Cover Letter Writing - "How to Write a Winning Cover

Letter"
A cover letter introduces your resume and spells out your reason for sending
the resume. It also presents your qualifications and availability to prospective
employers. If written in a succinct, appealing format, it is your first opportunity to
make an impression with the hiring authority or HR department.
By sending a cover letter with your resume you tell the reader you are serious
about your job search. It should entice the reader to review your resume over
the many others received for each open position.
Professional resume writers are regularly asked, Do I really need a cover
letter? We always answer yes because sending a resume through the
mail is like showing up at your physicians office without an appointment you
will probably get nowhere. Your resume should arrive on the decision-makers
desk with a cover letter that introduces you and presents your qualifications in
such a manner as to entice him/her to actually read your resume.
Cover Letters should be clear and to the point so that they can be quickly
scanned by the reader. They should include the specific job title you are
applying for. They should provided a list of reasons why your experience makes
you a good fit with the position. They should provide a brief summary of your
career highlights.
Some resume writing firms and some Internet job search firms offer
Broadcast Cover Letters where the cover letter is canned. Successful cover
letters are personalized. A personalized cover letter shows that you are serious
about working for the company. The letter should mention something specific
about the company and should be address to a specific individual whenever
possible.
The cover letter is an excellent vehicle to brag about your special skills and
accomplishments. Cover Letters can also be used effectively to make you
stand out from the crowd and to show how you would be a valuable addition to
the company. But the cover letter is no place for negative information
personality conflicts with previous managers, pending litigation, or knocking
your previous employer do not belong in either the resume or cover letter.
If the advertisement asks for salary history or willingness to relocate you can
say something like My salary requirements are in the range of $----- to$------,
depending upon the duties and requirements of the position plus the overall
benefit package offered and I am willing to relocate to the geographic areas of
-------- and ------------. If the advertisement is silent on salary requirement or
relocation, never include such information.

One of the most effective tools of a cover letter is that it allows you to be
proactive. You can state that you are available to fill immediate or anticipated
needs; you can provide a variety of ways to communicate with you (home
number, cell phone number, email address or even a friend if you are
traveling). You can also note that you will follow up by telephone to provide
additional information if necessary. You can even say Please keep this
resume and cover letter on your desk and I will call you Friday morning (or
other specific date or time). If so, dont forget to call.

Cover Letter Article- "Winning Cover Letters "

Your cover letter presents your intentions, qualifications, and availability to a
prospective employer in a succinct, appealing format. It's your first chance to
make a great impression, a personalized letter indicates you are serious about
your job search. Your resume can give the nitty-gritty of dates, places of
employment, and education but your cover letter must entice the reader to take
the extra few minutes to consider you when faced with hundreds and
thousands of candidates for any one job opening.
1. Do you really need a cover letter?
You bet! Just as you would never just show up unannounced at a prospective
employer's door, your resume should Never just appear solo on a decisionmaker's desk. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to introduce yourself,
present your qualifications, and show the search committee you are a potential
candidate for the advertised position.
2. Personalize it to the company.
Anyone can reproduce a "canned" cover letter and hope for the best. Instead,
take a few minutes to personalize your letter by showing that you are really
serious about working for the companies you are contacting. State the reason
that you are interested in working for that particular company. Mention a
department, a new project the company is involved in, an acquisition the
company has made. Show that you have done your homework. Address the
cover letter to a specific individual whenever possible.
3. Why are you sending your resume and cover letter?
Cover letters should be clear and to the point. Include the specific job title, two
to three reasons why your experience makes a good fit, and a brief outline of
career highlights.
4. Highlight your strengths!
You may be a great person and never call in sick, but prospective employers
really want to know why they should consider you for this position. Brag a little!
Give a few facts, list relevant skills, and state accomplishments on your present

