The 4 Sentence Cover Letter That Gets You The Job Interview

Summary

In this episode, Andy LaCivita, founder of Milewalk and author of 'Hiring Prophecies', discusses the art of crafting cover letters and self-introductions in job applications. He emphasizes the importance of brevity and respecting the recruiter's time, given the high volume of emails they receive daily. Andy suggests that an effective introduction can be condensed into four sentences: stating the purpose of the inquiry, highlighting relevant experience and qualifications, creating intrigue with a mention of key resume points, and expressing openness to any position within the organization. He also advises against overloading the cover letter with too much detail, recommending instead to reserve such information for the resume.

Takeaways

• 📨 Cover letters are a way to introduce yourself to employers, which can include traditional cover letters, emails, or notes in application tracking systems.
• 🗂️ The purpose of a cover letter has evolved from a necessity in the pre-digital era to a modern tool for effective self-introduction in job applications.
• ⏰ Respect the recipient's time by keeping your introduction brief, considering the high volume of emails recruiters receive daily.
• 👤 Personalize your introduction by addressing the recipient appropriately, whether you know their name or not.
• 💼 State your purpose clearly in one sentence, such as inquiring about a job opening, to give context to your application.
• 🔍 Highlight your qualifications and experience in a concise manner, suggesting why you are a strong candidate for the position.
• 📈 Create intrigue by directing the reader to your attached resume for more detailed information about your career profile and accomplishments.
• 🤝 Express your openness to discuss the opportunity and consider other positions within the organization, showing flexibility and initiative.
• 📝 Keep the cover letter brief, ideally within four to five sentences, to maintain the reader's interest and encourage them to review your resume.
• 🔗 For further guidance, consider resources like the speaker's blog and upcoming training courses for in-depth career-related advice.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a cover letter according to Andy LaCivita?

The primary purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the employer, which could be through a traditional cover letter, an email with your resume attached, or notes in an application tracking system.

What are the three main things an introduction should do according to the transcript?

An introduction should respect the person's time, effectively introduce yourself, and make it brief.

Why is it important to be brief in your introduction to an employer?

It's important to be brief because recruiters receive a high volume of emails daily, and they often prefer to quickly assess whether a candidate is a good fit for a position.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Dear whoever it is' in the context of cover letters?

The phrase 'Dear whoever it is' suggests a personalized approach to addressing the recipient of the cover letter, acknowledging that there are various ways to find out the recipient's name or using a generic salutation if the name is unknown.

How does Andy LaCivita suggest creating intrigue in a cover letter?

Andy LaCivita suggests creating intrigue by mentioning that the top portion of the attached resume highlights the candidate's career profile and significant accomplishments that align with the position.

Why is it beneficial to mention being open to other positions within the organization in your cover letter?

Mentioning openness to other positions within the organization ensures that the employer considers the candidate for any suitable roles, which can be helpful in a fast-paced recruitment environment where opportunities may arise unexpectedly.

What does Andy LaCivita recommend as the maximum number of sentences for a cover letter introduction?

Andy LaCivita recommends keeping the cover letter introduction to four sentences, with a maximum of five.

What is the reason behind not including detailed accomplishments in the cover letter according to the transcript?

Detailed accomplishments should not be included in the cover letter to maintain brevity and create intrigue, encouraging the employer to open and review the attached resume for more information.

What is the role of an application tracking system in the modern job application process as per the script?

An application tracking system allows candidates to provide notes about themselves, which can be used to introduce themselves to the employer, similar to a cover letter, but within the digital application process.

How does the historical context of cover letters influence their current purpose?

The historical context of cover letters, which were used to introduce a candidate's resume in the pre-digital era, influences their current purpose by emphasizing the need for a concise and effective self-introduction, even in digital formats.

What additional resource does Andy LaCivita offer for those interested in career-related topics?

Andy LaCivita offers a training course that covers topics from finding your purpose, writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing, to career acceleration.

Outlines

00:00

📄 Cover Letters and Introductions in Job Applications

Andy LaCivita, founder of Milewalk and author of 'Hiring Prophecies', discusses the importance of cover letters in job applications. He explains that cover letters, emails, and application tracking system notes are all means to introduce oneself to potential employers. Despite the evolution of job application methods, the need for an effective introduction remains. Andy emphasizes the need for brevity and respect for the recruiter's time, considering the high volume of emails they receive daily. He also suggests revisiting his blog for tips on building a professional resume and provides a structure for a concise introduction in four sentences: stating the purpose of the inquiry, highlighting qualifications and relevant experience, and expressing openness to other positions within the organization.

