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Write a great cover letter in professional business letter format and your chances of getting that interview will increase significantly. You know you'd be perfect for that job. Now you just have to get an interview.
Take the time to find out who will be reviewing your application. If you can't tell from the job advertisement, phone or email to ask who is in charge of hiring. Then make sure you address your cover letter accurately. Be careful about this: if there's one thing that recruiters hate, it's seeing their name spelled wrong!l
Whatever you do, make sure you spell the person's name, position title and address correctly and find out if they are a Mr. Mrs. or Ms. Your attention to detail in these matters shows initiative and will impress your potential employer.
Make it easy on the employer. You want them to read your cover letter and get the impression that you have everything they are looking for. Employers are looking for specific things, so in your cover letter, briefly highlight your relevant education, experience and personality traits as they relate to the job posting.
Here's a tip that not very many people know: As long as the ad doesn't forbid phone calls, phone the company and ask for a "Statement of Qualifications" or job description. These documents will give you extra information about what qualities are important to the company and you can then emphasize how you can meet those criteria.
Your cover letter is the place to highlight relevant skills, awards, and degrees you want the employer to notice. In business letter format, paragraphs are generally short and to the point. Bullet points can also help the employer take note of relevant information while skimming the cover letter.
Beware of following cover letter samples or writing templates too closely. Although samples and templates are useful to show you the proper business letter format, they are a starting point only. You must customize your cover letter.
Employers seem to have a "sixth sense" when it comes to "canned" or copied cover letter that don't address the specifics of their company. Templates and samples are a good start but be sure to customize your cover letter for the specific employer and job you are applying for.
Take the time to find out who will be reviewing your application. If you can't tell from the job advertisement, phone or email to ask who is in charge of hiring. Then make sure you address your cover letter accurately. Be careful about this: if there's one thing that recruiters hate, it's seeing their name spelled wrong!l
Whatever you do, make sure you spell the person's name, position title and address correctly and find out if they are a Mr. Mrs. or Ms. Your attention to detail in these matters shows initiative and will impress your potential employer.
Make it easy on the employer. You want them to read your cover letter and get the impression that you have everything they are looking for. Employers are looking for specific things, so in your cover letter, briefly highlight your relevant education, experience and personality traits as they relate to the job posting.
Here's a tip that not very many people know: As long as the ad doesn't forbid phone calls, phone the company and ask for a "Statement of Qualifications" or job description. These documents will give you extra information about what qualities are important to the company and you can then emphasize how you can meet those criteria.
Your cover letter is the place to highlight relevant skills, awards, and degrees you want the employer to notice. In business letter format, paragraphs are generally short and to the point. Bullet points can also help the employer take note of relevant information while skimming the cover letter.
Beware of following cover letter samples or writing templates too closely. Although samples and templates are useful to show you the proper business letter format, they are a starting point only. You must customize your cover letter.
Employers seem to have a "sixth sense" when it comes to "canned" or copied cover letter that don't address the specifics of their company. Templates and samples are a good start but be sure to customize your cover letter for the specific employer and job you are applying for.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about writing templates, then visit Barbra Sundquist's site for cover letter, testimonial and disclaimer examples for your needs.. Also published at Cover Letter Secrets.
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