The cover letter is
your introduction to a potential employer. What you write in it
is the first impression the person gains about your, your
capabilities and your personality. Therefore everyone who sends
out a resume needs a cover letter. Whether you send it by mail,
e-mail, fax or delivered by hand, is immaterial.
Every job offered
has different requirements and it is therefore essential that
you write a specific cover letter for every job application.
There is no such thing as a "general cover letter".
Most potential employers see a general cover letter as a sign of
a lack of genuine interest in the job and, your chances of being
considered for the offered position will be significantly hurt.
Therefore, take the time and make the effort to send a cover
letter that is tailored to the specific job and to the
company you are applying to.
Although, it creates
additional work, the positive side of the cover letter is that
it provides you with an additional chance to emphasize what you
have to contribute to the job, the company or organization.
Remember, the person looking at your submission will ask
himself: "How can this person help us?" Your
cover letter has to answer that question in your own words.
The Essential
Rules for creating an effective Cover Letter
The
Cover letter must not have any spelling or typing errors.
Have it read by someone else and checked before you send it.
Is is
important to get the hiring manager's name so that you can
address your application to a specific person. If you
send your resumes uninvited to the personnel department, make
every attempt to find his details . Sometimes a phone call
will give you the information about who makes the hiring
decisions. Be sure the person's name is spelled
correctly and that you have his or her correct title.
Address the person with his or her proper social title, e.g.
"Mr.," "Ms.," "Mrs.," "Miss," "Dr.," or "Professor." Keep the
Cover Letter formal and to the point.
Write
the Cover Letter in your own words and do not use a
standardized "copied format letter". Do not be chatty or too
personal: Keep it formal! In order to be effective, the Cover
Letter should transmit and highlight your relevant experience,
knowledge, enthusiasm, and focus on the potential job in a
logical and systematic manner. Group the items you
specifically want to address and be concise within each
paragraph.
Do not
use slang, "Internet jargon ", or other expressions which some
people consider "natural" (as opposed to academic or
formal!).Today, many employers are
seriously concerned about the "sloppy" and inappropriate use
of language. They may deduce, once you become an
employee, you will communicate using inappropriate language.
On the other hand, do not use words you picked from the
Thesaurus without being absolutely sure that you understand
their proper meaning and the context in which a word or
expression is used. If you are not sure about your grammar,
there are books you can purchase. If you submit an application
for an international job, remember that writing styles and
grammar differs from one English speaking country to another.
Indicate in your Cover Letter that you have acquired some
knowledge about the company and/or the industry. Do
some research before you write the resume and the cover
letter. But keep the communication of this knowledge within
clearly defined limits. The purpose of showing your potential
employer that you know something about them, is to make it
clear, that you did not pick the company at random. You want
to show the hiring manager, that you know who they are and
that you have deliberately chosen them!
Use
language that is appropriate and relevant to the employer.
If you are applying for an advertised position, use the
advertised requirements and work them into your resume or
cover letter, if necessary emphasize them in bold
script. Be sure to address the specific requirements
and shortly indicate how you can fulfill them.
