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You’ve done it.
You have written what must be the perfect resume and you’re ready to send it out into the world to potential employers, right?
Wrong. You’re almost there but not quite. That carefully created resume of yours lacks an equally carefully crafted cover letter. Never fear. Guidance is here.
Why You Need a Cover Letter
If you are applying for a specific position and will be sending your resume to an individual in hopes of landing an interview for said position, you need a cover letter.
You need it because a cover letter is what introduces your sterling credentials to a potential employer. It is that segue that matches their needs with your qualifications. It is the valuable chance to use your real voice vice resume sentence fragments to peak the interest of the reader.
How to Write a Cover Letter in 5 Simple Steps
Step One: Outline your cover letter on the blank screen. It should include the following areas:
- A heading with your name, address, telephone and email address
- The date typed using a civilian format (July 1, 2010 rather than 1 Jul 10)
- A salutation line using the correctly spelled name of a real person
- Space for three to four paragraphs
- Sincerely, accompanied by five blank lines and then your name repeated
Step Two: Populate your paragraphs with relevant information.
In paragraph one, explain how you learned about the job opening, citing a specific vacancy number if applicable and express your interest in it. If someone the reader knows fondly recommended you apply for the job, name drop here.
In paragraph two, show specifically how what you have to offer in terms of experience, skills and abilities matches what the employer is seeking. Don’t be shy about using the exact words found in the job vacancy announcement. In fact, comb through that announcement with a highlighter and note the important buzzwords. Boldly use them in your cover letter at this point. If you need to use a third paragraph here, go ahead and do so. Just make sure any information you include is relevant and worthy of input.
In paragraph three (or four if you used two paragraphs above), close the letter out proactively. Re-emphasize your interest in the position and your availability for an interview. Note that you will contact the employer by a certain date if you haven’t heard back from him first. Afterwards, make a note on your own personal calendar to follow up with that claim if necessary.
Step Three: Mind the details for a polished, professional appearance.
- Maintain a one-inch margin on the top, bottom and sides of your document.
- Use an easy-to-read font and size such as Times New Roman, 11 or 12 point.
- Avoid abuse of your formatting palette. Too many instances of bolding, underlining and italicizing only detract from the content itself.
- Keep your cover letter to one page only. Two or more pages are too many.
- Do a spelling and grammar check using your computer and one using your own set of eyes.
- Avoid the use of worn out clichés in your letter. Use your own voice. Let the employer get a glimpse of the real you.
- Keep it original. Each time you apply for a different job, wordsmith it to match the opening just as you would your resume.
Step four: Set it aside for a few minutes. Get some fresh air. Take a walk. Move on to other job search activities. After a few minutes, go back to your cover letter and read it critically with a fresh set of eyes. Make any revisions you deem appropriate, save it and print it out if snail-mailing.
Step five: Now you can send it out into world, along with your perfectly crafted resume, with the confidence that it is ready to take wings and lead you to the next step in the process: the job interview.
Janet Farley is the author of The Military-to-Civilian Career Transition Guide.
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Dear Prospective Employer:
I have over 29 years of experience in Administration, Human Resources and Subcontractors. I have Professional experience with senior-level mangement both goverment and private officials in various work envioronment. I have completed some college credits, training and hands-on experience while working as a Federal empolyee in support of the United States Army. Therefore if your agency is in need of an employee who is a team player that can complete day-to-day tasks, then we have a very good reason to meet.
My requested salary is in the Mid $30K , this is negotiable depending on the requirement of the job, location and employee benefits offered by the agency.
Enclosed is a copy of my resume for your review and welcome the opportunity to discuss the postion and qualifications with you by, Phone, Interview, or by email response.
Sincerely
Doris Willis |
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Doris Willis (Millersville Maryland) on March 18, 2011 at 5:32pm
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I have 31 years of experience at the Patuxent River Naval Air Warfare Center in the NAVAIR Metrology Calibration Program.
Currently, my postion title is "Standard Acquisition Specialist" at the Metrology Engineering Support Branch (MESB). My foremost responsibilities include procurement of calibration standards for the Navy's aircraft and shipboard fleet, tracking, and coordination of requirements for calibration standards, system management and data entry into the NAVY ERP System.
Dedicated to the Department of the Navy for the last 31 years, shows you that I am reliable team player. I am looking forward to relocating in the southern Georgia or northern Florida area.
References on Request.
Sincerely,
Linda Moore |
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Linda S. Moore (Valley Lee Maryland) on August 24, 2010 at 2:08pm
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Dear Prospective Employer:
I have over 24 years of experience in Administration, Human Resources, Subcontracts and Contract Billing. I have professional experience with senior-level management both private and government officials in various work environments. I have completed some college credits, training and hands-on experience while working as a contractor in support of the United States contracts. Therefore, if your agency is in need of an employee who is a team player that can complete day-to-day tasks, then we have good reason to meet.
My requested salary is in the mid-to-high $70K. It is negotiable depending on the requirements of the job, location and employee benefits offered by the agency.
Enclosed is a copy of my resume for your review and welcome the opportunity to further discuss the position and qualifications by way of interview, phone or email response.
