Imagine this scene - a young, well-dressed man is speaking enthusiastically to an older, slightly disheveled man in a wine shop. The younger man is going on about a bottle of wine in his hands. Evidently, the wine has won several International gold medals, scored very high in well known magazines, etc. This is most likely a very good bottle of wine.
The young salesman starts talking about how shoppers will jump for this new wine. The retail pricing is excellent with a great margin. It can generate fantastic return on investment plus good potential for add on sales, and so on and on.
In the end, the older man simply tells the younger man, “sounds interesting, leave me some stuff, and I’ll get back to you.”
A great bottle of wine with tremendous potential for increased business would seem to be a winner. Yet, the young salesman walked out empty handed. So what happened?
What happened is what happens a lot with cover letters. More specifically, it is the issue with what is typically left off a cover letter, or done really weakly.
It’s called, “asking for commitment.” It’s also called, “closing.”
In a movie, a character tells another that wants a cup of coffee, “you don’t get coffee – coffee is for closers – you couldn’t close a window,” or something to that effect.
Buyers want to buy. But you have to do the hard work of actually asking them to buy. Hiring managers want to hire. You have to ask them to hire – you.
And you have to ask them with confidence. A weak, passive request is the same as not asking. Not asking simply transforms your letter into, at best, an interesting read, and at worst, a waste of the hiring manager’s time.
Have you used this phrase, “May I come in for an interview?” Or have you read a letter with this phrase, “Please call me at your earliest convenience.” You may not come in for an interview and my earliest convenience is next year.
A strong closer is just that – a strong closer. A strong closer understands that he has a good product, more to the point, it is product that will help the buyer. This belief gives the salesman strength.
If you are a good match for the job opening, then you are helping the hiring manager. You have found a solution to her problems. That simple belief should give you strength to close stronger.
You must ask for the interview clearly and confidently. That is not to say arrogantly. You do not demand an interview, nevertheless, you do ask with clear confidence.
A method is to assume the close. End your letter by taking an assumptive position and give the reader several options to pick from.
“I understand you are busy, nevertheless, if possible, I’d like to meet with you to explore our potential match here within the next two weeks. I am available Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 1pm and 4pm. Because you are busy, I will keep our meeting short, and be prepared to demonstrate what I can do and how I can contribute immediately. Best time to reach me at (000) 000-0000 would be before 9:30am.”
Or a simpler, “I am excited to meet with you, as your company intrigues me. There are possibilities here we both deserve to explore. To schedule at interview, you can reach me at (000) 000-0000. I really look forward to meeting with you.”
There are probably endless ways to formulate a good closing paragraph to a cover letter. The key is to end it with a definite request for an interview. And for specific advice, you will find some of the best in this comprehensive article, “What Makes a Great Cover Letter, According to Companies?” Read it and use it.
So, yes you can close that window, and yes, you can have a cup of coffee.
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