Career Advice: How To Write A Cover Letter

Preparing for a job search is like preparing for a wedding. There are so many things that need to be accomplished, an in the end there’s bound to be one or two things missing. In this case it’s usually the cover letter. One spends so much time forging the perfect resume, that they forget the importance of their cover letter. It’s usually the one and only opportunity to grab a future employer’s attention and if it’s generic, misguided or poorly written, the resume will more than likely be tossed in the recycling bin. With help from author Brett Krkosska, who is founder of HomeBizTools,and Alison Doyle, contributor to About.com, here are some helpful tips that will allow the job-hunter to create the best cover letter possible.
What Kind of Letter to Write
Writing a cover letter can either be easy or it can be hard. With the right tools and proper guidance, it can be even better than having a perfect resume. The first thing that needs to be addressed is what type of cover letter to write. Alison Doyle, writer for About.com has worked in the Human Resources industry for many years. She states that there are three general types of cover letters. The key is to know which one to use. The first is the application letter, which responds to a job you know is available to apply for. The second is the prospecting letter , which asks about possible positions within the company. The last one is known as the networking letter, which asks for more information and help with the current job search.
Doyle also mentions that you should know who you are writing to. There’s nothing like an employer getting a cover letter and resume and it being addressed to the wrong person or the spelling of the name is wrong. Punctuation and spelling is essential when writing a cover letter because it shows that you care about what you are doing. Something with a lot of errors can show laziness and a lack of passion for what they are doing.
A Chance to Show the Career Path Chosen
Brett Krkosska is also a freelance writer who has firsthand experience with cover letters. Being an employer who has read many cover letters, Krkosska knows what catches the attention of potential employers. Krkosska believes that the beginning of the cover letter is to let potential employers get to know someone a little better. It’s gives the opportunity for the person to sell themselves to the company and prove to them why they should chose him or her instead of someone else. “The cover letter provides insight into a person, e.g. how organized they are by examining the presentation of the letter, whether they have taken the time to find out anything about my company, whether they have had or do have any ties to the company, whether they have specified the job they want, will they travel, and so on,” Krkosska stated in his article “How to Write a Job Winning Cover Letter.”
Another tip that Krkosska suggests, is to keep it short. Nobody wants to read the life story of someone they haven’t met. Keeping the cover letter to a half a page at minimum an a page maximum will keep the employer occupied but it’s short enough that it won’t get boring. “If you can whittle it down to that and make your case succinctly, then you are proving yourself to be a great communicator. That’s a huge bonus in my book,” says Krkosska.
When writing the actual letter there are usually three components to the format: The first paragraph will indicate who the person is, why they are writing to the company, and what position he or she are applying for. The following paragraphs will go into a little more detail about the qualifications the writer has that will help to benefit the company. The final paragraph will tell the employer how to contact them for a follow-up. Never end the letter with a weak “hope to hear from you”. Give them a specific date that you will follow up with them and how you will do so. This shows them you are serious about the position.
There is nothing more inspiring then finding a potential employee that has done their research. Inputting some of that information will show the employer that the potential employee has shown interest in the company and is enthusiastic about working at such a place. It also makes the person look knowledgeable and prepared if and when an interview is scheduled.
What to Take Away From This
If anything, the key points to take away from this article are the following: A cover letter needs to compliment and showcase the person’s skills and knowledge of the company. Be sure you know what type of letter you are writing and who it’s for. There is nothing like getting the recipient of the letter’s name wrong. Make it short and sweet but not too vague, and it needs to show that the person is confident in what they are writing. And finally, make sure you write it in the correct format, use spell-check and be sure that you have all your facts and information correct. Doyle states in her article “Cover Letters: How to Write a Cover Letter” that “If your cover letter and resume aren’t perfect they most likely will end up in the reject pile. And perfect means perfect – there should not be any typos or grammatical errors.”
A cover letter can either “make you or break you” as many often say. Making the correct decisions and taking the time to write the proper cover letter will allow the employer to get an insight on what they can expect as an employee of the company. It can either shine a light on great potential or it can be overlooked and thrown in the trash.

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