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4.4 Writing a Cover Letter

Cover Letter - Helpful Hints

What is a cover letter? It's your first real contact with the person who may become your employer. It's your chance to show an employer what qualifies you for the job. A concise, well-written cover letter that contains the right information will make a good first impression.

It pays to take time to learn about the company or organization you are applying to. If your cover letter is tailored to the company and the job, you'll show the employer that you can be a good fit.

There are any number of ways to write cover letters. Here are three samples that show how to follow up on:

• An ad in a newspaper
• A phone call you made to an organization
• An unadvertised job.

Follow this format to write a cover letter in response to an ad.

Follow this format to write a cover letter that follows up on a call to an employer

Follow this format to write a cover letter for an unadvertised job.

Cover Letter - Helpful Hints

• Refer to the job that you are interested in. If there is a competition number, write it down.

• Address your letter to the appropriate contact person, either the employer or a human resources officer. Use their name and title. Double-check the spelling. If the ad doesn't supply a contact, phone and get the right name. Never assume a person is male or female based on a first name - check it out.

• Refer to how you heard about the job, i.e. job posting, newspaper article, or word of mouth.

• Refer to what the company does, and how your skills, abilities and experience can be a valuable addition to their team.

• Make sure the employer knows what action to take - will you call the employer or should the employer call you, and when?

• Provide your name, phone number and address.

• Keep your letter to one page. Type or print it on good quality, 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.

• Proof-read your letter, and ask someone else to read it as well. Correct the errors, and print a clean copy.

• E-mail, mail or hand-deliver your cover letter and résumé. Keep a copy for your files, and note the date that it was sent out.

• Allow plenty of time for delivery. Don't wait until the day before a deadline.