Cover Letter
Cover letter is a document which is attached to each resume you send out to prospective employers. If your cover letter isn't professional, managers will likely ignore it and toss it in the trash. Because of this you will want to spend time making sure both your cover letter and resume are equally impressive. A cover letter should enhance the design of your resume.
A cover letter should almost always accompany a resume unless you have good reason not to do so. Here are some guidelines you should keep in mind while writing your cover letter.
Keep your cover letter concise and job specific. It should be modified to address the specific job you are applying for. The goal when writing the cover letter is you address your strengths and accomplishments in a paragraph or two.
Relate your past work experience and training to the qualities the company is looking for.
If you are fresh out of school and do not have a lot of experience to write about, relate your accomplishments, research, and/or class projects to the qualities the company is looking for.
Make it clear in your cover letter that you understand what the company is about. This means doing a little research ahead of time so that you can better match your skills/experience with their needs and goals.
Once again, keep your formatting consistent throughout the cover letter.
Be sure to double and triple check your grammar and spelling. It is also a good idea to have someone proofread for you. The more eyes that see it and the more feedback you receive, the better it will be!
Sample Cover Letter
This sample letter is meant to give you an idea of how you may want to organize your cover letter. (The content of this letter is fictional)
This sample letter is meant to give you an idea of how you may want to organize your cover letter. (The content of this letter is fictional)
Dept. of Human Resources
Company Name
Portland, Oregon
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am considering relocating to the Portland area during the last week of July and am currently exploring job opportunities. As my resume reveals, I have both a Bachelors and Master's degree in Computer Science. I have more then three years of professional software development experience using C++, C and Java in PC based and real-time systems. I enjoy working in a high energy and high performance work environment. I have worked on and learned a great deal from several very interesting and complex commercial projects.
Company Name
Portland, Oregon
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am considering relocating to the Portland area during the last week of July and am currently exploring job opportunities. As my resume reveals, I have both a Bachelors and Master's degree in Computer Science. I have more then three years of professional software development experience using C++, C and Java in PC based and real-time systems. I enjoy working in a high energy and high performance work environment. I have worked on and learned a great deal from several very interesting and complex commercial projects.
Currently I am leading an extremely talented software team to build a dual-mode wireless communication device with a display interface. The total budget for the project is approximately $3M. At the completion of this project in July I will be anxious to take on new challenges and build upon my knowledge base. I am excited by the prospect of working with an organization that is both an unquestioned leader in its programming niche and an enthusiastic risk taker in an entirely new frontier.
I have enclosed my resume for your review. I would like the opportunity to meet and share more about my qualifications and the ways in which I can contribute to the team. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
John Smith
I have enclosed my resume for your review. I would like the opportunity to meet and share more about my qualifications and the ways in which I can contribute to the team. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Cover Letter 2
Mary George
33 116th Street
Seattle, WA 98990
Home: (888)-453-2322
e-mail: mary@yahoo.com
Nov 12, 2005
Ms. Melissa Stephenson
Recruiting Coordinator
Freeman Consulting
602 Main Street, Suite 212
Dallas, TX 75202
Dear Ms. Stephenson:
I am writing in reference to your advertisement for a staff consultant as listed in the Southem Methodist University Career Center. I will be graduating in May 199X with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and I believe my qualifications to be consistent with those desired by your firm.
Throughout my collegiate career, I have attempted to stay well-rounded combining academic excellence with leadership and work experience. By majoring in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering, I have been exposed to all facets of scientific and analytic disciplines from mathematics to circuit analysis to Fortran. Beginning with my appointment to the President's Developing Leadership for Tomorrow freshman year, I have chosen to actively participate and take on responsibility in community service and campus activities during my four years at SMU. I have also worked continuously while in college.
33 116th Street
Seattle, WA 98990
Home: (888)-453-2322
e-mail: mary@yahoo.com
Nov 12, 2005
Ms. Melissa Stephenson
Recruiting Coordinator
Freeman Consulting
602 Main Street, Suite 212
Dallas, TX 75202
Dear Ms. Stephenson:
I am writing in reference to your advertisement for a staff consultant as listed in the Southem Methodist University Career Center. I will be graduating in May 199X with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and I believe my qualifications to be consistent with those desired by your firm.
