Expert: Warren D. Miller - 5/29/2008

Question
Hi there D. Miller,
I am wondering if you could please assist me in writing a cover letter for the following job: Vaults Manager
They want candidates to demonstrate:
Staff leadership and management (I Have done this by being assitant manager for retail  store).
Process analysis, improvement and documentation (I do this daily in my employment as a business analyst)
Customer service and expectations management (basically This means effective communications which I do as well and keeping the customers informed and updated at all times).
Problem investigation and resolution (Daily in business analysis as sometimes clients change their minds more often than not).
Supplier relationship management (Yes dealt with procurement officers and vendors for software..etc)
Stock management (haven't had much experience)
Implementation of change (IT systems analysis and server engineer related work I have done).

Would really appreciate, also I commend you on not answering questions private as this way you are helping many others.

Answer
Dear Waimon--

Thank you for your request, and thank you for using AllExperts.com. Thank you, too, for your kind words about my refusal to answer questions marked 'Private.' I do appreciate that - you're the first person who has ever commented on it. Thank you again.

Waimon, I really can't write the letter for you, and I know you haven't asked me to do that. For one thing, I have no idea what a 'Vaults Manager' is or does. For another, I have not seen either the Job Description or the advertisement for the opening. And finally--and I think this will not surprise you--I'm here to teach and tutor, not to do homework or write letters.

Now, of course, I'm willing to help YOU write the letter. Good cover letters are very tough to write, Waimon, very tough. Most people just really mangle them and, in the process, sabotage their chances for the job they really want. So first, let me suggest some links which, I hope, will give you some good tips about how to write, and how not to write, a great cover letter. Try these:

http://www.careerlab.com/letters/link002.htm

http://hr.dop.wa.gov/jobtips/cover.letter.htm

http://www.resumecoverletterexamples.com/great-cover-letters.html

http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/youth/resumes-coverletteroutline.htm

Some tips:

1. A cover letter is a sales pitch.
2. Try to keep it short - a full page is too long.
3. Don't be afraid to use 'bullets' for lists.
4. Be sure your spelling and punctuation are dead-solid perfect.
5. Avoid the passive voice.
6. Keep your sentences short.
7. Use standard business-letter format.
8. Sign your letter in blue ink.
9. Make sure you keep a copy of the letter, in case you need to follow-up.
10. Be courteous and professional, but not groveling or obsequious (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/obsequious).

Now, when you have drafted your letter--in Word, please--make a follow-up post to the one you just made and let me know that your letter is ready. I'll let you know what the next step is.

I hope this is helpful, Waimon. And thank you again for your kind words.

Warren