If most bosses, managers, and recommends lack confidence in their ability to write letters of recommendation that reflect well on them, then maybe you do too. The stakes are high with letters of recommendation, so it is understandable if you are a little concerned.
Not only must your letter be professional and polished, it has to be convincing. Beautiful letters that don't sell are worthless to you. You need to know how to hit your prospect's hot buttons to sell your way into your Letras personalizadas first interview.
Here is something that frustrates a lot of candidates: Writing letters of recommendation, resumes, cover letters, and all the rest is often more challenging than any writing they have to do on the job! The positions they want do not require high-level writing skills, but getting those positions in the first place often does.
On the other hand, some candidates are able to get positions for which others are actually better qualified - precisely because they can write better! They can tell their story better, so they get more attention... and more opportunities.
Make no mistake: the reality is that writing skills always count! There are skills you will need to be effective on the job and there are skills you will need to get that job in the first place. Getting ahead in your career requires both.
PROBLEM: What happens if you have a letter that was written specifically for one opportunity that is not well targeted for the next?
SOLUTION: Get a new letter.
The concept most people have of a letter of recommendation is a single letter addressed To Whom It May Concern. It says nice things about you, and you can use it time and time again, no matter what you are applying for.
Those days are gone. Effective candidates tailor their pitches (if you will) to the opportunity at hand. With computer technology it is very easy to customize things, including letters of recommendation.
And because it's easy, people tend to do it. You can bet that there are people out there who are competing with you who will tailor their message just as I'm describing. At this point, it would be relatively few, but the number is growing.
Why? Simple: it works. (Competition drives people to do crazy things!)
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