Chapter 12 Winning Cover Letters for Technical and Scientific Professionals

Chapter 12

Winning Cover Letters for Technical and Scientific Professionals

Top 5 Cover Letter–Writing Tips for Technical and Scientific Professionals

1.Be sure to spotlight your most significant and most “saleable” technical qualifications as they relate to the specific company to which you are writing. 2.Demonstrate how your technical skills have positively impacted the company’s operations, productivity, and financial performance. 3.It is beneficial for technical professionals to cite evidence of “people” skills.

Tell how you’ve worked with teams, communicated with nontechnical people, improved morale, or made contributions other than just technical feats.

4.Relate your technical skills to overall business needs; don’t try to sell “technology for technology’s sake.” 5.It’s important to use technology in your job search. For instance, communicate with employers as much as possible by e-mail; whenever it’s an option, use an online application; and post your resume at a private URL.

91

Writer: Janet Beckstrom, CPRW; Flint, MI

With a recent degree in Computer Networking Technology but no hands-on experience, this individual used her letter to communicate the value of her education and the strength of her motivation.

Writer: Ross Macpherson, CPRW, CJST, JCTC; Pickering, Ontario 92

To support a career transition from the hospitality industry to computer programming, this letter emphasizes maturity and commitment to position the candidate above much younger and “greener” competition.

93

Writer: Anne-Marie Ditta, CEIP, CPRW, CCMC; Tuckahoe, NY

Communicating not only technical skills but also traits that are ideal for success as a Network Administrator, this letter makes a strong case for both the tangible and intangible value this candidate offers.

Writer: Louise Garver, MA, JCTC, CMP, CPRW, MCDP, CEIP; Enfield, CT

94

This paragraph-style letter communicates important information in every paragraph. Note the objective—clearly spelled out in the opening paragraph—and the rationale for making a move, detailed in the closing sentences.

95

Writer: Bill Kinser, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP, CCM; Fairfax, VA

An eye-catching graphic helps this letter stand out, and important skills and traits are clearly communicated in each paragraph. Note the subject line, which calls immediate attention to the reason for writing.

Writer: Helen Oliff, CPRW, CEC; Reston, VA

96

Information technology is a large investment for your company today. Estimates are that companies typically spend an average of 3.94% of their budgets on IT. Are you sure you’re getting the best financial and performance return from your company’s investment in IT? I can help you optimize your returns.

Designed to set the stage for a follow-up phone call, this letter starts off with highlighted information that is sure to catch a senior executive’s attention in today’s cost-conscious environment.

97

Writer: Teena Rose, CPRW, CEIP, CCM; Huber Heights, OH

The boxed quote—taken directly from the company’s want ad—makes the purpose of this letter crystal clear. Throughout, the focus is on showing how closely the candidate matches the company’s specifically stated needs.

Writer: Jennifer N. Ayres; Clarkston, MI 98

The bullet format is used effectively to highlight impressive achievements with well-known companies in the same industry as the company to which this person is applying. These are sure to catch the reader’s eye!

99

A Magic Example

Writer: Jean Cummings, MAT, CPRW, CEIP; Concord, MA

The need to safeguard data and quickly resume operations in the event of a business interruption is on the “hot list” of many companies. This candidate emphasizes his strong background in the emerging field of business continuity.

Writer: Deborah S. James, CPRW, CCMC; Toledo, OH 100

This letter was written to a recruiter. It combines informative paragraphs with hard-hitting bullet points that enable a quick skim of highly relevant information.

101

Writer: Deborah Wile Dib, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCMC; Medford, NY

Note how the bullet points—each only one line, yet containing a wealth of impressive information— break up the paragraphs and immediately pull in the reader.

Writer: Debbie Ellis, MRW, CPRW 102

The heading on this letter—mirroring the resume—is a powerful statement of the executive’s expertise and capability. The second-to-last paragraph includes personal and compensation information appropriate to its recruiter audience.

103

A Magic Example

Writer: Susan Britton Whitcomb, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW; Fresno, CA

The candidate mentions up front that he was referred for the position. Then he follows with specific reasons the reader should be interested in his background and capabilities.