How To Write A Resume Cover Letter

Learning how to write a resume cover letter effectively can open the door for that important interview. Or it can close it forever. Cover letters must be well-written and brief, usually a half page or so and certainly never more than one page. As with all documents, you have only seconds to capture the reader’s attention. And since cover letters are usually read by overworked and underpaid human resource staffers, you’ve got to make sure that your letter stands above the rest.

Your Cover Letter Is Your Selling Tool

There’s an old copywriting adage that applies to cover letters and resumes. The resume tells, the cover letter sells. Your cover letter is your sales tool, and it’s selling you. Facts listed on your resume don’t need to be repeated in your cover letter. Facts belong in a resume. Zing belongs in a resume's cover letter.

How to Write a Resume Cover Letter Includes Zing!

Zing is that quality of a cover letter that makes it truly a pleasure for someone to read with no awareness of reading. Copy should be tight, engaging, to the point and smooth flowing. Resume cover letter copy must use a modified middle-of-the-road approach. Leave out useless superlatives such as “Single-handedly solved perplexing IT problem no one else could solve.” This only smacks of an ego out of control. Nor do you want the other extreme of basically begging. “I have been unemployed for two years now and I…” Both extremes are sure to ash can the cover letter.

What the copy should say is why you should be the first candidate picked for an interview. The letter must be compelling, but not bragging. Saying this is a lot easier than the actual writing. Do several drafts and then let a friend read it, offering honest feedback. Be prepared to go back to the keyboard several times before you get it right.

How to Write a Resume Cover Letter Format

It is important to properly format your cover letter. This means printing your letter on personal stationery with a quality font using an inkjet or laser printer. If you don’t have personal stationery, you can create a letterhead using Microsoft Word or Works with contact information listed in headers and footers. When printed on quality paper, computer letterhead works well. Use quality white stock. Avoid color, and never use parchment. Your cover letter and resume will soon become part of a list of potential candidates scanned into a database or part of a photocopied stack given to an executive. Parchment designs don’t photocopy or scan well. That’s because of the imprinted colored texture design elements--dashes, curves, curlicues and the like. Photocopiers tend to merge these into the text and scanners see them as errors. Any document that contains errors or is too difficult to copy goes into the round file.

How To Write Your Cover Letter

Always include an introductory paragraph about where you spotted the ad or heard about the opening in your resume cover letter. Add a second paragraph to generate interest starting with; “My reason for contacting you today is…” Follow up with a short paragraph about why you think the company is great and why you want to work there, if you were able to research and the ad wasn’t blind. Tie another short paragraph into the company’s needs stated in their ad or on their website highlighting a few of your best matching skills, noteworthy accomplishments, qualifications and personal attributes that make you the best candidate for the job.

Dear Drake International:

I came across the INT -Permanent Recruiter position listed on Workopolis.com and I am very interested in applying for this position.

My reason for contacting you today is to consider me for the listed position. I have a number of years of sales experience and recruiting of staff through my previous management position.

The opportunity that comes with being a parat of Drake is something I most look forward to. I feel I am the right person for the position because I have a desire and determination to succeed regardless of the obstacles.

Thank you again for you time.

Cordially,

Marc Marasco

End With Professionalism

Tie it all together with a final paragraph indicating what action you intend to take: call them on a specific date to arrange a meeting or interview or wait and look forward to hearing from them. Include your contact information, something like “You can reach me at my cell phone anytime at..." Or refer them to the contact information listed in the footer. Sign off with a “Thanks for your time” phrase and “Sincerely.” Make sure you sign it. You’d be surprised by the number of folks who forget to do so. And make sure the ink to dry if you use a fountain pen before you fold the letter and insert it into the envelope. A nice touch is to hand address the envelope. Handwriting is unusual and will help to get your letter noticed. You can view an example of a cover letter in the Business Career category at Sample Resume Cover Letter.

Make Your Cover Letter Part Of Your Arsenal

Once you have the how to write a resume cover letter format down, your cover letter can be tailored to any position or company. The trick is to make each letter appear original even though you’re working from a template. Copy the letter and rewrite it for each ad or company you’re applying to. Make sure that no stray characters or company names from previous letters end up in the copy of the new letter one. It’s easy to do in the heat of the moment.

• How to Conduct an Interview
• How to Close a Business
• Good Objective for a Resume

• Sample Resume Objective
• Memo Examples
• Resume Objective Examples
• Resume Objective Statements
• Business Thank You Letter

• Sample Resume Letters Selling Yourself
• How To Write An Effective Resume
• Sample Functional Resume
• Sample Resignation Letter
• How To Write A Web Safe Resume