One of the exercises I like to do with a classroom of jobseekers during our Cover Letter workshop is meant to drive home the importance of projecting self-confidence. I will select one of the ladies in the group (I'm a man and I'm much more comfortable using this exercise with a female.) For the sake of this example we'll pretend her name is Diane. I will then ask her to imagine we are in a relationship and I return home at the end of the day. When I walk through the door Diane is waiting for me. I look her straight in the eyes and say, "Diane I THINK I love you" or "Diane I FEEL I love you" or Diane I BELIEVE I love you" or "Diane I KNOW I love you."
I then ask Diane, "of those four statements which has the biggest impact on you?"
Her answer is always the statement with the word KNOW in it. There is no surprise here because you can see the impact the more committed words has on her.
If you are going to use words to convey the value of what you have to offer an employer or the company you cannot afford to be wishy-washy or humble. Think of the commercials you see on television. Do they hold back on what the product or service can do for you? Absolutely not. You would not be willing to part with your money if you were not convinced that their product or service was a solution to your problem.
It is amazing how many cover letters try to get away with just hinting as to what the applicant has to offer. Telling me that you feel you would be a great addition to our team or you think you have the qualities we are looking for won't cut it for most owners or managers. If you're not sure of what it is you can do for them why should they risk investing their money in hiring and training you?
It is always better to error on the side of over confidence than on humility when it comes to selling yourself to a company.
