The cover letter is every bit as important as your resume and should always accompany your resume or CV. Your cover letter introduces you (and your resume) to your prospective employer.
Your cover letter serves to ask for an interview. Your prospective employer then decides whether or not to read your resume to learn more about you. When all is said and done, the prospective employer will feel compelled to call you in for that important interview to learn more about you.
Below is an outline on how to write an effective cover letter. Following, there are several different examples of a cover letter, including a basic cover letter template.
Cover Letter Outline
Top right hand corner of letter, write your contact details, date
Gennifer Peplum
2150 Apple Grove
New York, NY 55555
(555) 555-5555
February 20, 2009
Write contact details of prospective employer
Mr. Ben Duckworth
Director
Bandersnatch Fabrics
7853 Afflatus Way
New York, NY 55555
Dear Mr. Duckworth
Opening paragraph – Use an opening that will bring yourself to the attention of the reader and make clear the exact job you are applying for. Use one of the following:
1. Summarize the opening
2. Name the opening
3. Request an opening
4. Question the availability of an opening
Secondary paragraph(s)- Provide descriptive information to provide the reader with good reasons to invite you to an interview. Use a variety of the following:
1. Education
2. Work experience
3. Ability to work with others and/or alone
4. Interest in your field
5. Interest in the company
6. Responsibilities in previous positions
Closing paragraph – This will be written so your prospective employer will take action!
Take the initiative and suggest a good time for you to come in for an interview. Be sure to include all of your contact information, including your email and fax numbers.
Close with:
Sincerely,
Enclosure (this will be your resume)
To review, you will always begin your cover letter by placing your full name, address, telephone number and email address, if you have one, in the top left hand corner of your letter. You will follow this with the same information addressing your letter to your prospective employer.
When addressing your prospect, always use full name, address, etc., and do not use abbreviations.
Address your letter directly to the person in charge of hiring.
Sign your letter by hand.
Sample Phrases to Use in a Cover Letter
- 1) I am writing to you in response to your advertisement in the Washington Post, dated May 13th, 2004.
2) As you can see from my enclosed resume, my experience and accomplishments match this position’s requirements.
3) I would like to point out……(add text that is most relevant to the position.)
4) During my 5 yrs. with Amsted and Querns, I initiated extensive improvements that resulted in garnering 30 more clients for the period ending….
5) I would appreciate the opportunity…. to meet with you to discuss my qualifications for your position, OR,…to speak with you in person.
6) Please accept this letter as an expression of my interest in the position of…
7) A copy of my resume has been enclosed for your review.
I believe that my skill-set matches perfectly with your requirements.
9) I possess the right combination of nursing skills to be an asset to your organization.
10) I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my potential contributions to your company.
11) I look forward….to hearing back from you….OR…..to your reply.
Cover Letter Sample in Response to a Newspaper Ad
Gennifer Peplum
2150 Apple Grove
New York, NY 55555
(555) 555-5555
July 18, 2008
Mr. John Smythe
Director
Manley Management
5854 Tombon Road
New York, NY 55555
Dear Mr. Smythe
I am writing to you with regards to your advertisement, February 19th, in the Washington Post, for a Sales Assistant, specializing in Public Relations and Marketing. As you can see from my enclosed resume, my experience and qualifications match this position’s requirements.
I especially would like to point out at this time that I graduated from the renowned Brown’s Public Relations College and I have a history of exemplary service in the field of Marketing and Advertising. I have had the very good fortune of working side-by-side with seasoned PR representatives, this past 5 years.
During my stay with DeClerc Advertising, I added 30 new clients to their already impressive roster and I was quickly promoted through the ranks all within my first year.
I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you and I will call you within the next three days to arrange an interview that will be convenient for you.
Sincerely,
Enclosure (this is your resume)
Cover Letter Sample to Request a Position
Gennifer Flowers
2150 Belgrave Way
New York, NY 55555
(555) 555-5555
February 20, 2005
Mr. John Smythe
Director
Really Bigg Corporation
5854 Tombon Road
New York, NY 55555
Dear Mr. Smythe
I am submitting this letter in interest of the position of Director of Nursing Services.
Please accept a copy of my enclosed resume for your review. I am familiar with the important role your Center plays within the community and I believe that my combination of Nursing and practical experience will bring a very significant contribution to the Center.
In my current role as lead Nurse, I am responsible for coordinating a very busy midnight shift. This has fine-tuned my administrative skill-set, as well as my leadership skills in nursing. I am a team player, with intuitive leadership ability and I have mastered working in a high-pressure, team environment.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my potential contributions to your company with you. Please contact me at your earliest convenience, at: (555) 555-5555, M – F, 8 – 5pm.
I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Enclosure (this is your resume)
Cover Letter Template
Using a good cover letter template, you can simply fill in the blanks. You might want to do this until you feel entirely confident in designing your own. All of the samples given are just a few appropriate ways to write a good cover letter.
Your full name
Your full mailing address
Your City, state, and zip
Your Telephone number(s)
Your Email address
Today’s date
Your addressee’s full name
Their professional title
The Organization name
Their mailing address
Their City, state and zip
Dear Mr. (full name here) or Ms. (full name here)
Open your letter with something that will command attention—a statement that establishes you to your reader. Briefly state which job or position you are applying for.
The secondary section of your letter should be highly relevant to the position applied for. Offer one or two (brief) paragraphs that point to why you are the best one for the job. Do NOT simply summarize your resume!
Your closing paragraph is critical to your success! You need to initiate action! Do this by explaining what action you will take, such as: I will call you at such and such a time to arrange an interview. If not being so forward, end with: I look forward to your response. If you leave the calling in their hands always state: Please contact me to set up a good time for an interview and make certain they have your contact information at hand.
Always finish your letter with:
Sincerely yours, or Yours truly, or similar
Your signature written by hand
Your name (typewritten)
Enclosure (you can type in “resume” after Enclosure, or leave blank)
It’s Your Turn
Now that you have mastered the art of resume and cover letter writing, it is time to become a seasoned job-hunter. Every morning, millions of people will leave their homes for a job they absolutely hate. Dark feelings of negativity will touch every aspect of their lives, including their family, their friends and not to mention the many activities they put their free time into.
These people might lack the know-how they need to change. They might be afraid to leave the security of a weekly paycheck behind, or they might just feel locked-in to accepting a dead-end job.
Whatever the reason, there is a far better way to live. All it takes is that first inkling to want more, want better and then…..to just move on. Sure, there is an element of risk involved, but that just comes with the territory. Without risk in life, well….life is not nearly so interesting.
Change is not always easy. We all deserve change, though, if that is what we need to live a better life. Meaningful purpose in our lives can be the one driving force that adds dimension to our days. Finding that meaningful purpose through our work, through our career, well, that is what life is all about!
Take your passion for life and make that into your career — live your dreams now while you still can — your job, your career, your life — can be so much more than just a wish, it can be your truth and your reality.
See Also: How to Write a 2 weeks Notice Letter
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