How to Write a Cover Letter for a Resume

Writing cover letters for resumes well is extremely important, because even if you have one of the best resumes in the world, if it is not written well, poorly formatted and does not give the proper information, there is a chance that your resume may be discarded without even being looked at. If you want to avoid such a situation, then it is important to learn to write this letter. Writing effective cover letters and resumes ensure that you grab the attention of a prospective employer, without much effort. Well formatted and well written cover letters for resumes always create a good impression, which is why they hold so much importance in the world of job hunting.

Drafting a Cover Letter

Before you begin writing such a letter, it is important to keep in mind some key pointers. Here is a list of things that you need to pay attention to before and while writing such letters.

• Always remember that this letter is a supplement to your resume. In order to get a job interview, both your cover letter and resume need to well drafted. This is where resume writing comes into the picture. Update your resume and avoid ornamenting it with unnecessary details.
• Before you write the letter, it is important that you learn everything there is to know about the organization you are applying to and the kind of work they do. Ensure that you read the job vacancy ad carefully and ensure that you are suitably qualified for the same. You do not want to apply for a job that is not suitable for you. Try to find out the name of a person, you can address the letter to, instead of addressing it as to whomsoever it may concern.
• Format the letter properly. If you are in the process of understanding the steps to write a cover letter, refer to a few templates. Do not make the letter too long. Instead keep it concise and only two or three paragraphs long.
• Always thank the person you are addressing the letter to and end with proper valediction.
• Before you take out a print of the letter, ensure that you proofread it for any grammatical or spelling errors. This is extremely important.

Now that you know what tips to keep in mind while writing such a letter, let us take a look at the format and a sample for the same.

Format of Cover Letter

Drafting a cover letter is not a very difficult task, as long as you manage to maintain a formal and professional tone throughout the letter. It is very important that such a letter should just be a summary of your intention for applying for the post and your experience. It should not be as detailed as a resume, but only give an overview of what you have done. If you want to learn to draft such a letter, templates are your best guides. They explain exactly what needs to be mentioned in which paragraph and how they should be formatted.

Your Name Your Address Date Name of Addressee Name of Organization Address Reference: State the reason for which you are writing this letter in a brief and concise manner. Salutation/Greetings Dear Ms./Mr. (addressee)/ To whomsoever it may concern The very first and introductory paragraph of the letter should state the reason for you writing this letter, how you learned about the vacancy in the organization you are writing to and some very basic professional information about yourself. The second paragraph should detail out why the employer should hire you and what are your qualifications and professional experience that make you the ideal candidate for the job that is on offer. Always ensure that you mention how you would be a valuable asset to the organization that you join. Refer to the fact that the resume you have enclosed with this cover letter will explain in detail, your relevant experience. Also ensure that you mention why you would like to work for the employer and how it would be a great learning experience for you. The third paragraph should indicate how you would love the opportunity to be able to meet the prospective employer for an interview. Provide your contact details to the employer, so that he or she can contact you, in case you are considered suitable for the job. You could also mention your willingness to travel to the location of the employer, if needed. Cordially thank the employer for the time he or she is giving your letter. Valediction/Goodbye Yours sincerely, (Signature) (Your name)

Sample Cover Letter

If you are referring to samples of a good cover letter in order to draft your own letter, then be warned that though it is easier to do so, it is always a better idea to use formats as your guideline, because then the letter seems to be drafted personally and not as mundane as most such letters sound. While writing a cover letter, examples are like a double edged sword, which allow us to understand the format better, but also ease us into taking a shortcut.

Katherine White 2782, Grandeur Apartments Elm Street New York - 234454 Date: June 12th 2010 Coralie Dylan Vice President, Human Resources NYC Green Solutions 432, Sunset Boulevard Baltimore - 234575 Reference: Application for position of Chief Engineer with reference to the advertisement dated 11th June in the New York Times. Dear Ma'am, I the undersigned, am interested in applying for the position of Chief Engineer for the department of biochemical waste recycling in your organization. I learned of this vacancy from the advertisement that you had given out in the New York Times, Employment supplement, on the 11th of June. I have previous experience in the similar capacity, with a green solutions organization in Baltimore and have been working with the organization for the past five years. With almost ten years of having worked in the recycling and green solutions field, I believe that the experience I possess would be an asset to the workings of your organization. I received my degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin and have since then been working in various organizations, developing technology to ensure safe disposal of waste materials. I have been highly inspired by the work your organization has been doing in this field and would consider it an honor to work in your organization. I would love to get an opportunity to work with your organization and am looking forward to receiving a call from you. If you would like to contact me, my address has been mentioned earlier in the letter and my email id is white.katherine@ceong.comin. I would be willing to travel to New York for an interview, if required. Thank you for your time. Yours sincerely (Signature) Katherine White

Learning to draft a cover letter is one of those tasks that most people tend to view as mundane and boring like any other letter writing task. If you need to write this type of letter, then try to ensure that you remember that the letter will be your first impression on your future employer and thus, needs to be drafted well.