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STEP 4: GO FOR THE JOB > COVER LETTER
Write a cover letter that sells your
strengths and interest.
A good cover letter should state clearly and quickly your reasons for submitting a resume. A concise letter shows focus and strong communications skills.
- Keep it short. The ideal cover letter is between one-half page and a full page, and never exceeds one page. Aim for two to four brief paragraphs.
- State the position. Clearly indicate the job you are applying for in the first paragraph of the letter, and in the subject line of an email as well if submitted it electronically.
- Explain why you want the job. Show what you find exciting about the industry, and show enthusiasm and knowledge about the position.
- Clearly describe your potential contributions. This is the most important element of a cover letter. Write a paragraph outlining one or two specific examples of how your skills and experiences will fit the company's needs.
- Integrate points, but don't repeat, your resume. When explaining how you will contribute, refer to an experience or skill on your resume.
- Keep the letter positive. Even if the job is not an exact match with your experience, focus on your transferable skills and accomplishments.
- Give a follow-up plan. Commit to a follow-up action such as a phone call or e-mail at a given time.
- Proofread once, and again. Spell-check doesn't catch everything, especially poor use of grammar. Recruiters will often dismiss qualified candidates if there is even one typo. Reread it, and then ask someone else to proof it, too.
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| E-mail resumes deserve a cover letter. |
When e-mailing a resume as an attachment, be sure to treat the e-mail note as a cover letter as well, using the three-paragraph format.
View sample.
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