How to Write Cover Letters as a Web Designer
Web designers deliver visual messages, communication and advertising over the Internet, and a designer's cover letter should show his ability. A boring cover letter will most likely end up in the trash, but there are techniques to creating an exciting letter that sparks a potential employer's interest and invites him to read your resume. A Web designer's cover letter should incorporate personality, skills, experience and examples of creativity and programming knowledge.
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Instructions
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Collect a list of qualifications and responsibilities in the job announcement. Select skills you've obtained that address the employer's best candidate. Write a few sentences that address each skill, quality or responsibility.
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Collect links and company names for completed design work. Web design requires knowledge of computer programming and a creative flare. Your portfolio of work should present creativity and knowledge of programming languages, such as HTML, CSS or PHP. Discuss your knowledge of back-end processes, user interface design and marketing. The information you gather will help you flesh out each cover letter you submit.
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Design an eye-catching template for your cover letter. For example, experiment with color, margins and graphical elements, such as shapes or bars. Use the opportunity to display your design skills. Keep your design professional and clean, yet attention grabbing.
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Place your signature block at the top left margin of the page. The block should include your name, address, telephone number and email. Insert the date two spaces below the signature block, so one line is blank immediately above the date. Insert the name, title, company name and address of the employer two spaces below the date line.
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Write "Dear Mr./Ms." and the last name of the addressee two spaces below the employer's address block. Insert a colon at the end of the line for a formal opening. Keep the following paragraphs concise and formatted to right indent. Hanging, left or first-line indents make for an awkward appearance in a cover letter.
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Write an opening paragraph that introduces you, explains the reason for your inquiry and describes how you found out about the opportunity. Are you looking for an internship, replying to an opening or requesting an informational interview? Briefly describe your knowledge of the employer or the position.
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Write a second paragraph that convinces the reader to review your resume. Include information about Web design courses, programming languages, your approach to design, or recent projects and how they were successful. Include links or information about websites you've designed, but keep it short and sweet. Limit the number of links to five of your best examples. If you have an online portfolio, provide the link in this paragraph.
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Write a closing paragraph that thanks the reader for his time. Include how you plan to follow up on your inquiry. At the end of the paragraph, insert two lines so one space appears above the cursor. Type "Sincerely," "Respectfully" or a respectable closing of your choice. Insert three to four spaces after your closing and type your name. Insert three more spaces and type "Enclosure(s)," and reference your resume. Print the page and sign the document in blue ink.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't send a form letter to each employer. Tailor each letter for each inquiry.
Include social media links that you update frequently about the latest news in the industry.
References
Resources
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