While a great resume can open doors, a compelling cover letter can be an equal (if not MORE) important part of your pitch for employment.



In fact, some surveys of HR professionals and recruiters have suggested that the cover letter--INSTEAD of the resume--is what really gets read.

That's right! The interviewing decision may actually rest on how well-written and concise your LETTER appears... and the irony is that you may never find out whether it was your executive resume OR the cover letter that swayed an employer.

Even if cover letter writing isn't your style, don't panic! Read on for 5 strategies that can help even a novice letter writer create a memorable introduction that captures an employer's attention:

1 - Ensure that your letter matches your resume in presentation and style.

Start by copying the name and address header information from your resume to a blank document. Next, check the margins on each document to ensure that they match.

Be sure to use the same font as your resume, in order to give your application a professional "package" look. In addition, don't suddenly switch fonts or font sizes in the midst of the letter itself.

With this type of presentation, hiring authorities can match your resume to the letter--plus, doing so helps to put your best professional foot forward.

2 - Make every attempt to find out the name of the hiring manager before sending your application.

Skip "Dear Sir" by finding out exactly who is behind the open position. This is where your Internet research skills will come in very handy.

Sites such as LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) or Zoominfo (www.zoominfo.com) are a great resource for job hunters who want to find executive insiders.

In addition, you might be able to call the company and ask who the hiring manager is for the open position, or use your network to learn the names of managers at the company.

If you can't find out the name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is most appropriate. Skip "To Whom it May Concern"--or it won't concern anyone!

3 - Keep in mind that the purpose of the letter is to gain attention.

Your first paragraph should therefore skip mundane details and get right to the point. Aim for an opening sentence that states your main qualifications, plus your objective, all in one shot.

For example, a cover letter for a Sales VP might begin with:

"With a strong background closing contracts in excess of $6 million at Fortune 500 corporations, I am confident that I can exceed your expectations in the role of Sales Executive."

Conversely, an Operations Director might use the following:

"As an operational executive focused on delivering the highest levels of quality, I have helped global organizations achieve their profit goals by leading large teams to achieve infrastructure improvement and maintain cost control. These qualifications have prompted my application to your company for the position of Operations Director."

4 - Summarize what you can do for the company without a total reiteration of the resume.

Even though you've put a lot of effort into your executive resume, it's still best to resist the temptation to repeat all that great information.

You'll capture more interest by restating your main points in summary form, allowing the reader to see how you will succeed in the new role.

I recommend adding a bullet-point list of your relevant qualities and achievements, keeping it to a maximum of 5 critical points. Preface it with "Representative skills that make my background ideal for this position include..." to give the employer a quick snapshot of your fitness for the job.

Still stumped for ideas? Try to answer the classic "Why should we hire you?" question, and you'll be able to state your case much more succinctly.

5 - Limit the number of sentences beginning with "I" as much as possible.

Focusing on the job and the employer's requirements are key strategies for a great introduction. One of the best ways to do this is to refrain from using first person references at the beginning of your sentences.

Why is this so important? Employers are hiring a solution to their business problems when they bring a new executive on board, and this means focusing on their requirements is a crucial step.

Think about it this way: when you create a verbal picture of what you can achieve, it rarely starts with "I"--and structuring your thoughts this way can help reinforce your emphasis on the company's needs.

The following example illustrates this point:

"Given your needs for a proven sales performer open to new challenges in the medical device industry, we should talk further about my record of success in territory expansion."

In summary, don't forget to create a striking cover letter as part of your executive job hunting strategy. You'll find that a personal, yet powerful, introduction to your skills might be all you need to access more interviews.