Prompt Proofing Blog Post: How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter That Get Results, Part 2

How to write the perfect cover letter.

2011-08-12

VANCOUVER, BC, August 12, 2011 (Press-News.org) Last week we talked about writing successful resumes; the cover letter is the other half of your application and should complement your resume. In all likelihood it will also be the first impression a prospective employer has of you, since the majority of hirers will read the cover letter before reading the resume.

If you have detailed your achievements and employment history in your resume, you really do not need to do this all over again in your cover letter. The cover letter should ideally be no more than one and a half pages in length, including addresses, salutation and closing. Its purpose is to introduce you to your prospective employer and explain just why you would be a perfect fit for the position and why they should even bother to look at your attached resume.

Avoid the temptation to write a 'form' letter; it is worth taking the extra time to personalize your cover letter as much as you possibly can. Do your research; find out as much as possible about the company and, preferably, get the name of the HR manager, or person responsible for hiring, and address your letter accordingly. Start by briefly introducing yourself, mention your strengths and why you fit the position. Mention something complimentary about the company; this demonstrates to hirers that you've done your homework and found out something about their business while also giving you the opportunity to show interest not only in the current job but also in a possible future with the company, perhaps suggesting ways in which you could contribute to their growth (without sounding too arrogant, of course).

Refer them to your resume, explaining that the information therein will give them all the details they should need (and further confirm your suitability for the post).

Close your letter appropriately:

If you have not been able to get a name then you may have to address your letter 'Dear Sir or Madam,'. If you do this, the traditionally correct closing is 'Yours truly' or 'Yours faithfully'.

If you have managed to get a name then your letter starts 'Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms ....' and should therefore end 'Yours sincerely'.

Last but by no means least:

Read the instructions given in the advertisement. If they ask for an emailed cover letter then email it. Many companies may ask you to include your letter and resume in the body of your email, if so make sure you do that; opening attachments can be time consuming and some people are very concerned about possible viruses; don't risk annoying the recipient!

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Prompt Proofing Blog Post: How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter That Get Results, Part 2

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