Job Guidance Resources
How to write a Cover Letter?
“A cover letter allows you to personalize your resume when it is mailed to
prospective employers in response to advertisements or to inquire about possible
interviews.”
The letter's main purpose is to advertise your strengths and assets in a way that
would interest employers in interviewing you. It is also useful in that it can save
valuable time by enabling you to visit only the most promising prospects or helping
you avoid places where there is no interest in you as a prospective employee.
To attract the reader's ATTENTION, the cover letter must look good and be easy to
read. Use of quality 8 1/2" X 11" paper, correct English, spelling, spacing,
paragraphing, margins and above all, flawless typing is a must. Address it to a
particular person by name, making sure that the spelling and title of the individual
are correct. The person addressed should hold an influential position in the company.
A good cover letter is not too long, so try to limit yours to only part of a single
page.
The first paragraph should arouse the reader's INTEREST. This can be done by stating
some particular knowledge you have of the reader's business, by a comment on some
"timely" issue relating to the company's operation or by an impersonal
statement of some outstanding fact relating to your ability that would probably
appeal to the employer.
The body of the cover letter should make the employer DESIRE to interview you by
explaining what you can do for his/her company. Put yourself in the employer's position
as you write and present facts that will both be interesting and accurately describe
your assets and qualifications. Your prospective employer will be interested in
your ability to make and/or save money, to conserve time, to effectively assume
and discharge responsibility and to produce results more rapidly and economically
than anyone else. Do not stress your bad points, such as lack of experience or unemployment.
The last paragraph should request ACTION. Ask directly for an interview stating
specific times and dates when you will call to arrange an interview. In all circumstances
be courteous but use a direct approach.
The letter should end with the formal salutation, "Sincerely yours." Below
the salutation, type your name and then add your signature. Remember the use of
AIDA (ATTENTION, INTEREST, DESIRE, ACTION) will result in a cover letter that is
both pleasing to read and effective.
Cover Letter Outline
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Your Address
City, State, Zip
Date
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(Ms. or Mr.) Personnel Manager
Name of Company
Company Address
City, State, Zip
Dear (Ms. or Mr.) Hiring:
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Your opening paragraph should arouse interest on the part of the reader. Tell the
employer why you are writing the letter. Do not say in the first paragraph that
you are looking for a job. Give information to show your specific interest in the
company.
Your middle paragraphs should create desire. Give details of your background that
will show the reader why one should consider you as a candidate. Be as specific
as possible about the kind of a job you want. Don't make the reader try to guess
what you would be interested in.
Refer the reader to your general qualifications on your enclosed resume or other
material. Use as much space as you need to tell your story but keep it brief and
to the point.
In your closing paragraph you ask for action. Ask for an appointment suggesting
a time when you will contact the individual. You may now list your dates of availability.
Sincerely yours,
[Your Signature]
Type your name here
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Sample Cover Letter
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349-Jahnagir Street
Lahore, Pak. 54500
January 19, 2005
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Dr. Muhammad Ahmad
Punjab University
P.O. Box 746
Lahore, Pak. 54500
Dear Dr. Ahmad:
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I am presently a Cooperative Education student in the Punjab University Hellay College
of Commerce. I have had experiences in programming in Pascal, FORTRAN, "C"
language and am familiar with the DEC-VAX System. As a native of Pakistan, I know
that my language skills would prove useful to your company. I would be most interested
in obtaining a cooperative education assignment with Punjab University for the summer
and fall 2005.
I am currently completing a course in computer electronics and am working on a project
revising a system for radio communications. Additionally, I am working at a local
Radio Shack franchise selling electronic equipment. As you can see, my course work
and experience would be appropriate in your environment.
My resume is enclosed for your review and consideration. I will telephone you during
the week of June 3rd to discuss the possibility of setting up an interview. I will
be available for full-time cooperative education employment from June 25, 2005 through
December 31, 2005.
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely yours,
[Signature]
Naeem Saleem.
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