rules to Set You Apart from the Rest

From: Karen Silins

You might be wondering what you can do to make yourself stand out. I consulted my panel of experts to find out the steps you can take to demonstrate that you're the perfect candidate for the position you want.

Rule #1: Show the employer that you want to help him and his company – not that you want him to help you.

According to Jacqui Barrett, the career expert we met earlier, most of the cover letters she reads create the overriding impression that the applicant really wants the job. While there's nothing wrong with enthusiasm, a winning cover letter should always demonstrate a desire for the job plus a strong determination to excel at the employer's company.

The problem occurs when the applicant seems more interested in the opportunity to earn than the opportunity to add to the employer's bottom line. If you say you want a job so you can develop your skills, the employer might hear what you're not saying: that you eventually want to move on to a better job – at his expense!

Bottom Line: what the employer wants to see is the applicant's enthusiasm to help the company grow their profit and revenue, improve efficiency, increase customer satisfaction, and reduce costs. It's that simple.

Another panel member, Luis Delgado, Senior Representative for Employee Relations for Universal Orlando Theme Parks and Resorts, reads dozens of résumés and cover letters every day. His advice will be invaluable.

One of the best ways to make your cover letter go from standard to exceptional is to put yourself in the reader's shoes. Think about what he wants to see – not what you want him to see. Remember, the key to success and winning the interview is positioning yourself as THE ideal candidate. Mirror back what the employer said he's seeking and you are well on your way to landing that interview.

So, focus on the employer's needs, not your own desires, and remember to show exactly how you've met those needs in the past.

Rule #2: Don't shy away from an apparent weakness.

When I say "weakness," please don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about a work habit or a personality trait. Your lack of organizational skills or your poor listening skills don't equate to a serious "weakness." By "serious," I mean a gap in your work history or a mismatch between the job requirements and your skills.

Failing to address this weakness irritates recruiters and prospective employers alike. It seems as if the candidate is hoping that if he doesn't mention this weakness, it will cease to exist. The employer is going to notice serious discrepancies, so you might as well discuss them.

On the surface, it doesn't seem logical that talking about your shortcomings makes you a more desirable applicant. But trust the expert: you've got to stop solely thinking as a job-hunter. Instead, you need to think like an employer.

For example, if you didn't go to college, emphasize your on-the-job educational training. In other words, try to show how your "weakness" is really a strength for the employer.

Rule #3: Include a header.

This is easy to do, but for some reason, lots of applicants don't do it, which gives you an edge. After your letterhead (which includes your name and contact information) and before your greeting, simply state the job title you're interested in.

A header is particularly useful when you're writing a cover letter to inquire if a job is available. It can be handy, too, if a want ad has described a specific position. Placing the job title right beneath your name automatically makes you look like a good match.

This is a great trick when you really want to catch the reader's eye, but don't expect to win the job simply because you give yourself an appealing title. Ultimately, you'll win the job with what's in the letter, not what's at the top of it. Still, it doesn't hurt to have a leg up when the employer takes his first glance at the page.

Rule #4: Personalize the final paragraph; show you're a "take-charge" kind of person.

Employers love it when applicants personalize the last paragraph of their letters. As I've been saying all along, they love it when you personalize everything about your application. After all, you've got to show that you're the perfect candidate for the job. That means creating a letter that considers all aspects of the job and the employer's wants and interests.

It's perfectly acceptable to use a template for the conclusion. However, if you really want to set yourself apart, make the following easy change.

Rule #5: Follow all the rules and steps outlined in this guide!

Why should you do this? Simply put: because other candidates' cover letters are so dreadful. The fact is that few people produce good cover letters. Before I went full-time into the résumé writing and career-coaching business, I was in Human Resources. Our company was consistently hiring for a variety of positions and there was a steady stream of résumés and cover letters coming across my desk. The great majority of applications were lackluster at best. When a candidate truly took the time to communicate his experience, skills, and credentials relative to our needs, that candidate was always given a second look and was often called in for an interview.

If you're applying for the type of job that attracts hundreds of applicants, it's especially important that you follow the rules and use a model letter as the basis for your application. The employer will be grateful to see your well-written document. He'll remember it and read it more than once. Before you know it, you'll be face-to-face with the employer, answering his interview questions.

Karen Silins has been a professional resume and cover letter writer for 16 years and is the acting president and executive board member of the Association of Online Resume & Career Professionals

For more information about writing a cover letter that will grab the employer’s attention, please visit: http://www.breakthrough-cover-letters.com/