Writing the Perfect Cover Letter

RESUME WRITING
The first step to writing a cover letter and resume is to find a job posting that interests you. You must convince yourself and the employer that you are truly qualified for the position. Employers sometimes receive hundreds of letter for one job posting, especially in these hard economic times.

Don't waste everyone's time by applying for a job you aren't qualified for. A cover letter is a snapshot of yourself and your personality. It showcases your written communication skills. The cover letter allows you to show off your qualification and experience.

Match your fonts and paper you used for your cover letter to that of your resume. This helps to make a more professional result. Make sure you know the name of the person who will be reading your resume. If you do not know the name, it is perfectly okay to skip the salutation. It is more professional to address the letter to a specific person. You can call the company and ask the receptionist for a name and title.

A cover letter should grab the reader's attention immediately. It needs to want the reader to continue on. You need to distinguish yourself from everyone else. This is the time to let them know of your accomplishments. (Such as increasing the sale of your department by 50%)

Mention in the beginning paragraph of your cover letter where you learned about the job position. Explain why you are interested and how you are qualified. Show how professional you are by highlighting your greatest accomplishments and qualifications. Do not sound like you are bragging and do not quote your resume.

Let the perspective employer know what you can contribute to their company. Do not tell them what you hope to gain from this job experience. You can talk about that when you are called in for an interview.

Tell the reader, in the last paragraph of your cover letter, that your resume will explain your qualifications, experience and education. Ask for a personal interview and let them know you are available.

When closing your cover letter, tell the reader that you look forward to hearing from their company, and restate your enthusiasm for learning more about the opportunity. Check your documents for spelling and grammar. Good grammar and spelling shows that you pay attention to detail and conveys professionalism. A bad cover letter and resume will convince the employers that you are careless.

So get started on a cover letter and grab that perfect job!