Cover Letters An introduction tool

Why Write A Cover Letter?  Cover letters are a letter of introduction usually accompanying a resume.  Job seekers frequently send a cover letter along with their resume as a way of introducing themselves to potential employers and explaining their suitability for the desired position.

Why Write A Cover Letter?  Employers may look for individualized and thoughtfully written cover letters as one method of screening out applicants who are not sufficiently interested in their position or who lack necessary basic skills.  Cover letters are another way to set you apart from other candidates.  A poorly written cover letter is a guarantee you will not receive an interview.

Why Write A Cover Letter?  As much as we despise them, they are the chance to make a case, to cover everything we can’t express in our resumes – which is a lot – and come across as real people to potential employers.  Don’t throw together a cover letter in the hope that nobody will actually read it.

Writing A Cover Letter Step 1  Include a salutation. There are many greetings to choose from, and the greeting one you choose will depend on how much you know about the company. If you know the name of the hiring manager, your greeting should be something like "Dear [insert name]" followed by either a comma or a colon. Make sure to address the manager formally using their proper title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.).  If you don't know the name of the hiring manager, consider addressing your letter "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear Recruiting Team," or "Dear [insert company name] Team."  As a last resort, address the letter "To whom it may concern," though this is not recommended as it could come across as a template letter.

Writing A Cover Letter Step 2  Write the first paragraph of your letter. This is where you will mention the job for which you're applying and how you found the job listing. It only needs to be 1 to 2 sentences in length.  Ex: “I am writing to you with regards to the staff manager position available within your company.”

Writing A Cover Letter Step 3  Write the body paragraphs of your letter. Most cover letters will only be about one page long. You don't want to overwhelm the hiring manager or use up a great deal of his or her time. Try to answer the following questions in your body paragraphs:  Why am I a qualified candidate for this position?  What work experience do I have that fits the job requirements in the company's listing?  Why do I want to work for this company specifically?

Writing A Cover Letter Step 4  Write the final paragraph of your letter. This will be where you wrap up and discuss how you will proceed with the application. Consider including the following: Reiterate in one sentence why you feel you're a perfect fit for the position.  Discuss what you'll do next. If you plan on following up with the hiring manager in a week or two, include a specific date. Otherwise, just say that you look forward to interviewing for the position and discussing your qualifications further.

Step 4 Cont.  Provide your contact information. Include your address and your phone number so the hiring manager can get in touch with you.  Mention that your resume or references are attached (if applicable).  Thank the person for their time.  Ex. “Please contact me at your convenience to set up a meeting so we may discuss in greater detail how my qualifications will best meet the needs of your company. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Optional  Use a letter head that contains your name and contact information.

Writing A Cover Letter Final Step  Proofread  Spellcheck  Read aloud to hear how it reads  Remember, a poorly written cover letter will spell disaster for you.

What Now?  Go to the Weebly site.  Look at sample cover letters.  Find the Cover Letter Help Sheet.  Begin writing!