Creating Your Cover Letter One Step At A Time
The very first step before creating a cover letter is to have an updated resume. This is important due to the fact that the information written in that document (your experiences and skills in particular) will serve as the backbone or guide for you on how to tailor your cover letter specifically towards each job application.
Next, perform a bit of research about your targeted business, field or organization. This is crucial because this will help you on how to further make a relevant cover letter. In addition to that, the information or facts that you have gathered is most likely to help you as well once you get that interview. Here are a few important things that you should familiarize yourself with once you do your research:
1.) Employer’s History
2.) Who founded the company/group/business
3.) The kind of customers they cater to
4.) The type of people they target in the business
5.) The company’s or employer’s vision and mission
6.) The different values they honor
Once done, carefully analyze the job that you are applying for. Take some notes about the qualifications, skills and experience that your prospective employer is looking for. Compare these with the ones that you have to see if you meet up with these expectations.
Next, try to find out the name of your direct contact or the name of the person in charge of the department you want to work in. This can be easily done by browsing through the company’s website. If it is not listed, contact the company’s HR department and ask the receptionist for all the information that you need. Be sure that you accurately get the name, spelling and title of the person you need to get in touch with.
As you write the heading, pay attention to the details. Be sure to be consistent with the line spacings, margins, font styles and other elements that you are using in your document. This is important because it automatically tells your reader that you are an organized person.
From the top, be sure to include your name, address and other contact information such as contact numbers and email addresses. Skip a couple of lines (around 2 to 4 lines) and enter the date. Again, skip a few lines (be sure that the number of lines skipped is similar to the number of line you skipped right after your contact information) and then enter the name of your contact person. Next to it would be the name and address of their company. Skip a few lines and then enter the salutation. Be sure that you address your cover letter to a specific person (use the information you had gathered) and never use anonymous salutations like “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom it may concern.”
For the body of your cover letter, this part is usually divided in to three paragraphs. The first paragraph should clearly indicate and tell your prospective employer the purpose of your cover letter and why you are writing to them. This section needs a strong opening that is capable of stirring up interest upon your reader. It is also important for you to mention on how you came across the job opening especially if you had been referred by someone you know or had seen an advertisement being posted somewhere like over the Internet or newspaper.
On the second paragraph, show your employer your worth by displaying thoughts of your desires on how to help their company grow and reach their goals. It is important for your employer to see that you are willing to contribute more on their part rather than you wanting to get more out from them. Try to make two to three solid examples backed up with the facts from your employment history. It is also important for you to somehow relate yourself with the facts that you had discovered through the research your had conducted about their company.
For the third and final paragraph, close your letter with an open invitation for a possible interview. Be assertive. Enclose your resume together with your cover letter and do not fail to mention that you are willing to be contacted anytime to discuss things further with them in detail as soon as possible. Most importantly, never forget to thank your reader for their time and consideration.
Once done, the final step is to conduct some proofreading on your presentation. Similar to seemingly endless walls of text, a single error can easily ruin your whole document as well as your chances of getting an interview. Thoroughly check your document for errors (typographical errors, grammar lapses, punctuation errors, etc.) and if possible, have someone critique your cover letter and then build up your presentation by being open to constructive criticisms. Keep in mind that your cover letter should never go beyond one page. The sole purpose of your cover letter is to have your prospective employer go over and read your resume, not to have them ignore it.
