Writing a Resume: Cover Letters
Include with every resume you mail or fax. This is the formal business document basically stating what position you are applying for, requesting an interview and expanding on your most important qualifications as stated in your resume.
Have a "hook" in both your cover letter and your resume. Employers split about 50/50 on whether they read the resume first or the cover letter. This means that you need to have piqued their interest in whichever they've read first.
Be specific.
- Aim your letter at a specific occupation and type of employer/position based on your research.
- Be specific in addressing the employer's requirements.
- A generic, "to whom it may concern," cover letter is not generally very effective. Address it to a specific person.
- Relate your interest, skills, and qualities in terms of what the employer is seeking. Try using the words "you" and "your" more than the word "I."
- Include a heading that contains the date, return address, and inside address including the person's name and title, and a salutation.
In the letter:
- Clearly state the type of position for which you are applying. If you are answering an ad or a job listing, state where you heard about the opening. If you don't know for sure that they have an opening, assume they do.
- Tell why you are interested in this type of job/organization.
- Give a short explanation of your major qualifications. Do not simply reiterate your resume. They already know (or will) from your resume what you majored in and when you will graduate. Expand on that, perhaps with a statement of how that major has led you to apply for their type of position. Maybe you will want to use true anecdotes from your life to illustrate your abilities.
- State a follow-up method. Either ask the employer to take action by contacting you to schedule an interview or state that you will be contacting him or her to follow up on your application. If you ask the employer to take action, you should not wait more than 10 days after mailing the letter before you call for follow-up.
- Sign the letter. Be sure to sign each letter before it is mailed since few things give a worse impression than an unsigned letter.
- Check spelling and proofread. Misspellings, typos and bad grammar make a very bad impression. Have someone proofread your letters as well as your résumé before mailing the package. Employers continually say that they will disregard a letter or résumé that has a spelling mistake, even if the candidate has impressive credentials otherwise. Show that you pay attention to detail and avoid these mistakes.
- Keep the message work- and employer-centered, not self-centered.
- This is a personal document, so you should write it yourself.
- Always address your letters to specific individuals, spelling their names correctly and using their job titles and business mailing addresses.
- Keep the wording straightforward, formal but personal and positive. Edit out excess verbiage.
- Use bond paper and envelopes, the same paper you use for your resume where possible.
- Examples showing skills, abilities, and successes are better than mere claims.
- Always keep the reader in mind and do not be afraid to express your appreciation.
- Be honest, but don't include negative information
