Your cover letter serves as the introduction to your resume.
You know that old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, in the case of job seeking, the opposite is applied. Employers will judge the book (you) by its cover if the cover (your cover letter) isn’t appealing.
How you introduce yourself to the employer matters and your cover letter is the chance to do that. It’s an opportunity to show your interest in the position and make the personal connection between you and who you and why you’re the one for the job.
Sure, you want to show your interest in the company, as well as your passion for the job, but… saying this one thing will put you ahead of almost everyone else applying for that job.
There’s another old saying you may be familiar with that says, “Ask and you shall receive.” It’s completely true, and that’s just what you need to do, my friend.
You have to ask for the interview.
It’s as simple as that. You have to ask.
Not only that, but where you ask matters. Ask for the interview in the closing paragraph of your cover letter. Make it one of the last things the employer sees.
Statistics show that those who ask for the interview in their cover letter are twice as likely to get the interview. Read that again: Twice as likely.
Want to knock it out of the park? Ask. Ask. Ask.
Let’s spend a few minutes going over some examples of asking for the interview.
Example One:
I’m so excited about the Maintenance Supervisor position at XYZ and I would love the opportunity to meet together to further discuss my experience and the value I can bring to XYZ. You can reach me at 867.5309 to schedule an interview.
So, what did we do here? This job seeker didn’t come right out and say, “Hey, can I get an interview?” No, he talked about his excitement to meet in person, followed by what he had to offer, followed by the way to reach him. He left no stone unturned in that closing paragraph.
Example Two:
I would love to personally interview with you when convenient to further discuss my experience as an accounting assistant. I can be reached at 867.5309 and will follow-up to confirm you’ve received my information.
What do we see happening here? Again, the applicant didn’t come right out and ask, but they made it clear they’re looking for an interview. They also reminded the employer of the position they’re applying for, along with follow-up information and clarity that they would follow-up.
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Example Three:
Thank you so much for taking the time to review my resume. I’m looking forward to interviewing with you to discuss the welding position further, and how my qualifications will be a great fit for the position. Feel free to reach me at 857.5309 at your earliest convenience.
The applicant shows gratitude as they close, as well as showing excitement and anticipation for the next move – which is hopefully an interview. They are also confident in a few words that they are the right fit for the job. And again, they leave no question as to how they can be contacted.
Example Four:
Thank you for your time and consideration. I’d love the opportunity to further discuss the CNA position and the experience I can bring to XYZ. Please feel free to reach out to me at 867.5309 to schedule an interview.
Again, they close with gratitude, showing their enthusiasm for the interview opportunity, clearly stating what they expect the next step to be. They’re again specific about the position and they can bring something great to the table, mentioning the company specifically. They provide their phone number and end the statement with the words, “schedule an interview”, which leaves all the guesswork out for the employer.
Of course you don’t have to use the examples word-for-word, but feel free to. Find what’s comfortable for you and go with that. The key thing to remember is that you need to make it clear you’re asking for the interview.
Just to recap what we’ve covered…
Your cover letter is your chance to connect with the employer, show them why you’re passionate about the job, and let them know how you can add value to their company.
And don’t forget… ask for the interview. Ask. Ask. Ask.
The employer is waiting to be impressed and this, my friend, will put you at the top of the list.
Good luck in your job search and don’t forget to share your successes with us.
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