Cover Letter

What makes a good cover letter?

We've already said:

• There must be no spelling errors or typos.
• Your cover letter should be addressed to a real person. Find the name of the company's human resources contact or a recruiter. You can find this information on the company's website. Once you have a contact name, use the person's formal title such as Mr., Ms., or Mrs.
• State which job you are applying for in the very first paragraph.

Okay. Your cover letter should be a conscious exchange of information. Your cover letter is an employer's first impression of you. The body of your cover letter should reflect your personality. You want to make a personal connection with the reader.

When writing your letter, keep the requirements of the job you are applying for in mind and address them specifically. Your letter should be fairly brief, four or five short paragraphs and easy to read. Always include your full name, address, phone number and email address at the top of your letter. Type this information at the top of your letter, centered. I.e. create a letterhead.

Your letter should close with a polite request for an interview: "I would be glad to meet with you, at a mutually convenient time, to discuss my qualifications further. I am most easily reached at ... phone number and/or email address."

If you are still unsure about how to begin when writing a winning cover letter, come back tomorrow, I'll have a couple samples of dynamic cover letters that you can use as a guide.