Posts Tagged ‘how to write a cover letter’
Job Search Tips – Writing Effective Cover Letters
During your job search, a cover letter is an excellent opportunity to market yourself to your prospective employers. A well written cover letter can be the deciding factor on whether you get the job or not. Therefore, you should give as much attention to its construction as you do to your resume.
The main goal of a cover letter is:
- To bring the focus to the qualifications and experience you have that are specific to the position you are interested in.
- To give a good example of your written communication skills.
- To give your potential employer a bit more insight into your personality, interests, philosophies and enthusiasm that is not easily conveyed in your resume.
In short, the cover letter should outline what makes you a good match for the job being offered. What makes you different from others who may be applying for the job? Entice the reader to want to learn more about you.
What should you include in a cover letter?
- You want to begin with the reason for the letter and where you heard about the company or position available.
- Next you will follow with why you are interested in the position or the company.
- The next topic should be why you feel you are qualified for the position and what makes you a good match. You should make reference to your resume and suggest they get more details of your training from within the resume.
- The important thing to remember is you should not just repeat what you have on your resume. The person reading the cover letter will also have a copy of your resume.
- Let the employer know that you will be in touch and how. Give them a specific time or date that you plan to follow up and then be sure you do!
When should you include a cover letter with your resume?
This will depend on whether you are applying for a position online or in person or by mail. If applying through a job search online, the ability to submit a cover letter will be dependent upon whether the employer has requested or allowed it.
For all other instances, I would recommend including it whenever possible. You must have done some research on the company or the position available to make a cover letter effective. You should avoid a template or broad range cover letter. This defeats the whole purpose.
Related Posts:
Job Search Tips: How to Write a Powerful and Effective Resume
Job Interview Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Employer
How to Write a Cover Letter
When should I send a cover letter?
Pay attention to times when you need to send a cover letter to a potential employer or contact. If you are conducting a job search sending a cover letter will provide the employer with helpful information to complement the resume. A cover letter can convey your interest for a position and indicate that you are a “match” for the position.
What should my cover letter say?
- Why you are writing and how you learned about the organization or opportunity
- Why you are interested
- Why you are qualified and would be a good “match” for the position
- How you plan to follow up with the employer
- Do not restate what is on your resume
- Emphasize personal attributes/strengths related to qualifications for the position
How do I begin to compose the letter?
Use your own words! Resist the temptation to compose your letter simply by replacing a few words of a template. Remember, the purpose of your letter is to showcase your individual strengths and your own written communication skills. Use a template as a guide, but be unique.
To whom should the cover letter be addressed?
If possible, address the cover letter to a specific person, not “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.” If contact information is not available on, use a position title (e.g. Dear Internship Coordinator or Dear Recruitment Manager). Make sure to use current information.
How long should a cover letter be?
Cover letters should not exceed four paragraphs or one page in length. They should be clear and use concise sentences and short paragraphs. Use proper business format when constructing your cover letter.
What is the best way to print and send my cover letter?
Print the cover letter in the same font and on the same type of paper as your resume. The cover letter and resume may be folded for mailing. Use envelopes that match your cover letter and resume. Make sure to use good-quality paper with a good-quality printer.
January, 2010
(June 2009 issue, page 95)
