| It is so sweet when clients share their success | | | | darned simple actually executing it escapes 99.5% |
| stories with me. Recently, Aramis was able to | | | | of all people. If you think about though, I doubt it |
| provide a couple of terrific reference letters from | | | | is due to laziness. |
| Project Managers who used his business for years | | | | First of all, not everybody will be able to earn a |
| to provide an independent unbiased professional | | | | good reference letter. Some folks will forget to |
| evaluation of his work. At the end of an | | | | ask for one. Naturally, writing, editing and proof |
| interview, should he not get the job this way he | | | | reading a formal letter is hard work not to |
| has all the convincing verifiable evidence of his | | | | mention time consuming. But if you are a boss it |
| reliable performance anyone would normally need. | | | | is very low on the priority list, even more so |
| By preparing in advance you can have an ace up | | | | since the former employee requesting it never |
| your sleeve on every interview. Professionally | | | | ever gives a thought about typing it out in |
| written reference letters are an affordable $25 | | | | advance and sending it in for a signature. |
| each on average. The secret to getting reference | | | | What I am hinting at here is that almost all |
| letters from past employers and business clients | | | | requests for reference letters are agreed to, and |
| is to send them already written to them with a | | | | then shelved. Part of what makes a boss the |
| self addressed stamped envelope so they only | | | | boss is the ability to prioritize the mission critical |
| have to sign and return them. | | | | stuff and do it. It is a manager's duty to ignore |
| I can't emphasize to you enough just how | | | | anything else. This would be pretty much why |
| powerful these reference letters are in words. | | | | most bosses have secretaries or executive |
| Suffice it to say they are time tested and | | | | assistants. The lesson here is use reference |
| proven. I have been using them myself for | | | | letters and thank you letters every time you will |
| decades. Usually I can choose between several | | | | be interviewing. Always prepare them in advance, |
| offers this way and take the most appealing | | | | have them professionally written when you order |
| overall offer. The higher your aspirations are the | | | | your resumes and cover letters. Don't worry they |
| more important they will be as a seal the deal tool | | | | are not expensive, think of them as career |
| in your job hunt. I would estimate 1% or less of | | | | insurance. |
| all applicants actually ever use a professional | | | | Finally, I would like to say a few words about |
| reference letter. So when a typical client of mine | | | | living with an attitude of gratitude. When life hands |
| hands over 2-3 of them from former employers, | | | | you lemons, make lemonade and smile. Certainly, |
| clients or colleagues they make a serious impact. | | | | the going is tough out there especially for states |
| To maximize the impact make sure you add in a | | | | like RI without much of an economic pump to |
| line stating this reference letter may be verified | | | | prime. No matter what, we have all been blessed |
| as genuine by phone or email. Right now as we | | | | in some way, shape or form. Start taking an |
| speak, a website is selling a "Secret Interview | | | | inventory of all those blessings. Continue counting |
| Strategy" that is virtually fail proof and has a | | | | how you have helped others over the years. |
| >90% success rate for $79. | | | | Then end with what you will make happen. |
| They won't let on anywhere about what it is. But | | | | Imagine it in your minds eye regularly and stay |
| from my experience (I first started selling | | | | focused on that dream. Let hope be your |
| resumes part time in the 1980's when I was in | | | | lighthouse and bold actions your ship. Keep going |
| college through the classified ads.) Not including | | | | towards the light. Now that you've been |
| resumes and cover letters, if there is a surefire | | | | enlightened it sure would be great if you could |
| strategy that beats reference letters and thank | | | | pay it forward by forwarding this free info article |
| you letters after every interview I would be | | | | to your friends and associates who might make |
| surprised. These have dramatically helped me and | | | | great use of it. |
| most of my clients too. It seems this tactic is so | | | | |