Introduction
A cover letter will accompany your resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Although the two documents will overlap somewhat, they will differ in some ways. A resume focuses on a particular position. A cover letter focuses on the needs of a particular organization. Whereas a resume is a summary of your qualifications, a cover letter reveals the ways your qualifications will help the organization meet its needs and the ways you differ from other applicants. It also exhibits your knowledge of the organization. A resume contains short, parallel phrases and sentential fragments, but a cover letter has complete sentences and well developed paragraphs.
Content and Organization
In your letter you will need to focus on:
A cover letter will accompany your resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Although the two documents will overlap somewhat, they will differ in some ways. A resume focuses on a particular position. A cover letter focuses on the needs of a particular organization. Whereas a resume is a summary of your qualifications, a cover letter reveals the ways your qualifications will help the organization meet its needs and the ways you differ from other applicants. It also exhibits your knowledge of the organization. A resume contains short, parallel phrases and sentential fragments, but a cover letter has complete sentences and well developed paragraphs.
Content and Organization
In your letter you will need to focus on:
- the primary requirements of the job for which you are applying,
- information that separates you from other applicants,
- information that reveals your knowledge of the organization,
- and qualities that the employer is likely to value--the ability to write and speak effectively, to solve problems, to work collaboratively, for examples.
Two different situations require two different types of cover letters. Write a letter of solicitation when you know that a company is hiring. Write a prospective letter when a position may not be what you want or you want to work for an organization that is not hiring. In some cases a prospective letter may arrive at a company that has decided to hire but has not announced the position. In other cases companies create positions for strong candidates on the market. Even in a hiring freeze, a company may create a position for a particular individual.
In both types of letters, you must:
In both types of letters, you must:
- address the letter to a specific person,
- indicate the specific position for which you are applying,
- specify your qualifications,
- discuss what separates you from other applicants,
- exhibit knowledge of the company and the position,
- refer to your resume or CV,
- and ask for an interview.
Letters of Solicitation
To organize a letter of solicitation, in your first paragraph, state that you are applying for the job, phrasing the title as your source phrased it. Reveal where you learned about the job, and include the referential number in the advertisement. Briefly state that you meet the qualifications listed in the advertisement: a college degree, professional certification, job experience, et cetera. Summarize you other qualifications in the order in which you will address them in the body of the letter.
In the body of the letter, fully explain your qualifications. Specify what you have done, and relate your achievements to the work you will do in the new job. Explain your other qualifications, even though the advertisement may not ask for them. If the advertisement asks for numerous qualifications, choose the most important three or four. Specify what separates you from other applicants who will reply to the advertisement. Also, you will want to reveal your knowledge of the organization.
In the final paragraph, request an interview, stating when you will be available for the interview and when you will be able to begin to work for the company. End with a positive outlook.
Prospective Letters
To organize a prospective letter, in the first paragraph, catch the reader's interest. Then, create a bridge between the attention-getter and your qualifications. Focus on what you know and can do. Because the employer is not planning to hire anybody, he/she will not be impressed with the fact you will graduate. Summarize your qualifications briefly in the same order in which you will discuss them. The summary (a sentence or a paragraph) will serve as an organizational device for the body of your letter.
Fully explain your strengths. Relate what you have done in the past to what you will do for the company. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company, and identify the specific niche you want to fill.
In the final paragraph, request an interview, and state when you will be available for an interview. Do not state when you will be able to begin to work for the company. End with a positive attitude.
To organize a letter of solicitation, in your first paragraph, state that you are applying for the job, phrasing the title as your source phrased it. Reveal where you learned about the job, and include the referential number in the advertisement. Briefly state that you meet the qualifications listed in the advertisement: a college degree, professional certification, job experience, et cetera. Summarize you other qualifications in the order in which you will address them in the body of the letter.
In the body of the letter, fully explain your qualifications. Specify what you have done, and relate your achievements to the work you will do in the new job. Explain your other qualifications, even though the advertisement may not ask for them. If the advertisement asks for numerous qualifications, choose the most important three or four. Specify what separates you from other applicants who will reply to the advertisement. Also, you will want to reveal your knowledge of the organization.
In the final paragraph, request an interview, stating when you will be available for the interview and when you will be able to begin to work for the company. End with a positive outlook.
Prospective Letters
To organize a prospective letter, in the first paragraph, catch the reader's interest. Then, create a bridge between the attention-getter and your qualifications. Focus on what you know and can do. Because the employer is not planning to hire anybody, he/she will not be impressed with the fact you will graduate. Summarize your qualifications briefly in the same order in which you will discuss them. The summary (a sentence or a paragraph) will serve as an organizational device for the body of your letter.
Fully explain your strengths. Relate what you have done in the past to what you will do for the company. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company, and identify the specific niche you want to fill.
In the final paragraph, request an interview, and state when you will be available for an interview. Do not state when you will be able to begin to work for the company. End with a positive attitude.
