Create A Powerful
Resume Cover Letter

If you thought a resume cover letter was optional these days, think again!

Today, more than ever, cover letters play a pivotal role in the success of your job application.

On this page you'll find everything you need to write attention-grabbing cover letters and put yourself first in line for an interview. Just make sure your phone is on!

On this page you'll find out:

• Why you need cover letters at all

• Basic layout for cover letters (why it's really easy, but also needs a lot of thought)

• Why ending your resume cover letter says so much about you

• Seven critical resume cover letter tips

• what a career change cover letter should tell the reader

• All you need to know about sending cover letters by email.

  Why do I need a resume and cover letter?

  Because no-one knows who you are. Sad. But true. Luckily your cover letters will change that.

  You see, at the moment you're a bit like the people in this picture.

  Before your resume cover letter is read you look a bit like, well...everbody else. You need a way to introduce yourself that gets you noticed. Your resume cover letter makes you stand out in a crowd.

  In the past if you wanted to meet someone, or get a job in their business, you needed a letter of introduction from someone who could vouch for you.

  These days that's not always necessary, but you still need a letter of introduction that gives the reader some idea of your skills.

  A resume cover letter allows you to introduce yourself to the reader and interest them enough so they want to find out more about you. Ideally, your cover letter moves the reader naturally to your resume to get more information.

  A cover letter gives them a sense of your personality while telling them about the position you're interested in, and exactly how you are qualified for that position.

  Ironically you are not selling yourself at all, but rather an idea, or a concept, of what you can add to their business.

  Remember, your goal is to be invited to an interview. Your resume cover letter helps the employer see the benefits of hiring you and leaves them wanting to find out more about you.

  Cover letters and resumes need each other!

  Cover letters should be sent with your CV or resume whenever you respond to any job advertisement. Adverts like these literally invite you to send off your resume and cover letter.

  There are other times that you'll need to write a resume cover letter.

  Perhaps you're being more proactive and 'cold calling' company's to help them realise how badly they need you.

  If this is not for you, then perhaps a friend or business colleague has told you about a job that sounds just like you!

  Or, you're changing careers and need to convince someone that you are right for the job.

  In all these situations your resume cover letter is an essential part of your application.

  It's a 'resume cover letter' because resumes and cover letters go together. They should never be apart. It's like watching a Tom and Jerry cartoon. It doesn't work if you take away one of the parts. Only when they're together can they perform.

  The good thing is that a resume cover letter is not difficult to write. In fact, there's a basic formula you can follow to write cover letters.

  Best of all cover letters do not need to be very long. You basically need to write three or four short paragraphs that easily fit onto one page.

  But it's very important to use those paragraphs to your best advantage. You've got very limited space to make the best sales pitch of your life.

  So while there are plenty of examples of resume cover letters on the internet make sure that yours is original. It must be perfectly crafted to send to one particular employer addressing one specific job.

  Let's have a look at the basic construction of cover letters and then move on to some powerful strategies to get your cover letters working for you.

  Basic layout

  All cover letters follow the layout of a business letter and should contain language that's formal and business-like. Essentially this means your cover letter should have:

  • Your address and contact details at the top of the page;
  • the date;
  • the name and address of the person you're writing to;
  • a greeting;
  • a reference: "Application for post of Marketing Manager", for example. This is optional.
  • the body of the letter consisting of three or four paragraphs. Each paragraph should be no longer than two or three sentences;
  • signing off including your signature and your name printed below your signature.

  If you are unsure about the layout of a business letter there are many examples on the internet that will guide you.

  While it is important to get the layout correct it is the body of the resume cover letter that demands the most attention.

  The body of your letter is made up of three or four paragraphs and each of these paragraphs has a specific objective.

  On the one hand this makes it easy to write cover letters, but on the other hand you must pay close attention to what you say and how you say it.

  You don't have a lot of word space to use to sell yourself. The space you do have must be put to maximum use.
  
  Discover more detail about writing a four paragraph resume cover letter and how being more assertive can give you the edge.

  1. Opening Paragraph
     The opening paragraph of a resume cover letter is generally used to identify yourself, the position you are applying for, and how you found out about the vacancy.

     It could read something like this:

     I am extremely interested to apply for the position of Marketing Manager as advertised in the Daily Trumpet on 25 June 2009.

     But...this is the kind of sentence that most other applicants will write. If you're interested I'd like to tell you why I think it's boring, and how you can change it to really be noticed.

