Whether you e-mail, fax or
snail-mail your resume, you'll want to include a cover
letter. This document can direct the reader to the meat
of your resume and establish rapport between you and the
potential employer. Here are some important ideas to
keep in mind as you compose your letters:
TOP TEN
Purpose - Not only does your letter serve as
an ambassador for you, introducing your
credentials, but an effective letter must
also generate the reader's interest in you.
Ultimately you want to prompt a favorable
reply.
Audience -
Keep in mind the perspective of the person
who will be reading your letter. He/she is
not interested in what YOU want, but rather
in what value you will bring to the
organization. What you convey should prove
of interest enough to lead an employer (or
recruiter) to want to interview you.
Structure - A letter should be composed of:
introductory paragraph that is
interest-generating, states or implies
interest
value-selling paragraph that
demonstrates your ability to add value
highlights of your key strengths and
abilities
background summary that briefly
describes your relevant education and
experience
statement
that either compels or insures follow-up
action
statement of appreciation
Point of View
- Write your letters in the first person;
yet vary your sentences with beginning
phrases and clauses so that each line does
not start with "I."
Match
Needs with Qualifications - List the
requirements of the job side-by-side with
your qualifications for a response to a job
ad. Doing so will show the reader you have
the right stuff and will simplify the
process of reading your letter.
Good
Writing Requires Rewriting - Don't be
satisfied with your first draft. Let your
first draft be a stream of consciousness.
After you let your ideas flow, go back and
review your writing for glaring grammatical
errors. Edit to remove unnecessary words and
phrases. Limit your paragraphs to six or
seven lines, so you don't overwhelm the
reader.
Appearance - Proof your letters carefully.
Have someone else review them. Don't rely on
a computer spell-checker. A word may be
correctly spelled but inappropriate for the
context.
Networking - A letter can be an entrée to a
person who can lead you to a job
opportunity.
Start
with a mention of the person who
referred you to the contact.
Provide a
brief summary of your career background.
Maintain the initiative by suggesting a
meeting and that you will call for an
appointment.
Follow Up
Letters - Every meeting and interview should
result in a follow-up letter. Reiterate the
high points of the meeting and include ideas
that distinguish you from the pack.
Stay in
Touch - Maintain visibility by sending
letters periodically to your key contacts.
Look for articles of interest to include to
"gift" the receiver with information they
can use to better do their job.
