Actually, your covering letter is really a sort of personal introduction to the record of your working life as revealed in the resume that accompanies it. It is different from a letter of application. Generally, when you are submitting the covering letter together with your resume, you have a specific job in mind and for which you are applying.
In your covering letter you should make certain that you have expressed yourself in a way that will engage the attention of the reader to what you have to offer, and that will continue to hold his attention as he reads your resume.
Following are suggestions as to how your covering letter should be arranged:
- The Heading indicates your address and the date. It appears in the upper right-hand comer. When you compose a letter on which your name and address appear in print, only the date should be typed in. The first line of the heading should be typed about five inches below the top of the paper. For a shorter letter, the first line should be from two to eight spaces lower, depending on the length of the letter.
- The Introductory Address consists of the name and address of the person to whom the letter is written. Its first line is flush with the left-hand margin, about six lines below the last line of the heading. The introductory address, like the heading, should be single-spaced.
- The Salutation is your greeting and you can choose from any one of the following: "'Dear Sir," *'Dear Madam," ''Gentlemen," ''My dear Mr. . . ," "My dear Ms. . . ."The salutation is also flush with the left-hand margin, two spaces below the last line of the introductory address, and two lines above the body of the letter.
- The Body of the Letter is the message. The arrangement in the body should look well balanced on the sheet of paper. Each left-hand line should be flush, except for the first line beginning each paragraph, which you can indent a few spaces, or can leave flush also. Either way, the paragraphs should be at least two spaces apart.
- The Closing is typed two or three spaces below the last line of the body. It should be even with the top line of the heading. It should not extend beyond the right margin. Most closings are as follows: "Sincerely," "Cordially," "Yours very truly," "Yours truly."
- The Signature: here is where you sign your name under the closing, in pen and ink.
- "Don'ts" When Writing Letters
- Don't put anything in your letter that you cannot substantiate in the personal interview.
- Don't write for a particular job unless you are certain you want it.
- Don't use sympathy or any sense of urgency as a lever for forcing the interview.
- Don't use your covering letter for any other purpose than as an adjunct to your resume-and leave your personal, political and economic philosophy out of it.
- Don't laud over personal honors or distinctions in an attempt to make a good impression.
- Don't use gimmicks or any form of boasting. Forth right honesty, not trickery, will impress.
- Don't address your letter to a company or a title. Use the name of a person, if possible, or the department or division that will supervise your work.
- Don't buy the employer favors. Sell your own ability and talent.
- Don't write overlong letters; just present the important facts. Let your resume speak for you.
- Don't mail a resume without a covering letter.
- Don't forget to polish the draft of the letter before making the final copy.
- Don't forget to adapt your letter to the facts in the resume, or the conditions that pertain to a job opportunity.
- Don't use routine openings instead of probing for an expression of individuality.
- Don't fail to tap what is best in your resume by drawing attention to it.
- Don't fail to close your letter with a request for a possible interview.
- Don't use jargon-the simple, direct language of everyday speech is best.
- Don't fail to reread your resume and covering letter before mailing. Check appearance, grammar, spelling.
- Use Action Words
