A cover letter is a one-page document that you should send with a resume when applying for a certain job position. Basically, its main purpose is to highlight your skills and previous experience, show that you are familiar with the company’s goals, and introduce yourself in the best way possible. The great thing about this letter is that can help you land an interview even if your resume is not well-written.
At the top of the page, you should include your personal information such as name, email address, phone number, etc. You should also add the name of the hiring manager, his title, the name of the company, and the date. The one thing you have to be careful about is your email address. First of all, you should not put your current work address, and secondly, make sure that it is professional (it should include your first and last name, and you should definitely avoid using funny nicknames).
Furthermore, you should address the letter to the hiring manager. That’s right, start with ‘Dear John’ or ‘Dear Miss Smith’. This way you will immediately catch their attention and you are increasing the chances that they will read the entire letter thoroughly.
When it comes to writing an opening paragraph, you have to be a bit creative. The truth is, if the first few sentences are not intriguing, the manager will probably not read your cover letter. So you should try to find a unique way to present your knowledge about the company and to emphasize your achievements.
The second paragraph should be your response to the job description posted by the company. Here you should write about your previous work experience and what you have learned, and about the set of skills you possess that are of crucial importance for the job position you are applying for.
It is a good idea to use certain phrases from the job description to show that you have read it carefully and are aware of all the requirements. Since this paragraph has to be great, take as much time as you need to write, and always have the document with the description nearby. If you need some inspiration, click here to find numerous cover letter templates.
Since you have already proven yourself to be capable to do that job, use the third paragraph to tell the future employer how you can contribute. Show them that you are familiar with their main goals and that you have already made a plan on how you can help the company grow and increase its revenue.
Lastly, you have to write the closing paragraph. State that it would be your pleasure to come to an interview and further discuss both the job requirements as well as your previous experience. Thank them for their time and try to avoid cliché phrases. Also, make sure not to emphasize how much you need that job, but instead focus on how you can contribute.
To sum up, these are some main guidelines you should follow when writing a cover letter. The secret is to try to write something appealing, something that will make them remember your application. For more details check Careers Plus Resumes.