Wednesday, April 1, 2009

How to Write a Good Cover Letter

Contrary to popular belief, writing your own cover letter is not as hard as it sounds. You can find a variety of tips on how to write a good cover letter, and you can use these tips to guide you with the task at hand. With the tried and tested formula for writing dynamic cover letters that this article has presented you with, you can boost your chances of success in landing the job you want.

Writing a good cover letter is a challenge that anyone can conquer. The first thing you need to understand is that each employer has unique needs and demands. Every company is looking for something specific in their job candidates. You have to find out what the company of your choice is looking for and use this knowledge to its full potential, i.e. include the particular traits in your cover letter. You can accomplish this by first checking out the qualifications posted by the company's HR department or reviewing the company's vision mission.

The goal of all tips on how to write a good cover letter is to attract and hold the attention of the person who will be reading it. In this regard, less is always more. This means that you don't have to employ every known color in the text application you are using or highlight and embolden everything that seems important to you. Moreover, you don't have to exaggerate your skills and past work experience, if any, and go on and on about every single assignment or project you have handled. The key is to keep your cover letter short, straight-to-the-point, and professional-sounding and looking. Limit the change in font size and color to setting up sections, and don't go over four sections or paragraphs.

The first paragraph of your cover letter must already spark the interest of your future employer, and you can do this by providing information on what you can do for the company. It is essential that you immediately stand out from the rest of the job-seekers. Focus on the one thing that makes you different – in a good way – from all the other hopeful job candidates; this is called your unique selling proposition or USP. State at least two or three advantages or benefits that your future employer can enjoy when you – and not anyone else – are hired. The second paragraph is where you must place the traits you know your employer is looking for. Also include your academic qualifications and relevant skills and achievements that can support the traits you claim you have. Expand – but don't dawdle - on certain items that are directly related to the job you are seeking.

The third paragraph, which you may incorporate into the second paragraph if you wish, must contain information about you that makes you relatable to the company. This is where research can help you best. Show that you know more than just a thing or two about the company. And finally, the fourth paragraph must enforce your desire to be hired. Use a proactive language – that is, ask for some sort of action, like a request for an interview or a schedule for a follow-up.

About the Author:
Dirk Daggler is an online reviewer of niche websites. Want to learn more about http://www.coverlettersthatkill.com how to write a cover letter or http://www.coverlettersthatkill.com help with cover letter writing? Visit the website.

Keyword tags: how to write a cover letter, cover letter writing

0 comments: