TITLE: Career Search & Job Search is the leading career center in US.

Career Category: Jobs, Career, Resume, Job Search, Career Search, Job Listing, Monster Job, Job Bank

Site Description: Career Search and Job Search offers tips and free resume sample, resume writing, example, cover letter, write resume, resume template format, help, and resume builder. Post resume for free.

Career Topics: Career Builder, Engineering Career, Search, Planning, Links, Test, Information, Change, Education, Job Opportunity, Assessment, Counseling, Career Center, Monster Job, Job Bank, Government Job, California Job, Job Listing Online

Killer Cover Letters

In order to pull together the killer job application package, you need

to precede your resume with a cover letter that clearly defines how

your skills and experience will meet and exceed the employer's needs.

Despite the rapid move toward online job searching, some of the

standard rules have remained the same. One of the easiest ways to

provide this information is to constantly consider ways in which your

background matches the job description, and to figure out how it

surpasses those skills. Employers need employees who can "think

outside the box" and provide the most value for their money

Some reliable books to consult for effective cover letter creation

include:

• Cover Letters That Knock 'Em Dead, by Martin Yate

• Haldane's Best Cover Letters/or Professionals, by Bernard

Haldane Associates

• Dynamite Cover Letters, by Ron and Caryl Krannich

 

The same basic writing rules apply to cover letters as to resumes:

• You can never check your cover letter enough times for

typographical and grammatical errors

• Avoid wordiness or unclear thoughts

• Use keywords

• Include adequate and correct contact information

Important Cover Letter Elements

Cover letters, however, also require additional "do's and don'ts,"

beyond your resume. Above all else, make sure your cover letter is

tailored and targeted toward the specific job. You are also trying to

communicate your value to the employer, based on your skills and

accomplishments, and what patterns of performance you will bring

to the job. As simple as it may sound, you want to convince the

employer that this job also meets your needs—instilling confidence

that the match would be as good for you as for the employer. Keep

your sentences and paragraphs short, concise, and focused. Fill your

cover letter with key words that are easily scannable, reinforced with

statistics and examples.

Four basic elements will help you convey these impressions, as

well as show that you can compose business communications with

style and accuracy:

Address/Contact Information

Perhaps one of the most important, yet frequently bypassed or in-

correctly included, steps to writing a cover letter is the inclusion of

the proper contact's name and title. Take an extra few minutes to

search the company's online employee directory, or call and ask for

the name and title of the director for the department for which the

position is listed (example: if the job tide was public relations assis-

tant, ask for the name of the director of public relations.). If you

cannot determine a personal contact, address the letter to a gender-

neutral title, such as "Dear Employer." "To Whom It May Concern"

usually implies that you didn't attempt to do simple homework.

Lead-in Paragraph

Another important element to your cover letter is your lead-in para-

graph. You should start with a snappy, interesting lead in which you

clearly identify the job for which you are applying. Be confident that

you are the best candidate for the job, and express your confidence

(but not cockiness!) through strong statements to that effect. Be di-

rect and to the point, so the letter recipient immediately recognizes

the purpose of your letter.

Middle Paragraph(s)

This is your chance to clearly demonstrate how the skills and experi-

ence listed in your resume meet and exceed the expectations listed

in the job description. You can also show how your career objective(s)

will be satisfied by the available position. Since most readers spend

no more than 20 to 30 seconds scanning the letter for key thoughts

and words, make sure that you keep your content interesting, ener-

getic, and active, while maintaining a personal, professional tone.

Final Paragraph

The final paragraph is equally as important. Rather than closing with

a bland, run of the mill "I hope to hear from you," show that you are

a proactive job seeker. An excellent closing that will impress many

employers... "I look forward to meeting you... I will call on <date>

to schedule an interview at your convenience." The most important

requirement to this final paragraph is that you follow-up as you have

indicated. Failing to do so indicates that you are not reliable and

may drop the ball on the job.

How the Internet Has Changed Cover Letters

Following the basic information listed in the resume section will also

prepare your cover letter for the Internet, but there are a few addi-

tional guidelines of which you should be aware. First, if an employer

has indicated that attachments are acceptable, limit the number of

attachments by combining your cover letter and resume into a single

file. Use an attention-grabbing subject line, and include complete

contact information at the end of your email message.

Even if you have included your cover letter in your resume at-

tachment. you should also cut and paste it into the body of your

email message. By including it in both places, you have ensured that

the recipient will "meet" you through your email message, encourag-

ing her to open your resume. You have also improved the chances

that a scanner will catch words in your cover letter that may not be

included in your resume, and that your cover letter will be printed at

the same time as your resume. This helps ensure that anyone to whom

your resume is passed will also receive a copy of your cover letter

Otherwise, the letter may become detached from the resume.

 

Top 10 Ways to Kill Your Electronic Cover Letter

1. Don't check for typos or misspellings.

2. Send the letter as a separate file attachment without first

checking with the employer.

3. Don't include your contact information.

4. Skimp in your cover letter/email, stating only "Here's my

application for your available position."

5. Don't include anything on your cover letter that isn't also

on your resume.

6. Write a self-centered cover letter, with frequent use of

"I," "me," and "my."

7. Include your salary requirements and/or references.

8. Address the letter "to whom it may concern."

9. Create an obvious form letter that's not tailored toward

the specific job.

10. Write an amateurish, unprofessional letter.

TITLE: Career Search & Job Search is the leading career center in US.

Career Category: Jobs, Career, Resume, Job Search, Career Search, Job Listing, Monster Job, Job Bank

Site Description: Career Search and Job Search offers tips and free resume sample, resume writing, example, cover letter, write resume, resume template format, help, and resume builder. Post resume for free.

Career Topics: Career Builder, Engineering Career, Search, Planning, Links, Test, Information, Change, Education, Job Opportunity, Assessment, Counseling, Career Center, Monster Job, Job Bank, Government Job, California Job, Job Listing Online