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Source: http://www.gradfirst.com
Cover Letter Tips
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Cover Letter
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A cover letter’s primary purpose is to act as an employer’s introduction to your resume. Put simply, it is a brief outline of your career objectives, a summary of your achievements. This letter is all about who you are and what you do. The idea is to make this introductory top sheet interesting and so well written that, after reading it, the employer’s interest will be piqued enough to go on to read your resume.
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It is always a good idea to send a cover letter with your resume — regardless of whether the employer requests one. It is proper business etiquette to send one, and it affords you another opportunity to sell yourself in addition to your resume. The main purpose of resume cover letters is to tailor your application to a specific job. Your resume acts as a general advertisement about yourself and the cover letter explains why your skills and work experience are applicable to the specific job. The resume cover letter also gives you an opportunity to show your personality.
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If at all possible, you should address your resume cover letter to a specific individual within the company. Conduct a little research about the company or call them and ask who to send it to if a contact name is not overtly supplied.
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In the standard resume cover letter format, the introduction should clearly state what position you are applying for. This should not only be the focus of the opening paragraph, but it should also be the focus of the opening sentence. One sentence should be enough for the opening paragraph of your resume cover letter, but you may want to consider using an additional sentence to mention the name of a personal contact within the company who recommended the job to you or to briefly mention your qualifications for the job.
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The body of your resume cover letter should contain your sales pitch. Use several sentences to mention the specific job skills and accomplishments that make you the ideal candidate for the open position. Elaborate your unique skills that would make you the right person for the job. Don't Mention only the qualities that are relevant to the open position.
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Generally, a well written cover letter should provide answers to what the employers want to know:
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Are you the kind of person they are looking for? |
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Do you have the relevant education, work experience and skills? |
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Can you handle the work demands, based on the job description? |
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Have you shown a commitment to this particular field of interest? |
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How well can you communicate with others? |
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Are you a team player? |
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Have you any leadership qualities? |
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Rules for Cover Letters
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#1. Never use a generic cover letter with only: "To Whom It May Concern." With tons of work on your desk, would you be interested in such a mass mailing? You would probably consider it junk mail, right? You would be much more likely to read a letter that was directed to you personally.
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#2. Every résumé sent by mail or fax needs a personalized cover letter even if the advertisement did not request for a cover letter.
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#3. Résumés sent by e-mail do not need a cover letter. Use only a quick paragraph with three to five sentences telling your reader where you heard about the position and why your qualifications are a perfect fit for the position's requirements. E-mail is intended to be short, sweet, and to the point.
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General tips for effective cover letters:
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Show that you know a little about the company.
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Express your enthusiasm and interest in this line of work.
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Project warmth and friendliness, while still being professional.
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Set yourself apart from the crowd. Identify at least one thing about you that's unique -- say a special talent for getting along with everybody - something that distinguishes you AND is relevant to the job.
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Keep it brief -- a few short paragraphs, all on one page.
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In the conclusion of the resume cover letter, state your desire to meet with the company recruiter or hiring manager in person. To facilitate this, provide your preferred contact method and invite the employer to contact you at anytime to set up the interview. Close the paragraph by thanking the employer for considering your application.
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Cover Letter Tips
