If you want a new job, you have to convince someone to hire you first.

And, as I've written before, the best way I know to convince an employer is to start working before you're hired. In other words, come to the interview ready to do the job, right then and there.

Example: if you're a sales rep, bring sales leads. If you're a programmer, create and bring a program on your laptop. A designer? Design an appropriate portfolio and bring it to the interview.

But, what if you're not getting any job interviews? Can this idea still work?

Yes, it can. By making a simple change to your next cover letter, and doing a bit of research and writing tonight, you can start getting more job interviews tomorrow.

Here's how...

In your next cover letter, tell employers you'd like to send them a special report on a topic related to the job you seek. Of course, this will be a topic you're an expert on.

Describe it like this:

"In my last position, I created a system that streamlined accounting and saved 20 staff hours per week, for a bottom-line savings of $30,000 a year. I would be happy to share that report -- and my other cost-saving solutions -- with you in an interview. Please call me today to discuss your needs and arrange a time to meet."

Most employers -- those with a pulse and an eye on the bottom line -- will want to interview a candidate like that.

Now, how do you create this "special report?" All you need are 2-3 pages describing the best, most valuable thing you did on your last job (or in school, if you're a new grad).

Try to recycle documents or emails from your last position. You can go back through your files (written and electronic) and cobble together a new report from 3-5 shorter things you wrote before.

What do you call your special report? Here are some example titles to get you started:

• 5 Ways to Produce More Sales Leads
  
• 3 Tips for Reducing HR Paperwork
  
• 7 Ways to Improve Customer Service

Unless you signed a non-compete agreement with your last employer, you can use what you've written before to convince hiring managers to interview you.

But, what if you did sign a non-compete and can't divulge past successes, or simply can't write? How can you create a special report to offer employers?

Good news: The Internet is full of pre-written articles on almost any
subject. You can combine two or more articles to create a unique report, so long as you give credit to each author in your finished document.

Two of the best sources for free pre-written articles are:

www.ezinearticles.com
www.articlecity.com

Still not convinced this can work? Here's how to prove it at no risk...

Pick a job you have no intention of taking, and write a cover letter in which you offer to bring a special report to the interview. See what reaction you get. Then, after you start getting calls, offer your report to those employers you really want to work for. (If you feel guilty about "applying" to companies that don't interest you, send them your report after you turn down their interview request -- a win-win outcome.)

Now, why go to all this trouble to create a special report?

Because hiring managers hate to make mistakes. They're desperately seeking candidates who are qualified and hard working. When you offer employers a report on a topic of interest to them, you're killing two birds with one stone:

1. You prove that you're qualified. Because you're sharing proof of a past success, or proving you have the research skills to create future success.
   
2. You prove that you're hard working. Any job seeker can claim to be a go-getter. But when you take the time to write and share your how-to tips with the hiring manager, you prove it by your actions.

And proving your case is what it's all about, isn't it?

If you can prove you're qualified and hard-working, you will get more interviews. By creating and offering employers a special report with tips they can use to make or save money, you can do just that.

Now, go out and make your own luck!