COVER LETTER

Launch Your Abilities in Your Cover Letter

Effective letter writing is a skill work developing. Your letters represent you and your writing skills. Good letters will help your marketing campaign.

Every resume you send will need an accompanying cover letter. Cover letters can be used to inquire about job openings or apply for known vacancies. The purpose of the cover letter is to capture the employer's attention and interest so they will read your resume and give you an interview.

A cover letter consist of three paragraphs as outlined below:

The Opening - state the position you are applying for and how you learned about the job.

The Body - Highlight your main qualifications - the skills and experiences that relate to the job (refer to, but don't repeat your resume).

The Closing - Request an interview - at the employer's convenience.

Tips for a convincing cover letter include:

• Address letter to a specific person, not "Dear Sirs" or "Dear Personnel Director"
• Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
• Spell correctly the name of the company or person to whom you are writing
• Type neatly on white letter-sized bond paper
• Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Be clear and brief, but give enough information to interest the employer in your qualifications for the job

  Source: Pennsylvania 2000 Career Guide

Resume Writing | Job Application | Job Interview