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Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/30/22 7:11 p.m.

So I'm trying to jump fields in my career. Looking at switching over to sales or an industrial application versus front line Mental Health. Most places I am looking ask for a cover letter on the application to go with your resume. I ain't got a clue what one of those looks like cuz I have never had the right one in mental health my work is always stood for itself. Anybody have links to good examples or anything? I found it inside sales at Charlotte Pipe that really sounds appealing to me and I'd like to apply tomorrow but don't have a cover letter

Jesse Ransom
Jesse Ransom GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
7/30/22 7:35 p.m.

First and foremost, the cover letter should explain to the hiring company that you read the job description and can communicate well enough to point out the ways in which you answer the needs described therein.

I have a non-yahoo (read: "should work") email tied to my GRM account; ping me with your email and I can shoot you an example or two that were good enough I wound up employed... What I don't know is whether there are any industry-specific terms/tones/bullet points; mine are all pacific northwest software jobs. Probably not a huge difference, but could be more informal than some other fields/regions.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
7/30/22 7:36 p.m.

That's weird. I haven't applied to a job in more than a decade that wants a cover letter.

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/30/22 7:43 p.m.

In reply to Jesse Ransom :

Dusterbd13@hotmail.com is mine. I appreciate it!

 

Z31 all the ones im seeing that my skills may work in are having a spot to upload one. I haven't been, and haven't been getting past tge screening software. So im guessing its a lack of cover letter or buzzwords. 

spitfirebill
spitfirebill MegaDork
7/30/22 7:53 p.m.

I sucked at writing cover letters.  

Datsun310Guy
Datsun310Guy MegaDork
7/30/22 8:04 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Sort of my industry - key notes to drop for an inside sales job:

sense of urgency 

quick learner - you need to learn your flanges, pipe, elbows, materials... start planning on studying up cause nobody trains anybody.  Mention you can study up on your own time.  Grab a catalog and take it home.

Able to prioritize projects - able to juggle many balls and work on the hottest ones

quick at replying to customers -

huge sense of urgency.   Do it today - don't leave it until tomorrow.

willing to do what it takes - work thru lunch for a hot project? Who cares - eat a sandwich at your desk 

Mndsm
Mndsm MegaDork
7/30/22 8:18 p.m.

Hey berkeleyers - gimme a job. 

 

Honestly, if you get in the door with that it's probably a good place to be. 

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/30/22 8:20 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

No help on a cover letter but I could see your personality doing well at sales. 

NY Nick
NY Nick GRM+ Memberand Dork
7/30/22 8:42 p.m.

As a hiring manager I always like cover letters to be short and sweet, especially if they aren't telling me something compelling. Honestly some of them have gotten resumes thrown out but I don't know if any have ever sold me on a candidate. Check the grammar and spelling then have someone else check it. 
 

If you know anyone there that is super helpful. If you don't, do you have a LinkedIn account? If you have that you can try to connect to someone that works there. On LinkedIn they have 448 people that work there. Maybe you can find some that look the closest to the role you want and the location and connect. Or better yet the HR person. I found 3 of them on LinkedIn. I have found they are usually happy to connect and that gets your foot in the door for an interview. 
 

Good luck with the search. 

SV reX
SV reX MegaDork
7/30/22 8:43 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

The purpose of the cover letter is to get them to read your resume. That's all. 
 

Don't have a universal cover letter. The cover letter should be specifically targeted and written to the company you are applying to. Even better if you can address it to a specific person. 

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
7/30/22 9:51 p.m.
NY Nick said:

As a hiring manager I always like cover letters to be short and sweet, especially if they aren't telling me something compelling. Honestly some of them have gotten resumes thrown out but I don't know if any have ever sold me on a candidate. Check the grammar and spelling then have someone else check it. 
 

If you know anyone there that is super helpful. If you don't, do you have a LinkedIn account? If you have that you can try to connect to someone that works there. On LinkedIn they have 448 people that work there. Maybe you can find some that look the closest to the role you want and the location and connect. Or better yet the HR person. I found 3 of them on LinkedIn. I have found they are usually happy to connect and that gets your foot in the door for an interview. 
 

Good luck with the search. 

And for me, in the tech world. Through LinkedIn and Indeed. They have "Quick Apply" now. Where you literally click "Apply Now" and use your existing resume and it's done. 

I didn't bother finishing an application for Citrix because I used this option, so they had my resume. Then they wanted me to go in and individually enter all the information separately in their system and then upload my resume again. 

