Unbeatable Resumes (68 page)

The body of your e-mail message should have the same qualities as a cover letter: short, personal, and to the point. Consider the recipient and the number of e-mails he or she receives. I personally get between 100 and 150 e-mails a day. If the subject line grabs me, I quickly scan the body of the e-mail. But if the message is more than two or three sentences, I may not read it. The biggest mistake candidates make when e-mailing their résumés is to write a long introduction about themselves in an e-mail message.

Here is an example of an e-mail that is
way
too long:

Dear Hiring Manager,

As someone who has worked in a variety of industries, I believe my expertise in a broad category of fields may be valuable to your firm. I have enclosed my résumé, which outlines my accomplishments and
experience for your review and consideration. As a business professional, I have consistently maintained the highest standards. I have developed and continually refined many of the personal attributes, skills, and capabilities that would prove very beneficial in assisting you to achieve your business objectives in a timely and professional manner.

I am flexible and able to adapt to changing business environments. I have developed my capabilities to communicate effectively in both verbal and nonverbal situations. I have maintained solid working relationships with my superiors, coworkers, clients, vendors, and outside consulting groups. I have also effectively managed and motivated employees, successfully implemented projects minimizing the cost of operations and maximizing incoming profits, and presented information on multiple subjects. I am confident the skills, knowledge, and expertise I have developed, coupled with my personal initiative and quality goal setting, would be of direct and continuing benefit to your organization.

I have successfully created and/or enhanced HR departments from start to finish while sitting in an active HR role and searching for an in-house HR Director various times throughout my career. I have worked in large HR departments as well as small ones. I have led teams as well as been a good follower.

Realizing that this summary and my résumé cannot adequately express my communications in-depth to you, I would appreciate having the opportunity to meet with you and members of your staff to explore possibilities of how I might fulfill your employment needs and to discuss my career objectives.

Please note I have both worked in a home-based environment and as a commissioned Recruiter and have been successful in both settings.

I look forward to continued discussions with you regarding this employment opportunity.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Instead of going on for paragraphs about your qualifications, tie the body of your e-mail to the subject line in a way that's short, personal, and to the point. Here are a few suggestions:

Re: “I have lost almost 300 games”--Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan stated, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Like Michael Jordan, I know how to succeed. My résumé is attached.

I would like to meet with you and explain my personal “Michael Jordan experiences” and how they would be of value to you and your firm. I will call you tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. to see when we might get together. Or feel free to reply back and tell me when your schedule might allow us to meet.

Sincerely,
Tony Beshara
214-823-9999

 

Re: “Never, never, never quit”--Winston Churchill

Churchill was right. I don't quit.

I understand you and your firm are seeking a quality accountant [salesperson, engineer, office manager, etc.]. I would like to share with you the success I've had and how it will be of value to you and your company.

My résumé is attached. I will call you tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to see when it would be convenient for us to get together. Feel free to reply back with a time when your schedule might allow us to meet.

Sincerely,
Tony Beshara
214-823-9999

 

Re: Winners do the things losers fail to do

All good companies and leaders are looking for winners. You and your company were referred to me by ________________. He said you were an expert in ______________ [profession] and a great teacher and mentor.

I do the things losers fail to do. At this point in my career, I need a great teacher and mentor.

My résumé is attached. I will call you tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. to see when we might meet. Or, feel free to reply back with a time when your schedule might allow us to meet.

Sincerely,
Tony Beshara
214-823-9999

 

Re: The 200% return

The story of how my employer got a 200% return on his investment in me is a great one. I can do the same thing for you.

My résumé is attached. When might we be able to meet? I will share with you my story and show how it can apply to you and your firm.

I will call you tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to arrange a time we might meet. Or, feel free to reply back with a time that is good for you.

Sincerely,
Tony Beshara
214-823-9999

 

Re: non illegitimus carborundum

Don't let your board or investors grind you down! You need a hard-working, determined, proven production engineer [bookkeeper, financial analyst, or salesperson] who can withstand the daily grind and the pressure
you
are under.

My résumé is attached. I will call you tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. to see when we might be able to meet. Or, feel free to respond to this e-mail with a time that would be convenient for you.

Sincerely,
Tony Beshara
214-823-9999

Another approach along the same lines is to cite information you might have about the individual or the company you have researched or discovered, thereby implying that you would be a unique candidate for the company. A recent expansion, or need for a turnaround, promotion, or even bankruptcy might make you stand out from the crowd.

Re: Your company's reorganization under Chapter 11

Reorganization and Chapter 11 are difficult things to deal with. As a financial specialist, I've helped three companies successfully reorganize.

Your company may need my extensive experience. My résumé is attached along with press releases of
the successful Chapter 11 reorganizations that I have led.

I will call you tomorrow morning to see when we might meet.

Sincerely,
Tony Beshara
214-823-9999

 

Re: Congratulations on your promotion

I read the announcement of your promotion. From my research, I understand it is well deserved.

Often, when there are changes within a company, “new blood” may be needed. I have been hired in similar situations three times in my career and have helped leaders, like yourself, be tremendously successful.

I will call you tomorrow to see if there's a time we might meet so I can share with you how I might help you and your organization reach new heights.

Sincerely,
Tony Beshara
214-823-9999

The survey we conducted regarding cover letters revealed that they are nowhere near as important as a lot of résumé experts and acclaimed résumé writers will tell you. We found that most cover letters are read only when the hiring authority has already read your résumé and wants to know more about you.

Remember, since your résumé is going to get read in ten to thirty seconds, you can assume that your cover letter isn't going to get much more attention and probably less. You are trying to sell the potential
employer on the idea of granting you a face-to-face interview, not on hiring you. Even if your cover letter gives all the reasons you ought to be hired, you're going to have to get interviewed anyway. So, it is important to sell yourself only one step at a time—in this case, your cover letter
and
your résumé are written to secure the interview.

Remember the principles for Web communication as stated by Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg: seamless, informal, immediate, personal, simple, minimal, and short. The cover letter, therefore, should have the following characteristics:

Be short and to the point (especially if you send it electronically)

Encourage the hiring authority to interview you

List your accomplishments that apply to the specific job opening

Use bullet points to attract attention

Be personally signed (with an electronic signature, if necessary)

Always have a postscript that is an “action item” (it will get read before the body of the letter does)