How to write a glowing cover letter
Here we look at a resume cover letter. This is an extract from RESUMES
THAT GET INTERVIEWS!
When you are applying for a job, an effective resume cover letter is an essential
part of your application. A good resume cover letter will take you a long
way towards an interview, but a poor (or even no) resume cover letter will
certainly kill your application.
Here we look at a resume cover letter. This is an extract
from RESUMES THAT GET INTERVIEWS!
When you are applying for a job, an effective resume cover letter is an
essential part of your application. A good resume cover letter will take
you a long way towards an interview, but a poor (or even no) resume cover
letter will certainly kill your application.
The Most Desired Response or "MDR" of your resume cover letter is to get
your resume read. That's all. Everything you have on your resume cover
letter should have the MDR in mind. If you cannot answer positively to
'why this or that?' sentence is on your resume cover letter...then remove
it.
You have less than 10-seconds to secure the MDR. Every sentence and every
word of each sentence must be relevant...everything must be working towards
the MDR.
Ah a question...'surely the MDR of a resume covering letter is to get the
interview?'
No. That's asking too much of a resume cover letter. Getting the interview
is the MDR of your resume. The information on a resume will clinch the
interview, while the information you share on a resume cover letter should
pre- sell your resume - not a re-jigging of the same information. Your
resume covering letter should complement your resume.
How important is a resume cover letter? Very!
While a resume is thought of as more 'important', there is little doubt
that an effective resume covering letter will pre-sell your resume almost
into an interview.
Your resume cover letter is your chance to tell a potential employer how
your skills will benefit the company. It is a golden opportunity to sell
yourself as the best candidate for the job. Your resume cover letter is
about what you can offer to the prospective employer in terms of enthusiasm,
skills and experience. Don't simply repeat the details of your resume,
such as Professional Career, Education, or your Resume Objectives on your
resume cover letter.
Here Are The Components of a resume cover letter:
Greeting:-
Address the letter to a name: "Dear Mr. Smith," If you don't have the information,
call the company and find it out - including the correct spelling. If you
can't obtain the information by calling the company, use a generic title: "Dear
IT Manager"
The Opening Paragraph:-
The opening paragraph should let the reader know why you are writing to
them. Make it clear which job you are applying for and where you saw the
advertisement. For speculative letters outline what kind of work you are
looking for.
Your first sentence is most important. Use it to give the reader context
for the rest of your letter. For example, it can be very effective to simply
say: "I'm applying for the position of [insert job title] as advertised
on [insert date in [insert publication]."
If you were referred by someone in the company then name drop (as long
as you are not breaking any confidence).
The Pre-sell Paragraph:-
Why should the reader look at your resume? Paragraph two needs to tell
the employer, in more detail, why you are suited to the job and what skills
you have got to offer. Why would the reader benefit from looking at your
resume?
You need to flag up two or three of your relevant points and give some
concrete information on the skills and experience you have. Read the Job
Description and Person Spec. and match your strengths to them so as to
convey your skills as benefits.
The resume cover letter also gives you a chance to explain skills that
you might not be able to get across in the resume, such as maturity, calmness
or interpersonal skills. It is vital though that you back up your claims
in your resume cover letter with evidence on your resume.
Be specific about how your skills and experience qualify you for the job
in question. However, don't simply repeat your resume.
Explain what you can bring to the company?
Repeat words and phrases the employer used in the Job Description.
For increased effectiveness bullet points your strengths.
The "I Did Some "Research"
Describe how your background can help you meet current company objectives.
You should insert something you read about the company, signalling that
you did your research.
The key to this paragraph is to focus on the needs of the employer. A position
has been created due to an "internal company problem", which requires someone
to be taken on board. Your resume cover letter and resume must shout..."here
is the solution to your problem."
The Closing Paragraph:-
State when and how you will follow up on your letter; usually with a phone
call.
If you're asked to state your salary requirement, do some research beforehand
(you could call local recruitment agencies and canvass their opinions)
and give a broad range or write "negotiable." Never write an exact figure
and never bring up salary issue unless you are asked to do so (usually
after you have a job offer).
If you have dates when you are available for interview give them here. "I
will be in the local area on Tuesday and Wednesday next week and I am available
for interview on either day. However, if these days are not suitable I
am flexible in terms of arranging an interview."
Thank the employer for reviewing your application.
Signing Off:-
If you have addressed the letter to a named person (which is by far and
away the best thing to do), you should end the letter with "Yours sincerely",
if you wrote "Dear IT Manager", it should end with "Yours faithfully."
Sign your letter only in black or blue ink and on the next line return
print your name.
Under your name give a contact number and email address for the reader
to contact you. Make sure you have regular access to the number or email
address.
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