Cover letters are meant to entice employers to want to read your resume.
Resumes are meant to entice employers to want to meet you.
Considering that your resume is usually given no more than 8 seconds, initially, it is important to have a cover letter that shows your uniqueness and makes a good first impression.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING COVER LETTERS
Use quality paper and letterhead matching your resume.
Direct your cover letter to an appropriate person.
Call to get the name of the head of the department for whom you would work.
Even if you think you have the correct name, call to verify it - make sure you have the right gender and spelling.
If you must contact the Human Resource Department, try to find out the name of the department head (receptionists and secretaries can be very helpful).
Never send a letter to Human Resource Director, Personnel Manager, or Dear Sir or Madame. It is the same as sending it to occupant of resident. If you do not have and name and title, instead of Dear ___________, write: RE: Title of Position.
Open with a strong lead - the opening line has to grab the readers attention.
Your opening sentences need to create rapport and to establish your value. They must answer the questions who are you and what do you want quickly.
Select words carefully and write short sentences and paragraphs.
Customize each letter according to information that you have regarding the position, your qualifications, and the company.
Write your letter as if you were talking with someone. Don't use stilted or canned language.
Avoid words like believe, hope, feel and use words like should, know, can.
Always write in terms of what you can do for the company or organization, not what you hope to get from them.
Try to use the words contribute and success.
Avoid starting paragraphs with the word I.
Consider using a bulleted cover letter that focuses on your skills and accomplishments.
Ask for an interview at the end of your letter.
Produce a letter that has enough attention-grabbing information to stand alone but that entices the employer to want to read more about you in the résumé.
Don't be too creative, most organizations are conservative and do not respond to creative efforts.
Do not mention present, last, or desired salary in the cover letter unless it is requested. Some employers will not consider you if you do not respond to their request for a salary requirement. If requested you may respond in one of the following ways:
- My salary requirement is open based on the responsibilities of the position and the total compensation package offered.
- My minimum salary requirement is in the range of $65K-$75K (give a $10,000 range).
- My minimum salary requirement is $75K.
After the letter is written put it aside and read it again later. Proof it very carefully. Have a friend or family member who you trust proof it.
Save a copy of your letter for follow-up purposes and record pertinent information in a database, spiral notebook, or 3X5 card file.
TYPES OF COVER LETTERS
Responses to Internet and classified advertisements - cover letters should be adapted for the specific job and company. Using a bulleted cover letter makes this process easier. If the cover letter has been written to target the job title or something similar, you can rearrange, delete, and add bullets according to the requirements of the company and the position. The bulleted cover letter saves time, is easy to read, and transmits well as an attachment sent through the Internet. Highlighting importantwords (making them bold) enables the reader to focus on the most important details in the cover letter.
If you send your cover letter and résumé as an attachment through the Internet name your Word file ResumeofJohnDoe.doc. Do not save it or send it as resume.doc. To be certain that your cover letter and résumé will be read, cut and paste an ASCII file of both into the body of your e-mail. Use RE: Title of position Reference Code: #1234 in the cover letter and the subject line of your e-mail.
Contacts with executive recruiters - cover letters to executive recruiters can also be bulleted and should provide specific information, including:
- Several titles (3-5) of positions for which you are qualified and interested
- Highlights of your qualifications
- Geographic preference
- Minimum salary requirement (see above)
STYLES OF COVER LETTERS
Full-Blocked - all lines begin at the left margin. Nothing is indented (except for displayed quotations, tables, and similar material).
Blocked - the date, the complimentary close, the name, and the signature begin at the center line of the page.All other lines begin at the left margin.
Semi-Blocked - the same as the blocked style except the first line of each paragraph is indented 5 spaces.
