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Cover Letter Basics: Use as an Introduction to Your Resume!
from: John GrothA Great Cover Letter as an Introduction to a Great Job
How often have you listened or watched a commercial and had to scratch you head in wonder. You wonder what they were selling or what was the commercial asking you to do?
It’s the same way with many employers. On a daily basis they wade through piles of resume’s and have difficulty trying to match the resume with the particular job opening. Too often, it’s easier not to try to match the resume with the job and just toss the resume in the wastebasket. Don’t let this happen to you.
The key to appealing to the prospective employer is to make a proper introduction. Every resume needs a cover letter with it, whether it was personally requested or is just in response to an ad. The well written and focused cover letter gives the reader-often the same person doing the hiring-an opportunity to learn more about who you are, what you know and why you are applying. Cover letters take the guesswork out of your application and will give you significant advantages over those resumes that are sent in without a cover letter or other introduction.
A cover letter is your first chance to make the critical good first impression. Before sending look it over carefully to assure no misspelled words or grammatical errors. If so it’s probably the waste basket for you. Use resume quality paper for your cover letter, just like you use on the resume. Stick to business fonts like times roman, arial or verdana.
Before you start drafting the cover letter do some additional research on the prospective employer. What do you know about the company? What do they sell or do? Have there been articles or news stories about them in the local newspaper or on the internet?
Who is the cover letter going to be addressed to? If you don’t know call the company and find out? Be sure to spell the name correctly along with their title. At least make sure the cover letter and resume goes to the right department.
Now read over the requirement for the job. Take notes and make sure you have the basic job skills and meet the job requirements.
The winning format is to keep the cover letter to one page. In the first paragraph introduce yourself and say why you are writing and sending in your resume. Name the specific job you are interested in and where you learned of the opening. If referred by someone else mention their name. In your introductory paragraph show some knowledge of the business.
In paragraphs two and three you sell your “skills.” Keep it brief but positive. Discuss your strengths and how they clearly meet the job requirements. Refer to your resume for further details.
In paragraph four is where you sum everything up. Indicate you will call in a week or ten days to check on the status of the application and find out if they need anything further from you. Thank them for their time and consideration and the fact you are looking forward to a positive response.
End the cover letter with a salutation and your signature. On the enclosure line below your signature indicate what is being enclosed.
You now have the outline of a terrific tool for impressing a potential employer. As in all introductions your goal is to make an excellent first impression. Your cover letter should pave the way for the all important job interview.
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