COVER LETTER GUIDELINES

If you want to turn off a prospective employer, send a resume with no cover letter! Or address your letter "Dear Sir," only to have it read by a female manager; or try sending a form letter addressed to "Personnel Manager."

An original, personalized cover letter should accompany every resume you send. Your cover letter should seize the attention of the prospective employer and tell them exactly what you want. You should use one or two points from your resume to tell how you are qualified for the job, and you should end your letter by asking for an interview. Keep your letter short and to the point.

Appearance does count! Review both the cover letter and resume for good margins, clarity, punctuation, spelling and accuracy! Contacts with prospective employers should always be professional. This is business correspondence, so you should always key your cover letter on quality stationery and matching envelopes.

Example:

1" Left and Right Margins

Enter down to line 13 to start typing

       Number and Name of Street, Apt.
       City, State and Zip Code
       Date of letter

       Name of person, title
       Name of company
       Number and Name of Street
       City, State & Zip Code

Name or title of person:

1. Please accept this letter of application for the career specialist position that was advertise in the October 14 Courier Review Herald.

2. As my resume shows, my experience and training qualify me for the position. I am certified as a career specialist, and have had 3 years experience in the field. In August I was recognized as Career specialist of the year. I have been asked to be a presenter at the Annual Career Specialist Conference in Orlando in December of this year.

3. After you review my resume, I would appreciate a personal interview to discuss my qualifications. My telephone number is (580) 555-3066.

       Sincerely,

       Jane Doe

       Enclosure

1. Purpose of Letter
2. Qualifications or Reasons why applicant should be Interviewed
3. Request for an interview
   

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