Category: Cover Letters

Resumes without cover letters are less likely to be considered by any employee and hence it is important to send all resumes with a cover letter. Many wrongly feel that a cover letter is just a summary of the resume and end up sending it only to have it rejected. A proper cover letter is one where you express interest in the job, state reasons for applying and also for being considered.

Many a times we are faced with the question as to how to write a cover letter that will ensure consideration of our application. Well, the answer is very simple and before embarking on it, you have to identify the person you will address the cover letter. After having done that, you have to state the reason for the application, be it a response to an advertisement or referral. Afterwards you have to state your interest in the present position and your suitability.

In the body of the cover letter you have to ensure you cover all points of your achievement and qualities that perfectly match with the requirement of the company. This is absolutely necessary as this will make you the perfect solution for their problem and will ensure that your resume is considered.

Finally at the end, you should not forget to thank the person for his or her time and also prompt any future contact that is required. You could leave your telephone number or state that you will call later. It is imperative that you do so as this confirms your interest in the job and also your availability.

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While cover letters are very important for your resume, it is equally important to ensure that they are effective cover letters. Much has been said about the contents of a cover letter, but not much in terms of how it has to be presented. It is very important for a cover letter to attract the attention of the employer else the resume will be thrown into the dustbin or worse cold storage.

An effective cover letter is one that reflects your suitability to the job advertised, making you the best candidate for the post. An effective cover letter is one where you state your qualities and achievements in the superlative without exaggerating, to ensnare the attention of the employer. You have to sound as if you are the right person and yet not oversell yourself. A fine line has to be maintained between selling and overselling. For a cover letter to be effective you have to ensure that it is addressed to the right person and the right post. You also have to prompt any future contact at the end of the letter, either by leaving your number or by stating that you will call and find out. This reflects seriousness of the application.

Finally, it is important to read and reread the letter and have it read by others, to ensure that there are no mistakes, spelling or grammatical, as this would defeat the entire purpose.

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Cover letters are extremely important additional documents for accompanying resumes and have to be extremely concise and to the point. While there are many different types of cover letters, the ones used most often are those accompanying resumes to prospective employers.

The first most important tip for writing that perfect cover letter is to address it to a person and name him or her in the address part. This personalizes the entire letter and also shows the efforts you have put in for the job. Second part is to express an avid interest in the company and the position. This is very important and something that most people forget to state.

Many feel that cover letters are used to sell the resume and hence should use a good amount of jargon that do not find place in the resume. Qualities like meticulous worker, team player, leadership abilities demonstrated etc should be used in the body of the cover letter to express both experience and achievement. In some cases, it may be a good idea to also mention your qualifications but this is based on the job and the qualification required for the same.

Finally, you should end the cover letter by thanking the person for his or her attention and also leave room for a follow up. This could be in the form of a phone number or a message that you will call and find out.

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Contact Information

Your name

Address

Zip Code

Phone Number

Email id

Date

Employer Details

Name of person

Post held

Name of Company

Address

Zip Code

Salutation,

Dear Ms. Or Mr. and the last name

Body of the Letter

First Part

Writing a cover letter is fairly simple provided you put in a little effort to understand what is absolutely necessary and what the pitfalls are.

After the initial addresses, comes the body of the letter, which can be divided into three parts, namely, the reason and interest, experience and achievements and finally the follow up. It is important to express interest in the job and also state the reason for writing this cover letter.

Second Part

After you have done that you have to match your experience and qualifications with those required and present it in such a way that the employer feels that you are the best candidate for the job. You have to include various jargon like “excellent communication skills”, “demonstrated leadership qualities”, “team leader and player” etc. in the body of your cover letter, of course ensuring relevance to the job at hand.

Third Part

Finally you have to end the cover letter by thanking the person for considering the application and you can either leave your contact number, expressing hope for an interview or in the alternative state that you will call after a certain period.

Closure

Yours faithfully, truly, sincerely etc.

Your signature

Your Name

Enclosures, if any

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While seeking a job, a cover letter is as important as or more so than the resume. This is because the cover letter largely determines the interest or lack thereof of the employer in your resume. Not everyone is confident of getting that perfect cover letter and they are often rejected by employers, despite their qualifications, because of bad cover letters.

The most common mistake made by many while drafting a cover letter is to replicate the resume. One must most definitely refrain from doing so as this is not going to help. In order to draft the perfect cover letter, it will help to list your achievements and qualification. Once this is identified, the next step is to carefully read the job advertisement and identify the requirements. If the two match then the cover letter should mention where and how the requirements match with your qualifications without repeating your resume.

A very important point that should be covered in a cover letter is the name of the person you are addressing through the cover letter. You can call and find out the name, if it is not mentioned in the advertisement. Also it is important to express your interest in the position and also thank the person at the end for considering you.

