My cover letter

This was written by me on 4/11/2006 and was intended to be a cover letter for a job I was applying for...
Leading others and helping them to succeed in reaching their potential has always been a trait which came naturally to me. I enjoy teaching people who desire to learn what knowledge I possess. I've had experience both in training fellow employees and motivating groups of individuals toward a common goal. I find it challenging yet very rewarding when I can take a person who may not have the confidence to take on a particular task or role and help mold and shape their belief system so that they feel like nothing is too great a challenge for them anymore. If they can follow a few fairly simple instructions and/or advice without personalizing the constructive criticism that inevitably goes along with the learning process, then 'managing' their production at work becomes relatively hassle free.
When a manager is open-minded, respectful and diligent in his/her ways, it creates an environment that fosters openness and communication; two of the essential ingredients required to run an effective business. My role as a manager/trainer is not simply to "manage" their work behavior and production. It extends beyond the relative simplicity of those tasks to one of challenging the individual to excel at identifying and solving problems, proactively anticipating the needs of the customer or client, and working in harmony with others in their department to creatively come up with new solutions and innovative ideas. It would be important for me, as their manager and leader, to foster the type of work environment where these actions are routinely practiced and where enthusiasm plays a role in everyone's job, regardless of how menial or trite that job may seem to be.
In looking over my resume I realize that an employer would question the fact that I have not listed any previous retail experience. It's not entirely true as I have worked in retail but it was many years ago and I didn't want to have a resume more than one page long. In my defense, I worked: as a clerk at 7-11 immediately after graduating high school; for an auction company and dealt with many different people in a variety of situations; as a salesman (both inside and outside sales); as an assistant manager of an Italian restaurant during my time at Chico State as well as an on-campus mail delivery driver. In addition, the customer service skills I've developed in the restaurant business (both as a server and a trainer) have enabled me to have a greater understanding of the desires and needs of a diverse and demanding public. Add to that the skill sets I acquired as a Human Resources Assistant and then Staffing Administrator for a high tech defense company and I feel I am qualified to represent your company in a managerial role.

I sincerely hope this letter helps to explain where I come from and what I believe in. I never profess to have all the answers...but I will often have creative suggestions for ways to improve an existing process or idea if management has an open-door/mind policy in place.