If you're supposed to be a business solution to make work easier and I have to give you my resume 3 times to apply.................seems pretty hilarious in comparison to their mission statement. 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/31/22 8:39 a.m.

Thanks y'all!

After church im going to sit down and get my cover letter on. 

Heres to hoping. I need out of frontline mental health. 18 years is a little too long in the fire.

wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L)
wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
7/31/22 8:57 a.m.

For cover letters, you can almost copy and paste the job description. They want to see the same words as in the job listing, just not word for word. I know a guy who would just type out key words in white on his applications specifically so the computer would see the words, but a human wouldn't have to churn through the whole alphabet soup.

Good luck. It's rough out there.

CrustyRedXpress
CrustyRedXpress GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
7/31/22 9:13 a.m.

Lots of good advice here.

Getting into sales changed my life-if you don't get this one keep applying to others!

glueguy (Forum Supporter)
glueguy (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand Dork
7/31/22 12:18 p.m.

I hire people, any cover letter at all goes to the top of the list because you've shown to put some effort into it.  Tell me that you read the job description, it excites you because it will be a challenge, and then why you want the job, especially if your past experience isn't directly relatable.  Two or three paragraphs is plenty, no need to overdo it.  It drives me crazy when I get a resume from someone two states away with no explanation of why they are interested in relocating, or someone that has no job experience in the field.  But tell me, "I've never done this before but here's why I think my past will make me successful" and you move ahead of people with the right experience that just send a resume and nothing more.

 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/31/22 3:14 p.m.

said a prayer and clicked submit. 

hopefully the cover letter was good enough. 

 

should i post it here for review and critique, or is that begging it to come up on a search engine and kick my name out of the running?

OHSCrifle
OHSCrifle GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
7/31/22 3:21 p.m.
Dusterbd13-michael said:

said a prayer and clicked submit. 

hopefully the cover letter was good enough. 

 

should i post it here for review and critique, or is that begging it to come up on a search engine and kick my name out of the running?

Since you didn't it post before you submitted - post it now. I like to believe that I'm a decent editor.. and good with punctuation and spelling. Happy to give feedback. 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/31/22 3:25 p.m.

Hello

 

I am writing to submit my resume for consideration of the inside sales position you are advertising for.

 

Having read the description, I wanted to provide a list of the requirements and how I believe I have the experience to meet them and do well at the position. The first and foremost requirement that I see is strong interpersonal and relational skills. In my 16 years of doing mental healthcare, I have excelled at the relationship building process. After all, the entirety of crisis intervention and treatment is built upon a relationship of mutual trust and professional etiquette. In addition my previous six years of employment I have been doing program outreach to landlords and management companies, selling the idea of subsidized housing and community based recovery to the properties and companies, as well as convincing of how it will be beneficial to all parties. This included educating the landlords and companies on the benefits of the program, as well as the risks incurred. Additionally, it was my responsibility to create mutually beneficial outcomes whenever possible, but to retain the health and safety of the tenant and business relationship with property whenever things went wrong. This ability demonstrates the positive and helpful attitude required to foster relationships that the job posting lists.

Most of my career has been in areas that were fluid with not clearly defined roles and responsibilities, requiring me to teach myself many skills via book learning, trial and error, finding training and seminars, and seeking out wisdom and experience form those who had been doing things longer. I believe I should be able to quickly learn the SAP functionality, and quickly obtain a good working knowledge of the cast iron and plastic products I would be selling. I have used the Microsoft suite of products for my entire career, as well as multiple proprietary electronic health record and billing systems. I have done this with a fairly high success rate in all cases.

The job listing requirements list two years inside sales requirements. I believe my 6 years of housing program enrollment and outreach to meet this, however at many times throughout my career I have taken part time jobs of selling auto parts on evenings and weekends to supplement our family's income. I have done this successfully, often having the highest sales numbers of the part time staff. I can provide those parts stores information if you need them, however the managers I worked for are no longer there. The job also lists customer service of two years as a requirement. I believe that my experience in working with people with mental health crisis in efforts to engage them with treatment, hospitalization, suicide prevention, or going to rehab would be sufficient to show my abilities in customer service, and the ability to conclude interactions in the best possible interest for all parties, as well as an ability to remain professional, courteous and level headed despite whatever a situation may present.

Ultimately, I am positive that the vastly different field that this role is in makes your question my suitability, or motives in career change. I am looking for a company to retire from, with stability and the ability to progress in my career. I believe that this position would benefit us both, and that I could provide many years of dedicated and quality service to Charlotte Pipe.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Michael Crawford

AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter)
AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) UltraDork
7/31/22 5:52 p.m.

