A Cover Letter That Can NET You a Job!
Job-search cover letters introduce you and your skills to a hiring manager. You know that fact if you've been writing them to potential employers. But do you know there is another cover letter type that can do even more for you? It's called the networking cover letter.
This document goes out to your circle of human resources–family members, friends, neighbors, associates, and professional men and women–for one purpose–to ask for help as you look for work. These people can lend a hand by giving you names and contact information of individuals they know, as well as employment leads, referrals, advice, knowledge, and introductions. Imagine the wealth of assistance you can gather by simply casting your net toward these men and women.
To get started, create a master list of everyone you can think of. Refer to business cards you've collected, association and club rosters, church directories, your e-mail address book, and any other pertinent means of gathering names of people you mingle with. Then send a networking cover letter (based on the tips below) to each person on your master list. Invest some time doing this task—knowing it will pay big dividends over the next several weeks.
Writing the Networking Cover Letter
• Keep it short (one page only) and focus on what you want—help in your job search.
• Put your job skills and employment interests in a list for easy reading.
• Ask for leads and referrals directly and politely.
• Attach a copy of your current resume.
• Send a thank you note to everyone who responds—even if they weren't able to help.
Then get to work on the leads you do receive, sending to each person a cover letter that introduces you and your employment experience. Cast your net and be patient. It will bring in a catch worth waiting for.
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Author: Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the Amazing Cover Letter Creator.