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■ USE “THANK-YOU” NOTE ENVELOPES

Everyone’s face lights up when they see one of those little envelopes that are peculiar to “thank-you” note cards—those tiny little 4 × 4 white envelopes with barely enough room to write a name and address on the front and a return address on the back. Fold your resume and cover letter together carefully until they fit inside and then mail it:

• Don’t use labels, address each one by hand.

• Use this technique around any holiday—Christmas, New Year’s, Fourth of July, and so on.

• Use a small, tasteful stamp.

• If you feel you can afford it, use a stamp with your picture on it. In Canada you can put any picture you wish on a stamp. Details on their Picture Postage program can be found at www.canadapost.ca.

• To really get noticed, use a stamp with their logo on it and send them the rest of the stamps.

■ SEND HALF OF YOUR RESUME

First, find a company you want to work for. Write a compelling cover letter describing why you are a good fit, pointing the receiver to the enclosed curriculum vitae (CV) for further information. Don’t seal the envelope and don’t enclose a CV. They’ll think the CV fell out in the mail. Wait for the phone to ring; speak to the hiring manager personally, engage in a conversation, and sell yourself shamelessly. (This tip comes compliments of Matt Foster, managing director, CVO Group at www.professionalpeople.com.) In addition:

• Use high-quality stationery.

• Make sure the letter fits snugly in the envelope so it doesn’t fall out.

• Ensure your phone number is on the cover letter.

■ SEND A LETTER STATING YOU ARE OVERQUALIFIED

Send your resume and a cover letter which states “It’ll appear obvious from my resume that I’m overqualified for the job you advertised, so let me tell you why you should interview me and consider supersizing your opportunity.” Write a bulleted list of 3 to 5 benefits you think they might be interested in. Close the letter saying something to the effect that “I am old enough to have already learned from my mistakes—so my experience is more cost effective than a more junior person. In a few months, or years, you’ll need to send those folks to training to upgrade their knowledge, whereas I come fully equipped to do the next job, too.” Then:

• Point out any certificates or advanced training that you already have that someone in that job might be expected to acquire.

• Show you are already qualified to do the next position too.

• Point out any retraining allowances or incentives employers might be eligible for if they hire a more seasoned person.

A WAR STORY

Allan Zander

I was looking to get involved with a very large hospital project with the major hospitals in a large city. I knew that my working on the project would require the buy-in from the hospital chairmen. I knew they knew of me but we had never met and I needed to shine above the pack. At the time, there was a serious concern in the hospitals that the executive management didn’t care about the patients but cared more about the financial aspects of the hospitals, and I also knew that they tended to decorate their offices with collectible items.

I sent each chairman a big box with a note that said “My name is Allan Zander and I have been working within the healthcare market for over 6 years now in a variety of consultant capacities. I recently noticed that you enjoyed collecting rare items and I knew that you would appreciate this collectible Teddy Bear from Harrod’s of London.” When they opened the box, there was no bear—only another note that read “but not nearly as much as the sick children in your children’s critical care unit. I have donated the bear to them in your name. If you would like to learn more about how I can help you bring new technology into your hospital while allowing you to show that you have great caring for your patients, please give me a call.” They all called me and a few weeks later I was the lead healthcare consultant on a major multimillion dollar initiative.