Easy,

Dear hiring manager,

Your job says you are looking for X, Y, and Z.  Here is how my work experience relates to X, Y, and Z.  Furthermore, I bring these additional skills, talents, and experience to your team,  I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you soon. 
 

Signed......

 

Thats it.  

OHSCrifle
OHSCrifle GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
7/31/22 6:00 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Too long - gotta use this to make them want to read the resume and meet you. Try this:

 

 

Hello

I am writing in response to the inside sales position at Charlotte Pipe. I believe my skills align well with the stated job requirements and look forward to an opportunity to discuss the role.

With 16 years of experience working the frontlines in mental health crisis intervention and 6 years in community based recovery program sales, I have developed exceptional interpersonal skills. The entirety of my success in these fields was built upon relationships of trust and professionalism.

Most of my career has been in roles that were fluid - with evolving responsibilities. This required me to independently learn through my own research, and by trial and error as well as seeking out training, seminars and gaining wisdom from peers.

I have used the Microsoft suite of products daily for two decades, as well as multiple electronic health record and billing systems. I’m certain I will quickly learn Charlotte Pipe’s SAP system, and quickly develop a working knowledge of the cast iron and plastic products I would be selling. I also have strong mechanical knowledge including an understanding of construction plans and system diagrams.

I believe that my experience leading people in mental health crises to treatment demonstrates a strong understanding of customer service. My ability to remain professional, courteous and level headed despite whatever a situation may bring are valuable attributes.

Ultimately, I am looking for a change and a company with stability and an opportunity to progress in my career. I believe that this position would benefit us both, and that I could provide many years of dedicated and quality service to Charlotte Pipe. I'd love the chance to talk about this inside sales position.

Thank you,

Michael Crawford

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/31/22 6:58 p.m.

Yep. Should have posted the draft before sending. 

I like the revised version better sir. Gets across what i was trying to say way better and more concisely. Im out of practice at that, as Medicaid documentation relias on details in my current field. And i talk a lot.

OHSCrifle
OHSCrifle GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
7/31/22 9:36 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Nothing wrong with what you wrote - in hindsight my revision is still WAY too long. I think a cover letter should shoot for about 2/3 of a page single spaced. At the most.

Let them know that you have some skills they can use.. and hopefully make them want to bring you in to talk. 
 

 

759NRNG
759NRNG UberDork
8/1/22 9:01 p.m.

sent you a PM with a CVRLTR 

OHSCrifle
OHSCrifle GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
8/14/22 1:30 p.m.

Did they call you?

Beer Baron
Beer Baron MegaDork
8/14/22 2:03 p.m.

Most readers are only going to skim what you write and then decide whether or not it's worth their time to read the whole thing. So don't bury the lead. Hit your points where they will be read and then provide supporting information.

That means the first 1-2 sentences of your opening paragraph, and *maybe* the first sentence of subsequent paragraphs. Then they will decide if the rest is worth reading.

So in OHS' example, I've bolded what they'll read:

OHSCrifle said:

Hello

I am writing in response to the inside sales position at Charlotte Pipe. I believe my skills align well with the stated job requirements and look forward to an opportunity to discuss the role.

With 16 years of experience working the frontlines in mental health crisis intervention and 6 years in community based recovery program sales, I have developed exceptional interpersonal skills. The entirety of my success in these fields was built upon relationships of trust and professionalism.

Most of my career has been in roles that were fluid - with evolving responsibilities. This required me to independently learn through my own research, and by trial and error as well as seeking out training, seminars and gaining wisdom from peers.

I have used the Microsoft suite of products daily for two decades, as well as multiple electronic health record and billing systems. I’m certain I will quickly learn Charlotte Pipe’s SAP system, and quickly develop a working knowledge of the cast iron and plastic products I would be selling. I also have strong mechanical knowledge including an understanding of construction plans and system diagrams.

I believe that my experience leading people in mental health crises to treatment demonstrates a strong understanding of customer service. My ability to remain professional, courteous and level headed despite whatever a situation may bring are valuable attributes.

Ultimately, I am looking for a change and a company with stability and an opportunity to progress in my career. I believe that this position would benefit us both, and that I could provide many years of dedicated and quality service to Charlotte Pipe. I'd love the chance to talk about this inside sales position.

Thank you,

Michael Crawford

Does that answer the questions of what they're looking for well enough for them to keep looking to see if you can support what you claim?

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