Writing a Cover Letter
Whenever you send a resume to a prospective employer, you also should include a cover letter. The cover letter should accomplish three things:ffective cover letters are clear, to the point, and brief. The cover letter should achieve its purpose in three to four paragraphs consisting of the greeting, the opening, the body, and the closing.
Greeting: Address the letter to a specific person. Never use "To Whom It May Concern:" or "Dear Sir or Madam:". You can often find out the name and title of who will be hiring or interviewing for a position by making a simple phone call to the company or business. However, it is sometimes impossible to do this or the ad may state "no calls, please." In these situations, either use the "RE:" approach or address it to the position as in: "Dear Director of Manufacturing:" or "Dear Personnel Manager:".
Opening: Begin your letter by directly stating why you are writing the employer. If you are applying for a specific opening, indicate the position you would like to apply for and how you learned of the opening.
Example: I would like to apply for the mechanic position advertised in the September 28th edition of The Kansas City Star.
If you are writing to inquire about job openings, simply state why you are writing and give the employer an idea of the type of position in which you are interested.
Example: I am interested in prospective mechanic openings with A & C Auto.
An effective opening would also get the employer's interest by touching on your qualifications or skills.
Example: I would like to apply for the mechanic position advertised in the September 28th edition of The Kansas City Star. I believe my experience in repair and maintenance of farm machinery and equipment qualify me for further consideration.
Body: Don't repeat all of the information in your resume. Direct the employer's attention to the skills, characteristics, and experience that make you right for the job. Point out what you can contribute to the company or business. You should also mention that your resume is attached for further review.
Example: As indicated in my enclosed resume, I have 20 years of experience maintaining and repairing a variety of equipment and have recently completed a vocational course in engine repair. In addition, as a community leader, I am experienced in serving the public and working as a team. I believe my skills and experience would enable me to be an immediate asset to your organization.
Closing: Indicate that you would like to meet with the employer. Take the initiative and let the employer know how and when you will contact him or her to set up an appointment. Use phrases like "get together" or "meet with you" instead of "interview" in the closing.
Example: I would like to meet with you to discuss my qualifications. I will call you next week to find out when we might get together. Thank you for your attention and consideration.
FINAL POINTS about cover letters:
Utilize the cover letter to highlight the matches between what you have to offer and what the employer is seeking. The cover letter is an opportunity to describe your skills, abilities, and personal qualities and how they would benefit the employer.