Cover Letter Tutorial

When you're applying for a job, your resume typically is requested by the hiring manager to determine the type of employee you would be based on your skill set and past employment history. A cover letter that's customized for the specific job you're applying for and the company you are hoping to be employed by should be included as well.

Getting Started

A cover letter format is fairly standard. The first part of a cover letter is the heading and should consist of your name, address, email address, phone number and the date that you submit the cover letter.

The second part of your cover letter should be the name and address of the person receiving the letter. If you know the name of the recipient, use it here. If you don't know the specific recipient, you can use "Human Resources Department" or "Hiring Manager."

Following this section will be the greeting. Again, if you know a specific name, use that here. If not, use the same general contact you listed above.

Body

The first section of the body of the cover letter is where you introduce yourself to the employer and let him know how you heard of the opening and why you believe you would be a good fit for his company.

In the next section, tell the employer how many years experience you have in your field, why you believe you'd be an asset to her company and information about your skill set. Highlight the skills the employer expressed a need for in the job posting.

In the closing paragraph, tell the employer that you look forward to hearing from him and include your availability for an interview. It's also important to thank the employer for her time and consideration. If you plan to call the employer and follow up, include this as well.

The last section is your closing. "Sincerely" is appropriate, as is "Best regards."

References

• Trincol Education

Resources

• Sample Cover Letter
• Best Cover Letters

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