How to Write a Great Cover Letter

7/31/2019 How to Write a Great Cover Letter

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How to Write a Great Cover

Letter

Norman Creaney


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Why do I need a Cover Letter?

The cover letter is an

essential part of any jobapplication or enquiry.

A well written letter will

ensure a favourablereception for your CV.A carelessly written letter willirritate a busy reader, andcause the CV to be ignored.

It is not difficult to write agreat cover letter.

Curriculum Vitae

"a brief biographical rsum of one'scareer and training, as prepared by aperson applying for a job."- Dictionary.com

More common term in the UK

Rsum

"a brief written account of personal,educational, and professionalqualifications and experience, as that

prepared by an applicant for a job." -Dictionary.com

More common term in the USA


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Two Kinds of Cover Letter

The response letter:

When responding to anadvertised vacancy, you willnormally either submit a CVor resume, or complete aspecific application form.

Your submission should beaccompanied by a coverletter, which should be briefand concise - normally nomore than one side.

The enquiry letter:

No vacancy has been advertised.You are initiating contact with anemployer to inform them of yourskills and availability, and to suggestthat they consider you for anyvacancies that arise. This issometimes called a cold call,speculative or enquiry letter.

Your letter should be brief andconcise - normally no more than oneside -and should be accompanied byyour CV.


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The Enquiry Letter

Dear Mr. Jones

I am a final year student on the at the and Iam contacting you to let you know that I would like to be considered for anyvacancies that you have for . I am particularly interestedin this work because , and I believe that I have the potentialto make a valuable contribution to your company.

I expect to graduate on with and I will be available for employment from .

You may be interested to note the following items on my curriculum vitae, whichare particularly relevant to this post.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I lookforward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Send the letter to thehead of HumanResources.

Copy the letter to thehead of thedepartment in whichyou would like towork.

The letter should betyped and thoroughlychecked.


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The Application Form

You will frequently be

asked to complete, orfill out, a specificapplication form.

If you are suppliedwith an electronic

copy of the form, thisis ideal.

You can edit, proofread and re-edit untilyou are completelysure that everything

is just perfect. Thefinal copy will be tidyand error-free.

If you are required to complete a paper form, then you need to

be careful. You must avoid, at all costs, submitting a form that isdirty or has untidy corrections.

1. Make a photocopy of the original form.2. Draft your answers on the photocopy.3. Do all your proof reading, editing and correcting on the copy.4. When youre absolutely certain that what you have

written is complete and accurate, then you can transferthe information carefully and neatly onto the originalform.

Answer all questions as fully as you are able to.

If a question seems not to be applicable to you, you mayindicate this by writing "Not Applicable"or"NA".

Do not say in answer to any question see my CV or "seeanswer to previous question".


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Write, Read, