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  A MAHER Associates Process...   By following this M.A.P., you will find the "journey" to your destination, successful career transition, to be smooth sailing.  Trust "a local pilot", in this case the Careerpilot, to assist you through challenging waters.

Creating GREAT Written Collaterals

GREAT correspondence within the implantation of your Personal Market Plan is more than just having well written materials with superior content.  Having powerful written collaterals based on the communication strategy of your Personal Market Plan is a time proven way to broaden the reach of your message. Your message is based on your personal assessment and career objectives.  Clear and consistent positioning  of your candidacy must be built into all you do to market yourself effectively, in order to

ACHIEVE TOP-OF-MIND CONSIDERATION FROM THE MARKETPLACE.  

The litmus test is whether or not your materials carry the message of your communication strategy in meeting the needs of the person or organization to whom you have written.

In a word, does your message "FIT" your career objectives?

  • Coming from the language of your resume, a letter of introduction, or any other stand-alone LETTER, can be a full page to carry enough of your message to create productive personal follow-up. 

  • Most unsolicited resume mailings should be accompanied by a brief cover NOTE to state your reason for writing and to express how you will be following-up.

  • Reserve your use of a cover LETTER for when your resume has been requested, usually as a specific request for additional information.  An "echo letter" strategy,  which echoes key job requirements is quite effective.

  • A simple thank-you NOTE can be powerful, while a thank-you LETTER may be required to respond to specific requests for information.

SAMPLE CORRESPONDENCE TEMPLATES can be useful in 80% of your need for written collaterals. Reserve your time for the requested request for specific information. Treat such requests like an RFP, assuring the following elements of GREAT written collaterals...

  1. USE A STRONG OPENING… Be straight forward and assertive with letting your reader know WHY you are writing.
  2. ALWAYS INCORPORATE YOUR KEY STRENGTHS… Like your resume, your supportive correspondence should reflect a compelling message, based on your strengths that meet an organization’s needs. If you have researched and networked your way toward a particular opportunity, you should be able to "echo" your abilities relative to their needs.
  3. TAKE DUE CREDIT WITHOUT OVERUSING THE WORD "I"… Your "letter of introduction" or a "cover note" for your resume is not an autobiography. Focus in on meeting needs or requirements. Specifically, minimize the use of the "I word" in beginning your sentences. Third-party statements can create credibility.
  4. USE YOUR CORRESPONDENCE TO COMPLEMENT AND SUPPLEMENT YOUR RESUME… NOT DUPLICATE IT! Your written collaterals can be designed around compelling examples of your strengths—little mini-stories to prove your worth from actual experience and results.
  5. PRACTICE POLITENESS, making mutual respect for their time and attention a valued commodity. Proper protocol, here, can pave the way for high quality relationship building.
  6. CLOSE WITH A CALL FOR SPECIFIC ACTION AND YOUR CONTROL OF THE FOLLOW-UP… Instead of mass mailings where you request response, personalize your attention to the detail of follow up.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR SAMPLE CORRESPONDENCE TEMPLATES to specific openings, always echoing the FIT between your strengths and their needs. Make each receiver feel as if they are getting your personal approach to them.  Be specific and clear in positioning your candidacy to meet an employer’s needs. Don’t try to be everything to everybody with vague, winding sentences and paragraphs.

Waypoints...                    Overview | Components | Templates

  For MORE INFO e-mail your thoughts and questions to the careerpilot.

Bob Maher, CMF... The Careerpilot

Bob created his online presence, www.careerpilot.com, in 1994.  He has over twenty years of successful experience in Corporate Recruitment, performance management and Career Management Services.  He is an entrepreneur and innovator in the use of information technology in the recruitment and employment process.  On the Founder's Council of the Association of Career Professionals - International and quite active in their Professional Development, Technology and Chapter Growth initiatives--a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars.  Awarded the prestigious LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 2006.