Instant Interviews: 101 Ways to Get the Best Job of Your Life

Chapter 9. Broadcasting a Letter with High Bandwidth

High bandwidth. Fast, powerful, and transmitting a crystal-clear signal. That's our broadcast letter.

Unlike a cover letter that sometimes accompanies a resume, the broadcast letter is the resume. Only you're free of the rigid format and wordiness. That allows you to be creative.

Here's the system:

Google the Type of Business and Geographic Area

While mass-mailed resumes are typically sent to HR departments, broadcast letters should be sent to managers directly. Let's assume you're looking for a job in cookware sales. You google "cookware distributors Seattle." Then write down the address and phone number.

Obtain the Name and Title of the Contact

Call businesses and find out the name of the manager of a specific department. In our example, you just say to whoever answers the phone, "I'm sending a letter to your sales manager. What's his name and exact title?" Try to get the full first name and middle initial.

Be sure to get the title right, too. Is it sales manager, manager of sales, or director of sales?

These things may take a few more minutes, but it's essential to showing that you've done your homework.

Few broadcast letters have this important touch. Yours will and will be read!

Use a Preprinted Letterhead or Create Your Own

Broadcast letters don't have to be on a preprinted letterhead. Just print a letterhead on your computer that has no abbreviations (except your middle initial) like this:

Jonas D. Jobseeker

1072 Campbell Street, Unit ...