This http://www.WorkTree.com career article gives you some common
sense advice and tips when writing cover letters.
The cover letter has one primary purpose: to generate interest in
order to land an interview. With this in mind, writing an
engaging cover letter is crucial.
These 9 tips will help ensure that your next cover letter
attracts ample (positive) attention.
9 BASIC COVER LETTER TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. IT'S EXPECTED.
In nearly all cases, a cover letter should accompany every resume
that you send out. This is a basic part of business etiquette and
failure to do so could make you appear clueless. As a general
rule, unless specifically instructed to NOT send a cover letter,
it is safe to assume that one is expected.
2. USING E-MAIL.
It is perfectly acceptable to send your cover letter (and resume)
electronically. When distributing these items via e-mail, make
the cover letter the body of the message and add your resume as
an attachment. The subject line should include your name and the
position you desire. Send the message from a job search only
email address that you check at least twice a day.
3. BE UNIQUE.
A canned cover letter screams laziness. Do you really want this
to be a prospective employer’s first impression of you? It is
expected that you tailor each letter to the specific company.
Tailoring can be as simple as describing what drew you to the
company or mentioning how you enjoyed speaking with the company
representatives at a job fair.
4. AVOID CARELESS ERRORS.
The people who make hiring decisions often have numerous
applicants to consider in a minimal amount of time; they often
must make quick decisions. A misspelled word or grammatical
slip-up may be all it takes to end your chances of landing an
interview. Take the time to proofread. Also, have your most
meticulous friend or family member look over each cover letter.
5. BREVITY IS A VIRTUE.
Ideally a cover letter should be around two-thirds of a page in
length and composed of two to three paragraphs. Never send a
cover letter over a page long. Sentences should be precise and
crisp. Avoid flowery words and redundant phrases. Hiring
managers are busy people. If your cover letter looks like it will
take more than a minute to read, chances are it will be tossed on
the reject pile.
6. ADDRESS IT TO A PERSON.
Whenever possible address your cover letter to a specific person
at the company (preferably someone with hiring authority). If
you cannot obtain a name, then consider addressing your letter to
the department head of the area that you are interested in (e.g.
Director of Marketing). Letters addressed to HR departments have
a greater chance of getting lost in the paper shuffle.
7. DESCRIBE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS.
Use the body of the letter to give a quick overview of your
skills and proficiencies. Describe success you have had in the
past using your talents. If possible, obtain a job description
of the position you seek. Using this as a guide, focus on
including your strengths that could benefit the employer and the
job. Bullet points may be used in order to convey your points
more concisely.
8. REMEMBER THE DETAILS.
Cover letters, just like resumes, should be printed on quality
paper. Generally this means a watermarked paper with 25% cotton
content in white or ivory. Print each cover letter on a laser
printer; copies even on good paper will not do. Sign each letter
in pen (blue ink is preferable). There should be no smudges,
stains or even correction fluid on your letter.
9. DON'T RE-HASH YOUR RESUME.
Your cover letter should not replicate your resume. The cover
letter is your chance to add information that does not generally
fit into a standard resume, such as why you want to work for the
company. Take advantage of this opportunity to distinguish
yourself.
CONCLUSION
Next time you write a cover letter, remember these 9 tips to
ensure that you have the basics in place. A well written cover
letter will help you get noticed and stand out among the
competition.
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Sincerely,
Nathan Newberger,
Managing Editor
Helping You Find More Jobs Faster
Article Source: http://www.articlepros.com
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