Cover Letters

Sell yourself with a compelling cover letter. Learn the words and strategies that will put you above the crowd.

Whether your cover letter needs help with etiquette, professionalism, appropriate wording, or keeping the reader's attention, WriteExpress gives you excellent cover letters that help you find the right words for this situation.

Before we teach you how to write your cover letter, you must understand how to interview for a job

By Alan Stevens, an expert at finding jobs

• Go to the interview with twenty questions you want to ask. Ask them to tell you about them. The more questions you ask, the more you will be successful. The interview isn’t about you. It is about them.

• Look around at their office. Make a mental list of what you see. If a guy has a huge award on his desk, ask him about it. If he is totally organized, compliment him on his organizational skills.

• Answer questions with at most three sentences. Say anything more and you may lose the job. Start the conversion by saying, "I think this could be a great match but I want to know more about you. Tell me about you. What did you do before you began work here?"

• Take notes. Ask a question. When they answer, write something down.

• Say their name. What’s the most important word a person can hear? Their name. If you are interviewed by more than one person, write down their names. Whenever you talk to anyone, say their name.

• Remember it is always about your immediate supervisor’s success. Your job is to make them look good.

How important are cover letters?

1. Your cover letter is the first document an employer reads. It must introduce you with style and class.

2. Many employers toss resumes without cover letters. Some do it automatically.

3. Employers need only ten seconds to decide whether or not they want to hire you based on what you write.

4. Generic cover letters don't work. It isn't about you. It is about what you can do for them.

5. If employers don't like your cover letter, they will quickly move onto the next resume. If it immediately impresses them, they will want to learn more about you.

Employer reasons to toss your resume:

1. There is no accompanying cover letter

2. The same cover letter is obviously used for other job submissions

3. The cover letter does not match the job description

4. The cover letter is filled with general information. All they read is "blah, blah, blah."

5. The cover letter contains spelling, grammatical or typo errors

6. The applicant's skills do not match the job requirements

7. The applicant made unsubstantiated claims

How to write a cover letter:

• Present yourself as someone who can fill the employer's need. In other words, market yourself as somebody with the specific skills and expertise that the job requires.

• Don't just say, "I'm the right person." Describe yourself with well written examples, achievements, work ethic and personality traits that specifically address each job requirement.

• Customize your cover letter for each particular job.

• Emphasize what you have to contribute to the company or organization.

• Show enthusiasm for the opportunity. Do your homework—let the employers know that you know who they are, what they do, and that you have chosen them!

• In bold type, highlight your skills that match the job description.

• Fix all spelling errors, typos and grammar problems.

• Personalize your cover letter. If possible, address your cover letter to the person in charge of interviewing and hiring.

More cover letter tips

• How can your cover letter distinguish you as a candidate?
  It isn't just enough to fire off e-mail resumes. Applying for jobs has become so easy that employers are bombarded with resumes.

• The secret is to send a personalized cover letter. In just three to four paragraphs an employer can decide if he wants to interview you.

• A winning cover letter gets personal
  Tell employers what you know about their company. After reading their Web site, product or service materials and studying the job description, write something you think they will care about.

• Mention contacts within the company
  If you don't know anyone who works there, find a friend of a friend using LinkedIn.com. Call him or her soon as possible to discuss the company.

• Tell employers how your skills fit into the position
  This requires special attention to each sentence. Tell them how your strengths, experience and desires will fit their needs.

• Tell employers how you relate to the organization
  Cover letters are not about you. They are about how you can help the organization.

What the employer wants to read in your cover letter:

• Tailor your cover letter to meet the employer's needs

• List specific examples of solving similar problems that correspond to the employer's needs

• Write a personal letter as if you were talking to the employer directly

• Market your strengths to edge out the competition

• Present yourself as a professional candidate worth interviewing

Need to write a cover letter? Say it right with our professionally written cover letters. Write with confidence using: Must-know letter-writing tips Expert help every step of the way Appropriate phrases and sentences Words writers agree work the best It is easy with cover letters for these topics: Respond to a job advertisement and request an interview Respond to a request for your resume Use networking in a job search Write a cover letter to introduce a resume Write a letter in a job search You will need letters for these topics too: Note: Letter for these topics and more are included in Easy Letters and its deluxe versions. Acceptance letters to restate and close the deal Follow-up letters to help you stand out and get noticed Job-offer letters Request letters to request a raise or promotion Response Letters to negotiate benefits or a higher salary Get the right words for your letters in three easy steps: Choose from a variety of prewritten cover letters that cover many common situations. Copy your letter directly into Microsoft Word or your favorite word processor. Or let our software guide you step-by-step through the writing process, suggesting sample phrases and sentences for each writing step. In minutes, you can write an effective cover letter. Print your cover letter and send it!

More Cover Letter Tips

• Cover Letters—Just How Important Are They?
• How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter
• How to write cover letters: Selling the greatest product in the world—You!
• Action verbs for your cover letter and resume

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