Let Your Cover Letter Do the Talking



Writing Cover Letters

Write a letter that makes your point about the job you want,

displays your enthusiasm, and clearly asks for the opportunity to meet in person.

1. Put three paragraphs on one page only.

• Paragraph 1: Introduce, and state the job you want.

• Paragraph 2: Summarize your qualifications in an appealing way.

• Paragraph 3: Thank, again express interest and then clearly and directly ASK for them to give you a job interview, for the opportunity to be interviewed.

(The best way to catch their attention is to 'be brief-and be gone.' Leave them wanting

more – so they'll call you for an interview – which is just what you hope for)

2. Write only three or four sentences in each paragraph.

3. Create generous margins, leaving plenty of white space.

Be sure to double-space between paragraphs.

4. Capture the reader's attention by putting the first sentence of each paragraph in bold.

5. Convey your passion and enthusiasm to be interviewed for the position being offered.

6. Use numbers or bullets to make the letter easy to read, as they ‘scan’ it.

7. Read your letter carefully to catch errors, then print it out for one final edit.

Scan it over for that 'easy on the eyes' appearance. Remember, less is more.

Picture the employer opening your cover letter – and finding a friendly, well-written page that contains only what is necessary to evaluate you for the job. Make it easy for that employer to say "yes."

Let Your Cover Letter Do the Talking

By Gail Frank, author of: Frankly Speaking: Resumes That Work

Cover letters are business letters that should inform, entice and captivate prospective employers. Too many job seekers follow outdated and conventional rules about cover letter writing. As a result, they write generic, hard-to-read, and ineffective letters. The goal is to create an easy-to-read letter that stands out from the sea of generic-sounding correspondence and makes the reader want to learn more about you. Give them a reason to read the attached resume!

Rules for Readable Cover Letters:

1) Focus on what the employer wants or needs. To do this, learn what the company does and how you can help it make more money. Present yourself as a solution to a current problem or situation they are facing. The key to success is researching each and every company to find out how you can help them.

2) Write to a person. Take the time to find the name of the person who has the power to hire you. It is not usually a Human Resources person, although you may send them a copy of the letter. Form letters announce that you are mass-mailing and are too lazy to find out who the right person is. Form letters also make no one accountable; you certainly can't follow up, and readers can throw the resume away without being caught.

3) Have a focus and a point. Your letter should answer these simple questions: a) what can you do for them?, b) what is your current situation?, c) why do you want to work for them?, and d) why are you qualified for this position? You are not ready to apply for a job at the company unless you can answer these questions.

4) Keep it short and sweet. A few paragraphs with short, direct sentences are all you need. Follow a traditional business letter format. Too many letters have long, rambling sentences that make paragraphs hard to read. Use bullet points where possible.

5) Write it “conversational” like you say it. Forget the overly formal, stilted language you see in most cover letters. Don't use words like "pursuant" and "commensurate.

6) Communicate positive energy and personality. Let glimpses of your style come through. Employers hire not only for skills for also for likeability and "fit" with the culture. Every employer wants an employee who is thrilled to work for them. Make yourself likeable in the cover letter and people will want to meet you.

7) Commit to follow up. Follow The Golden Rule of Cover Letters: If you don't plan to follow up, don't waste the postage. Your career simply isn't that important to other people. They may mean to contact you but have other, more pressing priorities. More companies never respond at all to generic form letters not addressed to a person. Making a commitment to follow up means you'll take the time to get the name of person to contact, and do the appropriate research on the company.

8) Don't restate the resume: summarize, explain, expand or reposition your skills. Answer the unspoken questions. Your resume and history often bring up questions that may cause employers to think twice about hiring you. Or they may raise puzzling questions ("How did an Art History major end up working for a meat-processing company doing administrative support?). If possible, use the cover letter to reassure the employer that you had or have a plan for your career, and that they fit into it. Examples: "After taking 5 years off to raise children, I am ready to reenter the workforce and commit 100% to an area sales job." "While I've enjoyed the past 4 years working for myself, I've missed the camaraderie, teamwork and pride that comes from working for a Fortune 500 company."

