A cover letter is an important step when job searching. If your cover letter is poorly written, you could have the best resume in the world but your chances of getting the job will be thrown right out the window with the cover letter. The cover letter is the first thing a potential employer will see before he looks at your resume. Here are a few ways to make your cover letter stand out among the rest.
There are a few things you want to do before sitting down to write a cover letter. It is important to research the company that you are applying to. This will be useful with not only your cover letter but a future interview as well. Learn what the company’s mission is, what type of clients the business caters to, what is the history of the company and what are the company’s values and innovations. You also want to read the job description carefully since you will need the job description in order to write the cover letter. Be sure that you know what skills, qualifications and experience the employer is looking for. And find out who is in charge of the department you want to work for. The best way to find this out is to call the human resources department.
When it’s time to write a cover letter you need to be sure that heading is correctly formatted. First, include your address in the top left-hand corner about an inch down from the top of the page, then skip down four lines and put the current date and lastly, skip down four more lines and enter the contact person. You never want to write “To whom it may concern.”
When reading the first paragraph of a cover letter, the employer will be looking the position that you are applying for. Be sure to state the exact position as stated in the ad. In the next couple of paragraphs you need to outline your qualifications that match the requirements of the position you are applying for. Demonstrate to the employer what important assets you can bring to the company. You will use the research about the company history and their background to make this point. In the last paragraph you want to make a positive statement that will stand out to the employer. This paragraph needs to be only two or three sentences that states that you have a resume enclosed and you are available for an interview. Be sure to provide your contact information such as home phone number, cell phone number and e-mail address. You want to be sure the employer is able to contact you.
You should end the cover letter with” Yours Sincerely.” Be sure that you proofread and spell-check the entire cover letter.