or most recent jobs that will be impressive. Increased overseas sales by 93%?
Negotiated new financial leases/loans? Implemented new training programs
which reduced staff turnover by 15%?
5. State your intentions and qualifications right up front.
If you expect a senior personnel manager or recruiter to wade through a mishmash of information on your cover letter before understanding why you are
sending your resume, chances are, it will never happen.
6. What makes you different?
Emphasize your skills, talents, and experiences to show how you would be a
valuable addition to the team. If you have relevant volunteer or professional
experience include it briefly in your cover letter. Example: An accountant who
serves as volunteer treasurer for a nonprofit community health organization; an
international sales rep who has lived in Europe and Asia and speaks several
languages.
7. No negative information!
Never include personality conflicts with previous employers, pending litigation
suits, or sarcastic remarks in your cover letter. If you are bad-mouthing your
present place of employment, interviewers may fear a repeat performance if
they hire you.
8. When should you include salary/relocation information?
The rule of thumb is to always include salary requirements and/or salary history
in the cover letter if a prospective employer requests it. For example: My salary
requirements are $60,000-$75000 (negotiable). Or: My current salary is
$53,000 at XYZ corporation. To eliminate this information from your cover letter
may justify your resume getting tossed out. Never include salary and relocation
information on your resume, only address this information in your cover letter.
9. Action Steps to Take
Take a proactive approach in your cover letter. State the fact that you are
available for a personal interview; give your home, work, e-mail, and/or cell
phone numbers where you can be reached; note that you will follow up by
phone (where possible) to provide any additional information required.
10. Be direct!
A professionally written cover letter and resume can open the doors to your next
position on the corporate ladder, as well as a new career in a different field. A
clean, error-free presentation combined with strong phrasing and solid facts

will encourage the reader to review the attached resume and call you in for an
interview.

What is so Important About Cover letters?

In a word EVERYTHING!
Its taking the best of your qualifications and characteristics and making them
exciting and enticing to the prospective employer. Its a carefully crafted letter
that leads the employer to the resume to see why you are the best candidate for
the job.
The best news is that it isnt that hard.
Competition for Administrative Assistant positions is intense. You have to stand
out from the crowd in a positive, exciting way to ensure you are the one
employers are determined to hire.
How do you make your cover letter sing your praises?
If you have already written your resume, the words you need are already
mapped out for you. Its just a matter of weaving them in and out of a few
paragraphs. Ok, so its a little more involved than that. At least you have the
hardest part done the resume.
Its much easier to pull from the resume and reflect on your character when you
have put the time in to create a professional personal history. Not only that, but
since you know about the employer from having written your targeted resume,
you have much of what you need to target the letter as well.
The cover letter builds on the resume and leads the employer toward it. Its goal
is to get the employer excited about the resume. It is a sales tool, just like the
resume is. Sell yourself in a compelling and exciting way. Inject energy and let
your best qualities reach the employer through carefully written examples and
anecdotes. Dont just state what you are capable of, show the employer with
vibrant language that attracts and invites the employer to want to know more.
Let your personality show, but remain professional.
Secretaries and administrative assistants held about 4.1 million jobs in 2002,
ranking among the largest occupations in the U.S. economy. (Bureau of Labor
Statistics)
You are a part of a significant sector of the labor market.
Are there a lot of Administrative Assistant positions available? Yes, there are
probably a lot of positions you COULD get, but do you want just ANY old job?
Or, do you want a job where you will have opportunities to succeed, make more

money and send your career to new heights?

You have to be your very best to get the great jobs. What skills and abilities do
you have that you can offer the employer and how can you do so in a way
that makes the employer pick up the phone and call you for an interview?
Start with your marketing materials. Your cover letter and your resume are
your sales resources. Make them work for you.
The cover letter is the first thing an employer sees. Make sure it is impeccable.
Proofread it just as meticulously as you did the resume. No mistakes. Not one.
State clearly what position you are seeking and tailor the cover letter, just as
you did with the resume, to the specific position and employer.
Have you read that before somewhere? Yes, you have. Thats because it is very
important. Mass marketing general resumes and cover letters to a host of
employers is a thing of the past. Targeting a resume and cover letter is
essential in todays competitive environment if you are to be successful.
Look at it this way: Your competition is doing it. If you dont do it, too, who do you
think is going to get the interview and the job offer?
A cover letter isnt likely to persuade an employer to grant you an interview, but it
is part of the whole package that WILL encourage an employer to want to get to
know you better. Make it an exciting and enjoyable read and you will find
yourself being offered the next Administrative Assistant position you apply for.
Best of luck!

Writing a Cover Letter - The Cover Letter Checklist

When you have completed the first draft of your cover letter, compare it to the list
below. Some of the items on the checklist refer to content and other items refer
to format. You may have even read some of these before. As you review this
checklist, compare it to your letter and determine if there are any additional
changes that need to be made before sending it ? and your resume ? to the
employer.
Yes, this is a bit tedious, but if you want to beat out your competitors, you have
to do more than they do and you have to do it better.
Here goes:
1. Use the same paper that you use for your resume. They should match. If the
papers do not match (or if they are of poor quality), then you might as well not
send anything at all. What you are telling the employer is that professionalism
is not one of your strong suits.

2. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.

3. Keep the letter to one page. You are not writing your life story.
4. Ensure the name of the person addressed in the letter is spelled correctly
and that you have his/her correct title. No one likes to have his/her name
misspelled.
5. Demonstrate that you have researched the company by including some
information in one or more of your sentences.
6. Sign the cover letter with a blue or black ink pen. This is an old standard, but
it is still true today.
7. Use clear and concise sentences. Be professional, but also conversational.
8. Sell yourself. This is not a license to use "I" at the beginning of every
sentence, but you can state in clear and well-defined language what you can do
to assist the employer in reaching specific goals. Use active language to
engage the reader in wanting to know all about you. Generate excitement.
When you speak convincingly, your reader will find it easy to agree with you.
9. Ensure your letter is an original and not a copy ? and printed on good/quality
printer. Copies are a waste of time.. It reflects poorly on you and it sends a clear
signal to the prospective employer that you didn't care enough to create a letter
specifically for them.
10. Use the traditional business letter format. Do not get cute in the hopes of
standing out. Let your words stand out as they create a picture of your abilities
and accomplishments. Dont use more than one font and keep your
statements easy-to-read.
11. Explain anything in your resume that might concern the employer, such as
gaps in employment history. Be brief with your explanations and spin them in
the best possible light.
12. Identify the specific job that you are seeking to be hired for. If you let the
employer guess what you want to do for them, they'll probably guess
something that you weren't expecting, so make it clear for them.
13. Request an interview and let the employer know that you will follow up at a
certain time on a particular date. Simply state that you would like to meet face to
face to further discuss the mutual benefits of a potential working relationship.
Add that you will follow up in a few days to ensure your letter was received.
14. Grab the readers attention and dont let it go. Be positive and enthusiastic.
Show the reader why you are better than the other candidates seeking the
position. Enthusiasm is contagious. Infect someone with your positive attitude.

Theyll like you before they ever meet you.

15. Focus on the employer. What can you do for the company? How quickly can
you add to the bottom line? Be dynamic and express your desire to work hard to
achieve results.
16. Quantify your experiences rather than rehash them. Instead of saying you
helped the distribution center organize its processes, state "HOW" you helped
them do this. Be specific and use numbers whenever possible. It means more.
It is relevant. It is definable. Your statement might read, "Increased efficiency in
the distribution center which resulted in a 15% reduction in employment costs.
That is a measurable difference.
17. If you fold your letter and resume, put the cover letter on top and fold them in
thirds. Better yet, mail them flat in a larger envelope. Your resume will look
better than the others from the start because it won't be creased. Everything
matters.
18. Keep a copy of the cover letter for your records. It is also wise to track the
letters and resumes you send out. Keep a copy of everything including
newspaper clippings or other job-related information. You never know when
you might need to refer to something.
Writing an exemplary cover letter requires attention to detail ? the very thing that
most employers are craving in their employees. If you can show them in your
letter why you are the right person for the job, you will get the interview and be
well on your way to the job you want.

If Your Resume is the Cake, Your Cover Letter is the Icing

The following cover letter sample gives an idea of what most job hunters
should do when composing these. It consists of only a very few paragraphs,
and is therefore short and easy to read.
The reason for this sample being short is simply because hiring managers are
extremely busy and will not read long letters. They may glance at them, or skim
them for statements that jump out at them, but they probably will not have time
to read them. Use this sample when composing your own cover letters, and
youll save time and get more interviews.

Date HR Managers name Company Name Address City State Zip RE: Job
Reference number (if one is available)
Dear Mr. Blank,

Im writing to introduce myself in hopes of joining your organization, and have

enclosed a copy of my resume for your review.
My background, skills and talents are in all aspects of veterinary medicine, with
a particular emphasis in embryo collection and transplant. I also have strong
skills in general veterinary practice, management and business operations.
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and exchange ideas. I will
call you over the next several days to make an appointment. If you prefer, you
may reach me at the phone number or email address listed above.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to meeting with you soon.
Sincerely,
John R. Doe, DVM
Enclosure
This sample was obviously for a veterinarian, but anyone in any profession can
use it and customize it to suit their own needs. This is a traditional letter done
in paragraph style. Another option that is gaining in popularity is the bulleted
letter. A cover letter sample in the bulleted format follows.

