| Do you have a career, or are you one of those great | | | | - check for typos and misspelled words |
| number of people looking for a job? Your 'job search' | | | | - thank the employer for reading your letter |
| will soon end if you only know the basics to a good | | | | - double check names, titles, company address |
| application. When you apply for any job, you would | | | | - write a letter that is original |
| need to submit a resume along with a cover letter. | | | | - use quantifiable examples |
| The cover letter serves as an introduction to the | | | | Don'ts |
| resume. | | | | - assume any detail regarding the employer's gender |
| Upon submission of your resume and cover letter, your | | | | - start with a dull introduction |
| first interaction with the prospective employer takes | | | | - re-use resume information |
| place. Your cover letter will be your sure-fire ticket to | | | | - use clichés |
| an interview or a telephone call. | | | | - exceed one page for the letter |
| Professionalism is the fundamental factor to success. | | | | - bother with creative fonts, page layouts, and color |
| You have to make sure that you got all things right, | | | | - forget your signature |
| from the name of the company, the employer, to the | | | | - forget adding your contact details |
| letters structure, design and copy. | | | | - forget to check for typos and spelling |
| How you actually present your credentials will | | | | - expect the employer to act on your behalf |
| determine your competitive edge; the letter itself will | | | | - forget to attach your resume |
| outline all your skills/experiences that will set your | | | | - use big words |
| separately from other job applicants. You have to | | | | - use paragraphs with block style |
| establish what your abilities are; and as to how these | | | | - use generic or form letters |
| abilities will benefit the company. | | | | - generalize attributes |
| You need to capture the employer's attention starting | | | | - forget to call or follow up |
| on the first paragraph. Tell how you learned about the | | | | If you incorporated all these things while writing your |
| opening, and you can even name drop to make your | | | | cover letter, then you will surely have an effective and |
| letter more personalized. Write as if you're having a | | | | attention-grabbing letter. |
| conversation with the employer. | | | | If you want more information about cover letters, there |
| To further understand how to write a good cover | | | | are a lot of websites in the Internet that you are free |
| letter, here are the do's and don'ts: | | | | to visit. You can even get copies of examples or |
| Do's | | | | samples of cover letter. |
| - address a specified employer on the letter salutation | | | | You can also seek for online professional help, |
| - know the position you are applying and the company | | | | however, certain amount of fees is charged. As long |
| - sell yourself in the right manner | | | | as you're confident enough that you can do it yourself, |
| - use action verbs and marketing words to make an | | | | why not write your own cover letter? At least you get |
| impact | | | | to write what you really want, and mind you, personal |
| - seek help from a professional when writing your | | | | cover letters are much more effective than |
| letter | | | | 'ready-made' letters. |
| - use a professional and formal format | | | | Start now, and make your own letter. Who knows, |
| - consider the use of bullets, bold highlights | | | | your job is just waiting around the corner. |