Introducing
yourself
Every CV you send, fax, or e- mail needs its own cover letter.
Sending a CV without a cover letter is like starting an interview
without shaking hands. The best cover letters spark the employers
interest and create an impression of competence.
Cover
letters are an opportunity to convey your focus and energy.
If you dont have a lot of experience, use the cover letter
to show you have enthusiasm. Writing a strong cover letter and
then calling to follow up shows the employer you have drive
and interest.
What
too include
Cover letters should be written in standard business format
with your and the reviewers addresses at the top and your signature
above your typed name at the bottom. (E- mailed cover letters
do not include mailing addresses.) All letters should be single
spaced, flush left, with each paragraph followed by a blank
line. Use professional, polite words. Revealing your personality
is fine, as long as your style conforms to business protocol.
Most
cover letters are two or three paragraphs long. Every cover
letter should fit on one page and contain the following four
parts:
Salutation
Whenever possible, send your letter to a specific person rather
than to an office. Consider how differently you respond to a
letter addressed to you, as opposed to one addressed to Occupant.
If you do not know whom to write, call the company and ask who
is hiring for the position. Check that the name you use is spelled
correctly and the title is accurate. Pay close attention to
the Mr. or Ms. before gender- neutral names. Finally, use a
colon after the name, not a comma.
Opening
The first few sentences of your cover letter should tell the
reviewer which job you are applying for and the connection you
have to the company. If someone the reviewer knows suggested
you apply, mention that recommendation. If you are responding
to an advertisement, refer to it and the source that published
it.
Your
knowledge of the company might give you another opportunity
to connect yourself to the job. You could briefly describe your
experience with its products, cite a recent company success,
or refer to an article written about the company. But dont
go overboard; save specifics for the interview.
Body
The next portion of your cover letter is a brief explanation
of your qualifications. Dont simply repeat your CV; summarize
your most relevant qualifications or provide additional details
about a noteworthy accomplishment. Address the employers requirements
directly, and dont be afraid to use special formatting to your
advantage.
You
can also use the body of your cover letter to address gaps in
your work history or other problems evident on your CV. But
do not volunteer negative information unless you must. Always
maintain a positive, confident tone.
Closing
In your final paragraph, thank the reviewer, request an interview,
and repeat your home phone number. The closing is your chance
to show commitment to the job. Do not leave the ball in the
employer's court. Indicate what reaction you expect from your
letter and how you will follow up. For example, don't end with
"I look forward to hearing from you soon." If you tell the reviewer
you plan to call, make sure you do it.
A few tips
Use
simple, uncomplicated language and sentence structure. Don't
try to sound like someone else, particularly if that means using
unnaturally formal language, convoluted sentences and words
you've never used before (perhaps misusing them in the process).
You may mean to impress, but you'll often sound awkward. Write
as you would speak.
Be
specific and get to the point. Your cover letter must be intriguing
enough to get the reader to look at your CV, but should be only
an introduction to the CV, not a repeat of it. Make sure you
answer the question, "Why should I hire this person?"
Avoid
using clichés, like "I've taken the liberty of enclosing
my CV," or "I'm a people person." It's difficult to sell yourself
as unique if your letter reads like every other one in the pile.
Be
positive. Don't complain about your boss or describe your present
or previous work experience as "boring." Nobody wants to hire
somebody with an attitude. Above all, don't sound like you're
begging for a job. A hiring manager may wonder why you're so desperate.
Be
confident, but not arrogant. Don't be negative or too humble.
Tell them you're qualified for the job, but don't demand it.
Don't profess to know more about the company than you really
do.
Type
your letter, but beware of the dangers of word processing. If
you send a similar letter to several companies, make sure that
you change all customised statements accordingly; no company
wants to read how much you'd like to work for their competitor.
Carefully read each letter before you sign it.
Proofread.
Check carefully for grammar and spelling mistakes, then check
again.
Sign
it. If you forget this, the employer may feel like you've sent
a form letter.
Package
it nicely. Print your CV and cover letter on the same paper
stock; the uniformity will look professional. Use only printers
that produce neat, readable text with no stray marks or smudges.
Keep
one for yourself. Make a copy of each letter sent, and
keep it for future reference.
