Cover Letters and References

 

Cover letters are the employer's first impression of you as a potential candidate, therefore it is quite important to spend time on this document.  This letter allows you to your express skills and characteristics that you cannot express in your resume. Cover letters provide a venue for you to discuss your technical and transferrable skills illustrated by solid examples. Follow the standard cover letter outline to assist you with your first draft. 

You must sound confident in your letter, emphasizing your positive qualities and how you will be an excellent fit for the position.

• Write to a specific person, using his or her name and title. Never send a cover letter addressed “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To whom it may concern.” Usually you can get a specific name by calling the organization or looking in a business directory. If possible, address your letter to the “decision maker” (the person for whom you would be working), not the Human Resources Department.

• Demonstrate your knowledge of the organization. Do some research on the company and briefly express what you know about the company.

• Study company websites to understand the key words for the organization as well as understanding the company's values and mission.  Be sure to reflect this content in your writing.

• Target your skills and experiences. Present any relevant background that
may be of interest to the person you are writing. The “selling” paragraph
highlights specific results achieved by you in those areas known to be
important to successful job performance.

• When appropriate, use the specific vocabulary of the industry. Every field
has its own terminology (however, avoid overuse).

• Avoid frequent use of personal pronouns such as “I,” “me,” “my,”and “mine”; especially at the beginning of paragraphs. Vary your sentence structure by beginning sentences with prepositional phrases, connectors, and subordinate clauses.

• Define your next step. Don’t close your letter without clearly defining what you’ll do next.

• Express your appreciation. Include a statement expressing your appreciation for the employer’s consideration of your employment candidacy.

• Proofread your typed letter and have someone else proofread it.

• Keep a copy for your file. After the application deadline passes, you will
want to contact the employer about the status of your application.