Cover Letter Tips

This week, I was given the task of blogging about what I, and a few professionals would consider helpful tips when writing a cover letter. After reading a number of sites online with little tidbits here and there, one theme that seems to permeate throughout most is the idea that if your cover letter doesnt catch a potential employers attention, you’ll probably be passed over. so here are a few helpful tips that I have gathered for you.

1. Think of your cover letter as a commercial for yourself (www.aarp.com)
2. The cover letter should not be any longer than a page. 
3. Refer to the exact job you are applying for.
4. Why are you perfect for the position (www.accent-resume-writing.com)
5. Who will contact who
6. Actively sell yourself

In everything, remember that you have to adhere to certain guidelines to ensure that you are not being looked over for a lack of professionalism. Make sure that your cover letter is straight forward, not too flowery, using clear and concise language that sells you without selling you. Let your work or your work ethic speak for you.

Also, be sure to establish who will establish the next contact. I personally would include a sentence explaining that you would give the prospective employer a call to follow up and see if he or she has made a decision about the position that you are interested in. Then, thank them for their time and express, without being too eager that you hope to be hearing from them soon. This makes you stick out to your possible employer. You as an aspiring employee took the time to follow up prior to your actual interview and the employer is then more likely to remember you and want to connect a face to the polished cover letter sitting on his or her desk.

If you are to be successful, utilize these and other tips that can be found online to ensure that your cover letter is the best professional representation of you. There are plenty of sites available as well as literature that will point you in the right direction. I hope that this was helpful and that some of you are now on your way to developing a cover-letter that you can be proud of.

John Q.

The websites that I paraphrased tips from are:

www.aarp.com

www.accent-resume-writing.com

www.google.com

www.reslady.com/coverletters.html