9) Eliminate excessive use of "I" or "me." Provide variety and more detail in your writing. After the initial letter is written, count up how many times you use "I" or "me" or "mine." Go back and rewrite as many of the sentences as you can to eliminate those words. For example, change "I bring 9 years of engineering experience" to "With 9 years in engineering, you'll get an employee with extensive experience in new product launches."

Two powerful types of cover letters

Millions of men and women are searching for a new job each year. You may be one of them. How can you stand out from the crowd and get to where you want to go?

By trying something unique. Color your approach with these winning cover letters:

#1: Networking Cover Letter

The networking cover letter is a flexible hard-working tool that will help you reach the individuals in your life who can assist you the most--family members, friends,

neighbors, colleagues, and professional acquaintances. And also consider all the people in each of their lives. Ask your friends and relatives for their employment leads, referrals from their circle of influence, and for personal introductions, as well.

Get started quickly by creating a master list of the names of everyone who comes to mind. Look at your collection of business cards. Flip through association rosters and other

directories, e-mail address books, and all lists of groups you are affiliated with. Then write or e-mail a networking cover letter to each person on the list, asking for help.

Don't be discouraged if this takes a bit of time. It's a good investment in your future – one that will pay off — I promise. Remind yourself as you do this exercise that the more people who know about you and what you want and need, the greater the results.

Networking Cover Letter Tips:

Focus your message on one page. List your strengths and abilities. Ask for referrals and job leads. Attach your resume to the letter. Write a thank you note to those who respond.

#2: The All-In-One Resume Cover Letter

The resume cover letter is a two-for-one because it combines the best of a cover letter and resume. Here is a tool you'll want to use again and again because it catches the interest of headhunters, recruiters, and placement agencies where brevity and speed are essential.

It also works well for networking because it is brief and easy to scan.

Pull together the most important points from your resume and put them in a bulleted list within the letter itself. Limit yourself to one page. This amazing document will help you make your point, ask for what you want, and produce the job you're looking for.

Take that step now. Sit down and write these power-packed cover letters that will increase your 'net' worth: the networking cover letter and the all-in-one resume cover letter. Then get ready to take action on the responses you receive. And don't forget to follow up each response with a thank you!

5 Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter

By Robert Kennedy,



You need an effective cover letter.

Your resume can be very impressive. But if your cover letter isn't equally impressive, it's entirely possible that your resume will never get read. First impressions are lasting impressions. Most people spend about twenty seconds reading a cover letter, so it has to make your case clearly and effectively.

How do you write an effective cover letter?

Even if you think you know what you are doing, it pays to keep your cover letter writing skills current.

Here are five tips for writing an effective cover letter.

1. Be brief and to the point.

Most of the time, a cover letter for a job application only has to state that you are applying for a position and that the application and supporting materials are enclosed. That's it.

2. Make no mistake about it.

The most important caveat in a cover letter? Make no mistake about it! Absolutely no errors! Your cover letter must be perfection itself. A typo, a poor printing job, a misspelling - mistakes will make a poor impression because they imply that you don't care.

3. Use a word processor.

Never handwrite a cover letter. Never! Prepare your cover letter on a computer using MicroSoft Word. Don't have a computer? Borrow a friend's or go to a business center and rent one for an hour or two!

4. Avoid fancy fonts and colors.

You are not creating a flyer or a poster. So use a business font such as Arial. No colors. Black on white reproduces easily. Use a plain white paper. No deckled finishes or colors either. Print your cover letter and resume on a laser printer. DeskJet printer ink smudges.

5. Keep it short.

Your cover letter should be one page in length and perfectly centered. The cover letter and resume are usually not folded – they are often placed in an envelope large enough to accommodate them unfolded.

Using Templates

There are literally hundreds of cover letter templates available online. While it may be tempting to just cut and paste one you happen to like, don't do it. That's dishonest and conveys the wrong impression about your ethics and judgment. Always write the cover letter in your own words.

Print your cover letter on one sheet of plain paper. Do not fold it unless necessary. Paper clip it to your resume and supporting materials. Place it in a large envelope with no folding whatsoever.

