Knock 'em Dead Cover Letters: Great letter techniques and samples for every step of your job search [Paperback]

Martin Yate (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2010 | Series: Knock 'em Dead Cover Letters

In today's fast-paced world, many job seekers skip creating the perfect introduction. But when competition for every job is intense, a cover letter can make a strong first impression and help an applicant stand out from the crowd. In this newest edition of his bestselling text, Martin Yate shows you the four kinds of cover letters—general, executive briefing, broadcast, and letters to recruiters and agencies—and how to craft each one.

Inside, you'll also find:

• A new introduction by the author, discussing job searches in a tight market
• New sample cover letters for every job hunter, including those just out of college, long-term unemployed, and recently laid off
• New tips about using social media to network and increase the chances of finding a job

With the help of this trusted authority, you will no longer struggle to find the right words and the right way to deliver them! The perfect cover letter is within reach.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martin Yate, CPC is an internationally bestselling author with an unsurpassed body of work focused on lifetime career management. His previous positions include National Director of Training for Dunhill Personnel System, Inc., and Director of Personnel for Bell Industries Computer Memory Division. He is also the author of Knock 'em Dead, Knock 'em Dead Resumes, and many other books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media; 9 edition (October 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440505888
• ISBN-13: 978-1440505881
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Resumes

More About the Author

New York Times bestseller Martin Yate is the author of Knock Em Dead - The Ultimate Job Search Guide, now going into its 27th edition. It is the keystone of a 14 book series, with each book addressing a different aspect of job search and modern career management. Collectively published in some 63 foreign language editions, the Knock Em Dead way is unique in its scope and global acceptance in industrialized nations.

With new books and editions added constantly over the last twenty-five years, Mr. Yate's body of work has gradually evolved into a carefully integrated strategy for navigating the twists and turns of a half-century worklife. The Knock Em Dead philosophy offers a practical methodology for achieving professional success, personal fulfillment and financial stability in an uncertain world.

He has been in career management for thirty-five year years, including success as an international technology headhunter, as Director of Human Resources for the technology division of a public company in Silicon Valley, and as Director of Training and Development for a multi-national employment services company.

He has spent twenty-five years on the international lecture circuit coaching corporate recruiters, headhunters, hiring managers, job hunters, career coaches and resume writers on four continents. This is a travel schedule that he is thankfully retiring, thanks to the wonders of webcasts and distance learning technology.

Martin has devoted his life to learning what it takes to achieve a successful professional life. Yet despite encyclopedic knowledge, success and public acclaim, you'll find Martin to be warm, witty and someone who genuinely cares about helping you gain control of your career and change the trajectory of your life. He is considered by many to be the world's thought leader on career management and job search issues.

Martin is married to Angela, who adopted and home-schooled five special-needs children, now grown. Martin adds another two grown children to the mix and he and Angela recently adopted their first rescue dog together. They spend most of their time in the Southeast. They love all types of music and dance every week, from swing to ballroom to country line dancing. They enjoy gardening together, ocean kayaking, biking, chess, backgammon, old movies, thrifting and collecting antiques (Martin is a recovering alcoholic with a substantial collection of Prohibition era cocktail shakers) and ohh.... he is also the world's worst bass player.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Some Useful Content... July 23, 2011

By Josh

Format:Paperback

This book has its uses but also its negatives.

For someone new to the market who has been looking for a job and has applied for several jobs, the tips in this book can be useful. There are the typical "buzz words" at the end of the chapters that the author gives when writing a resume, and someone who is new to the job-seeking scene might find these useful. For me, I already had a vast working knowledge of those same words. What I found useful were the follow-up letters section. I had no idea what I should include in a follow-up letter, and this book provided several examples. For me, that is the only part I found useful.

As a previous reader stated, there are some spelling/grammatical errors. However, I find this is true in almost every book I read and this one is obviously no exception. There are errors that seem glaring, and one always stops and thinks "I'm paying for this person's advise and they don't even know what spell-check is for?" That being said, there are some useful tips in here. I believe that this book is excellent for those persons new to the job-seeking scene, and the tips they have in here might be useful. However, as I said, for someone like me, who has been through several jobs and careers, there is little to be gained from this book.

Unfortunately, I paid full price for this book when it first came out. However, the price stated on Amazon (probably around $6.00 now) seems reasonable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Continuously employed throughout the Great Recession... November 23, 2012

By Brian

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

...due in no small part to the "Knock 'em Dead" series. I first purchased an earlier edition of "Knock 'em Dead: Cover Letters" while I was a senior in college. When it was time for a career shift 6.5 years later I purchased this edition. Professionally, I've used the cover letters within throughout. Never have I been unemployed. If there is a stronger recommendation I can give to purchase this book, I don't know of it.

To get the most out of this book (i.e., a job) you'll need "Knock 'em Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide" and "Knock 'em Dead: Resumes" too. Not including all three of these books in one tome is a shameless ploy to get you to spend more, -- but you'll make up the cost of all three with your new job's first paycheck.

3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay March 22, 2013

By mseiler

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book gives some good tips, but overall it really is the same content that has been floating around for years.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful December 17, 2012

By Lori_Mac

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Provides a ton of good advice and lots of samples. Great reference if you need to update that resume or you're looking for a job.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well done November 29, 2011

By Anne Bam

Format:Paperback

I can do nothing but sing this book's praises. The first section gives a general overview, mostly stuff you might already know, with a smattering of bright ideas and explanations of why you should tweak your habits. Then the section of sample letters (there is a great variety, a letter or two that is easily modified for most everyone, it seems) was just what I needed -- great examples to follow, to see exactly how to craft the most effective cover letter.

But what really convinced me that this book is worth trusting is the results that I saw. The very first cover letter I wrote following the book's suggestions, I got a call back for an interview. It was a tremendously competitive job, and I heard back within the week from the company. After ONE LETTER written, I have seen results from using this book.

Highly, highly recommend it!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great help for those looking for a job August 30, 2011

By Patricia

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Good sound advice for writing cover letters of all kinds. Well help you get in the door for that interview.