| Many job seekers get caught up looking at the 5% of | | | | would not meet. Your one-page letter outlines the |
| jobs that are openly listed online or in the newspaper | | | | results of your research, highlights your expertise, and |
| and ignore the other 95% of jobs tucked away in the | | | | demonstrates your ability to impact the company in a |
| "hidden job" market. Especially today with the | | | | specific high priority area. |
| economy in flux it is imperative that you take a | | | | Open your letter with a sincere compliment about the |
| pro-active approach to your job search. You can't | | | | company. Everyone likes to hear the good news |
| afford to limit your search to the so called "open jobs." | | | | about their organization! Then, briefly discuss the results |
| You can dramatically improve your job search | | | | of your research - three or four challenges you've |
| success ratio by accessing the lucrative "hidden job" | | | | uncovered that are facing the business and which you |
| market. One underutilized tool for doing this is the | | | | have the expertise to solve. Focus on solving their |
| target letter. Begin by researching organizations which | | | | most pressing problems because that is what matters |
| you have identified as being of interest because you | | | | to them! |
| suspect they need your expertise, they meet your | | | | Wrap up the letter with a suggestion to meet to |
| qualification as an ideal company, or both! | | | | explore in greater detail how you can have a positive |
| As you research the company, ask yourself, "How | | | | impact on their business. Sign you name and then, add |
| can I improve the organization? How can I increase | | | | a P.S. that teases them with a "what's in it for them" |
| sales, improve employee retention, increase | | | | benefit, for example, "P.S. One idea my research |
| productivity, or improve operations?" Your goal is to | | | | uncovered has the potential to increase front office |
| uncover specific challenges facing the organization and | | | | efficiency by as much as 15%." |
| identify ways that your expertise would positively | | | | Do not include a resume! Remember, you are an |
| impact the company. In addition to visiting their website | | | | expert problem-solver, not a job seeker. (For more on |
| and conducting an online search consider talking with | | | | selling yourself as an expert read "Check out Expert |
| current employees and/or customers. And of course, | | | | or Job Seeker? You Decide", also available at |
| part of your research involves uncovering the name of | | | | EzineArticles.com). |
| the top executive who has the power to hire you or | | | | Follow up with a telephone call within three to business |
| recommend you for hire. It is to this person that your | | | | five days to schedule a mutually agreeable meeting. In |
| letter is written and sent. When in doubt, start at the | | | | the meantime, review your research, prepare |
| top! | | | | thoughtful needs analysis questions, and be prepared |
| Your purpose in writing a target letter is to gain access | | | | to demonstrate your value when you meet Mr. or Ms. |
| to and impress decision-makers who you otherwise | | | | "Big. |