A cover letter, or letter of application, usually accompanies the resume. It indicates your formal application for a specific position. Cover letters also highlight or elaborate on the strengths in your resume. Be sure to address the cover letter to a specific person whenever possible - preferably the person for whom you'd be working or, if necessary, the director of human resources. A cover letter comprises three main elements.
Introductory Paragraph
The first paragraph mentions the position you're interested in and how you've learned of the opening (if indeed you have learned of an opening. If a friend or relative told you about the position, mention his or her name and be sure to send him or her copy of your letter. You may also want to specify in this paragraph why you're applying to this particular company (i.e., because of its outstanding reputation in the field).
If you are sending a mass mailing to many companies over a large area, focus instead on the abilities you have that will be of interest to an employer and that pertain to the type of position you seek. If you are sending a cover letter to a specific company and you don't know whether there is an opening, begin by explaining what position you're interested in and why you decided to write an application.
Body
In the middle two paragraphs you should plan to "toot your own horn," honestly of course. Be sure to mention in this section at least three of your strong points. Job seekers often use one paragraph to explain their educational background and another paragraph to describe their work experience. Refer to sections of your resume that you'd like to highlight. Also make mention of other qualities that suggest you're a desirable employee. Are you energetic, enthusiastic, punctual, loyal, or a fast learner? Choose adjectives that are accurate and applicable to the position you want.
Closing
Don't forget the overall purpose of sending your cover letter and resume to obtain an interview. Be sure to indicate specifically what you want the employer to do next. "I'd like to arrange an interview at your earliest convenience" is a clear statement. Make mention of how and where you can be reached, or indicate that you'll call the employer on a specific day. The talk should be polite yet explicit as to what the next step in the process should be.
Letter Formats
The following three sample letters demonstrate two common business letter formats, full-modified-block. They are equally acceptable for any business correspondence. The first sample letter is suitable for a mass mailing to companies that may or may not have advertised job openings. It is important to realize that even hundreds of mass-mailed letters often yield only one or two nibbles. Targeting and researching a few specific companies that are good prospects is a more effective technique.
When responding to a classified ad that does not specify a name to which to address your letter, tailor your letter a bit. Look carefully at the job description, then use similar terms to describe yourself. (Of course, you may also tailor your job objective on your resume to match the position described in the ad.)
