How to Make a Cover Letter

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Pat Goodwin, with patgoodwinassociates.com, and we're going to talk about how to make a cover letter. A cover letter comes in different paragraphs with each paragraph very pertinent as to what you're trying to accomplish. The basic beginning of a cover letter, I would suggest you have at the top page your name and your contact information as you would at the top of a resume. Then to the left, you would have the date, and you would also have the name of the person, so if it's Mr. Thomas Jones with a certain company, try to have their title, their address, and then, below that, you would have maybe the subject matter of writing the cover letter if appropriate. Then, 'Dear Mr. Jones, The position posted for Programmer II is of great interest to me. I believe that I would be an excellent fit within your organization.' You have jumped immediately to the type of job. The way that I might project it to be unique would be to say something about the company in the very first sentence. 'ABC Company is an outstanding organization recognized for' or 'After researching ABC Company, I am very impressed with your mission statement', or 'the products that you produce are outstanding. The position posted for a ', the name of the title, 'is of great interest to me.' If you are applying or sending a cover letter based on consulting assignments or a particular different, besides looking for a job, then you want to convey that. Say something about the company, and say 'The position or the contract opportunity is of great appeal to our organization', and then say something about your organization, and why you would be an excellent fit for being considered for that consulting firm or consulting opportunity. If it's a cover letter based on attaching it to a resume, then you would want to identify the type of job you're applying for, and why you believe that you're a good fit. The third paragraph would then be a statement based on your wanting to get an interview with them or being screened in for the interview. 'Attached is my resume explaining or demonstrating how I believe that my skills and expertise would be an excellent fit. It would be a pleasure to speak with you personally and I will look forward to that opportunity. I can be reached at:' and the name of, I mean, how they can contact you. If you make a statement about 'I will call you within three days to set up a time for us to meet', then you make sure that you call. If you do not want to call, or if you feel like that you can't get through, then say something professional about 'it would be a pleasure to visit with you personally. I look forward to our conversation. Thank you for your strong consideration. Best regards. Sincerely yours,' and your name. And that's how I would develop a cover letter."