Writing Cover Letters
in this article you would find the following vital information that will aid you in your cover letter writing.
What is a cover letter?
What to include in a cover letter?
How to organize a cover letter?
Questions to guide your writing?
How to format a cover letter?
What is a cover letter?
To be considered for almost any position, you will
need to write a letter of application. Such a letter
introduces you, explains your purpose for writing,
highlights a few of your experiences or skills, and
requests an opportunity to meet personally with the
potential employer.
Precisely because this letter is your introduction to
an employer and because first impressions count,
you should take great care to write an impressive
and effective letter. Remember that the letter not
only tells of your accomplishments but also reveals
how effectively you can communicate.
The appropriate content , format , and tone for
application letters vary according to the position and
the personality of the applicant. Thus you will want
to ask several people (if possible) who have had
experience in obtaining jobs or in hiring in your field
to critique a draft of your letter and to offer
suggestions for revision.
Despite the differences in what constitutes a good
application letter, the suggestions on these pages
apply generally.
What to include in a cover letter
Try to limit your letter to a single page. Be succinct.
Assess the employer's needs and your skills. Then
try to match them in the letter in a way that will
appeal to the employer's self-interest.
As much as possible, tailor your letter to each job
opportunity. Demonstrate, if possible, some
knowledge of the organization to which you are
applying.
Write in a style that is mature but clear; avoid long
and intricate sentences and paragraphs; avoid
jargon. Use action verbs and the active voice;
convey confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm
coupled with respect and professionalism.
Show some personality, but avoid hard-sell,
gimmicky, or unorthodox letters. Start fast; attract
interest immediately.
Arrange the points in a logical sequence; organize
each paragraph around a main point.
top.
How to organize a cover letter?
Below is one possible way to arrange the content of
your cover letter.
Opening Paragraph
State why you are writing.
Establish a point of contact (advertisement in a
specific place for a specific position; a particular
person's suggestion that you write): give some brief
idea of who you are (a Senior Management student at
University of Uyo ; a recent M.sc in Strategic Management).
Paragraph(s) 2(3)
Highlight a few of the most salient points from your
enclosed resume.
Arouse your reader's curiosity by mentioning points
that are likely to be important for the position you
are seeking.
Show how your education and experience suit the
requirements of the position, and, by elaborating on
a few points from your resume, explain what you
could contribute to the organization.
(Your letter should complement, not restate, your
resume.)
Closing paragraph
Stress action. Politely request an interview at the
employer's convenience.
Indicate what supplementary material is being sent
under separate cover and offer to provide additional
information (a portfolio, a writing sample, a sample
publication, a dossier, an audition tape), and explain
how it can be obtained.
Thank the reader for his/her consideration and
indicate that you are looking forward to hearing
from him/her.
Questions to guide your writing
Who is my audience?
What is my objective?
What are the objectives and needs of my audience?
How can I best express my objective in relationship
to my audience's objectives and needs?
What specific benefits can I offer to my audience
and how can I best express them?
What opening sentence and paragraph will grab the
attention of my audience in a positive manner and
invite them to read further?
How can I maintain and heighten the interest and
desire of the reader throughout the letter?
What evidence can I present of my value to my
audience?
If a resume is enclosed with the letter, how can I
best make the letter advertise the resume?
What closing sentence or paragraph will best
assure the reader of my capabilities and persuade
him or her to contact me for further information?
Is the letter my best professional effort?
Have I spent sufficient time drafting, revising, and
proofreading the letter?
How to format a cover letter
Type each letter individually, or use a word
processor.
Use good quality bond paper.
Whenever possible, address each employer by
name and title.
Each letter should be grammatically correct,
properly punctuated, and perfectly spelled. It also
should be immaculately clean and free of errors.
Proofread carefully!
Use conventional business correspondence form. If
you are not certain of how to do this, ask for help by contacting our career unit
call +2348062761683
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