Writing a Cover Letter for a Job Application
Job applicants spend lots of time on their resumes, but cover letters are what employees see first. Therefore, you need to put some thought behind composing your cover letters. Cover letters provide you with more flexibility in explaining your experience and education. You can update human resources or the hiring manager on your current employment status; or tailor your cover letter to a specific position. There are certain guidelines you can follow in writing a highly effective cover letter.
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Email cover Letters
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You will likely be sending two cover letters when applying for jobs, an email cover letter and one that accompanies your resume. Keep your email cover letter short and to the point. Indicate the position for which you are applying, then add a sentence or two about your experience and education. Subsequently, refer the company to your attached cover letter and resume. Emails get deleted. Therefore, a hard copy of your cover letter is essential since many companies make copies and distribute it to other managers.
Addresses on Cover Letters
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Start your hard-copy cover letter by typing your street number and address about 1 inch down and on the left hand side of the page. Indent your left and right margins about 1 inch or 1 1/2 inches, according to Virginia Tech's Career Center at Career.vt.edu. Type your city, state and ZIP code on the second line; and the day's month, day and year on line three. You may also want to include your email address on line three; and the day's date on line four. Additionally, drop down four lines and add the name of the person to whom you are writing, his company and full address. If you are answering a job advertisement, type the employer's name and address as it appears in the newspaper. Since many resumes are emailed, attach your cover letter and resume to your email after composing them on your computer.
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The Salutation
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Whenever possible, address your cover letter to a specific person, according to Quintcareers.com. Addressing your letter to the hiring manager or human resources director will better ensure that your cover letter and resume gets read. Companies receive dozens and even hundreds of resumes each month. Address your cover letter to an individual so it ends up in the right place. When answering a job advertisement, call the company if their name appears in the ad. Ask your human resources contact the name of the hiring manager or the name of the person who placed the ad. Do the same if you are sending your resume to an unadvertised position.
Body of the Letter
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Most career counselors or employment consultants recommend three or four paragraphs for a job application cover letter. Start the body of your cover letter by mentioning the position for which you are applying. Tell the company where you found out about the position if you are answering an ad. Subsequently, provide a brief synopsis about your experience and education. Further expound on your background in the next paragraph. Give specific examples of projects you worked on and even results you achieved. For example, tell the company you increased sales by five percent each year if you did. Moreover, match your qualifications to those mentioned in the ad. Let the hiring manager know you possess all the necessary skills to do the job.
Last Paragraph
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Your cover letter is a selling tool. Therefore, use the last paragraph to ask for an interview. There are tactful ways to ask for an interview. For example, say something like, "I would enjoy discussing my background more thoroughly in person." Subsequently, include your phone number and the best time the company can reach you. Lastly, thank the person for considering you for the position.
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References
- Quintessential Careers: The Basics of a Job-Seeker Dynamic Cover Letter; Kathryn Hansen, Ph.D. and Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
- Employment Spot: Sample Cover Letter for Position Opening
- Quintessential Careers: The 7 Elements of a Highly Effective Cover Letter; Jimmy Sweeney
- Virginia Tech: Cover Letters: Types and Samples
- Quintessential Careers: Tips for a Dynamic Email Cover Letter; Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
Resources
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