The Student's Guide to Writing a Cover Letter
Helpful Tips for Making a Great First Impression to Future Employers
Sep 25, 2009
When applying for an internship or job, it is essential to send a cover letter with the resume. A cover letter can be a tricky thing to write, because the job seeker must introduce himself and give himself dimension in a very concise package. Think of a cover letter as a way of expanding upon the things that were described in the resume; the potential employer knows which positions have been held and what the duties and responsibilities were, but they need to see personality and the way that the prospect applies himself to tasks. For a refresher on how to write a resume, read The Student's Guide to Building a Great Resume.
Do Research on the Company
When writing a letter to a potential employer, it should express a genuine interest in the company, not just the paycheck. Standing out as someone who wants to be there versus someone who needs to be there makes a big difference, and writing a detailed cover letter will help to achieve this.
Do some research on the company (the internet makes this step very easy – there is no excuse!) and pick out a few things that are really interesting. Now instead of writing, "Your company is very successful and I would love to work there," say, "I find your small-group work methods and emphasis on community outreach very interesting, and I would love to learn more about how it works."
Apply Skills to the Position
Pick two or three skills that will really connect with the position. Even if someone is inexperienced in the field of the job (as many recent college grads are), they can still mention transferable skills such as "organization" or "good communication." More specific skills, such as the ability to work with specialized computer programs or databases, should absolutely be mentioned as well. The point is to demonstrate that the foundation needed to excel in the job is there.
Use Past Experiences to Showcase Skills
Using previous job experiences can show the potential employer that the prospect has the right skills for the new job. Try to use specific examples, such as "when I worked for Company Y, I helped to design a new computer system that was adopted company-wide." Giving examples of past work experience will not only give the employer a sense of accomplishments, but can also give them ideas about what the prospect may be able to do for their company.
Follow Up to the Job Inquiry
Employers are busy, and sifting through resumes is not always their top priority. Especially in small offices where there is no real Human Resources department to speak of, the person reading the resumes may have other responsibilities to take care of that come before getting back to job inquiry emails. It can be discouraging, but don't give up!
At the end of the cover letter mention a follow up, and follow through! Email is typically preferred to a phone call these days. Don't be annoying, but follow up once or twice to be sure that they received the information.
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