We are all leaders in our own lives. And chances are, we can easily describe what we do for a job.

Knowing why we do it is more difficult. But it’s the key to making the right decisions and developing a satisfying sense of purpose in your life. Your why gives you enthusiasm and energy. In an interview, being clear and demonstrating your true passions, and how they align with your potential employer’s business, is the most powerful message you can send.

What’s your Why?

At the Common Sense Agency, we help you define your REAL passion and talents, and we incorporate them into a powerful CV that helps you get the job you really want. We tailor your experience and skills, and the way you present yourself, to demonstrate your enthusiasm, values and aspirations. It’s your story.

You’ll know what you want to do and why you want to do it, and you communicate it so powerfully it convinces potential employers to help make it happen.

The Perfect Cover Letter  is considerate in that it is brief, raises only your most salient points, and leaves its recipient with no doubt that if they don’t contact you now, someone else is about to.

Let’s take a look at a real-life example:

“Dear Bob, I recently came across your advertised job, Regional Sales Manager, posted on linkedin.com, and I was hoping I could come in for an interview.” So what does Bob know after reading this? First of all: Nothing. You’re already leaving all the all the hard work to Bob, which is not a good way to kick things off with your new boss. What about:

“Dear Bob, I’ve just reviewed the requirements for your Regional Sales Manager role – it’s very well matched to my skill set. It would be great if we could arrange a time to chat about this further.” Bob is intrigued. It seems you’ve already made the match, which means if he reads on, he mightn’t have to do much else. You’ve got his attention. Now, what do you do with it?

Prove it, but make it quick:

“I’ve had seven years experience in a similar regionally-based role, with a proven track record of outperforming global targets. Recent results include:

• Identifying an opportunity to secure an additional £400K in annual revenue during contract renewal with a major client generating £1.3m p.a. <Bob would like to get his hands on that>
• Introduced a new customer onboarding process which reduced average administration set up time from 21 days to 4 days <You solve problems. You’re about to solve Bob’s>
• Increased our average upsell amongst the existing customer base from 33% to 52% over a 3 month period <And, guess what? You’re a fast mover>

So what does Bob know now? More importantly than anything else, he knows you knowhow to sell, because you just demonstrated it. He also knows you’re successful, you’re results driven, you’re confident and you respect people’s time. All vital skills for his new sales manager.

So now, let’s take this conversation off the piece of paper. Close the deal:

“I’ve attached my CV and will give you a call over the next couple of days to discuss the opportunity.

Kind regards,Jimmy Jobwinner

And make sure you do call him. Because you don’t have any time to waste, and neither does Bob.