Tired of waiting for potential employers to call you?
Would you love to have a hiring manager call and say, “Could we set a time to talk and would you bring your resume with you?”
Yes? Then it is time to create — and use — an approach letter.
An approach letter is a secret tool I have shared with clients for years. You can use it to generate interviews and meetings.
OK, so you want the phone to ring and you’ve agreed to write the letter. There’s just one problem. You don’t know what to say.
You want to stand out, grab interest and clearly communicate the value you offer, but you know you can’t go on and on.
Your goal is to have the hiring manager read your letter and say aloud, “WOW, this person sounds incredible, I must talk to him!”
Writing a letter that generates that out loud reply is easier than you think. Here are the five elements to include:
1. Clarity. Your letter should clearly communicate your value, purpose for the contact and the BIG benefits you offer.
2. Specificity. Use numbers and other specifics to communicate the scope of your value.
3. Promise. Your letter needs to communicate your promise of value. Developing your personal branding helps you clearly state your big pay-off to a potential hiring manager.
4. Relevancy. You need to reveal why you, and what you bring to the table, is relevant to the potential hiring manager’s current need or situation.
5. Intrigue. Work to provoke curiosity or an urgent need to know more.
ANY time you clearly state a super specific solution, you will radically bump up your ‘”attractor-factor.” That is the special sauce. It is what will get a busy hiring manager to say, “WOW, I must talk to this person!” In an instant you are not a vague unknown person in a stack of resumes. You become relevant and offer hope that a solution is at hand.
Your assignment: Review your brand profile and these five elements. Write the letter. Edit it. Proof read it. Mail it. Listen for the phone.
If you need some help developing a perfect approach letter or want to learn more about fine tuning your personal brand, contact me.
Unlock your potential, share your uniqueness and amazing results will occur!
Cindy, this tool is truly great. It is the type of thing I wish I’d known about when I was not self-employed. The development of a personal brand is another of those fabulous tools. THanks for sharing your tips.
Lilia Lee, you’re welcome. Glad the tips share are helpful. Best of all you can adjust this tool a bit to serve you in your current role.
Great content as always Cindy!! I can’t wait to share these techniques!!