Date
Manager ABC Company Street Address City, state, zip code
RE: (reference position applied for)
Dear (ad name)
With over 20 years of experience as a military officer, I can make an immediate
contribution to your organization. Highlights of my background include:
Experienced as a pilot, flight instructor, security officer, and operations officer
in charge of millions of dollars in government property and responsible for
hundreds of personnel.
Skilled in staff management, project management, security & safety, executive
management briefing, and leadership of highly skilled technicians and
professionals.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently, and lead by
example. Utilize sound decision making judgment as evidenced by increased

levels of responsibility and professional commendations.

I would like to discuss in greater detail the valuable contributions I would make
at your organization. I can be reached at (555) 555-5555. Your time and
consideration are most appreciated.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Enclosure

This sample was for a retired military aviation officer, but the basic format
would stay the same for a teacher, CEO, salesman, firefighter, accountant or
almost any other profession. There are two or three bulleted paragraphs that
repeat qualifications, accomplishments or other highlights from the resume.
The bulleted format makes them easy to see, and the bold facing on key points
draws the attention of the reader to what the writer of the cover letter sample
wants the reader to see, and read. Use the sample above, or the first cover
letter sample, depending on your own needs, and customize them to your
profession.
Sample Cover Letter - Business / Referral
Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Your Phone
Number Your Email
Contact Name Title Company Name Address City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms. LastName:
Please accept the attached resume for the position of Technical
Business Analyst as recently advertised on Monster.com. I've had the
pleasure to review CompanyName's web site, and to speak with Jane
Doe, a colleague at CompanyName, and am very enthusiastic about
the position advertised. I believe that my combination of technical
skills, consulting experience, and business sensibilities would serve
CompanyName well in this position.
My foundation is as a developer, in multiple languages, on many
platforms. If the situation requires getting code done, I deliver high

quality, clean, working code, quickly and correctly. I'm comfortable

with structured code, databases, OO programming, and "specialty"
languages such as might be found in workflow or business rules
systems. I have every confidence that to the extent the position
requires actual coding, I can sling code with the best.
To the extent that the position requires analysis of business rules and
processes, I have specific experience in two main areas that are
closely related. On the analysis side, I was the Product Manager for a
large system. In that capacity I was responsible for extracting
functional requirements from end users, customers, marketing, etc.,
and translating those requirements into detailed requirements. On the
business rules side, as the Product Architect for a suite of enterprise
systems I led the requirements definition and vendor and partner
review for a collaboration system that included a business rules engine
component. While I was not involved as a developer in these systems,
I am quite familiar with this class of products and the salient features
that define their value.
On a more general level, I believe I bring the broad "soft" skills you
can have confidence in with a candidate that will represent
CompanyName to your customers. I trust you would find me to be
well-spoken, energetic, confident, and personable, the type of person
on whom your customers will rely. I also have a wide breadth of
experience of the type that gives you the versatility to place me in a
number of contexts with confidence that the level of excellence you
expect will be met. In most situations technical decisions must be
made within the context of larger business constraints. Throughout my
career I have strived to keep business issues in the forefront, be it as
a developer implementing a test framework to capture defects as early
as possible, or as the Product Manager for an enterprise system,
allocating resources and prioritizing enhancements to meet strategic
objectives. Focusing on business imperatives is a core value of mine,
one that I bring to every project on which I work.
I greatly appreciate you taking the time to review my credentials and

experience. CompanyNames' blend of Business Strategy, Market

Analysis, and Information Technology is very exciting. I hope that
you'll find my experience, interests, and character intriguing enough to
warrant a face-to-face meeting, as I am confident that I could provide
value to you and your customers as a member of your team.
Sincerely,
FirstName LastName

Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Your Phone
Number Your Cell Phone Number Your Email
Manager,

Date

Dear Hiring

I was excited to read about the Administrative Assistant job opening at

XYZ company. I have several years of experience in a variety of fields
including insurance and finance.

In addition to my extensive office experience, I have strong

communication, customer service, and administrative skills. My broad
background makes me an excellent candidate for this position.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you
to arrange an interview.
Sincerely,

Your Signature