Cover letters - the "PS" secret!

by Jimmy Sweeney

“Have I got a secret for you!”

Has anyone ever promised you the secret that will help you win a pool tournament, bake a prize-winning cake, or write a publishable novel? If so, you probably stopped in your tracks, eager to hear it.

Today, I have a secret for you that will help you land your dream job. It is the ingredient you need to write a powerful cover letter. Yes, a secret so powerful that it trumps all other advice you’ve received.

It’s been around for years, used by thousands of people in print advertising–yet rarely used in a cover letter–that is, until recently when my experience in marketing led me to the idea of adding it to the bottom of a job-search cover letter. If it could work well for selling products, I decided it could be just as effective for people who want to ‘sell’ themselves and their talents to potential employers.

The result: I’m happy to report that my clients have experienced a dramatic increase in job interviews and job offers.

And what is the greatest cover letter secret ever revealed?

Ta da!!

Add a P.S. (postscript) to the bottom of your job-search cover letter!

"Is that all?" you may ask. "I thought a P.S. was used to add something you forgot to include in the letter."

Yes and no. Yes, you can add a detail you forgot, and no, that’s not its only function.

A P.S. on a cover letter attracts attention. Some people will read it first! Once you’ve caught them, they’ll go to the top and read the entire letter. Don’t wait another second to harness the power of a P.S. by including it in your next cover letter.

Advertisers and marketers use the P.S. to restate the action they want a reader to take.

Example:

P.S. SEND YOUR CHECK TODAY.

P.S. ORDER BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

As a job-seeker you can make a similar plea for action. You’d like to garner an interview, right? Well then the P.S. is the perfect tool to hook your reader and make him or her want to respond to you positively. Think of it as a ‘direct hit.’ There is no way to miss your intention. The hiring representative will get your clear message: HIRE ME!

THREE examples of how the P.S. can make your cover letter the best yet!

P.S. I will follow up with a phone call on May 3rd to make sure you have received my application. I would love the opportunity to meet in person for an interview. I can be reached right away at 555-555-5555. Thank you in advance.

P.S. I realize all I can ask for is the opportunity to be interviewed for the {insert job opening title here}. I would love that chance. Again, I can be reached directly at 555-555-5555 to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

P.S. I would like to restate my desire to interview for the position of {insert job opening title here}. {Company name} is number one on my list of companies I’d like to work for. I am available immediately and can be reached directly on my mobile phone at 555-555-5555. Thank you so much!

How could anyone ignore such clear requests? Each of the examples above ASKS for the job interview and tells the reader what action to take. You can also use the P.S. to promote your qualities and your strengths as a candidate for the job opening.

Tips for using the P.S. (postscript): Position the P.S. at the bottom of your cover letter flush left. Type it in bold text or italics. Do not use both.

P.S. Maximize the effect of your next cover letter by adding a P.S. Keep in mind that people cannot resist reading a postscript.

P.P.S. Pssst! Remember this is a SECRET. So please keep it to yourself! Thank you!