Effective Cover Letter Writing

Cover letters are not fillers. They create the first impression in the employer’s mind. While resumes tend to be similar in outline and content, a well constructed cover letter acts like the landing page of a website. The employer needs to be enticed into reading more about the job applicant.
Anyone who seeks to get a job should put in as much effort in crafting a good cover letter than in the resume. If the skill to write a good letter isn’t there, both Elance and Guru.com offer up a pool of experienced writers who can construct the cover letter as well as help in writing a good resume. Spending the money to have a good cover letter written is well worth the effort as it can translate into getting that first interview and a better paying job.
One of the most important aspects of the cover letter is that it must be tailored to the job being applied for. But before the job search begins, following some basic rules will increase the chance of getting a call for that first interview.
The Appeal of the Introduction
The first paragraph needs to emphasize what job the applicant is applying for. A job position is available, a position the employer hopes to fill with a qualified employee. The beginning sentences can touch on that need and why the applicant is aptly suited to fill that position.
Every employer will be impressed if the job applicant has done some research into the company he wants to work for, who the management is and the company’s field of expertise.
The Cover Letter Body Text
This is not the area to get into intimate detail. The applicant can talk about his former employment and what jobs he did and did well. If he is still working for a company but hoping to move on, a few references can be included. The text can list those special awards received or special recognition granted.
However, the body text is not the place to vent frustrations on former employees or company execs. The body should be more personable, but not sappy. A short bio should be limited to a few sentences and not a complete autobiography. This is the place for the applicant to list membership clubs he belongs to or charity and volunteer work he’s done in the past. Employers like to get a feel of an applicant’s character before the first interview.
The Introductory Ending
The ending is the introduction for a request for an interview. It should express appreciation to the employer for taking time to read the document. A quick summary can reemphasize the job being applied for. It should include contact information as well as stipulate the best times to call.
Format, Style and Language
Cover letters are for business communication. Fancy graphics, photos and colored paper won’t impress an employer. Unless the work wanted ad specifies photos, it’s best to leave them out. Print must be clear of smudges and on standard bond, not onion skin, linen or card stock.
Similarly, the fonts should be readable. The words used should convey a message without scientific jargon and Oxford style English, unless the job is in a field that requires the applicant to have such knowledge. A good cover letter is not a form letter. It may seem tempting to send out the same form letter to every employer, but applying for a job means tailoring the cover letter so it appeals most to the employer who reads it.
Lastly comes the grammar and spelling. A letter that hasn’t been properly proofread is easy to spot and projects the idea that the applicant will do as good a job as an employer than he does in crafting a good letter.
Cover letters are a useful tool to get that first interview. While templates can be used to create a good resume, the cover letter is the best form of personal expression and a well constructed one will guarantee a job interview every time.

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