Writing a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a document that is sent with a resume to a potential employer at an available job location. It is the first document they read to see if you would be a good match for the available position.                                                                       

Follow these instructions to write your cover letter on your favorite document processing software:

1. At the top of the page roughly starting at the center of the page, type your formal name, complete address and today’s date. It should be stacked like you were addressing an envelope. Make sure it is completely aligned and it looks professional.
2. The next thing is to type the address as it appears in the job advertisement.  This address will appear in the same format as the one on top except it will go approximately 4 to 5 spaces beneath the top address and to the extreme left of the page at the left margin.
3. Next is the salutation or formal greeting, roughly two spaces below the address to the extreme right of the page margin. If the person was named in the advertisement, put “Dear, then the name” or for unknown recipients write: “Dear Sir or Madam:”
4. Next, you will write your first paragraph roughly one to two spaces below your salutation to the extreme right of the page at the margin. This paragraph states the position that you are applying for and tells them you are interested and qualified. It should sound something like this: “I am writing regarding your advertisement in the Wednesday edition of the Great Job Times. I sincerely believe that I am highly qualified for the general contractor position. My resume is enclosed for your review.”
5. The following paragraph is where you want to hold the most weight by highlighting your qualifications and attributes for the available position that you’re applying for. This paragraph should be strong by stating your qualifications concisely and accurately and should go something like this: “I have worked for 10 years as a general contractor for Fiction Company. I am responsible for millions of dollars in purchasing and requisitioning of all materials for every job site in my region, acquiring all necessary city permits for building construction, supervising a crew of a five hundred workers and I am responsible for weekly payroll for all aforementioned personnel. ”
6. The next paragraph is considered as the fisherman setting the hook. This is how it should sound: “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you. I can be reached at (your telephone number) during the evening. If you need to contact me during the day, I can be reached at my current work site at (work number).”
7. Drop down approximately two to three spaces centered and write: “Sincerely”
8. Then drop down again approximately three to four spaces and write your formal name directly below sincerely.
9. And lastly, drop down two to three spaces and write: “Enclosure: Resume” to the extreme left of the page at the left margin.
10. Insure you sign your cover letter with blue or black ink only right above your typed name.

That is all there is to it. Next time you can make a lasting impression with a great cover letter that will compliment your resume and land you that interview.