AXIOS Blog

Employment and Career Opportunities Enhanced By First Impression

  

  

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In today's economy, many of us are either helping someone we know find employment or are seeking a job opportunity ourself.  As we search, all too often we forget the old adage, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." 

At Axios, we all to frequently see letters from applicants that are all about themselves.  "I saw your ad for employment and think I would be the perfect match...".  Your first goal should be to capture the manager's attention right from the opening sentence.  If you could imagine putting yourself in her position and what she is hoping to achieve with this new hire, you would successfully begin to think about what your cover letter should say.  Consider who you are writing to and how you can make a great first impression that shows you understand their needs.  "Your ad indicates you are in need a self-motivated sales person..."  When drafting a cover letter to a perspective employer, it is helpful to set it aside for a while and return later to look at it with a fresh perspective.  This helps assure you accomplish the first goal and have created the impression you were hoping for.  The point is to think of the manager's work life, their priorities and needs, and address them. 

Second, your name is already spread throughout the cover letter header and your resume', so there is no need to restate this to start.  Begin by showing them you understand their situation and are attempting to put yourself in their shoes. 

And, while we receive hundreds of letters a year, we easily receive thousands of emails per week.  As email has become the dominant means of communicating in business, if you are using it to contact a perspective employer or a peer, make sure your subject line is powerful and effective, not vague or general.  "In Response To Your Ad" or "Follow Up From Your Posting" are examples of weak subject lines that are at a minimum lost in the mix, or worse, simply deleted away.  The key to a successful subject line is to write it after you have completed the email.  After reviewing the content of the note, determine the best descriptor you can use to create a powerful first impression.  It does not have to be dramatic, just effectively communicate your desired message.

Finally, you have hundreds of opportunities each week to create a positive first impression.  Whether it is a cover letter to a prospective employer or an email to peers about an upcoming event, consider the positive first impression you would like to create and make it count!