Resume Cover Letters: Rules and Guidelines
The key ingredient to your responses to any job openings are your resume cover letters. These letters are like book covers. Fair or not, we naturally do judge a book by its cover. And an interesting cover is usually what grabs our attention and pulls us in to find out more.
Your cover letter is like that proverbial book cover. When you send your resume out, the person who receives it will often take at least a cursory glance over your cover letter. This is your chance to give them a reason to want to know more about you. It is your chance to show why the book should be opened up.
No two cover letters should be exactly alike. They should be modified for each specific position for which you send a resume. If a name is given in the advertisement, be sure to use it. Never send a letter to a generic To Whom It May Concern unless you absolutely have to do so.
Always refer back to the advertisement for the position. This shows that you have actually read the posting and are writing this letter specifically for that particular opening. Mention where you saw the advertisement. Use the exact language from the advertisement when explaining why you are applying. If they are looking for someone who is detail oriented, you can say that you are detail oriented.
But saying that you have a specific skill is not sufficient. You need to follow it up with an example of how the reader can say in your resume that you have that skill. Refer to a specific position that illustrates that you are detail oriented, such as having been a proofreader for several years.
Express interest in both the position and the industry that it is in. Give reasons why this position excites you. Again, give specific examples of why they should be interested in you. You do not want to duplicate your resume in your cover letter, just highlight key experience that fits as closely as possible with the position in the ad.
When you end your letter, do so with confidence. You do not hope to meet them; you look forward to meeting them and discussing how you can be an asset to the company. Be sure to express appreciation for the consideration and time of the person reviewing your application.
Always proofread both resume and letter very thoroughly for both spelling and grammar. It is never a bad idea to have someone you trust give them a quick read as well. Cover letters with poor grammar and misspellings make it seem as if the position is not important to you. If you are so careless in the beginning, how will you be when you are actually employed?
As with any first impression, you only have the opportunity for one. And resume cover letters are just that, they form the first impression that a potential employer will have of you. However, with the guidelines above, there is a good chance that your first impression will be successful and, especially if your resume is just as good, you will be asked in for an interview.
Finishing a successful cover letter head to http://www.job-cover-letters.com/2009/10/tips-for-writing-a-successful-cover-letter/ today. Polish up your resume cover letters and get interviews. All it takes is a visit to http://www.job-cover-letters.com.
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