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Title: Here’s Your Cover Letter Checklist |
| Category: Jobs (View all articles in this category) |
| Author:
Dede Perkins
(View author profile) |
| Article Date:
2009-07-12 20:58:11
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| Word count:
508
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Article Rating:
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| Article Views:
20
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| Summary:
Wondering what to include in your cover letter? This cover letter checklist will show you just what you need to know.
Address your letter to a specific person. If the job posting doesn’t list a contact...(cont'd)
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Here’s Your Cover Letter Checklist
by
Dede Perkins
Wondering what to include in your cover letter? This cover letter checklist will show you just what you need to know.
Address your letter to a specific person. If the job posting doesn’t list a contact name, call the company and ask to whom you should address your cover letter.
Open your letter in any one of a number of ways. Read the following list and choose the one that works best with your situation.
1. An effective and simple technique is to state the position you’re applying for and where you saw the job posted.
2. If you’ve already talked with the hiring manager about the position, mention your conversation in the introduction.
3. Perhaps the hiring manager favors your alma mater or has already hired graduates from your school. You could begin your letter by noting your school and your major.
4. If someone recommended you for the job, begin your letter with that information!
5. If you haven’t spoken with the hiring manager or been recommended by someone but you feel your personality, interests, and work habits make you the perfect candidate for the job, open your letter with your enthusiastic assessment of how your talents will work for the company.
6. Finally, if something about the company caught your eye or impressed you and that information led you to apply for the position, open your cover letter with that information.
Use the second paragraph to write an interesting fact about you – something you’ve accomplished or something interesting about the company.
Use the third paragraph to show how your skills, experience, work ethics will help the company and/or specific department achieve its goals.
1. If you have a gap in employment, address the issue – succinctly and without apology – in the third paragraph.
2. Always ask for the job interview in the last paragraph. Include the date you’ll call to follow up and then remember to call on that date!
3. Close the letter by thanking the person for their time and consideration. “Sincerely yours” is still the respectful and standard way to end your cover letter. Skip four spaces and type your name.
A few other items worthy of mention in your cover letter checklist:
1. Write with a positive, upbeat tone. If you can, let the language in the job posting guide you.
2. Use specific examples, not general ideas in your letter. If you have a gap in your employment, explain it in your cover letter – don’t apologize, just state the facts.
3. Personalize each cover letter – no mass mailings! Research the company and let the hiring manager know you’ve made an informed decision in sending the job application.
4. Use spell and grammar checkers.
5. Write your letter, but don’t mail it right away. Reread it a day or two later – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to catch mistakes when you have fresh eyes.
That’s it! Use this cover letter checklist and write the letter that will earn you the job interviews you deserve!
Best of luck with your job search!
About the Author:
Here's how to get your phone ringing off the hook with more quality job interviews and job offers than you could ever imagine! http://www.squidoo.com/amazingcoverlettercreator
Article Source: ActiveAuthors.com
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