The Last Paragraph of a Cover Letter

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A confident request for an interview is the best way for your cover letter to initiate action. Here's how to do it.

I'll Call You
Most sales professionals say that if you want a deal to stay alive, keep the ball in your court. If that theory works for selling products, it will work for promoting you! Tell your prospective employer in your cover letter that you will take the next step (such as telephone or drop by to speak with the employer).

An assertive statement such as "I will call your office next week to see when an interview can be arranged" is far more effective than a passive line such as "I look forward to hearing from you." With the passive approach, you could sit by the phone for months never knowing if you're in the running for the job or whether your letter even got to its destination.

Uh Oh, No Phone Number
If all your detective work doesn't turn up a phone number for your addressee, you really can't say "I'll call you" in your closing paragraph. In that case, you need another way to end your letter with intent. Put on your thinking cap and come up with an incentive for the employer to call you right away.

Here are some examples of how some job seekers have motivated employers to respond immediately to their letters.

Hit the Bottom Line
"Mr. Richards, I'll be honest. Although I have submitted several applications within the plastics manufacturing industry, I am most interested in working as a Quality Assurance Analyst for Dillon Plastics. Please contact me as soon as possible so that we can nail down employment details."

"Time is critical! If we don't act now, this new motherboard technology will come out on the market under the wrong company name. I'm ready to discuss precise ways of beating your competition to the market. Please call me."

"With the shelf-life of computer manuals as short as it is, we must get your book sales and distribution department working as efficiently as possible. If we can iron out employment details this week, I can come on board next Monday. Please let me know when we can talk."

"As your security manager, I will cut theft to a fraction of what it is now. Please get me on the job before this problem hurts your store image. I can be reached at (123) 123-1234."

Timing Is Everything
"In one week I will leave town for a short trip with my family. An interview prior to my vacation could bring me on board immediately upon my return. Please call me at (123) 123-1234."

"On July 12th I will be in the Los Angeles area. It would be an excellent opportunity for us to meet about my proposal. I can be reached in San Francisco at (123) 123-1234 or in Los Angeles at (800) 123-1234."

"When I am downtown on business Monday, August 9th, I will be free for an interview any time after 10:00 a.m. Please call to let me know what time is convenient for you."

"Please call me for an interview. I feel confident our meeting will cut your interviewing of other candidates dramatically."

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