The Secret Solution Interview Letter

The following is an excerpt from a Book I wrote long ago titled The Resume BonFire.

A friend of mine, Steve, owned a small manufacturing firm informed me that he was looking for a new IT manager. The job paid well but required a person who could solve complex custom programming issues in addition to network administration. Coincidentally I had just completed a successful acquisition deal between two companies that had duplicate positions in technology. There were going to be a few good IT people out of work. As I was quite familiar with the company and the employees, I called and requested to meet with one in particular.

After meeting with the candidate, Randy, I was certain he was a good match and recommended an interview. Randy called me after the meeting.

“I really like the company and even though the owner, Steve, has several complex critical situations to address, I am certain I can do the job,” he said excitedly.

Obviously he had asked the right questions.

”So how do you think it went?” I questioned.

“I’m not sure because Steve said he still had several more interviews.”

“You said he has several complex situations. Does he know how to solve them?”

“I don’t think so, but I do,” Randy stated assuredly.

I suggested he send a Thank You card immediately. Then I told him the story of how I had got the job offer from Mr. Martinez and encouraged him to outline a proposal of how he would solve Steve’s situations. When he was finished I told him to write Objective across the top and mail the proposal to Steve.

Later that week I got this call from Steve.
“Well I just wanted to thank you for sending over Randy. I interviewed twelve candidates for the position and had not made a decision until I opened the mail today. Randy sent us a proposal of how he could solve my three most critical issues in less than a week and I am convinced he can,” he stated.

“What did you decide?” I asked.

“ I just got off the phone with him. He is starting Monday.”

There is no feeling in the world better to me than the accomplishment of helping another person, or in this case two. The proposal letter clinched the job for Randy. Randy obviously knew what he was doing and communicated the solutions effectively to convince Steve. I only gave him the idea.

This one idea could do the same thing for you. This new objective letter does not have to give away any secret formulas or divulge exact methods. (Remember I suggested Randy send only an “outline” proposal.) This could mean just one or two brief pages in this format:

Identify the issue.
Point out the solution.
Estimate a time frame.

This idea works very well and on almost any level or for any position yet only if you have one thing, the right information. You must know what critical issues are at hand in order to offer solutions. You can find this letter in the OneClick Cover Letters under Interview Follow Ups called the Solution.

Topics: Cover Letter Guide |