FIRST OF ALL….KEEP IT SHORT! The ideal cover letter is about half a page long, and never exceeds one page. Aim for two to four brief paragraphs about yourself. A concise letter demonstrates that you are focused and have strong communication skills.
STATE THE POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING. The employee who reads your letter may be hiring for several positions. Including the job title in the subject line of your e mail is a good idea, but if your letter gets printed out separately from that e mail then job position information is lost. Therefore, make sure to have the job title in the first sentence of your letter.
EXPLAIN WHY YOU WANT THE JOB. Always answer the question 'why do I want to do this work?’ Ask yourself how the position fits into your overall career plans and what you find exciting about it. A genuine show of enthusiasm and knowledge will set you apart from those who send generic form letters.
CLEARLY DESCRIBE THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE. This is the most important element of a cover letter. After carefully reading the job description, write a paragraph outlining one or two specific examples of how your skills and experiences will fit the company's needs.
MATCH BUT DON'T DUPLICATE YOUR RESUME. This is one point many job seekers find tricky. You should never claim experience in your cover letter that isn't reflected on your resume. Doing so makes you look like a liar. At the same time, your cover letter shouldn't simply restate your resume.
DON'T SAY THAT YOU’RE NOT QUALIFIED! Even if you think the position is out of your reach, your job is to convince the employer that you can learn quickly and produce immediately. Note that a “confessional” letter isn’t likely to get you an interview. Instead, focus on your transferable skills and unusual accomplishments.
KEEP THE TONE AND CONTENT PROFESSIONAL. Don't be a comedian: don't get really personal, and don't beg for the job! Your attempts at humor or stories about your personal life are likely to be perceived as just plain strange.
TELL THE READER WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO NEXT. Too many job seekers never follow up after sending a resume. Saying what you're going to do next is the second-most important thing to do in your letter. It forces you to make a commitment to action. If the job post lists a phone number, indicate that you’ll call within a specified time to arrange an interview. If not, consider calling anyway, unless the post specifically requests "no calls." A follow-up e-mail is always a good idea.
PROOFREAD YOUR LETTER AGAIN AND AGAIN: USING A SPELL CHECKER IS NOT ENOUGH. Many employers will dismiss even the most qualified candidate if there is even a single typo in the cover letter or resume. Re-read your letter two or three times and then give it someone else who understands the art of good writing. Even if your letter is error-free, using poor grammar will make a bad impression.
Comments (0):