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How to Write a Better Cover Letter For Your
Resume
Your resume is your invisible mouthpiece that speaks volumes
about you, the job seeker. If your resume fails to impress the
reader within five seconds, consider yourself doomed. Here are
my tips to write a better cover letter for your resume.
Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first - and
sometimes lasting -- impression.
Here is how you can increase your odds of creating a cover
letter to grab the reader's attention:
TIP 1. Keep it brief. Your resume is a 1-2
page document that conveys your qualifications, therefore you
don't want to include how great you are and why.
TIP 2. Remember your cover letter serves a
purpose. It is announcing you - and your enclosed information,
your resume.
TIP 3. Your cover letter should state in 1-2
lines what you're doing: "I'm applying for the position of…" or
"Enclosed is my resume for the position of …"
TIP 4. Clearly state what position you're
applying for. Don't assume the contact person will
automatically know what job you want.
TIP 5. Highlight a few of your strong traits
or skills. Although brevity is the key here, you don't want to
merely say, "Here's my resume. See you later."
TIP 6. Don't repeat contact information. You
resume should include that pertinent information.
TIP 7. Don't staple your cover letter to your
resume; instead use a paperclip or nothing at all. Whoever
reads your resume may need to photocopy it, and it will
frustrate him to waste time unhinging the staple without
ripping the cover letter.
TIP 8. Grammar Mistakes. That's an obvious
one. It's hard to proofread your own work. Find another person
to critique your cover letter and resume. You're dead in the
water if your cover letter is littered with misspellings, poor
grammar or typos.
Below is a cover letter you can use as a guide:
----------------------
Today's Date
Contact Person, Job Title
Department
COMPANY NAME HERE
RE: NAME OF VACANT POSITION
Enclosed please find my resume. I am interested in working with
you as your POSITION TITLE. As you will see from my enclosed
resume I am qualified in a many areas (or you can state, ‘I am
uniquely qualified for this position because of my vast
experience in …'). My college degrees are in Business
Administration with a minor in Management. I have spent the
last two decades performing INSERT SIMILAR
RESPONSIBILITIES.
I am anxious to discuss this opportunity with you further.
Respectfully,
Your Name
-----------------------
As you as can see, the above cover letter is short and to the
point. It serves its purpose by prefacing your resume. Don't
waste your time rambling on. As it stands, you have a 50/50
chance the reader will fully read your cover letter. A lengthy
cover letter will only cripple your chances of the reader
reading your resume. Follow the above simple steps and you'll
make a great first impression. Of course, it's up to you to
back up what you say with your knowledge, skills and abilities;
but at least you're starting off in the right
direction!
by Brian Scott - 16th September 2008
Back
to Top
Brian Scott is a contributing writer for http://www.LousyWriter.com
, a free website on how to write better. He recommends college
students visit http://www.MasterFreelancer.com
for english grammar software to help with writing cover
letters.
Article Source:
http://www.creativewriter.me.uk
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