Blog Post: Formatting the Cover Letter

1. Telling the employer the purpose of your writing.
2. Outlining how your education and experience match the requirements of the job.
3. Welcoming the opportunity to interview.

Applicants open letters in slightly different ways. The more traditional start may be to say, “I am writing to apply for the position of a legal assistant advertised in Miami Herald” or “I am writing to express my interest in the position of assistant director posted on your Web site.”  

Others choose to grab the readers’ attention with such statements as “It is rare when a job candidate finds a job that was created specifically for him or her. This is such an occasion.” 

A letter that sounds too formulistic may not engage the reader. On the other hand, a letter that is too bizarre  may cause the employer to steer clear of its author. Staying somewhere in the middle may be the best approach. The letter should always sound enthusiastic, yet professional.

The main emphasis of the letter should fall on the discussion of your qualifications. As discussed in our previous blog, this part should address the specific terminology used within the job description.
 
Select several points and provide accounts that underscore your readiness to handle the responsibilities. Also, if you anticipate definite questions about your resume, it may be good to address them in this part of the letter to alleviate the employer’s concerns.

Conclude your letter by summarizing to the employer your abilities and your interest in the position. Make it clear that you would like a chance to be interviewed. Many job-hunting experts suggest a somewhat aggressive approach, in which the applicant should inform the employer about the time when he or she will call to follow up on the application. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this may not be an effective tactic in every industry. 

Many organizations collect applications through the Office of Human Resources and do not provide them to the immediate employer until after a closing date. Many others conduct interviews through search committees, which often do not include the immediate employer. 

In cases like these, following up with a phone call may not lead to any effective communication. Providing all of the necessary contact information, however, should make it easier for the employer to get in touch with you. 

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Natalie Candela
Basic Learning Systems
http://www.basic-learning.com
info@basic-learning.com
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