  2. Paragraph 2
     In the second paragraph you can give details of your academic and/or professional qualifications, as well as personal qualities that make you an ideal candidate.

  3. Paragraph 3
     Use the third paragraph to demonstrate your knowledge of the company, what their needs are and how you are the solution to these needs.
     
     Find more information about the importance of doing research on the company on this page.
     
     
  4. Closing Paragraph
     Traditionally the closing paragraph of a resume cover letter is used to thank the reader for considering you, tell them your resume is attached, that you're available for an interview,that you're interested in the position, and end.
     
     Find out how to make your closing paragraph really work to get you noticed.

Ending the cover letter

The way you end your letter is also really important. Not because of the ending itself, but because of what it says about how interested you are in the company and the position.

It's standard practice to end your letter with 'Yours faithfully' if you do not know who you're writing to, and 'Yours sincerely' if you do know the name of the person you're writing to.

Get into the practice of always ending your resume cover letter with 'Yours sincerely'. This is because you should always address your cover letters to someone specific, preferably the person who is doing the hiring or who will be reading your application.

How do you know their name? Simple really, you contact the company and ask.

Avoid addressing your letter 'Dear Sir' or 'To Whom it may concern'. It's too vague, might be considered sexist, and shows you're not interested enough in the position or the company to find out the name of the person dealing with the appointment.

Instead, discover the name of the person who is doing the hiring. It's a great reason to make contact with the company before you send your application. Give them a call, make sure to tell them who you are, and ask for the name of the person that's dealing with the appointment.

Ask for the correct spelling. Then address your letter to that person. 'Dear Mr Michaels' or 'Dear Ms Hosking' is more powerful than 'To Whom it may concern', and shows that you are concerned enough to get the information.

Okay, enough about layout. Let's deal with some essential tips that will get your resume cover letter noticed.

Critical Cover Letter Tips

There are a number of basic resume cover letter standards that are essential to get right if you are going to be noticed.

• The body of your cover letter should emphasise how your experience and qualifications will directly benefit the person hiring or the organisation. Not how getting the job will benefit you.

  Sometimes we write that we hope to get the job because it will "entrench my knowledge of copper widgets" or it is "aligned with with my love for nursery plants". Change the focus of your letter to how hiring you will benefit the company. Be specific if possible.

• Personalise your cover letter: address it to the name of person hiring and personalise it to the job you are applying for. If you don't do this your cover letter quickly begins to sound as if it's a standard letter you send out to every company. Go out of your way and personalise the letter for the person who will read it. Don't mass produce your letter.

• Make sure you correctly and visibly state the specific job you are applying for, as well as any related reference number.

• Leverage your social and professional network. Networking is very powerful and can influence your application. In your resume cover letter mention contacts you have in the organization or the names of people who have referred you (check that they are well thought of first!).

• Keep all your correspondence formal and businesslike. If you're sending an email application don't be less formal because it's email. Read on below for more important tips when sending email job applications.

• Edit your resume cover letter carefully. Every word should be working hard for you. Make very sure that there are no grammar or spelling mistakes in your letter. Get a friend or colleague to read it if you are unsure about grammar or spelling.

• Write a proactive resume cover letter. Ask for an interview. Don't wait for the employer to contact you. Say that you will follow up - and then make sure you follow up.

Changing Careers?

A career change cover letter follows the same style and principles as the standard resume cover letter.

Ideally you should use your career change cover letter to emphasise your skills and demonstrate that you have thought about how these will positively benefit the company.

So emphasise your abilities, qualities and achievements up front. Immediately highlight the skills and education that prove you will be successful for your new employer.

Cover Letters meet the Internet

Think of email and the Internet as a delivery vehicle, in the same way that the postal service and an envelope deliver your snail mail.

Your resume and cover letter do not change just because you're sending them using email.

Your resume cover letter should remain exactly the same as if you were sending it by traditional mail services or delivering it by hand. An email is the envelope you use to deliver your application to the employer.

If you plan to send your application as an attachment check that the company accepts attachments first. Some don't. It would be terrible if your application was not received because you didn't think to check.

Take advantage of more essential tips like these before you email your application.

You have about 30 seconds to impress the reader enough to view your resume, and then be intrigued enough to want to know more and invite you to an interview.

So be sure to make every word count.

Is that your phone ringing?