Throughout my collegiate career, I have attempted to stay well-rounded combining academic excellence with leadership and work experience. By majoring in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering, I have been exposed to all facets of scientific and analytic disciplines from mathematics to circuit analysis to Fortran. Beginning with my appointment to the President's Developing Leadership for Tomorrow freshman year, I have chosen to actively participate and take on responsibility in community service and campus activities during my four years at SMU. I have also worked continuously while in college.
I am currently working at MJ Skyline in Dallas, a technology management company, generating reports and updating their database. My previous work experience has provided me with a strong exposure to both corporate and technical environments and has taught me the importance of team work and open communication with clients and coworkers.
I look forward to meeting with you on January 28 to further discuss my qualifications with you. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
I look forward to meeting with you on January 28 to further discuss my qualifications with you. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary George
Enclosures
Enclosures
Entry-level cover letter
[your name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
June 11, 2007
[Recipient Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient Name]:
Your ad for an entry-level position caught my attention as I prepare to begin my professional career upon graduation this spring from State University. I say "professional" because I have worked steadily throughout college, gaining valuable experience that equipsme to present your
firm with advantages others may not offer.
firm with advantages others may not offer.
For example, as a resident assistant for a 250+ person co-ed dorm, I acquired strong leadership and interpersonal skills. I am now able to think quickly in emergency situations and in those requiring quick assessment of many factors in order to make approproate decisions. Dealing with diverse concerns of students, parents, and faculty, I have become adept at operating with proper mix of authority, diplomacy and tact.
While working in this demanding position, I achieved a 3.75 cumulative grade-point average.My double major, communications and political science, provided me with a thorough foundation in
principles that effect businesses every day.
principles that effect businesses every day.
I would welcome the chance to discuss openings at your firm. If you will contact me at (425) 555-0524, we can schedule a meeting.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely
[Your Name]
Enclosure
[Your Name]
Enclosure
Experienced customer service rep letter
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
June 11, 2007
[Recipient Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient Name]:
It is tempting to telephone in response to your ad for a customer service representative since the majority of the service take place over the phone these days.Instead, I enclose my resume as you requested, providing you with in-depth information on the 11 years I have spent dealing with the public. Throughout this time, I have successfully resolved customer claims and accurately recoreded complex product orders with consistent praise from my supervisors.
It is tempting to telephone in response to your ad for a customer service representative since the majority of the service take place over the phone these days.Instead, I enclose my resume as you requested, providing you with in-depth information on the 11 years I have spent dealing with the public. Throughout this time, I have successfully resolved customer claims and accurately recoreded complex product orders with consistent praise from my supervisors.
More importantly, I have enhanced each company's reputation, keeping existing customers satisfied and transforming first time buyers into loyal, repeat purchasers.
I would appreciate the chances to do the same for your organisation and will call you shortly so that you can experience my skills on a first-hand basis.
Sincerely
[Your Name]
Enclosure
Sample Cover Letter
[your name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
June 11, 2007
[Recipient Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient Name]:
As a State University student who will be graduating in August, I am answering your ad because I believe I can offer your firm an unusual mix of abilties, talents, and enthusiasm. For instance :
As a State University student who will be graduating in August, I am answering your ad because I believe I can offer your firm an unusual mix of abilties, talents, and enthusiasm. For instance :
My Double major(economics/English literature) demonstrates my willingness to assume more than the typical level of resposibility and to achieve in a challenging environment.
Through my coursework, I acquired in-depth coputers proficiency and a profound belief in the importance of effective communication in todays growing entrepreneurial endeavour.
To finance my education, I planned, launched and operated a highly successful catering business. I gained hands-on experience in properly managing revenues, time and employees.
As you can see, I am goal-oriented, self-driven, and not afraid of hardwork.
I look forward to hearing from you so that we may schedule an interview.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Enclosure
[Your Name]
Enclosure
1 comment:
Glad I drop by! This is a great site and contains fantastic contents. Thanks for sharing this to us. In a cover letter to an employment agency or executive search firm, you should always mention your current or most recent salary, as well as your willingness to relocate for a position.
Resume Writing Tips
Post a Comment