Cover Letter

• Cover letter closer

  The last paragraph of your cover letter is the easiest to write. Thank the employer for considering your application and write that you will call to check on your status in a week. Calling them shows that you have initiative and it keeps busy employers aware of you.

• Cover letter headers

  Your address and phone number should appear at the top of the cover letter. Next, write the employer’s name and company address. If you don’t know who to address the letter to, call the company and find out.

• Don’t be repetitive

  Your cover letter should not repeat the same information written on your resume. Instead, describe a few accomplishments or projects you worked on and relate how that has prepared you to work for this new company.

• First things first

  Mention the job you are applying for in first paragraph of your cover letter. Employers also like to know where you heard about the position- a job fair, online job bank or classified ad.

• Form letters

  Don’t create a form cover letter to mail to lots of companies. It might save you time, but employers can spot generic letters. Personalizing each letter with specific company information shows you care about the position.

• Salary Requirements

  Some companies will ask applicants to send salary requirements with their resume and cover letter.

  Don’t.
  Wait until the company has expressed serious interest in you before discussing pay. If you state salary figures earlier, you are likely to sell yourself short or grossly overestimate your worth.

• Show some style

  The cover letter is your chance to stand out among the crowd. Write a creative letter if the job requires ingenuity. Applicants in high-tech fields should write a logical, concise letter explaining their skills. The letter gives the company a better sense of who you are. But be careful; employers might find gimmicky letters annoying.

• Stay concise

  As with resumes, your cover letter should only be one page. Talk about the achievements you are most proud of, not every detail of your previous job. You want to hold the attention of the employer and make him or her want to learn more about you.