What do you do when you are having no luck making contact with top decision-makers at targeted employers when traditional networking fails? You try a flanking maneuver often used in guerrilla warfare. In football, it's an "end around." Now comes the no-resume cover letter:

- Here are two versions. You will think of others. The first one starts with the name of a mutual friend (best choice) even if long lost. Be sure you have the friend's permission to use his friend's name and be sure that friend actually knows the decision maker you are trying to contact. Start the letter with the friend's name, as follows - "_____(name of person you both know) suggested that I write to you because you have been so helpful to others in transition. _____(first name of person you both know) and I have no reason to believe you know of or have an opportunity for a person with my considerable background and skills in Engineering Systems (or whatever discipline). however, I am contacting you because ____"

- Second version starts: "You have been helpful, I am told, to people like me who have decided to explore several career opportunities. It occurred to me you would not mind hearing from me." (new paragraph) "That said I have no reason to believe you know of or have an opportunity etc." (see previous paragraph above).

- Next keep the length of the letter to one page only. All paragraphs are short; less than three sentences. You then assure the targeted reader you are a) Not asking for a job, and b) Nor are you asking the person to find you a job. Bad form if you ask for either one of these things. If you said either one, I'd toss the letter and so would you.

- Next, summarize very briefly your background, experience, and accomplishments. Make sure what you offer matches the expertise, industry, and product(s) about which the contact is passionate. If you grow tomatoes and the addressee makes kite string holders, stop. You are wasting your time and hers.

- Three keys - First, include believable numbers, percents, and dollars saved or brought in when you list your accomplishments. Facts get readership. Second - How long did it take to deliver the results? Be believable. Third - Let others speak for you by using past tense verbs, such as - "Praised." "Awarded." "Singled out." "Promoted."

- How you end the letter is critical. You must ask for what you want. The reader wants to know.

- Be ready to add a juicy P.S. Second only to the addressee name, the P.S. is the best read part of every letter. Got some ideas? Good, so do I.

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