DOES YOUR COVER LETTER COVER YOU?

by Karen Alphonse, Vice President, execSearches.com

Recently, at ExecSearches.com, we have been getting lots of questions about cover letters. Is this too long? Is this too detailed? Is my letter too bland? Is it too punchy or pushy? Will it project me in a favorable light? Who will read it? These are all legitimate and tricky questions.

Use Correct Grammar, Spelling, Names & Titles

Your cover letter is an important representation of you. It tells others that you are professional, a strong communicator and that you master important details easily. Make sure that your cover letter is grammatically correct, proofread and that you have double-checked names and titles. A perfect letter will draw sneers if an interviewer's name "Katelyn" reads as "Katherine" or even Kate Lynn" in your letter. When in doubt, call up the receptionist at the organization or go on the Internet and make sure that you have all names and titles absolutely correct. Similarly, if Mark was promoted to Senior Vice President between the time you heard of the position and the time you write your cover letter, it makes sense to address him by his new title in the letter. Doing so shows that you keep up with important details and also that you respect him. Those candidates who insist on using his old title are clearly at a disadvantage.

Exercise Tact

The reality is that a good cover letter strikes a balance between raw honesty and diplomacy. Ideally, it should project your interest in the position and describe, briefly, the skills and qualities which make you an outstanding candidate. This should, however, stop just short of bragging. And, you should probably avoid making statements like, "I know that I am the right one for the job." Many employers view such statements as indiscrete.

Showcase Your Interest Without Bragging

Your prospective employer should understand clearly that you are interested in exploring the role further. Further, he or she would rather make the hiring decision without you substituting your judgment for his/hers.

You certainly do not want to antagonize your next boss by projecting yourself as boastful or arrogant. Let your interviewers see how competent and qualified you are. They should never feel, however, nicely you put it, that you are substituting your judgment for that of the company. This is easier said than done.  How can you signal interest appropriately, without coming on too strong? How can you let your prospective employer know that you have skills and talents that may be interesting for the organization to explore without coming across like a braggart or an egotist?  This may all boil down to the effectiveness of your presentation.

Present Your SKill Set Honestly & Positively

First of all, do not assume that if you lack a few of the skills and qualifications listed as desirable that you are out of the running. On the other hand, if you admit say a lack of fundraising experience, and your other credentials and experience are outstanding, your cover letter may highlight your strengths, briefly acknowledging the fundraising needs. You may then go onto suggest concrete ways to acquire the skills quickly, or that you plan to partner with someone already in the organization to meet the fundraising need. This kind of strategy shows your prospective employer that you are thinking critically about the role and indicates your readiness to take it on. It also shows that you have a team-spirit, that you are willing to learn, and that you are bold about confronting your own areas for growth.

Second, both as a courtesy and as an interview strategy, you really do want to listen more than you talk. In your cover letter, too, you want to respond directly to the organization's needs. You want to point to those experiences in your professional life which have prepared you to take on the role. You also want to be concise and straightforward in your descriptions of what you have done and where you have been.

Remember To Be Flexible In Your Behavior

Your cover letter is another opportunity for you to show your prospective employer that you will be a valued member of the team. You may use your cover letter to showcase interests and abilities which are not readily apparent in the resume. This is particularly effective when these interests and abilities relate directly to the job you seek. Also, you will want to show that you are willing to accommodate your prospective employer's calendar. Many hours are lost trying to schedule meetings with outstanding candidates. Give your availability and also explain that you are quite willing to make necessary adjustments so a meeting happens sooner rather than later.

Suggest An Information Meeting, If Possible

Another successful strategy is to negotiate an information interview. This is an effective way to keep your options open. It also gives your prospective employer the opportunity to meet you in person and then to (1) encourage you to pursue the role you are interested in; (2) suggest alternative roles within the organization which might work for you; or (3) hire you as a consultant/create a role for you. Number Three, believe it or not, happens more often that you might want to believe! When an employer meets a leader with whom he or she would like to work, he or she will have an immediate incentive to be flexible and to create additional opportunities for you to review.

This is a completely different approach to one which would include exaggerating your skills and experience or ignoring core competencies required by the role you seek. After a successful information interview, your self-confidence and self-knowledge will create the space for your prospective employer to respond positively to you. This may involve matching you to the organization in other ways that make sense.

Have Someone Else Review Your Letter

It helps to have someone else, such as a trusted friend, or a recruitment professional like those of us at ExecSearches.com, review your letter. Sometimes, little things which might escape your attention will come to light when someone else takes a candid look. Also, do not fall into the trap of sending the exact same polished letter to every employer in town. First of all, the fact that you have not taken the time to tailor your letter to each particular opportunity may be interpreted either as a lack of creativity or as a lack of interest. Either way, it will not play to your advantage. Second, employers within the same industry or region do exchange notes. Your cover letter need not be this month's industry headline. Instead, try to view each letter as your one last shot at distinguishing yourself from dozens of other talented executives. When you look at it this way, no effort seems too much to get the letter in great shape so it complements your already solid resume.

by Karen Alphonse, Vice President, execSearches.com