A good cover letter is a must if the applicant is to be selected for an interview. A resume which goes without a cover letter stands slim to nothing chance of being selected for the next round. This is why all job seekers need to develop their cover letter writing skills.
Most important aspect of this letter is to state clearly the purpose of writing it. Depending on this purpose, there can be different types of cover letters. Main types include application letter in which applicant responds to a known vacancy. Another type is a prospecting style letter in which the applicant inquires on availability of a position. Thirdly, the CL can be in the form of a networking letter in which the applicant requests information and assistance in gaining a suitable position in line with his or her qualifications and experience.
There are few issues to note in cover letter writing. First of all, you need to write a separate cover letter for each different purpose as cited above and for each different job. Secondly, it should clearly highlight your suitability for the job. It should also state why you are interested in this job and what critical skills which you possess that makes you the best candidate. The cov. letter should be addressed to the correct person and not carry the sentence: “To Whom it May concern”. It should be written in paragraph form with a maximum of 5-6 paragraphs.
When it comes to cover letter writing here are few more guidelines which have to be born in mind.
1) Keep it concise. Generally one page will suffice. Prospective employer has to go through many resumes and cover letters and don’t have the time to read lengthy and winding letters. Tell them what they need to know and do it in as few words as possible.
2) Be positive. It is not necessary to explain why you left your previous employment or why you haven’t worked for a long while. This is better left for the interview.
3) Do not talk about salary in our CL. This is against basic etiquette. Leave it to be the last topic in the interview agenda and if you have impressed them by that time, they may even agree to raise their offer to match your expectations.
4) Do not make mistakes with grammar, spelling and punctuation. It is important to show your prospective employers that you are a methodical person that pays attention to important matters. If your own cover letter is not important to you, chances are that your work too will have shoddy mistakes.
Cover Letter Writing is a tedious and often challenging task. It requires a person to contemplate on how best to market oneself. If you don’t have the correct marketing flare, it is unlikely that you will be able to strike the employer’s interest. This is why you may consider getting someone else’s help with your cover Letter.