Joe Rodriguez is a liberated man who left a lucrative advertising business in Kansas to move to Dallas when his wife's company relocated her there. In his 50s and with excellent design but no computer skills, Joe worked hard to find a new position. He began his new career in Dallas doing both design (no computer needed) and sales for a small, fast-growing publishing firm, then eventually started his own business, keeping his former employer as a major client. In search of a job he noticed a familiar name in the local want ads and immediately writes to that Texas company for a job.
January 14,199X
Mr. Mike Jarvis
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas, Inc.
PO Box 655730
Dallas, TX 75265-5730
Dear Mr. Jarvis:
Having recently moved to Dallas, I was pleased to see a familiar name in the want ads. I've been a Blue Cross/Blue Shield customer for years and I admire your high standard of service and your multifaceted marketing program.
I have a thorough knowledge of design, photography, type specs, photo cropping, make- ready art, paper stock, color keys, and negatives. I am a self-starter, capable and accustomed to working with marketing directors, secretaries, photographers, clients, paper merchants and printers.
Assuming this resume will take several days to reach you, I will call late next week to be certain if you have received it and to discuss scheduling an interview.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Rodriguez
Enclosure
Breaking the Rules
Robert Bolton's cover letter breaks the rule about using the first paragraph to say something that really intrigues him about Horizon Software, the company advertising the job opening. However, he accomplishes the same purpose in paragraphs three and four. Exceptions are OK, as long as they get the job done.
350 Ocean View Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
August 28, 199X
Mr. Glen Campbell
Chief Operating Officer
Horizon Software, Inc.
1500 Carver Road, Suite 200
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Dear Mr. Campbell:
Please accept this letter as my application for the position of VP of R&D as advertised in the August 2 edition of the Boca Raton Business Journal.
As Director of R&D for three years with Troubadour Software, my staff and I developed a series of CD ROM programs for use in grades K through 12. By soliciting input from both teachers and students, we were able to design a variety of educational and fun programs that were exceptionally well received and won several national awards, especially in the areas of mathematics and science.
Considering that your organization is highly respected, but a new player in the CD ROM arena, I think my experience and reputation in this form of interactive education would be a real plus for you. While I have truly enjoyed my tenure at Troubadour, I am excited by the prospect of working with an organization that is both an unquestioned leader in its programming niche and an enthusiastic risk taker in an entirely new frontier.
I understand from your secretary that you will be at the National Education Association Conference in Miami next month. I plan to be there too, checking out the latest CD ROM software in both science and the arts and enhancing my contacts in the educational community. Judging from the convention program, it looks like Friday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. would be a good time for me to stop by your booth to get acquainted and possibly schedule another, less public, meeting. Please let me know if this time is inconvenient. Otherwise, I will plan to see you then.
Sincerely,
Robert Bolton
"You-Want-I-Have"
Nancy Symons sent a great cover letter for a blind ad. While the newspaper reply box kept her from locating information about the company, she really zeroed in on the specific qualifications this large commercial real estate firm wants in its senior real estate manager. This you-want-I-have format is a good way to tell potential employers that you know and have the background they're seeking.
NANCY M. SYMONS
11327 David Way
San Bernadino, CA 92404
909-823-7376
May 9, 199X
Box 2222
The San Bernadino Gazette
3000 Communications Way
San Bernadino, CA 92404
Good Morning:
For more than 1 5 years, I have been working in the facility management and real estate field with one of the largest energy services companies in North America. For the last four years, I was the executive responsible for strategic business planning for their headquarters' facilities, encompassing over three million square feet. My most recent strategy is now saving the company over $20 million annually. In addition to my success in managing real estate assets, directing relocation and tenant improvement projects, and negotiating office leases, my leadership of a number of labor-management teams was a major contributing factor in changing the facilities organization to a more efficient, customer-focused enterprise. I have relocated to Los Angeles and now have my work permit.
Here is a list of my qualifications as they relate to your requirements for the position of Senior Manager, Real Estate.
Your Requirements
5-7 years of related managerial experience.
Strong negotiation skills.
Degree in a related field.
My Qualifications
Over 9 years of managerial experience in real estate and facilities, including project management of tenant improvements such as telecom.
Experience negotiating office leases, sales, leases and licenses of corporate properties, meeting or exceeding targets for cost savings or increasing revenues. M.Sc. in Urban and Regional Planning.
Enclosed is my resume which outlines my skills, key achievements, experience and education. I left Ontario Hydro on very good terms and can provide excellent references from several of their senior executives. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I can make a very strong contribution to your organization.
Sincerely,
Nancy M. Symons
