Sample Cover Letters

From LoveToKnow Business

Sample cover letters can serve as a tool for writing your own. Those applying for a job should invest the time in writing a high-quality letter. The difference between a good and an excellent cover letter could mean the difference in getting a job interview or not.

Learn the Six Parts in a Business Letter

Cover Letter Details

An applicant usually submits a cover letter along with a resume. The cover letter should not restate your qualifications. The resume states your qualifications. Rather, it should complement the resume. The letter should add a personal touch to a formal resume. It is also the first impression a hiring manager will have of the applicant. It is critical to get it right.

The cover letter should accomplish several things. For example, it may be used to respond to a job opening. It may be used to inquire about possible positions from a company. It may also be a request, asking for information or resources about potential positions. Never use a form cover letter but rather update the letter for each position you apply for. Hiring managers can easily spot form letters like this.

Use a cover letter to explain your interest in a specific position. It should outline why you are interested in the position. It should interest the reader by demonstrating why your skills or experience make you an ideal candidate for the position. You do not want to use this as a place for stating every employer you have worked with. Rather, state the skills you have that are specifically related to the job you are applying for.

Be specific. You should show in your cover letter that you are knowledgeable about the position that is available. You should show you are particularly interested in the position, too. Avoid negative comments or slang.

Effective Cover Letter Format

An effective cover letter format is very simple and straightforward. It should be short and to the point. It may be just a few paragraphs long, each of only a few sentences.

State why you are writing the letter (application for employment, request for information).

Tell the hiring manager what you have to offer to the company (skills, experience, work ethic).

Detail how you will follow up with the application (provide phone, email, or other contact information)

Everything your cover letter needs to state is included in this format. It does not have to be a life story but should be interesting enough to spark the reader to turn the page and read your resume.

Sample Cover Letters

Sometimes it is best to look at quality samples prior to writing your own cover letter. You can find these online to read. Remember, you should not use these as your cover letter but instead make your cover letter specific to your situation and to the job you are applying for.

Quintessential Careers: At Quintessential Careers there are a number of very specific cover letters to read through. Choose based on the type of employment you are applying for or your current situation.

BestCoverLetters.com: Visit BestCoverLetters.com, which is another resource with a large number of specific cover letters to select from to use as samples.

Cover Letter Example

Here is a sample cover letter.

Your Name Your Address Your Phone Number Your Email

Date

Name of Letter Recipient, if known Title Name of Business Address of Business

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am applying for the human resource generalist position posted at your website. When it is convenient for you, I would appreciate the opportunity to sit with you and discuss my particular qualifications for this position. My resume is attached for your immediate consideration.

My experience as a human resource generalist over the last eight years has allowed me to gain valuable skills, including excellent communication skills. I've successfully improved employee retention, maintained labor laws and managed company procedural improvements. My experience has included handling employee terminations and aiding in improving company productivity.

I would appreciate the opportunity to speak more with you regarding the human resource generalist position and how I will help your company to grow and expand. You can reach me at (list phone number) or contact me via email at (list email address). Thank you for taking the time to look through my resume.

Sincerely,

(Sign your name here)

(Type name here)

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