A cover letter or covering letter is a letter of introduction attached to, or accompanying another document such as a resume or curriculum vitae. Cover letters are generally one page at most in length, divided into a header, introduction, body, and closing.
Use the KISS principal (Keep It Simple & sweet). An effective cover letter is short, sweet, and to the point. Your cover letter should never be more than 1 page and should never be overly wordy.
In the opening paragraph, state your reason for writing the letter and refer to the specific position you are applying for.
The body of your cover letter must give details regarding your work experience and skills. However, this is much more powerful when you can provide specific examples.
Personalize your cover letter. Stay away from mass mailing expressions such as 'To Whom it May Concern'. Address the letter directly to the person responsible for the hiring. If you don't know the person's name, do not hesitate to call the company and ask.
Start your cover letter off with a bang by putting the most impressive material first. Do not assume the reader will go through your complete cover letter. You must grab their attention from the very first line.
Always check your cover letter for spelling mistakes. Do not let your chance of getting the job slip away by making silly spelling mistakes. Do a spell-check on your computer, then print the cover letter and re-check the hard copy for mistakes. Also, since it is often difficult to find your own spelling mistakes, make sure to ask someone else to read your cover letter as well. A fresh set of eyes can help pick out those mistakes.
Create a 'professional' looking cover letter by printing your cover letter on high-grade paper.
Re-read your cover letter after a couple of days. Once you have completed your cover letter, put it away for a couple of days and then go back and re-read your cover letter. You'll be surprised at what you discover.
WHAT SHOULD YOUR COVER LETTER DO FOR YOU?
It should answer the question - Why should I hire you? It should grab the employers attention and point out why you, above all other applicants, should be contacted for a personal interview.
YOUR ADDRESS TODAY'S DATE
Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER'S NAME TITLECOMPANY'S NAME ADDRESS
DEAR Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER:
FIRST PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm writing to you" paragraph which immediately tells the employer the position you want to be considered for. This is short - usually 2-3 sentences. Points to cover:
Why you are writing and which position you are applying for.
How you heard about the position is irrelevant unless it is a mutual contact or recruiting program. Do not write, "I learned of this opportunity through the Career Services Office."
Show from your research why you are interested in this position or organization. The goal is to make a connection - do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it out; sweeping statements will not work.
SECOND PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm qualified" paragraph. Highlight some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as they relate to the position for which you are applying. Choose 2 - 3 points you want to make about Specific experiences/accomplishments or about general qualities you have exhibited, and provide Specific examples to support those points. This paragraph will change according to the job/employer for which you are applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks too lengthy or if your points work best in separate paragraphs. Points to consider:
The first sentence should be a hard-hitting opener. It is a quick introduction, which is accomplishment-oriented and directed at the skills and qualifications needed for the job/industry.
The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to back up what you've just claimed. Cite specific jobs/internships/activities/projects and accomplishments associated with those experiences. Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but NEVER reiterate passages from your resume word for word. Discuss why what you did is to the employer- relate the facts to the job. Strong examples are important!
The final sentence is a summary of what you've discussed above. It's a good idea to mention the position title and company name to bring the reader back to the specific job in question.
FINAL PARAGRAPH: This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Enclosure(s)
Use the KISS principal (Keep It Simple & sweet). An effective cover letter is short, sweet, and to the point. Your cover letter should never be more than 1 page and should never be overly wordy.
In the opening paragraph, state your reason for writing the letter and refer to the specific position you are applying for.
The body of your cover letter must give details regarding your work experience and skills. However, this is much more powerful when you can provide specific examples.
Personalize your cover letter. Stay away from mass mailing expressions such as 'To Whom it May Concern'. Address the letter directly to the person responsible for the hiring. If you don't know the person's name, do not hesitate to call the company and ask.
Start your cover letter off with a bang by putting the most impressive material first. Do not assume the reader will go through your complete cover letter. You must grab their attention from the very first line.
Always check your cover letter for spelling mistakes. Do not let your chance of getting the job slip away by making silly spelling mistakes. Do a spell-check on your computer, then print the cover letter and re-check the hard copy for mistakes. Also, since it is often difficult to find your own spelling mistakes, make sure to ask someone else to read your cover letter as well. A fresh set of eyes can help pick out those mistakes.
Create a 'professional' looking cover letter by printing your cover letter on high-grade paper.
Re-read your cover letter after a couple of days. Once you have completed your cover letter, put it away for a couple of days and then go back and re-read your cover letter. You'll be surprised at what you discover.
WHAT SHOULD YOUR COVER LETTER DO FOR YOU?
It should answer the question - Why should I hire you? It should grab the employers attention and point out why you, above all other applicants, should be contacted for a personal interview.
YOUR ADDRESS TODAY'S DATE
Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER'S NAME TITLECOMPANY'S NAME ADDRESS
DEAR Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER:
FIRST PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm writing to you" paragraph which immediately tells the employer the position you want to be considered for. This is short - usually 2-3 sentences. Points to cover:
Why you are writing and which position you are applying for.
How you heard about the position is irrelevant unless it is a mutual contact or recruiting program. Do not write, "I learned of this opportunity through the Career Services Office."
Show from your research why you are interested in this position or organization. The goal is to make a connection - do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it out; sweeping statements will not work.
SECOND PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm qualified" paragraph. Highlight some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as they relate to the position for which you are applying. Choose 2 - 3 points you want to make about Specific experiences/accomplishments or about general qualities you have exhibited, and provide Specific examples to support those points. This paragraph will change according to the job/employer for which you are applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks too lengthy or if your points work best in separate paragraphs. Points to consider:
The first sentence should be a hard-hitting opener. It is a quick introduction, which is accomplishment-oriented and directed at the skills and qualifications needed for the job/industry.
The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to back up what you've just claimed. Cite specific jobs/internships/activities/projects and accomplishments associated with those experiences. Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but NEVER reiterate passages from your resume word for word. Discuss why what you did is to the employer- relate the facts to the job. Strong examples are important!
The final sentence is a summary of what you've discussed above. It's a good idea to mention the position title and company name to bring the reader back to the specific job in question.
FINAL PARAGRAPH: This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Enclosure(s)
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