Ep. 038: How to Write a Killer Cover Letter, with Susan Rich

Google the words “cover letter” and you will find lots of opinions on the best tactics: which format to use, the right salutations, and to whom you should address your letter.

Our guest expert this week, Susan Rich, author of How to Write a Kick-Butt Resume Cover Letter, says people are missing the most important point of all: an employer has a problem that needs to be solved.  The applicant who shows she or he can solve problem has a huge advantage. Susan shares her advice how to focus your thoughts into to key talking points that address the employer’s needs. A dynamite headline and a powerfully structured cover letter showcases your skills in a way that is uniquely appealing to employers looking for help.

In this 26-minute episode you will learn:

• How to frame job seeking as a business transaction
• Why being a problem solver is the key to your job search
• How to organize your thoughts to focus in on your key points for a cover letter
• The elements of a strong cover letter headline
• How to structure a cover letter that actually gets read

This week’s guest:

Susan Rich (Twitter | LinkedIn)

Author, How to Write a Kick-Butt Resume Cover Letter

Portland, Ore.

Susan Rich deliver results, not promises. People call her an idea refinery, always creating a new way forward. She is widely recognized for her strategic business and marketing savvy, her internal & external communications strategies. She is an expert speaker and trainer, and professional journalist with more than one million words in print.

Listener question of the week:

• “With email as the primary form of application these days, how formal do cover letters need now?  Do I still need to include the employer’s address?” - Beckie

If you have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode, please contact Jenna Forstrom, Mac’s List Community Manager at jenna@macslist.org.

Resources from this week’s show:

• Weekend Resume Kit
• The Muse's 185 Powerful Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome
• RichWriting.com
• Land Your Dream Job in Portland (and Beyond) – On sale through June 15!

If you have a job-hunting or career development resource you’d like to share, please contact Ben Forstag, Mac’s List Managing Director at ben@macslist.org.

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