How to Write an Effective Cover Letter

By Karen Schweitzer,

There are two main reasons why you should include a cover letter with your resume. It tells the potential employer what position you are applying for and it gives you another opportunity to sell yourself and your credentials.

The most effective cover letters are those which are specifically tailored for the job you are applying for. Generic cover letters are never a good idea.

Here's How:

1. Start by making sure that you have the proper company name, address, and contact name included on the top of each letter you send. If the job posting did not give a contact name, try calling the company to get one. If the posting prohibits phone calls, use "Dear Hiring Manager" instead of the generic "To Whom it May Concern".

2. The first paragraph is your introduction and should explain the reason why you are writing. The title of the job you are seeking along with the name of the publication in which you saw the job posting should appear. If you were referred by a common party, be sure to mention that as well. The last sentence of your introduction should express your interest in the job and confidence in your ability to do it.

3. The body of your letter should explain why you meet or exceed the requirements of the desired position. The easiest way to do this is to know what the employer is looking for. If the job posting indicated a need for someone who can work unsupervised, describe yourself as a self-starter with proven initiative. Do your best to relate the job requirements to your skills and experiences.

4. Keep your conclusion short and simple. Express your interest once more and repeat your confidence in your ability to do the job. Finish by indicating that you will be in contact to determine the next step. End with a professional closure. "Sincerely" is the most common and normally the most appropriate.

More Tips:

1. Unless requested, salary requirements should never be brought up. If they were requested, your best bet is to acknowledge the request without going into any detail. Indicate that you will be happy to discuss salary requirements once mutual interest has been established.

2. Degrees, credentials, or specialized training should also be concluded in the body of your cover letter. You don't want to repeat your resume word for word, but you do want to highlight your qualifications.

3. If you are having trouble formatting you letter, try finding samples online. Here are two good places to start:

jobsearch.



4. To jazz-up your cover letter, try inserting some of the following action words:

|accomplished |achieved |attained |completed |created |delivered |

|demonstrated |enhanced |expanded |improved |increased |managed |

|obtained |performed |produced |secured |succeeded |surpassed |

Cover Letter Template

Contact Information

The first section of your cover letter should include information on how the employer can contact you. If you have contact information for the employer, include that. Otherwise, just list your information.

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip Code

Your Phone Number

Your Email Address

Date

Employer Contact Information

Name, Title

Company

Address

Salutation

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

Body of Cover Letter

The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.

First Paragraph:

The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. Be clear and concise regarding your request.

Middle Paragraphs:

The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Convince the reader that they should grant the interview or appointment you requested in the first paragraph. Make strong connections between your abilities and their needs. Mention specifically how your skills and experience match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it. Try to support each statement you make with a piece of evidence. Use several shorter paragraphs or bullets rather than one large block of text.

Final Paragraph:

Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up. State that you will do so and indicate when (one week's time is typical). You may want to reduce the time between sending out your resume and follow up if you fax or e-mail it.

Complimentary Close:

Respectfully yours,

Signature:

Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter)

Typed Signature

Let's Go Through a Cover Letter Point-By-Point

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. At the end of the letter, request an interview. Maybe even suggest a date and state that you will confirm the appointment. Use a standard 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 on most letterheads. The alternative is to place your number in the body of the letter, but it will be more difficult to find there should the reader wish to call you.

|All Cover Letters Should: |

| |

|Explain why you are sending a resume. |

|Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a |

|permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities? |

|Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a flyer posted in your department, a web site,|

|a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you |

|write. |

|Convince the reader to look at your resume. |

|The cover letter will be seen first. |

|Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer. |

|Call attention to elements of your background — education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you |

|are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples. |

|Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills. |

|Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your |

|resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample. |

| |

|Indicate what you will do to follow-up – such as calling them. |

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|Cover Letters are Not Expendable |

|By PHYLLIS KORKKI NYT February 14, 2009 |

| |

|Q. You are getting ready to apply for a job electronically, and your résumé is ready to go. Do you need to prepare a |

|cover letter? Are they necessary in this day and age? |

| |

|A. Cover letters are still necessary, and in a competitive market they can give you a serious edge if they are written |

|and presented effectively. |

|Cover letters are a graceful way to introduce yourself, to convey your personality and to impress a hiring manager with |

