How To Write A Cover Letter
Things to think about before writing your cover letter- What sets you apart from other applicants?
- What will make the hiring manager take a chance on you?
- A cover letter translates information on the resume as to how you can help the company.
Do your homework
- Find out about the company you are applying to.
- Know the qualities the company is looking for, and highlight the skills you know how to do.
Heading/Date/Inside Address
- If you are writing a traditional (not email) letter, select a standard business-letter format such as block or modified block style.
- Your letter's design should match your resume.
Salutation
- It's best to address your letter to a specific person (i.e., \"Dear Ms. Jones :\"), but use “Dear Hiring Manager,” if there's no way to find that out.
- Use “Dear Search Committee:\" if the decision will be made by committee.
Opening Paragraph
- Hiring managers are busy and do not care to wade through fluff. Keep paragraphs short: two to three sentences.
- Your opening paragraph should clearly state the position for which you're applying. All managers think, “What’s in it for me?”
- Your opening may also include a synopsis of why you are a top candidate for the position.
- Ex.“Your position advertised in the Reno Gazette-Journal is an excellent fit with my qualifications. My background includes 3 years of retail experience.”
Body
- Your letter's body contains the sales pitch.
- This is your chance to outline the top reasons why you're worthy of an interview.
- When writing the body text, keep in mind that hiring managers want to know what you can do for them, not learn about your life story.
- Demonstrate how your credentials, motivation and track record would benefit their operation.
- Review your top five selling factors (the ones you jotted down when doing your company research) and weave them into the body, perhaps as a bulleted list.
- Back up achievements with specific examples of how your performance benefited current and former employers.
- Precede your bulleted list with a statement such as “Highlights of my credentials include:” or “Key strengths I offer include:”
- Keep your letter positive and upbeat.
- This is not the place to write a sob story about your employment situation.
- Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes -- would you call yourself in for an interview?
Closing Paragraph
- Your final paragraph should generate a call for action, so express your strong interest in an interview and state that you will follow up soon to confirm your resume was received and discuss the possibility of meeting face-to-face.
Complimentary Close and Your Name
- End with a professional close such as “Best regards,” “Sincerely” or “Respectfully yours.”