Get Your Foot in the Door with a Persuasive Cover Letter
Just like a well-honed resumé, an effective cover letter can help land the interview you need to start or advance your career. The cover letter provides a valuable opportunity to inform the reader which job you're pursuing, showcase your writing skills and present important reasons why you should be considered above what may be hundreds of other candidates.
To help you create a persuasive cover letter, review the suggestions and samples below. Valuable tips are also available from your career services advisor and at www.resume-resource.com/covers.html.
Get to the Point
In addition to customizing your letter to the specific job for
which you're applying, keep the letter to one page and no
more than three or four short paragraphs:
-
Paragraph 1: Express interest in both the company and the specific job for which you're applying.
-
Paragraph 2: Describe, in two or three sentences, the single most important skill you bring to the job (i.e., why you're uniquely qualified for the position).
-
Paragraph 3: Describe, in two or three sentences, the second most important skill you bring to the job.
-
Paragraph 4: Invite the reader to contact you and thank him or her for considering your resumé.
Follow a Good Example
Take a look at the following job description and Cover Letter
Example I, which follows. After reviewing these, you'll easily
be able to see how the cover letter directly correlates to
the job description.
Starting a New Career with an Undergraduate Degree
Company: Acme Aerospace, Inc.
Contact: Johnny Rocket, Director of Jet Propulsion
Address: 123 Main Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Position Title: Associate Engineer
Description: Equipment testing and troubleshooting (in-house
and onsite), product research and pricing analysis, communication,
and project management. You will gain exposure to all types of
electronic equipment and loss conditions.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering
Technology- Effective oral and written communication skills (computer
literate) - Proficient technical troubleshooting skills - Ability
to conduct basic research and analysis of technical information
- Drives project task to completion and on schedule - Creative
thinking with the ability to identify alternative solutions to
problems - Detail oriented with good time management and multitasking
skills
Other Cover Letter Examples
