1 Easy Way To Create A More Powerful Cover Letter

By Gina Calvano | Leave a Comment

It’s simple – just search your cover letter for the word “get” and replace it with the word “give” then adjust the sentence to be relevant from a “giving” perspective vs. a “getting” perspective.  Let me explain further…

 

The last thing you want to create is a cover letter that goes on and on about what you want to GET out of a particular organization or job – (i.e. “… your company seems to offer so many opportunities for me to expand my skills and experience…”).  Instead, the tone of your cover letter must convey that you want to GIVE others what you have to offer – your knowledge, skills, experience and natural abilities.

 

Even if you don’t yet have lots of knowledge, skills or experience, offer what you have to give – your education, your natural abilities, your motivation, and your observation of how your interests and values are a match with the organization’s – (i.e. “… I am a recent graduate of name or school with a degree in major who is ready to contribute a natural ability you have…” OR “…your company mission appeals to me since I am dedicated to leading/teaching/enlightening others about use words from their mission statement that appeal to you …”). 

 

Powerful cover letters offer information about you – but info about you is way more powerful when it’s worded in a way that showcases how YOU may be relevant to the organization and those they serve.  Here are a few more ways you can pump up the power on your cover letter – in a “giving” way vs. a “getting” way (of course!)…

 

  • Why you’re interested in the organization and/or line of work you are pursing – write about how you discovered your passion for/interest in the line of work you are pursuing and/or why you are a fan of the organization you’re applying to (i.e. “… I first discovered my passion for describe the line of work when describe when or how in a brief statement…” OR “… I most admire that your organization describe what they do that you most admire/respect and how you see it to be different from other organizations who do what they do…”).  
  • What you can be relied upon for time and time again – write about opportunities you naturally notice and take advantage of in relation to your personal qualities and how that benefits others – (i.e. “… I continually seek out opportunities that enable me to contribute my natural ability to describe a skill or ability you have which enables others to describe how others benefit when you share your skill/natural ability with them…”).  
  • What you have learned in past job experiences – share your most cherished lesson from a past experience was and how you regularly apply that in your career or life  – (i.e. “… at company name I learned how to something you learned to do or a way of being you learned is effective and appealing to those you serve and how you observe that to impact others favorably...”).  

 

A good cover letter always closes by expressing excitement to speak with them…  (i.e. “…It would be an honor to talk with you about the possibility of contributing to your team and aligning with the mission of the organization…”).  Everyone likes to feel like they matter to others – organizations and bosses are no exception – let them know you are excited to meet with them, to learn more about them, and to see if it would be a good opportunity for both of you to align – for the benefit of those served by the organization.

 

Want a promotion? 3 mistakes to avoid and 1 powerful way to get your promotion faster

By Gina Calvano | Leave a Comment

 

So, are you feeling ready for a promotion?  Is it long overdue or is it a new aspiration?  Either way, if you haven’t quite yet landed the promotion you desire, now is not the time to just wait it out.  Even if you are certain that it is imminent or if you are already performing as the “temporary fill-in” for the elevated role (you don’t officially have the title, authority, salary, etc. that goes along with all the responsibility and extra work you have taken on), you must be proactive in your effort to land that promotion.  So what can you do?  In my nearly 20 year career as an HR professional, time and again I would watch (and listen) to people make a few common mistakes that would work against their case for promotability …

 

1.  They express readiness for the elevated role based on their potential to perform at a higher level vs. on actual results that evidences that their knowledge or skill level is beyond what is expected in their current role.

 

2.  They express entitlement based on years of service or experience vs. on personal traits that demonstrate solid leadership skills.

 

3.  They show confidence in their ability to influence others only when they actually acquire the tangible rewards that typically follow a promotion (title, more spacious office, a seat at the executive-level staff meeting table, staff, money, etc.)

 

It’s so easy to show confidence and a cooperative spirit when you state your case to “the powers that be” that you want a promotion.  But once you make the case, the waiting can be agony and it can be challenging to maintain your confidence and cooperative spirit.  Once you let it be known that you are interested in something more than what you already have, you may start to wonder or over-think what those in authority are thinking about you.  You may feel vulnerable to harsh feedback, rejection, or a perception that you might become disgruntled if you don’t get the promotion you want.

 

All of this fear and worry can be avoided if you consistently do 1 thing BEFORE you express your interest in a promotion…

 

demonstrate a state of being that is compelling to and benefits others.  

 

So what the heck is that?  Let me explain…

 

Doing the responsibilities of a leader (or your current job better), is never the fastest path to a promotion.  It may certainly make you appreciated in the role you have (but on the other hand, it may set you up to be taken advantage of – nothing like having someone around you can always throw extra work to and not have to pay them for it), but it won’t demonstrate that you are ready for elevated responsibilities.  Beyond adjusting your attitude to be more professional or increasing your capacity to do more work – being a leader is about demonstrating (being) the intention you have for another by leading them.  Adjust how you are being with those you serve and that is what will get you noticed and trusted to be a leader.

 

So, how can you achieve this?

 

Think about what being an effective leader in the role that you aspire to looks like – come up with your unique definition of what a leader in that role is. Behave within that definition every day, with every exchange you have with others.  Live – BE – that version of a leader within the role you have and raise your hand for opportunities outside of your usual job to bring that behavior forward in service to others – without regard for what you will or can get in return.  Trust that those who demonstrate strong leadership skills (strong service skills) will naturally be pulled along quickly.  If you are not pulled along or approached for leadership roles as quickly as you would prefer, then you can still initiate those discussions and when you do – do so with a solid history and track record of real examples of how you have demonstrated leadership qualities.

 

Want to nail down your definition of leadership and start living – being – a strong candidate for a leadership position you aspire to?  Contact me for a free consultation on how to get yourself promotion ready!  888/560-8233 x101 or email me at info@indigoforce.com

The easiest mistake you can avoid making in your career

By Gina Calvano | Leave a Comment

Never underestimate the power of a good handshake!

Seems obvious, right?  Does anyone out there disagree with me on this one?  Probably not – so do I seriously have to blog about Handshaking 101?  Ahhh ya, I do because there are still far too many people out there who still hold onto their bad handshake and it is killing their advantage over their competition.

Bad Handshakers of the world (you know who you are), you must stop this insanity (you know, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result – as in – “I’ll give the ‘limp fish‘ shake again – but this time – this time by golly people will get that I have energy, and that I am confident and powerful!”).  Do you hear it now?  This is the kindest (full on – benefit of the doubt), talk bubble that good handshakers see over your head when they try to shake your limp fish hand. We get it – maybe you are having a bad day or you are a little low on energy or self-esteem right now, but unless there is a cast of some sort on your arm or hand – there is no excuse – for a bad handshake.  Why?  Because it is the least amount of effort, easiest and fastest way to convey a sense of energy, confidence and “glad to see/meet you”!  And if you don’t have energy or confidence at the moment for whatever reason, it is the least amount of effort, easiest and fastest way to fake a sense of energy, confidence and “glad to see/meet you”!

Are you smacking yourself in the head yet?

Continue Reading