A cover letter should always accompany your resume. In the same way that you prepare your resume you should consider that your cover letter will help to create a first impression of yourself and may contribute to whether you get an interview for the job.
A cover letter states the job position you are applying for and provides an outline of how you are best qualified for this job (provide specific skills/abilities and how these will help you to be successful in this job and how the company will benefit from hiring you).
It is not necessary to be sending your letter and resume in response to a specific want ad you have seen somewhere. In fact, more people successfully get jobs by sending their cover letter and resumes to companies where jobs have not even been advertised. Do your homework (see JOB SEARCH SKILLS on this web site) and understand the needs of the company you are approaching.
As you write your cover letter always keep in mind the following question: “Why should the employer want to hire you?”
The following provide some tips you should consider in preparing your cover letter:
1. Use good quality bond paper.
2. Individualize each cover letter. Don’t use form letters
addressed To Whom It Concerns. Take the time to
find out exactly who the letter should be addressed to.
3. Use a letter-quality printer and use fonts that are easy
to read with a 12 pt. size generally acceptable for
most fonts.
4. Ensure that some positive aspect of your personality
shines through in some way in the cover letter.
5. Emphasize what you can do for the company
instead of what the company can do for you.
6. If someone from this company suggested you
send this letter mention this person’s name
in your cover letter.
7. It is generally accepted that a cover letter be a maximum
of one page in length. A possible outline would be to
include four paragraphs with the first outlining
why you are writing this letter and what you think
you could positively do for the company. The second
paragraph could expand on some of the skills you have
and how they would benefit the company. The third paragraph
could provide specific examples of implementing
some of your skills in previous job experiences.
The final paragraph should ask for an interview
and tell how you plan to follow this letter up
(for example with a telephone call or personal visit)
and your final sentence should thank the employer
for taking his/her valuable time to consider your application.
8. Instead of ending the letter with a sentence such as
“Please call me” or “I look forward to hearing from you”,
end with something more proactive like “I would appreciate
having an interview to discuss this further” and/or
“I will contact you by telephone in a few days
to discuss a possible interview.”
9. After writing your letter set in down for a day or two
and then look at it again before sending it.
10. After receiving an interview send a very brief
thank you letter to the employer. Always create
a positive impression of yourself. If you are
unsuccessful in getting the job this time the
positive impression you leave may help you
the next time.