Cover Letter Writing: The Secret To Getting Your Dream Job

What is the first thing your future potential employer will see? Is it your resume? Your shiny black leather shoes? You in your nice new suit?

Nope.

Even before your future employer sees your resume, he/she will see your cover letter. In fact your cover letter may be more important than your resume! If your cover letter does not demand attention and compel your employer to look at your resume, what good is superb resume?

The purpose of your cover letter is to get your employers attention and want to make them schedule an interview as soon as humanly possible. Essentially, your cover letter is a sales letter that focuses on selling your expertise, background and skills to your employer. Make sure to give some insights about yourself, and use relevant key terms to your background throughout your letter.

Structuring Your Letter

Your salutation should NEVER include To Whom it May Concern or Dear Madam or Sir. Do your research and find out who you should address your letter to. Your reader looks at hundreds of cover letters, and it is very impressive it to see a cover letter addressed to him/her personally!

Next, Your body should convince your reader that you have the skills and abilities useful for the company. You should build interest without sounding prideful or arrogant. Be passionate, and let your enthusiasm for the job shine through. If your sincere and energetic, it will make a big
impression on your reader.

In closing, remind your reader the importance of scheduling an interview. Make it witty. Express your genuine interest in the company and express you genuine intentions.

And most important, sign your name above your printed name. This ads a personal touch to the letter that will give the employer the impression that you are genuine and real.

Polishing

Now that you have a basic idea of how to format your letter, here are some tips to spicing up your body copy that will have your employer drooling over you.

Check for grammatical errors. There is nothing that will destroy your chance of getting the job than spelling something wrong. Most word processors have spell checkers but they can't catch errors like their when you mean there. So review it a 100 times if you have to. Have your friend review it, your sister, grandma...you get the point. :) Do not settle for mediocrity.

Avoid using too many I's and me's. Emphasize YOU. When you mention your accomplishments or skills, stress how they will benefit THEM.

Research!

This is one of the most important, yet sadly overlooked steps in not only cover letter writing but also job seeking in general. Go to the company website. Look for company goals, what is required for each applicant and the correct terminology for escribing your qualifications. Including these details in your letter will show that you are actively interested in the position you are applying for, and your reader will be extremely impressed. I guarantee it. :)

Use active verbs, not passive voice. Instead of got, use acquired. Instead of put use positioned or included. You get the idea, right? You want your reader to create concrete ideas about your character and persona. If you sound wishy-washy and unsure, they will see YOU as unsure about yourself and wont give you a second thought.

Last but not least go over your letter and check for tone and fluency. Make sure everything flows and makes sense. Make sure also that you sound confident but not prideful or cocky.

There you have it! Put that baby on you resume and start shipping them out. Remember, it is your effective cover letter that will put your resume ahead of the rest, and land you that job you always wanted.