Sincerely
Nancy L. Wilcox |
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Nancy Wilcox (Hudson New Hampshire) on August 22, 2010 at 2:01pm
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I have read your employment advertisement, and I am convinced that I could perform effectively in this position for you.
Conscientious, hardworking, and multi-talented are words that characterize the qualities that have made me an asset to my employers. Over the course of my career I have managed personnel and resources in organizations ranging in size from 4 to 80 and know how to work independently while using my experience and judgment to respond to various situations. My attention to detail, analytical expertise, and proficiency in preparing written reports have resulted in my receipt of commendatory recognition from superiors and outside agencies. My ability to complete projects in a timely manner while eliciting needed information for critical decision making was demonstrated when I successfully performed, in a 2-day timeframe, a detailed audit of 180 records, most of which were in formats with which I was unfamiliar, and created a report of discrepancies along with correct information. Additionally, as an intelligence officer, I excelled in conducting research in both English and German and trained personnel in utilizing the same methods. I am adaptable to a variety of working conditions and situations and am an effective communicator—talents which would make me an immediate contributor to your team.
At your convenience, I hope to meet with you in person to discuss how my qualifications would meet your needs.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jon Thomas Stutzman |
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Jon Thomas Stutzman (Sierra Vista Arizona) on August 21, 2010 at 12:30am
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Dear Prospective Employer:
I have several years of Network Technician and Administrative Support skills. I have professional experience with senior-level management both private and government officials in various work environments. I have completed some college credits, training and hands-on experience towards my A+ certification throughout my career with significant results. Therefore, if your agency is in need of an employee who is a team player that can complete day-to-day task, then we have good reason to meet.
My requested salary is in the mid-to-high $45K. It is negotiable depending on the requirements of the job and employee benefits offered by the agency.
Enclosed is a copy of my resume for your review and welcome the opportunity to further discuss the position and qualifications by way of interview, phone or email response.
Sincerely
Bonita Richardson |
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Bonita Richardson (Washington D.C.) on August 15, 2010 at 10:56am
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Outstanding contribution, Mark! |
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Robert Clontz (Portage Michigan) on August 3, 2010 at 10:31pm
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Dear Hiring Manager:
Dedication, Knowledge and Responsability is the ethic I bring everyday in my life . This is the approach I take every day to solve problems and develop solutions. The combination of my experience, skills and education will enable me to achieve immediate, positive results for any company.
You will note on my enclosed resume that I have enjoyed a successful career in the United States Navy where my experience was in the Electrical field but also involve quality assurance and supervision. I've been working directly on the Engineering Department and my main pourpose was analize and find solutions to Electrical problems as they arose reading blue prints or diagrams and understanding how they operate in conjuction with their capacities and specifications. This diverse knowledge combined with the variety of skills learned during my military carreer and my ability to adapt and work around personnel, make me a key player any ship or place I have been working on.
If your company can benefit from innovative solutions, increased efficiency and above-average quality assurance ratings, then I would welcome the opportunity to meet in person. I look forward to further discussing how I can be of assistance to you as an addition to your team. Thank you for your consideration of my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Antonio Santiago |
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Antonio Santiago Guadalupe (Groton Connecticut) on August 3, 2010 at 2:59pm
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FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant technician, FCC certified, a graduate of North Central Institute with a Associate Degree in Applied Science in Aviation Technology. Certified and school trained in Aviation Safety and Aviation Life Support Equipment. Over 22 years of experience in all aspects of aircraft maintenance and maintenance management with the U.S military .Knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems and processes; solid experience in preventive maintenance and repair of aircraft from nose to tail, wing-to-wing, and cockpit to tires. I look forward to further discussing how I can be of assistance to you as an addition to your team. Thank you for your consideration of my qualifications. |
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Edward (Clarksville Tennessee) on July 29, 2010 at 7:58pm
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Dear Hiring Manager:
Ingenuity can be defined as having resourcefulness, inventive, skill and imagination. This is the approach I take every day to solving problems and developing solutions. Therefore, I believe I am an excellent candidate for a Configuration Management, Production Manager, or Quality Assurance position. The combination of my experience, skills and education will enable me to achieve immediate, positive results for any company.
You will note on my enclosed resume that I have enjoyed a successful career in the United States Air Force where my experience was in quality assurance inspection and maintenance production management. For more than 8 years, I was assigned to the flight test team in Palmdale, California where I served as a liaison between aviation engineers, contractors and aircraft test pilots to improve processes and resolve problems. I conducted QA inspections and oversaw structural maintenance of these one-off, unique aircraft and tested new configurations and modifications to verify their flight worthiness. I then worked directly with engineers and pilots to determine solutions to problems as they arose. In my resume you will see that I have knowledge of 7 different types of aircraft. This diverse knowledge combined with the variety of my aviation production management and many facets of QA will enable me to quickly learn any new systems or processes.
If your company can benefit from innovative solutions, increased efficiency and above-average quality assurance ratings, then I would welcome the opportunity to meet in person. I look forward to further discussing how I can be of assistance to you as an addition to your team. Thank you for your consideration of my qualifications.
Sincerely,
MY NAME HERE |
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Mark P (Avondale, Arizona) on July 17, 2010 at 10:50pm
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