04+-+Writing+a+Cover+Letter



By now, you've learned how tofind positions you're interested in, and you're ready to apply to for the job you want. It's time to write the perfect cover letter -- one that will present your situation and goals, and any important characteristics that don't belong in a résumé. The better your cover letter represents you, the more likely your future employer is to read through the rest of your application and hire you!




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According to readyresumes.com it is an essential part of submitting a résumé, because it's the individual’s introduction and teaser to encourage its prospective employer to continue reading, right through to his or her résumé. It must grab the reader’s attention, hold it, and tell that person exactly what they want to hear.=====



Before Writing the Letter

 * **Update your résumé **. Write a well tailored résumé to the job that you are applying to. Make sure that you include a specific objective statement, one that includes the company name.
 * **Research the target. ** It is very important that you know a lot of information about the organization you want to work for. This way you can include some information in your cover letter and set yourself apart from other applicants. The information you research will also be important in your interview so you will accomplish two things in one!
 * **Analyze the job **. Make sure you know what the company is looking for so you can list qualifications that will meet those needs. You do not want to write a long letter about how you can interact with people if your job does not involve talking to others.
 * **Find the name of the manager. ** It is best to address the letter to the manager or to the person that is in charge of applications. Make sure you know their name, position, and the office address.



Writing the body of the letter
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The body of the cover letter should be two to four paragraphs that introduce you as a professional and elucidate the attributes that make you the best applicant for the job. A three paragraph structure is common and will help you organize and present your claims clearly. In a three-paragraph structure, the first paragraph should name by title the job you're applying for, and state if you're enclosing any other documents like a <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">résumé <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">or transcript. The second paragraph should present clearly why you want to work at the company. The third paragraph should emphasize action, requesting that the reader examine your <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">résumé <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">or contact you to schedule an interview. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Structure the body in three paragraphs **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">. The paragraphs should be left-justified and the first line of each paragraph should NOT be indented -- use 'block' formatting. Concentrate on being concise and clear. Make statements about your qualities as an employee, and back them up.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">First paragraph:
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">In the first sentence of the paragraph, state the title of the job you're applying for. Highlight your skills or just communicate your excitement for the opportunity.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The first paragraph of a cover letter is spoken of as being a major deciding factor in whether a given job application packet is given attention. So, get your reader's attention, and once you have it, reward them by writing clearly and leaving out all but the most important details.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">This paragraph should include an extremely literal and explicit statement that you would like to be considered as an applicant.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Second paragraph:
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Tell your reader why you want to work for the company. You can include some of that information you researched about the company in this statement. For example, "I would like to be a part of the work you are doing to support small farmers and urban agriculture."
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Explain what draws you to the field in question, and why you think it's important work.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Third paragraph:
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The third paragraph should direct your reader to the enclosed <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">résumé <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">. It should also include some statement asking for further action such as an appointment or an interview. State a few dates in which you can set up an interview and also when you will contact them to verify the date. Do not forget to thank them for their time and consideration and make sure you have accurate contact information for when the company does try and contact you.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Formatting the Letter
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Cover letters should be written in the format of a standard business letter. This means that the letterhead should start with your address, and include the date of the letter and the address of the addressee. Following the body of the letter, there should be a standard greeting, a space with your signature, and your name, printed. Since cover letters by definition always accompany an enclosed resume, you'll want to include one more business letter convention: the word "Enclosure" at the bottom of the page. Finally, don't forget to proofread your letter, and get a friend to help if you can!
 * **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Format the letter with business letterhead. **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Your address block should be in the upper left hand corner and should be left justified. Your address block should include any relevant contact information, most commonly a permanent mailing address, a daytime phone number, and a professional-looking email address. Following your address block, skip a line and enter the date in business format: day-of-week month year. Skip another line after the date and then add the name, title, institution, and address of the person you're writing to.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Conclude with "Yours sincerely," **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> (if you have addressed the letter to a named person), "Yours faithfully," (if you have used a "Dear Sir" approach) or "Regards," and leave four blank lines to sign your name in blue ink. If you use black ink, they may think it is a copy. If this is online, leave only one or two blank lines.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Cover letter 'Fill in the blanks'
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Write down answers to the following prompts, and use them with the following form to get an idea of what **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">your **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> cover letter should look like! <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Title and name of the person to whom you are addressing your letter and resume.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">A short description of your current position or situation.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"undergraduate student in horticultural science"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"irrigation technician"
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">A short phase that encompasses an important accomplishment you want to highlight.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"an exceptional academic record"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"a solid record of community service and involvement"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"many years of experience in leadership positions"
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">A description of the employer -- include details that make **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">you **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> want to work there.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"the finest certifying agency in modern organic agroenvironment"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"a family company whose name commands respect throughout the industry"
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Vital assets that you bring to the table. List at least two; aim for three.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"years of field experience"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"proven skills in budgeting and accounting for small business"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"skills in leadership with proven results"
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Key skill/experience/accomplishment, and how it can help the company achieve its mission. List two to three of these. **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Be specific. **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Dear (1): As a (2) with (3), I am eager to contribute my skills and passion to (4). Given my (5), I believe I can help (employer name) progress and improve its position in the industry as a (position). (6) I would like to continue contributing my abilities and experiences to (employer name) and would <span class="wiki_link_ext"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">be happy <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> to discuss in further detail how I accomplish this. My resume is enclosed for your convenience. Feel free to contact me at (phone number and/or e-mail address). I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration. Regards, (Your name signed)

(Your name printed)

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

**<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Suggestions and Warnings ** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Write to communicate, not to impress <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Get to the main point <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Be active, not passive <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Use familiar words <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Use contractions <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Do not use filler words <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ask questions <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Be specific <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">This is not an autobiography. Keep it under a page. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Avoid generic language ("I will bring a depth of experience," or, "I believe my qualifications and experience suit the demands of the position"). Instead be specific and concrete about what you can bring to the position.

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Works Cited
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