INSEAD Library

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Cover Letter Magic Trade Secrets of Professional Resume Writers Contents Introduction vi The Cover Letter Is How It All Starts ...................................vi How This Book Is Organized ............................................. viii The Purpose and Objectives of a Cover Letter .................... x The Importance of Cover Letters in Your Winning Job Search Campaign ...................................................... xiii The Rules: There Aren't Any! ............................................. xiv Part I: Creating and Distributing YourCover Letters .................................................................. 1 Chapter 1 Cover Letter Formats and Types for Every Situation . ... 3 Cover Letter Formats............................................................ 5 The 10 Types of Cover Letters .............................................. 9 Chapter 2 Preparing to Write ................................................................ 43 Six Steps to Better Cover Letters ......................................43 Step 1: Identify Your Key Selling Points ............................ 44 Chapter 3 Writing Your Cover Letters ................................................ 67 Step 2: Pre-Plan ................................................................ 68 Step 3: Write the Opening Paragraph .............................. 71 Step 4: Write the Body ...................................................... 94 Step 5: Write the Closing ................................................... 97 Step 6: Polish, Proofread, and Finalize ........................... 110 Chapter 4 The Anatomy of a Winning Electronic Cover Letter (Plus Electronic Resume Tips) ......................................... 117 Electronic Cover Letters ................................................... 118 Electronic and Scannable Resumes .............................. 123 Chapter 5 Cover Letter Presentation .............................................. 127 Developing Winning Visual Presentations ...................... 127 Design Considerations ....................................................128 Chapter 6 Answers to Common Cover Letter Questions and Tips to Help You Beat the Odds .............................. 137 Frequently Asked Cover Letter and Resume Questions ..................................................................... 138 Using Your PC in Your Job Search ................................ 147 Distributing Your Resumes and Cover Letters ............. 152 Managing the Paperwork and the Job Search Process . 156 Part II: Chapter 7 Sample Cover Letters....................................................... 161 Before-and-After Cover Letter Transformations .......... 163 How to Use the Samples ................................................ 164 Chapter 8 Winning Cover Letters for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions ......................................................................... 179 Top 5 Cover Letter-Writing Tips for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions .................................................... 179 Winning Cover Letters for Young Professionals/ New Graduates .................................................................... 187 Top 5 Cover Letter-Writing Tips for Young Professionals/ New Graduates ............................................................... 187 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Winning Cover Letters for Mid-Career Professionals . 209 Top 5 Cover Letter-Writing Tips for Mid-Career Professionals ................................................................... 209 Chapter 11 Winning Cover Letters for Senior Managers and Executives ...................................................................... 235 Top 5 Cover Letter-Writing Tips for Senior Managers and Executives .............................................................. 235 Winning Cover Letters for Technical and Scientific Professionals .................................................................... 257 Top 5 Cover Letter-Writing Tips for Technical and Scientific Professionals ................................................................... 257 Winning Cover Letters for Career Changers ................. 271 Top 5 Cover Letter-Writing Tips for Career Changers ...................................................................... 271 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Part III: The Total Job Search: Thank-You Letters, Recruiters, and Resumes ..................................285 How Thank-You Letters Can Help You Land a Job........ 289 Frequently Asked Questions About Thank-You Letters ............................................................................. 292 Thank-You Letter Checklist ............................................ 293 One Final Recommendation............................................ 294 Sample Thank-You Letters .............................................. 294 Chapter 14: Winning Thank-You Letters .................................................. 287 Chapter 15: Cover Letter Tips and Techniques from Recruiters . . . 299 Advice from the Recruiters ............................................. 299 Key Points to Remember................................................... 311 Chapter 16: Next-Generation Job Search Letters ............................. 313 High-Impact Networking Letters ..................................... 314 Personal Branding Letters .............................................. 318 Reconnecting Letters....................................................... 323 Career-Update Letters ..................................................... 326 Chapter 17: Winning Resume Strategies ........................................... 331 Resume Strategy..............................................................332 Resume Writing ................................................................ 336 Resume Presentation .....................................................344 Recommended Resume Formats .................................... 346 Magical Tips on Resume Writing .....................................364 Part IV:Appendixes......................................................................................... 369 Appendix A Using Keywords to Win in Your Job Search ....................... 371 Appendix B Action Verbs for Cover Letters ............................................. 391 Appendix C Recommended Job Search and Career Web Sites ............. 393 Appendix D Index of Contributors ............................................................. 403 Index .............................................................................................................. 410