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If you did something like the following, say it:

Proposed and presented in-house training so that shippers would avoid mixing heavy and delicate items. Reduced product damage and customer complaints by 95 percent.

This shipping clerk is thinking, acting, and communicating like a manager and will be on top of any good hiring manager’s resume file.

■ THE ONLY COVER LETTER YOU WILL EVER NEED

What does your cover letter tell employers about you? The one-size-fits-all form letter addressed to “Dear Sir/Madam,” tells employers that you’re too lazy to do a little digging to find out who should receive it and that you’re not the type of person who is willing to go the extra mile when necessary. Think I am a little harsh? I’m not. If you remember nothing else, remember this—a cover letter with a proper salutation is essential—always!

A cover letter is a personal sales letter, and all good sales letters keep the reader’s interests foremost. Correctly researched and written, your cover letter is your best opportunity to tap into an employer’s hopes and fears. Your cover letter is your opportunity to go beyond the resume and its focus on the past and target what employers care most about—themselves.

Put yourself in the employer’s shoes. Your resume may be one of several dozen or even several hundred they have to read. Most employers will quickly separate those resumes that deserve a full read by reading the cover letter first. The cover letter is a screening device, but beyond that there are more important reasons employers like a cover letter:

• It tells them why you are interested in “them”—remember it’s not about you, it’s about them.

• It demonstrates to them whether you can write succinctly and express yourself—a vital skill for modern managers.

• It provides a snapshot of your accomplishments as they pertain to their needs, thereby answering their biggest question—can you fix my problem?

The goal of your cover letter is to convince that initial reader to select you for an interview. Your letter and resume may travel through many hands before they reach a hiring manager’s desk, so put your best foot forward right from the start. This is your last opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Make sure you tell employers what’s in it for them right up front. Make it clear and compelling that not interviewing you is an opportunity lost.

Initially, hiring managers don’t know who you are, nor do they care for that matter; they have a problem to solve or an opportunity to exploit—and you are either the solution or you aren’t. You can be the most competent person in your field, but if you can’t connect your skills to their needs, you will go undiscovered. Make them believe that you can help them achieve their goals and they will interview you.

Here is an example of a Guerrilla Cover Letter for you to read:

EXAMPLE GUERRILLA COVER LETTER

1. Dear Mr. Smith,

2. You have great technology and a great market opportunity. Now it’s time to build a great company. That’s why we should meet. I could tell you that I am an exceptional executive and leader, but why not let the facts speak for themselves?

3. Here are a few of the successes I have achieved before and can achieve again for you:

ABC Corp.—From $0 to $40 million in 5 years. As co-founder and then eventually president, I was instrumental in growing ABC Corp. from 3 employees to more than 350 in 10 locations, with revenues of more than $40 million.

EFG Mega Corp.—From $0.69 USD per share to $7.10 USD in 2 years. I joined as vice-president, North American Operations, just as 7 consecutive quarters of losses had driven the share price down to $0.69. I delivered 8 consecutive quarters of profit and increased earnings, helping take the stock to a high of $7.10 before the company was acquired.

XYZ, Inc.—From start-up to strategic acquisition in 4 years. Starting as chairman and then as CEO, I successfully packaged and promoted XYZ Inc., resulting in the company’s acquisition by Bigger Systems.