How to Write a Cover Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter

The present job or employment market is a very competitive one. Indeed, today it is no longer sufficient to graduate from college or university to land a job. Many people keep looking for jobs without any luck or success, and eventually get discouraged by lack of opportunities. Moreover, those who find jobs are often stuck in dead-end jobs paying minimum wage and without any chance of upward mobility or promotion. Naturally, there are several guidelines to facilitate looking for work, which mainly centre around writing a good CV or resume, having good contacts or connections and drafting an excellent cover letter.

The main objectives of a cover letter are introduction, qualifications and closing. The introduction includes briefly explaining who you are and telling the potential employer how you found out about the position you are applying for. For example, if you found the job advertisement on an online job board you might want to mention the number of the position. Conversely, if you heard about the opening through a friend or other contact you might want to mention their name. Again, all guidelines require judgement and tailoring to the particular position you are applying for.

The middle paragraph relates to explaining why you are the perfect candidate for the job and how your qualifications and credentials fit perfectly with the position advertised. You might want to use this space to include any qualities, skills, education and professional experience highlights which you did not underscore on your resume. Also, the cover letter gives you more space to describe these in more detail, since resumes are often limited in space and may use bullet form.

Finally, the last paragraph should request an interview and show the potential employer how to contact you should they agree to meet with you for an interview. For instance, you may want to include your email and phone number, as well as the best time to reach you at in the last sentences of the letter. Also, always thank the potential employer for their time and consideration.

A man asking somebody to write a cover letter for him. Photo: Elena