You will need a cover letter whenever you
send a resume or application form to a potential
employer. The letter should capture the employer's
attention, show why you are writing, indicate why your
employment will benefit the company, and ask for an
interview. The kind of specific information that must be
included in a letter means that each must be written
individually. Each letter must also be typed perfectly,
which may present a problem. Word processing equipment
helps. Frequently only the address, first paragraph, and
specifics concerning an interview will vary. These items
are easily changed on word processors, computer and
memory typewriters. If you do not have access to such
equipment, you might be able to rent it. Or you might be
able to have your letters typed by a resume or employment
services company listed in the yellow pages. Be sure you
know the full cost of such a service before agreeing to
use one.
Let's go through a letter point by point.
Salutation. Each letter
should be addressed by name to the person you want to
talk with. That person is the one who can hire you. This
is almost certainly not someone in the personnel
department, and it is probably not a department head
either. It is most likely to be the person who will
actually supervise you once you start work. Call the
company to make sure you have the right name. And spell
it correctly.
Opening.
The opening
should appeal to the reader. Cover letters are sales
letters. Sales are made after you capture a person's
attention. You capture the reader's attention most easily
by talking about the company rather than yourself.
Mention projects under development, recent awards, or
favorable
comments recently published about the company. You can
find such information in the business press, including
the business section of local newspapers and the many
magazines that are devoted to particular industries. If
you are answering an ad, you may mention it. If someone
suggested that you write, use their name (with
permission, of course).
Body. The body of the
letter gives a brief description of your qualifications
and refers to the resume, where your sales campaign can
continue.
Closing.
You cannot have
what you do not ask for. At the end of the letter,
request an interview. Suggest a time and state that you
will confirm the appointment. Use a standard
complimentary close, such as "Sincerely yours,"
leave three or four lines for your signature, and type
your name. I would type my phone number under my name;
this recommendation is not usually made, although phone
numbers are found on most letterheads. The alternative is
to place the phone number in the body of the letter, but
it will be more difficult to find there should the reader
wish to call you.
Click here for
200 of the World's Best Cover Letters.
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