A cover letter should address the needs of the employer, display enthusiasm and excitement, and describe how the skills, abilities, and experience outlined in your resume are a perfect match for the requirements of the position. Use your cover letter to show how your experience, knowledge of the company, and positive attitude will enable you to excel in this job.
Your cover letter is also an example of your work. It should be concisely written, have a professional appearance, and be free of grammatical and spelling errors. Use your cover letter to create a positive impression that, along with your resume, will convince your prospective employer to invite you in for an interview. When sending a resume to a prospective employer, you should always include a cover letter.
What Should a Cover Letter Include?
A cover letter should accomplish these three basic objectives:
Introduce yourself and express your interest in the job
In your initial paragraph, you want to convey how you heard about the position. If someone recommended you apply for the position, be sure to mention that person’s name in the beginning of your letter. A personal referral creates a connection between you and the hiring manager and represents a vote of confidence from someone the employer may trust. You also want to use this introductory paragraph to identify the position you are applying for and the reasons you are interested in the job
Describe your qualifications and how they will benefit the company
In the body of your cover letter, you want to translate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the position. One powerful method for accomplishing this is to list each of the requirements as outlined in the job description and then, next to the requirement, describe the skills, abilities, and experience you possess that demonstrate your ability to meet these requirements. If you have researched the company and understand their current and future needs, then describe how your skills, abilities, and experience will help the company achieve their short and long-term goals
Request an interview and suggest follow-up
In the concluding paragraph of your letter, you want to summarize your qualifications and why you are a strong candidate for the position, restate your interest and excitement in the job, and request an interview. Also state when and how you will follow up. Usually, this will be a phone call to confirm that the hiring manager has received your resume.
Quintessential Careers provides comprehensive list of sample cover letters, which can be accessed here – http://www.quintcareers.com/cover_letter_samples.html. Just remember to keep in mind the general guidelines we outlined when tailoring to your specific situation/style.
Source: Sandbox Advisors, Quintessential Careers
