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An effective cover letter, part by part
Getting What You Want
Near the end of your letter, do two things:
- Ask for what you want (probably a job interview).
- Thank the person.
Try to keep the ball in your court by saying something to the effect of "I'll call you to see when we can meet" instead of a more passive approach such as "I hope to hear from you."
If you don't have contact information for the employer and there fore can't call her, or if the ad specifies no phone calls, try anassertive close that nudges the employer to call you for an interview, such as the following:
- I'll be interviewing in Florida during the last week of thismonth. Please call me to schedule an appointment.
- With the end of the second quarter approaching, you may need to do some catch-up in sales. The sooner I get to work, the more I can contribute to reaching your annual goals. Let's talk!
You can thank the employer very simply:
- Thank you for reviewing this resume in advance of our meeting.
- I appreciate the time you've spent considering my request.
- I'm looking forward to our meeting. Thank you.
Bonus Check
Don't be afraid to use demonstrative language in your letter--after all, you really want a job from this employer, don't you? As long as your phrases are natural and appropriate, say them with confidence.
Job-Hunt Hint
Think of your letter as the bridge between your resume (which is a monologue) and your interview (which is a dialogue).
Career Casualty
Don't write "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam" as a salutation in your cover letter. It's far too formal and impersonal. Instead, use one of the suggestions in this section.
What would you say in person to thank a prospective employer for considering you for a job? What you would say verbally is a hint as to what to write at the end of your cover letter.
Ten-Four
It's time to sign off with a complimentary close such as the following:
- Sincerely,
- Sincerely yours,
- Very sincerely,
- With regards,
- Regards,
- Thank you!
Skip a few lines after your complimentary close, and type your name. After you've printed out your letter, sign the letter in the space between your close and your typed name.
Flush left on the next line, type "Enclosure: resume." This way, the recipient of your package knows that you've included your resume, without your having to take up valuable space in your letter saying so.
Terms of Employment
Complimentary close is the term for the word or short phrase just above your signature. "Sincerely yours" is perhaps the most commonly used complimentary close for job-search correspondence.
Bonus Check
Mentioning the employer's friend or colleague in the first paragraph is a great way to grab the employer's attention. The person you name is likely someone whose opinion the employer trusts. And by referring to his buddy, you increase the chance that your letter and resume will be read because the employer knows his colleague might ask him about your application.
Name Dropping
A great way to start your letter is with the name of someone both you and your reader know. This person could be any of the following:
- A mutual friend ("Your cousin Larry suggested I contact you about ...")
- A respected professional associate ("When Linda Standall mentioned your name at the dental convention ...")
- A well-known person, even if neither of you knows him personally ("In the words ofour industry's guru, Bill Gates ...")
A familiar name is apt to make the employer sit up and take notice. It'll also make the employer realize that you already have something in common and that a conversation with you will feel natural.
Bonus Check
Your first sentence is critical for nabbing the employer's attention. Here are some ideas for how you could kick off your letter:
- Begin with a question that piques the reader's interest.
- Lead in with the name of someone you both know.
- Start out with a quote that applies to the type of business the employer is involved with.
- Explain how you learned about the job opening you're applying for.