To give you a better feel for what to expect when calling a hot line, I phoned the numbers for five companies in various U.S. regions. Each had a different approach to handling its calls. These are the responses I got:
Pizza Hut, Cleveland, Ohio: This food chain was short and to the point. A recorder asked for my name and phone number and promised to return my call within 72 hours.
Rice University, Houston: Texas Rice had a recording that began with a lot of demographic data about the university. It went on to say that professional people can mail resumes and lists of references to a suggested address, but other candidates have to apply in person. A list of assorted job openings followed, but none were described over the phone. If callers want more information about any of the positions, they must phone a certain number during regular business hours.
Red Lion Hotels, Portland, Oregon: The number I called was no longer working but I was given the new one. This hotel chain alludes to all of its openings throughout the United States and Canada on this recording. A friendly voice names each of the hotels and general areas where positions are available, such as kitchen, dining room, front desk, administrative. If you're interested in any of the possibilities mentioned, you must call the appropriate hotel for specifics.
Carnival Cruise Lines, Miami, Florida: From the sound of the recording, Carnival Cruise Lines lists only entry-level positions on its hot line. There is one number for shore jobs and another for those on ships. Each job is described in detail, and callers who are interested in any of them are asked to leave their names and numbers for return calls.
Rex Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina: This hot line, on the other hand, mentioned only management or professional positions, but provided no descriptions. It suggested sending a resume to Human Resources and gave both an address and fax number for this purpose. It also offered a phone number for setting up appointments for lesser positions not discussed on the hot line.
If you decide to use hot lines as resources for job openings, think of them as verbal ads that deserve the same attention to detail as their written counterparts. When you call, be sure to have pen and paper handy for jotting down phone numbers, addresses, job titles and position descriptions. If you're given another number to call for more information, phone it as well to gather as much data as you can before writing a cover letter and resume.
Cover Letter Examples from Real People
Before-and-After Example
Karen Allen is a professional volunteer who's now ready to make the transition to the paid workforce. For many years, she has been the premiere fund-raiser for……..
Before
KAREN E. ALLEN
1445 Rosemeade Parkway
Carrollton, TX 75006
January 20, 199X
Linda Cadigan, President
Susan C. Komen Foundation
6820 LBJ Freeway, #130
Dallas, TX 75240
Dear Ms. Cadigan:
I want to thank you for returning my call last week. Enclosed is the resume you requested.
My marketable strengths Include an ability to network effectively within the business and social community, expertise in the consultative sales process, and understanding of nonprofit and volunteer management,
During my 20 years' experience in development, I have consistently raised the largest amount of funds for every committee on which I've served. My background includes public relations responsibility for the Dallas Junior League, Cerebral Palsy and the Society for Cystic Fibrosis.
I look forward to meeting you and will call next week to be sure you received my resume and answer any questions you may have concerning it.
Sincerely yours,
Karen Allen (name changed) worked with a variety of organizations in her area. Because she holds a special place in her heart for women who have had breast cancer, she's particularly interested in pursuing a position with the Komen Foundation, a nonprofit group that raises money to fund breast cancer research and screening. She wrote the cover letter in response to its ad for a development professional.
Karen's letter includes only two of the three key elements of a good cover letter, and she needs to add some sizzle to her verbiage.
In a great beginning for her improved cover letter, Karen explains why the Foundation's mission is so important to her. Now that she has refined her opening paragraph, her letter is everything a good cover letter should be.
After
KAREN E. ALLEN
1445 Rosemeade Parkway
Carrollton, TX 75006
January 20, 1 99X
Linda Cadigan, President
Susan G. Komen Foundation
6820 LBJ Freeway, #130
Dallas, TX 75240
Dear Ms. Cadigan;
Thank you for returning my call last week to tell me about the Susan G. Komen Foundation and its goals for the future. When I saw your ad in the paper, I was pleased that you plan to increase your development program and may be able to use someone with my background. I am particularly interested in the Foundation because its work has the potential to positively affect millions of women and their families.
My marketable strengths include ability to network effectively within the business and social community, expertise in the consultative sales process, and understanding of nonprofit and volunteer management.
During my 20 years' experience in development I have consistently raised the largest amounts of funds for every committee on which I've served. My background includes public relations responsibility for the Dallas Junior League, Cerebral Palsy, and the Society for Cystic Fibrosis.
I look forward to meeting you and will call next week to be sure you received my resume and answer any questions you may have concerning it.
Sincerely yours,
Karen Allen (name changed)
