Chapter 8 Winning Cover Letters for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions

Chapter 8

Winning Cover Letters for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions

The Top 5 Cover Letter–Writing Tips for Blue-Collar and Trades Positions

1.Be certain to highlight your technical qualifications as they relate to the position. Often these specific technical requirements—such as a cosmetologist’s license, heavy-equipment operator’s certificate, or welding certification—are bona fide job requirements, and without them you cannot be considered for the job. 2.Turnover is often high in blue-collar professions. If you can stress traits such as work ethic and a strong performance record, you will be a strong candidate.

3.Use language that is comfortable for your educational level and vocabulary, but be certain that your letter sounds professional and is absolutely correct in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 4.Mention any recent education, training, or other evidence of continuing professional development; this shows you are serious about your profession and dedicated to improving your skills. 5.Just as with any other type of profession, consider the needs of the employer and sell yourself as the solution to those needs.

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Writer: Susan Guarneri, MS, CCM, NCC, NCCC, LPC, CPRW, CEIP, IJCTC, MCC; Wausau, WI

Opening with interest-generating statements and continuing with bullet points that highlight key qualifications, this cover letter grabs and keeps the reader’s attention from beginning to end.

Writer: Rhoda Kopy, BS, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP; Toms River, NJ

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By addressing such key issues as occupancy rate, safety, economy, and tenant relationship-building, this letter strongly appeals to the interests of its primary audience: property owners.

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Writer: Meg Montford, PCCC, CMF, CCM; Kansas City, MO

This letter packs a lot of information. The candidate reinforces his qualifications with a very effective quote, gives enough information about his current employer to show relevance to the city in which he’s applying, and informs the reader that he will be relocating to that city in just a few months.

Writer: Carole S. Barns; Woodinville, WA

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This letter expands on a simple comparison-list style with some strong selling points for each qualification. Although he is applying for a promotion within the fire department where he works, the job seeker still “sells himself” just as if he were an outside candidate. Don’t assume those who know you are fully aware of your accomplishments and capabilities!

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Writer: Janet Beckstrom, CPRW; Flint, MI

June 4, 2004

258 DeMarl Avenue Mt. Morris, MI 48458 810-555-2391

Mount Hope Community College Attention: Employment Office 3300 Selmer Avenue Mt. Hope, MI 48654

Dear Employment Director:

I understand that Mount Hope Community College has an opening for a professional cosmetologist to teach in your Cosmetology program. As a graduate of the Mr. David’s School of Cosmetology and a soon-to-be graduate of the Cosmetology Management program at Mount Hope, I hope you will consider me for this position. My resume is enclosed.

As you can see from my resume, I am a licensed cosmetology instructor in addition to being a licensed cosmetologist. I currently run an 11-chair salon I opened in 1990. In addition, I maintain my own clientele as a hairdresser.

My skills as a cosmetologist have been recognized by Mount Hope’s On the Town Magazine, which named me the “Most Creative Stylist.” Also, Her Products (a beauty supply wholesaler) asked me to work as a platform artist at several beauty shows across the country. I even demonstrated the use of their products in an instructional video they produced.

I’m sure I have the right combination of education and experience to make an excellent cosmetology instructor. I hope you will call me to arrange a personal interview. I can be reached at the above number or in my salon at 810-555-1212. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Samantha T. Coles

Enclosure

This letter is a straightforward presentation of the candidate’s qualifications for the job. The third paragraph highlights some notable and highly relevant achievements.

Writer: Janet Beckstrom, CPRW; Flint, MI 14

This cold-call letter is intended for use as-is, without personalization. Although this approach is less desirable than personalizing each letter, it is extremely practical for job seekers who don’t have access to a PC to address and modify each letter. In the third paragraph, the candidate communicates important “intangibles” that will set him apart from other applicants.

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Writer: Janet Beckstrom, CPRW; Flint, MI

Without specifying a particular position, this cold-call letter sets forth experience and personal attributes that will be valuable to the company. By describing a hardworking, energetic, and experienced individual, the writer does a good job of appealing to the reader’s interests. The attractive format matches the candidate’s resume.

Writer: Nancy Karvonen, CEIP, IJCTC, CCM, CJST; Galt, CA 16 Donald W. Karr

In this letter, the candidate uses his intense interest in baseball as a key selling point. Because enthusiasm for and knowledge of the game are key attributes for a seating attendant, this approach is very effective.

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A Magic Example

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

In addition to addressing, in detail, all the specific skills and qualifications needed for this job, the job seeker uses the second-to-last paragraph to communicate a few intangibles (excellent academic record and strong personal recommendation) to further sell himself as a strong candidate for the advertised position.