• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

4. I think you get the idea: I have repeatedly outperformed in the face of startup, turnaround, and growth challenges. I have done this in diverse markets and tough economic conditions, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. I have developed a rare combination of experience, vision, and leadership—and that’s exactly the combination your company needs to achieve its full potential.

5. I will call you Tuesday, June 10, at 8:30 AM to arrange a time for the two of us to talk. If this is not a convenient time, please ask Ms. Jones to call me and suggest an alternative. Thank you,

6. Bob Smith

www.bobsmith.com

bobsmith@bobsmith.com

212-555-1212

Now, here’s that Guerrilla Cover Letter dissected, for you to analyze and emulate:

1. Salutation—Addressed to the hiring manager, by name. Do whatever it takes to get the name of the person with the authority to hire you. Great grabber. He’s got my attention.

2.-4. The “Here’s What I Can Do for You” part. The 3 bullets here demonstrate that he can do a startup, a turnaround, and successfully position a company for sale. He has prioritized his most important points and done the thinking for the reader.

Here he implies that there is more and hints that you should read the resume.

5. Just in case you don’t call him first, he tells you when he is going to call.

6. His contact info is readily available.

Is this letter too bold? No way. As an executive search professional, I would call straight away.

Keep this distinction in mind: if you talk about how you took a company from $0 to $40 million in 5 years at a neighborhood barbeque, you are bragging. But if you do it in your cover letter and resume, you are smart—and perfectly justified.

Employers respect take-charge, get-it-done, self-assured individuals. And this cover letter is all of that.

You can modify this Guerrilla Cover Letter for different uses, too, usually by slightly changing the first and last paragraphs.

For example, this paragraph:

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?

Can become:

Does one of your clients [clients can be changed to colleagues for networking purposes] have great technology or a tremendous market and need to get traction quickly? If so, then perhaps you and I should meet. I could tell you that I am an exceptional executive and leader, but why not let the facts speak for themselves?

I guarantee you this opener will elicit a return call from a recruiter or a colleague if they know of an opportunity.

➤ Other Ways to Open Your Guerrilla Cover Letter

Here are 3 other ways to open your Guerrilla Cover Letter, listed in order of effectiveness:

1. Personal reference: “Bill Smith from [ABC Corp.] suggested I contact you because ...”

This is one time that it is okay to drop a name, especially if the hiring manager thinks highly of Bill. Be sure to let Bill know that you’re doing this, of course, and ask him for any insider information he may have about the hiring manager. This can help you make a great first impression if you get the call to interview.

2. Reference to an article or speech: “Your article on customer service in the February 27, 2009, Business Journal was excellent. As a matter of fact, I have used 3 of your techniques to increase revenues 65 percent in my 5 years managing client relations for National Widget Corporation. In addition, I have found 2 other methods to be helpful, including one that rescued a $3.4-million account.

“Perhaps we should meet? I could tell you that I am an exceptional executive and leader, but why not let the facts speak for themselves?”

I usually do this when I can’t find a personal connection any other way. In the end, no one really cares about what you’ve read, but if you quickly segue into discussing how this news made you think that you can contribute to the organization,