|
Think of
the cover letter as a sales letter. What are
you selling? Yourself!
How do businesses generate interest in a new
product? They list the products key features; explain how the product
will save time or money and lastly, where to get the product.
Imagine
your trying to sell your car. Which advertisement would get more
response “4 door automobile” or 2002 Honda Civic, Dependable, drive
anywhere family transportation with great 32MPG gas mileage.”
NEVER send out a resume
with out a proper cover letter! A generic cover letter or worse no cover
letter at all sends a powerful message to potential employers - your
lazy. Take the time to do a separate cover letter for each job.
What should you include in the cover letter? How can you benefit the
employer!
Basic Cover Letter
Today’s Date
Your name
Mailing address
City, state, and zip
Telephone number(s)
Email address
(Always include your full contact information – name, address,
telephone, email – on ANY employment related correspondence!)
Mr. Wonderful Hiring Person (Your addressee’s name)
Director of Human Resources (Professional title)
The Big Company (Organization name)
5050 Hire Me Now Lane (Mailing address)
Dallas, TX 79999 (City, state and zip)
(Include the full address of you potential employer and their contact name &
job title, if available. If you don’t know the contacts name use a
generic title such as human resources, Personnel, Office Manager, etc.)
Re: (List the position your interested in)
Dear Mr. (or Ms.) Hiring person (or Dear Sir, if you don’t have a
contact name)
First paragraph – why are you writing… i.e. “I saw your advertisement
in….for the position of….” Briefly say what job you are applying for and
how you heard about it. Express interest in the position… “I think my
background meets your requirements” and how they can learn more about
you…. “my resume is enclosed for your review.”
Second paragraph – include on or two short paragraphs that make relevant
points about your qualifications for the position. Be sure to highlight
any training or education that meets the employers’ specific job
requirements. Don’t regurgitate your resume word for word.
Consider
using bullets such as
• Graduate PCI Health Training Center
* Perfect
attendance
* Member
student council
• 3 years as Medical Assistant in Doctors office…
• Trained in taking patient histories, EKGs…
Third paragraph – explain what you will do next “I will call you…” or
“please contact me….” or “I look forward to interviewing…” Always say
thanks! “Thank you for you time and I look forward to hearing from you…”
etc.
Sincerely
Your handwritten signature
Hungry Job Applicant (Your name typed)
Enclosure: Resume
|
