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5 Minutes to a Better Cover Letter

October 17, 2011 8:15 am

By Margaret Smith, Professional Life & Career Coach

You are probably all familiar with the daunting task of writing a cover letter, or perhaps you’re facing the task of writing one for the first time. Either way, the quick and easy pointers I’ve laid out for you below will benefit the quality of your cover letter, and better your chances at landing the job.

Remember: Cover letters are not just a repeat of your resume—viewing them as such will put you at a serious disadvantage.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to personalize your introduction, align your skills to the position being targeted, and get noticed.

The objective is to have the cover letter catch the attention of the reader and cause them to pull your resume from the pile of applicants and place it in the pile of potential interviewees.

Cover Letter Quick Tips:

• Name, address, and date at the top of the letter
• Cover letter addressed to a specific person if possible. If individual unknown, send letter to the title of recipient (Production Manager, Technical Director, Human Resources, etc)
• State your interest in the position
• Make note of special skills that qualify you for the job
• Provide contact info and a time you can be reached
• Thank the contact and close with “Sincerely”
• Always ask someone else to proofread your letter and resume—don’t miss simple grammatical errors!
• Sign your letter with either blue or black ink, NO EXCEPTIONS
• Be concise and to the point (no cutesy statements or overbearing comments)
• Use the same paper as your resume
• Avoid using “I” too often or repeating the same words

Interested in learning more about creating an effective cover letter or interested in consulting a professional to ensure that you land that next job opening? Contact Me Today to learn about career coaching and UXL’s public workshops!

Posted by uxlblog

Categories: Cover Letters, Interview Tips, Tips for the Job Hunt

Tags: Career Coaching, Cover Letter Tips, Margaret Smith, UXL

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