Cover letters – Tutorial
Never underestimate the power of correspondence in your job search. Your application cover letter, in particular, is an important marketing tool which highlights your most attractive qualifications as a potential employee and, if well written, will lead the employer to your resume.
WRITING THE RESUME COVER LETTER
Before writing your letter, analyze your reader by considering his/her requirements and needs. Plan your letter accordingly, placing the most important items first, supported by facts. By putting yourself in the reader's situation, you will better understand his/her needs. After this analysis you can write a letter demonstrating how your background, training, work experience, and abilities can meet those needs. Such an approach will help you persuade the reader that you are a good match for the position and that he/she should interview you. Remember that you are responsible for explicitly communicating your value to the employer. Do not expect employers who typically receive hundreds of letters for each job opening to wade through a great deal of text or a poorly written, mundane, or disorganized letter to figure out what you can do for them.
Experienced letter writers follow these basic principles:
Take the time to research each employer's organization and personalize each letter. Indicating that you know something about the company shows that you are careful and interested in the employer. This approach is much more effective than sending out hundreds of identical form letters.
Highlight one or two of your most significant accomplishments or abilities to show you are an above average candidate. Selecting only one or two special attributes helps your chances of being remembered. Be brief; demonstrate that you understand the value of the reader's time.
Use a polite, formal style that strikes a balance between confidence in yourself and respect for the employer. Be clear, objective, and persuasive rather than simply describing your background.
Be positive in tone, content, and expectations. Do not add details about yourself, your past experience, or your preparation that may call attention to your weaknesses or raise questions about your confidence or ability to do the job.
Use active voice and powerful action verbs in your writing to hold the reader's interest and convey a sense of energy.
Group similar items together in a paragraph; then organize paragraphs so that they relate to each other logically. Avoid writing that puts together unrelated information without a strong topic sentence to tie the information together. Remember it is your responsibility to organize the information for the reader.
Always back up general statements with specific facts or examples. Documentation creates credibility and reduces uncertainty and abstraction for the reader.
Avoid jargon and cliches. It is tempting to use ready made phrases such as "self-starter," "proven leadership skills," "excellent interpersonal skills," etc., but using today's buzz words can suggest parroted formulas rather than original thought.
Never misrepresent yourself by overstating your experience or skills. Even if you do not have every qualification sought by the employer, stick to the facts and tell the truth by emphasizing your strengths.