| A professional cover letter is your introduction to a | | | | tricks and gimmicks may sound like a good idea at |
| prospective employer. It serves as the first | | | | the time, but chances are the person will simply be |
| communication you have with the company, so it | | | | annoyed at the wasted time and effort. Rely on your |
| should be a good balance of information and | | | | qualifications and merits. |
| courtesy. You want to come across as not only | | | | Remember That the Cover Letter Is Not Your |
| being informed about the position for which you are | | | | Resume |
| applying, but also friendly and easy to work with. In | | | | Give an overview of what you have done, showcase |
| fact, many employers are drawn to one applicant | | | | one stellar accomplishment as it relates to the |
| because they believe he/she will fit in at the | | | | targeted job, and save the rest for the resume. The |
| organization, even if his/her resume is not as stellar | | | | cover letter should entice the hiring manager to read |
| as another applicant's. | | | | your resume, and the only way you can accomplish |
| Keep It Short | | | | that is to provide at least one stellar accomplishment |
| In our world of fast-paced communication, people | | | | to prove that you are the perfect candidate for the |
| rarely take the time to fully read a long, drawn-out | | | | position. |
| letter. Hiring managers or HR managers get hundreds | | | | Don't Be Desperate |
| of resumes and cover letters and will likely pass over | | | | Something else that turns off prospective employers |
| a long letter, or simply skim it for specific points. | | | | is desperation. Tell the reader that you are excited |
| Keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page. | | | | about the position, but do not say your life depends |
| For those areas you want to showcase, use bullets. | | | | on it. Don't say that you have dreamt of such a job |
| For example: If you’re an accountant and you | | | | all your life and would do anything in your power to |
| want the hiring manager to immediately know what | | | | get it. Not only does such behavior reek of |
| you have to offer, you’d bullet the fact that | | | | desperation, it even sounds a little crazy. |
| you’re a CPA, skilled in taxation issues, and that | | | | Be Cordial |
| you represented your company at an IRS audit. | | | | Be sure to thank the reader for the opportunity to |
| Introduce Yourself, but Don't Write a Biography | | | | apply for the position, and end by saying that you |
| The cover letter is an overview of you and your | | | | look forward to hearing from him. Or, even go so far |
| qualifications. It is not an in-depth expose of your | | | | as to request an interview. But again, be cordial and |
| entire work history or life history. Keep on subject | | | | polite about it. |
| and avoid any topics that stray away from your | | | | Don’t Forget Contact Information |
| intent. For example, the fact that you love tabby | | | | Use the same header in your cover letter that you |
| cats or the Boston Red Sox is irrelevant, unless of | | | | used in your resume. It provides all the contact |
| course you are applying for a job at the humane | | | | information for the employer to reach you and it |
| society or in the major leagues. | | | | provides a professional look to your employment |
| Don't Be Cute | | | | package. |
| HR managers and hiring managers have seen just | | | | Using these tips, you can write a stellar cover letter |
| about every trick in the book—from people | | | | that, combined with a targeted resume, not only |
| sending cover letters on fluorescent colored paper to | | | | gets the attention of a prospective employer, but |
| having resumes delivered by candy-grams. These | | | | possibly gets you that coveted interview. |