TOP TEN TIPS: Creating GREAT Written Collaterals

AS YOU PREPARE FOR PRODUCTIVE AND EFFECTIVE CAREER CONTINUATION CAMPAIGNING, HAVING POWERFUL WRITTEN COLLATERALS BASED ON YOUR COMMUNICATION STRATEGY IS A WAY TO BROADEN THE REACH OF YOUR MESSAGE. ASSESSMENT AND SETTING YOUR CAREER OBJECTIVES LEADS YOU TO THIS SUPPORTIVE STORY. POSITIONING YOUR CANDIDACY MUST BE BUILT INTO HOW YOU COMMUNICATE YOURSELF— CLEARLY AND CONSISTENTLY-- TO ACHIEVE TOP-OF-MIND CONSIDERATION FROM THE MARKETPLACE. GREAT correspondence within the implantation of your Personal Market Plan is more than just having well written materials with superior content. 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?"

To help you develop your GREAT written collaterals, keep in mind the following TOP TEN TIPS...

  1. USE A STRONG OPENING… Be straight forward and assertive with letting your reader know WHY you are writing. One example, from a very common piece of correspondence: Your response to a classified ad. WEAK: Please consider me for your sales representative openings. STRONGER SUGGESTION: I’ve read recently of your need for a top producing Sales Representative in the Dallas marketplace. It seems an excellent match for my recent three year track as a #1 ranked, multi-million dollar account representative.
  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. For example, in tabular form…

    Your ad calls for…

    And I offer…

    Communication Skills

    8 years of demonstrated effectiveness in sales presentations to decision makers. Customers often mention the persuasiveness of both my verbal and written skills.

    Strong Computer/ Software Background

    Proficiency in MS Office applications, including the ability to create and develop complementary power point and web page presentations.

    Proven Account Development Success

    Recent track record of three straight years of leading our Regional Sales Team in revenue growth while establishing a new territory. Identified, secured and have developed several Fortune 200 customers.
  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. STRATEGIZE THE APPROPRIATE LENGTH FOR EACH OF YOUR WRITTEN MATERIALS… Your 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. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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. For example: I would appreciate your time in a personal conversation. I will follow up with you soon to answer any immediate questions you may have. Should you have more immediate needs, do not hesitate to call me directly at 555-555-5555.
  10. DON’T FORGET TO SIGN EACH AND EVERY PIECE OF CORRESPONDENCE, Making each piece a great reflection of your personalized approach and an on-target FIT for your readers’ needs.