Career Coach: Custom Tailor Your Cover Letter
Marian Cacciatore
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Holt News
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Dear Career Coach,
I just heard you advise students to send out a cover letter with a resume. Can you tell me more about what I should include in a cover letter? Also, who should I address
the cover letter to if there is no contact name available?
Answer
You heard correctly! I always recommend sending a cover letter with a resume unless
the ad or posting directly requests "resumes only".
Your cover letter should be a custom-tailored, personalized summary directed at a specifi crole/industry/market.
Is your goal to get your letter and resume to rise to the top of the stack? If so, it is critical that you take the time and really make the letter shine.
Typically a cover letter uses correct business format with date and addresses at the top, and a signature at the bottom. This letter is clear and concise, and grammatically correct without any spelling errors.
I recommend using a format that has several key sections.
Introduction
This section identifies the position you are applying for and how you heard about the opening. If you have been referred by someone it is important to mention this as well. Often letters who rise to the top also include wording that is creative and catches an employer's attention quickly.
Middle Paragraph
The second paragraph identifies two or three of your strongest qualifications and clearly relates how these skills apply to the job at hand.
This letter explains specifically why you are interested in this position and this type of job, company, and/or location. Within your content, show that you have done research on the company and industry.
Last Paragraph
The final paragraph refers the reader to your resume or any other enclosed documents.
It also thanks the reader for taking time to read this letter.
It is also important to describe how you will follow up with the employer in a stated
time period. (And make sure that you do!)
I just heard you advise students to send out a cover letter with a resume. Can you tell me more about what I should include in a cover letter? Also, who should I address
the cover letter to if there is no contact name available?
Answer
You heard correctly! I always recommend sending a cover letter with a resume unless
the ad or posting directly requests "resumes only".
Your cover letter should be a custom-tailored, personalized summary directed at a specifi crole/industry/market.
Is your goal to get your letter and resume to rise to the top of the stack? If so, it is critical that you take the time and really make the letter shine.
Typically a cover letter uses correct business format with date and addresses at the top, and a signature at the bottom. This letter is clear and concise, and grammatically correct without any spelling errors.
I recommend using a format that has several key sections.
Introduction
This section identifies the position you are applying for and how you heard about the opening. If you have been referred by someone it is important to mention this as well. Often letters who rise to the top also include wording that is creative and catches an employer's attention quickly.
Middle Paragraph
The second paragraph identifies two or three of your strongest qualifications and clearly relates how these skills apply to the job at hand.
This letter explains specifically why you are interested in this position and this type of job, company, and/or location. Within your content, show that you have done research on the company and industry.
Last Paragraph
The final paragraph refers the reader to your resume or any other enclosed documents.
It also thanks the reader for taking time to read this letter.
It is also important to describe how you will follow up with the employer in a stated
time period. (And make sure that you do!)
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