The "T-Letter" - The Secret Weapon for the CEO of ME, Inc.

What is a T-Letter?

It’s a type of cover letter that allows job applicants to provide direct and visual evidence of their suitability for a particular position.

Why do I put so much emphasis on including a T-Letter in an individual’s job submission paperwork?
T-Letters provide qualified applicants a unique opportunity to make a strong and compelling case for their qualifications by matching specific qualifications against specific requirements taken directly from the job description. If an applicant makes an exceptionally good case for his or her own suitability for the position, a hiring manager will feel obliged to advance the applicant further (e.g., toward an interview). Without the T-Letter, the hiring manager may or may not be able to assemble an individual’s case from a resume alone.

What is meant by a “Value Proposition” and what is the T-Letter’s role in it?
A complete Value Proposition consists of three parts:

1. The original job description (included in the Value Proposition so that Networking Connectors and Networking Angels can assist you in determining if the T-Letter and Targeted Resume are “on target” or not);
2. T-Letter (point-by-point comparison of position requirements vs. candidate’s qualifications);
3. The Targeted Resume (written specifically for a specific position and “in synch” with the T-Letter).

The T-Letter (#2, above) is the cover letter which provides a visual comparison of a position’s requirements and a candidate’s qualifications, intentionally set up as a point-by-point comparison. Since the comparison “block” of this letter resembles the letter “T”, a common term for this type of cover letter is a “T-Letter.”


What are the steps involved in creating an effective T-Letter?

1. Based on search results you’ve obtained from using indeed.com (or other search engines), find a job posting for which you are a good fit. You need to be a 70% or better match for the job in order to have a better-than-even chance of getting to the interview stage.

2. Using the job description, highlight the most important requirements. Try to think like the hiring manager when selecting the top 4 – 7 requirements for this position. Make sure you are highlighting requirements that involve specific skills, not general “soft skills.”

3. Using the templates provided in this job aid, list the top 4 – 7 requirements going down the left-hand side of the “T-display block”. Each requirement gets its own bullet.

4. Now, for each requirement bullet you’ve listed, carefully write a “response” bullet showing how you have that particular qualification. Write short but powerful phrases and be sure your response bullets clearly demonstrate three things:

• what have you done that demonstrates mastery of this skill?
• where (i.e., what company) did you do it? and
• what was the impact? (e.g., “saved company $45 million in admin. costs”).

Remember: Those three questions must be answered WITHIN EACH AND EVERY QUALIFICATION BULLET you write.

5. Make sure you are “answering” each of the company’s “requirement bullets” with each of your “qualification bullets.” IMPORTANT: This is a one-for-one match-up strategy, not an attempt to “pad” lots of qualification bullets for each requirement bullet.

You can do it … I know you can.

Coach Rod