Finally before you sign the cover letter proof read it and check for any mistakes, spelling or grammatical and if possible give it to someone in your family or friend circle to read. This would ensure reduction in mistakes in a cover letter.

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A cover letter is very important and needs to be well drafted and presented, in order to make your resume more attractive. While many find the process of drafting a cover letter daunting, it is very simple actually. You can easily divide the cover letter into three parts, the first being the reason for writing it, the second your qualities and qualifications and the third is the follow up.

At the outset, you have to clarify your reason, be it a response to an advertisement or response to a referral or even prospective job hunting; you have to state it clearly. This will clarify your interest in the job being offered. Many people often forget to clarify their interest and this leads to cover letters being chucked into the dustbin

Second and most important part of a cover letter is the description part. This is where you clinch the deal by making yourself suitable for the role and job. While writing this part it is important to understand the needs of the company and ensure that your qualities and capabilities match it totally.

The third part of the cover letter is where you can directly seek an interview or hint at an interview. You can either be direct and leave your number or can be more forward and let the person know that you will call in a few days time to find out the outcome. At the end however, you should not forget to thank the reader for his or her time.

Finally, all cover letters must be addressed to a person. It is very important to add a name to the cover letter as it reflects your seriousness and personal touch.

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15^th July 2007

Ms. Olivia John,

General Manager (Sales)

Keller Associates

34 Wilfred Park

Fairfield CT 06815

Dear Ms. John,

I am interested in applying for the post of Sales Manager as advertised in the Fairfield Times and submit my resume for the same.

I have been working as Assistant Sales Manager at Sunshine Products for the past 6 years and have often stood in for the Sales Manager in his absence. I have demonstrated laudable leadership skills at my earlier job. I am known to be a lateral thinker and strategic planner. My excellent communication skills and affable nature make me a natural leader and team player and ultimately lead to growth and development of the business.

I am available for an interview instantly and you may contact me at (203) 777-6546 at your convenience.

I would like to thank you for considering my application and hope that you will call me at your earliest.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Hilton

Robert Hilton

Encl. Resume

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15^th July 2009

Mr. Ray Hamilton,

Human Resource Manager,

Hamilton Associates,

Fairfield CT 06819

Dear Mr. Hamilton,

I am interested in applying for the post of Payroll Clerk as advertised by your company in the Fairfield Times and am submitting my resume for your review.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and am well versed in the Accounting standards and procedures, given my experience of 2 years. I am a professional user of the payroll software that is currently used by many and also excel in basic computer skills. I am very particular about the accuracy and efficiency of my work and ensure that I deliver the very best.

I am available for an interview and you may feel free to call me at your convenience at (203) 222-1345.

I would like to take this opportunity and thank you for considering my application and hope to hear from you at the earliest.

Yours truly,

Richard Brynes

Richard Brynes

Encl. Resume

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15^th July 2009

Mr. Thomas Reed,

Reed and Taylor Associates,

56, Whitefield Park,

Fairfield CT 06050

Dear Mr. Reed,

I am applying for the post of paralegal with your esteemed offices at the request of Mr. Thompson with whom I have been working for the past two years. I am enclosing my resume for your scrutiny.

I have completed my paralegal studies and am a Certified Paralegal under the US laws. At the offices of Mr. Thompson, I have been involved largely in cases relating to Criminal Justice law. I pride myself in being serious about my work and in my ability to research the finer points of law that is absolutely necessary while presenting a case. I also have excellent drafting skills, which is an absolute necessity while creating depositions and complaints.

I am available immediately for an interview and may be reached at (203) 777-0989 at your convenience.

I would like to thank you for considering my application and would love to hear from you at your earliest.

Sincerely yours,

Brenda Joyce

Brenda Joyce

Encl. Resume

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15^th July 2009

Mr. Timothy Ross,

VP (Marketing),

Spectrum International,

76 Winston Park,

Fairfield CT 06854

Dear Mr. Ross,

With reference to your advertisement on your website seeking Marketing Managers, I am submitting my resume for the same for your scrutiny and action.

I have completed my Masters Degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing Management and have about 4 years of experience in the field. I have been working with Sunshine products as Asst Marketing Manager and during my tenure have demonstrated creativity and flexibility along with decisiveness while finalizing the marketing strategy of our products. My creativity and ability to deal with stress are two of my strong points that often lead to successful marketing strategies and ultimately profits in business. Tact and excellent communication skills form the base of a good team player and these I have in abundance.

You may feel free to contact me for further discussion on my candidature in the form of an interview at (203) 444-0456 at your convenience.

I would like to thank you for the time and consideration and sincerely await your response at the earliest.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Truman

Mark Truman

Encl. Resume

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