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High bandwidth. Fast, powerful, and transmitting a crystal-clear signal. That’s our broadcast letter.

Unlike a cover letter that sometimes accompanies a resume, the broadcast letter is the resume. Only you’re free of the rigid format and wordiness. That allows you to be creative.

Here’s the system:

Google the Type of Business and Geographic Area

While mass-mailed resumes are typically sent to HR departments, broadcast letters should be sent to managers directly. Let’s assume you’re looking for a job in cookware sales. You google “cookware distributors Seattle.” Then write down the address and phone number.

Obtain the Name and Title of the Contact

Call businesses and find out the name of the manager of a specific department. In our example, you just say to whoever answers the phone, “I’m sending a letter to your sales manager. What’s his name and exact title?” Try to get the full first name and middle initial.

Be sure to get the title right, too. Is it sales manager, manager of sales, or director of sales?

These things may take a few more minutes, but it’s essential to showing that you’ve done your homework.

Few broadcast letters have this important touch. Yours will and will be read!

Use a Preprinted Letterhead or Create Your Own

Broadcast letters don’t have to be on a preprinted letterhead. Just print a letterhead on your computer that has no abbreviations (except your middle initial) like this:

Jonas D. Jobseeker

1072 Campbell Street, Unit 7

Craftville, Illinois 30718

555-555-5555

555-555-5555 Fax

jdjobseeker@gotmail.com

Always call an apartment a Unit, so it appears you own your home. You can use abbreviations on the matching envelope’s return name and address.

Use 10-Point Type with Black Ink on White Paper

Ivory stock is also acceptable. The weight should be at least 24-lb.

Broadcast letters are serious business correspondence—not flyers—so avoid colored ink or stock.

Format the Letter Properly

From top to bottom, it has the following components:

An Address Section

Steven B. Harwood, Manager of Sales

Cookware Distributors, Inc.

521 South Verdugo Road

Northfield, Illinois 30719

A Standard Salutation

Dear Mr. Harwood:

A Message that says, “Instantly Invite Me to Interview.”

I am seeking a sales position with Cookware Distributors, Inc.

Over the past nine years, I have held progressively responsible positions in consumer product sales.

During that time, through my management of our sales force, the company has consistently broken all sales records. Moreover, I have increased the sales of newly developed products while devising creative techniques for marketing them.

Advance Notice of Follow-Up

I will call you within the next week to arrange an appointment for us to meet.

A Complimentary Closing

Nothing beats . . .

Very truly yours,

A Signature Line

Your full name as it appears on the letterhead. Sign it yourself (no computer signature) in black ink.

This looks simple, so why do inactive interviewers constantly botch up broadcast letters? Because they read cover letter and resume books. These load up the broadcast letter with facts that at best don’t matter—and at worst don’t get read.

The broadcast letter is one page, easy to read, and gets right down to the bottom line. What’s the message? You must interview me! Exclamation point. Period.

Whether it’s increasing sales, using technical ability, or implementing a new accounting system, always give the benefit you conferred.

What else would you want an offeror to think about for a week?

Call the Recipient a Week after You Mail the Letter

Use the letter as your opener with words like:

This is Steve Harwood. I wrote you last week about meeting to discuss my contribution to Cookware Distributors. I’ll be in Northfield next Wednesday and can meet at 10 A.M. or 2 P.M. Which is better for you?

Note the reference to the letter and the choice of times.

The letter is your place card. The alternative choice doubles the probability of