If we see 3 decades ago, cover letters were rarely part of normal job application. Cover letters, as addendum to resume, were very long & un-objective, making it hard for a recruiter to evaluate the value & fit of an job application.
Since 2010 onwards cover letters have become vital specifically for consulting & investment banking as well as for C-suite positions. However, the structure of cover letters have changed from just an introductory story form of long letters to a short & crisp value driven cover letter. These value driven cover letters are appropriate for CXO, director, Senior Vice President & business head roles. These cover letters can not only be used for a formal introduction while contacting recruiters but also for active C-suite job search.
In fact, a value driven cover letter (VDL) has greater influence in the overall set of executive job search marketing documents & has power to secure interviews even if it is sent stand alone. Contrary to traditional long & story type cover letters, VDL are crisp, personal & result focused.
If you are a CXO level executive or looking to jump on the C-suite bandwagon, your cover letter should be of a different tone. Here are some steps that can help you structure & write & deliver a value driven cover letter to help you increase your chances of securing a C-suite interview.
- Keep it short & crisp: A lengthy cover letter generally finds its way into garbage. Target not more than 160 words for the cover letter & make sure that words you have selected communicate what you bring to the table.
- Make it personal: Value driven cover letter is a perfect opportunity to make an informal introduction. Although it is a solicited one & addressed to direct contact, it can be used to apply for online job postings.
- Focus on your accomplishment: VDL should portray a bigger picture & value you have delivered to your current & previous employer during the course of your career & can help the prospective employer meet their business goals be it topline/ bottom-line growth, cost savings, operating efficiency or improved productivity. Skills & qualifications should be communicated through your resume.
- Prove your subject matter expertise: List down your strengths & competencies in 1 to 2 relevant areas. Write about them & give examples of results you delivered normally in quantified terms- it can be growth or saving percentage or in absolute value- dollar value terms.
- Keep VDL engaging: Your VDL should be engaging & conversational with powerful & descriptive words which develop recruiter’s potential interest in contacting you for first round of conversation.
If you are looking to have a credible VDL which communicates the value you bring, give us a shout at https://thesushantkumar.com/resume-writing/
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! Its the little changes that will make the largest changes. Many thanks for sharing!