05:04

🔍 Crafting an Effective Cover Letter

In the second paragraph, Andy delves into the specifics of writing a cover letter, advocating for a brief yet impactful approach. He advises against overloading the cover letter with too much detail, which could deter recruiters from reading further. Instead, he suggests creating intrigue that prompts the reader to explore the attached resume. Andy recommends mentioning one significant accomplishment in the cover letter to pique interest, while reserving more detailed information for the resume. He also announces an upcoming training course covering various career-related topics and invites viewers to engage with him through comments and shares.

Keywords

💡Cover Letters

Cover letters are formal documents sent with a resume to provide additional information about the job applicant. In the context of the video, cover letters are part of the traditional job application process, used to introduce oneself to an employer. The speaker emphasizes that even in modern times where application tracking systems are prevalent, the essence of a cover letter—introducing oneself and expressing interest in a position—remains crucial.

💡Application Tracking System

An application tracking system (ATS) is a software application used by employers to manage and sort job applications. The video discusses how ATS has changed the job application landscape, making it easier to tag resumes to specific job openings. However, it also notes that a personal introduction, akin to a cover letter, is still necessary to effectively introduce oneself to potential employers.

💡Resume

A resume is a document used by job applicants to list their skills, education, and experiences. In the video, the speaker suggests that the resume should be concise and highlight significant accomplishments that align with the job opening. The resume is presented as a key tool for demonstrating one's qualifications and is integral to the job application process.

💡Email Introduction

An email introduction is a modern alternative to the traditional cover letter, used to introduce oneself to potential employers via email. The video script mentions that an email can serve the same purpose as a cover letter, especially when attaching a resume, and it should be brief and to the point to respect the recipient's time.

💡Recruiters

Recruiters are professionals who seek out and attract potential job candidates for a company. The video highlights the busy nature of recruiters, often handling a high volume of emails and applications. It stresses the importance of being concise and respectful of their time when crafting an introduction, whether it's a cover letter or an email.

💡Professional Introduction

A professional introduction is a brief and formal way to present oneself to a potential employer. The video emphasizes the importance of a clear and concise introduction, suggesting that it can be effectively done in four sentences. This introduction should convey the applicant's interest in the position, their qualifications, and a desire to speak further about potential opportunities.

💡Career Acceleration

Career acceleration refers to the process of rapidly advancing one's career through strategic planning and skill development. The video mentions a training course that covers career acceleration, indicating that it's a broader theme within the speaker's content, which includes not just job application strategies but also long-term career growth.

💡Inquiry

In the context of the video, an inquiry is a formal request for information or consideration. The speaker advises starting an email or cover letter with a clear statement of inquiry, such as expressing interest in a specific job opening. This sets the tone for the rest of the communication and directly addresses the purpose of the message.

💡Significant Accomplishments

Significant accomplishments are notable achievements or successes that highlight an individual's capabilities. The video suggests that mentioning a few key accomplishments in the introduction can create intrigue and demonstrate alignment with the job requirements. It advises including these in the resume rather than the cover letter to prompt the employer to review the attached resume.

💡Time Respect

Respecting time in the context of the video means being mindful of the recipient's busy schedule and keeping communications brief and concise. The speaker stresses the importance of respecting a recruiter's time by keeping the introduction short, which is particularly relevant given the high volume of applications they handle.

💡Opportunity

Opportunity, in the video, refers to the potential for employment or career advancement. The speaker encourages job seekers to express openness to discussing opportunities, not just for the specific position applied for but also for any relevant positions within the organization. This approach can broaden the applicant's chances of being considered for multiple roles.

Highlights

Introduction to cover letters and their evolution with technology.

The importance of respecting the recipient's time in cover letters.

The average recruiter receives a high volume of emails daily.

The purpose of cover letters in a modern job application process.

How to effectively introduce yourself in various formats like emails or application tracking systems.

The three essential elements your introduction should convey.

The brevity required in modern cover letters due to fast-paced recruitment.

The significance of creating intrigue in your cover letter to prompt resume review.

How to address the recipient in your cover letter effectively.

The structure of a compelling cover letter in four sentences.

The value of stating your experience and qualifications upfront.

The strategy of directing the reader to your resume for more details.

The importance of expressing openness to other positions within the organization.

The reasoning behind not including too many details in the cover letter.

The recommendation to keep cover letters brief and to the point.

Upcoming training courses for career-related topics.

Invitation for audience engagement and questions in the comments section.

Transcripts

Hi everyone, it's Andy LaCivita founder of Milewalk and the Milewalk Academy, and the

award-winning author of the Hiring Prophecies here with today's episode of tips for work

and life, today we're going to talk about cover letters.

When I say cover letters what I really mean is any means you're going to use to introduce

yourself to the employer.

That could be a cover letter, if companies still require one.

