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.