|your experience and your writing skills, said Katy Piotrowski, an author of career books and a career counselor based in |

|Fort Collins, Colo. You can also tailor them to a specific company in ways that you cannot with a résumé. |

|Ms. Piotrowski recently had a job opening at her small company, Career Solutions Group, and she was dismayed when about a|

|quarter of the 200 applicants did not send cover letters. Most had of graduated from college within five years, |

|reflecting a more informal mind-set among younger people. |

| |

| |

|Q. How should your cover letter be organized, how long should it be, and what should it say? |

| |

|A. First, do your best to find the decision maker’s name, and use it in the salutation. If you are applying to a blind |

|ad, say “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To the Hiring Manager.” Ms. Piotrowski said she received cover letters that had no |

|salutation at all or began with “Hey there” — not a strong start. If you want to be on the safe side, use a colon after |

|the salutation, although some people now feel it is permissible to use a comma in an e-mail message. |

|Your cover letter should be short — generally no longer than three or four paragraphs, said Debra Wheatman, a career |

|expert at Vault, a jobs Web site. |

|In your first paragraph, explain why you are writing — it may be that you are answering an ad, that you were referred to |

|the company through networking, or that you learned that the company is expanding, said Wendy S. Enelow, author of “Cover|

|Letter Magic” and a professional résumé writer. |

|In the middle paragraphs, explain why you are a good candidate, and show that you are knowledgeable about the company. |

|Then convey a clear story about your career, and highlight specific past achievements. This can either be done as a |

|narrative or in bullet points, Ms. Enelow said. You can also highlight qualities you possess that may not fit the |

|confines of a résumé, Ms. Wheatman said. |

|She once worked in human resources at Martha Stewart Living, and recalls reviewing applications for a chef in a test |

|kitchen. One woman had a career in manufacturing, but her cover letter described how she had grown up in a family that |

|was passionate about cooking and where she had frequently made meals from scratch. The woman got the job despite her |

|peripheral work experience. |

| |

|Finish your letter by indicating that you will follow up in the near future (and make good on that promise). Sign off |

|with a “Sincerely,” “Cordially,” “Thank you for your consideration” or similar closer, followed by your name and, if you |

|like, your e-mail address. |

| |

|Q. Where should your cover letter appear, in an e-mail or in an attachment? |

| |

|A. You can include your letter in the actual text of your e-mail message or place it above your résumé in an attachment.|

|If you put it in a separate attachment from your résumé, you run the risk that a harried hiring manager will not click on|

|it at all. If you place it in the text of your e-mail message, it should generally be shorter than if you use an |

|attachment, Ms. Enelow said. |

| |

|Then, if you really want to make an impression, make a hard copy of your cover letter and résumé and send it to the |

|hiring manager by regular mail. Attach a handwritten note that says, “Second submission; I’m very interested,” Ms. |

|Piotrowski said. “I’ve had clients double their rate of interviews simply from doing that,” she said. |

| |

|Ms. Enelow calls this “double-hitting,” and says she has seen it work remarkably well. She said a senior-level client of |

|hers got an interview and was hired because the hard copy of his cover letter and résumé reached the company president, |

|whereas his electronic application was rejected by someone in human resources because it did not meet certain rigid |

|criteria. |

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| |

|Q. What are some common mistakes in cover letters? |

| |

|A. Cover letters with typos, misspellings and poor sentence structure may take you out of the running for a job. If you|

|cannot afford to pay someone to review your cover letter and résumé, enlist a friend or a family member with good |

|language skills to do it instead. |

| |

|Another misguided thing people do is to make the cover letter all about them: “I did this, I’m looking for, I want to ...|

|I, I, I.” Structure your letter so that it stresses the company and what you can do to help it reach its goals, Ms. |

|Piotrowski and others said. |

| |

|Another danger is including too much information — for example, very specific salary or geographic requirements, Ms. |

|Enelow said. It is also unwise to point out that you do not meet all the criteria in the job description, she said. You |

|can deal with that later, if you get an interview. |

| |

|Hiring managers are looking for ways to exclude you as they narrow down their applications, she said. Do not give them |

|that chance! |

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