It can be an email, perhaps with your resume attached, and it could be an application tracking

system where they allow you to provide some notes about you, yourself, things that they

should know about you.

Really it's whatever means you're going to use to introduce yourself.

Now, there's a couple of precursors that I want to mention right before we dive into

the four sentences.

There's three things that your introduction should do, and I believe you can do those

in four sentences, but I want to talk a little bit about just cover letters and what the

purpose was.

Remember, keep in mind, cover letters are from a long time ago when we didn't have computers

and we didn't have emails and we didn't have application tracking systems, and you had

to mail your resume to an employer about a job opportunity or a job opening that you

saw or was advertised.

You needed to insert that cover letter to introduce yourself, to let them know what

it was you were applying for.

They didn't really understand that.

Now we have these systems that tag your resume and your name to particular jobs that you

apply to, it's much different now.

Regardless you still need to effectively introduce yourself, so regardless of whether you're

doing that in an attached document or whether you're doing that in an email introduction

or whether you're doing that through an applicant tracking system, there's three things you

ultimately need to do.

You want to make sure that when you do them you're respecting the person's time.

The average person today, let alone the average person who is recruiting for many positions,

gets about 150 emails every day.

Somebody who's hiring for a position might get twice that many or three times that many,

so you want to make sure that whatever you do you're being brief and you're respecting

their time.

Trust me when I tell you that most people are moving at such a break neck pace, most

of those recruiters just want to open that resume, look to see if you are a good fit

for that particular position or another position in their company.

Many of them are not going to take the time to read a lengthy intro or a lengthy cover

letter, so just keep that in mind.

Okay, one other little housekeeping item.

I talked a few weeks ago about how to build your ultimate professional resume.

If you haven't seen that episode yet, check it out on my blog, I put the link down in

the notes.

There's some good tips and tricks and formatting items that I addressed in that particular

lesson or episode that I think is going to be really helpful for you to understand as

we talk about these four sentences that you need to do.

First thing, how to address that intro.

Dear whoever it is, and I know there are many ways you can figure out who that is, or dear

sir or madam, or to whom it may concern, or whatever intro you are comfortable using.

I'm writing to inquire about the opening for, so now you're telling them exactly why you're

inquiring.

It's just one sentence, period, that's it, let them know why.

Go to the next break, make a new paragraph so that they now can get the meat and potatoes.

This is the what you offer and why you're qualified.

I would just say that I offer X years of experience in whatever your specialty is, and would make

me a strong candidate for this opening.

That's obviously your opinion, but I think it's a nice way to collect that and give them

some insight that you do believe you are a strong candidate.

They want to hear that.

Then what I would do is I would just add one more sentence in that paragraph, and just

say the top portion of my attached resume highlights my career profile and three significant

accomplishments that are also in alignment with this position.

Now what you're doing is you're creating intrigue.

You're telling them exactly where they can find the information that they need in order

to know whether or not you'd be a could candidate, and it won't take them very long to see it.

Then I would make a break, and then the last little sentence I would make is, I'd welcome

the opportunity to speak with you if you feel I'd be a strong candidate for this or any

position in your organization.

It's extremely important that you add the any other position in your organization.

People need help with how to think these days.

Everybody is moving so quickly, it's not because they're not smart, but you just want to make

sure that they recognize that number one you're open to it, and number two that they should

be thinking that way.

You don't want them to just open your resume, look at it, and say, "Eh.

He or she's not a fit for the position that they applied for."

You want to remind them to make sure that they think about all positions in their company.

It may sound very obvious, it may sound like common sense, but when you're moving so quickly

it's not always common practice.

Okay, so there it is.

I'm writing to inquire about what the position is, I offer X years of experience, I have

strong these skills.

Top portion of my resume highlights my career profile and my significant accomplishments,

which puts me in alignment with the position.

I'd welcome the opportunity and so on.

Now one other thing you might be thinking, why not put those highlights and that detail

in the cover letter?

The cover letter's purpose, it should be brief, it should tell them why you're qualified,

but you want to create intrigue.

You ultimately want to get them to open your resume.

Most of them are going to be inclined to do that anyway, so you don't need to give them

more in the email.

You don't want them to see this much.

I recommend reserving that for the resume.

Perhaps you put one significant accomplishment, but I think you can do this in four sentences,

five at the very most.

That's it for today.

One other item I want to let you know, if you like this type of information I've got

a training course coming up with everything that's careers related, so it's all this in

much more depth.

Everything from finding your purpose, writing resumes, cover letters, interviewing, all

the way to career acceleration and all that good stuff.

Everything careers related.

Also, I'd love to hear from you.

If you have any insight, any questions about this, drop down to the comments section, let

me know you're here.

Ask me any questions, share it.

I always welcome the shares, and until next week, we'll see you.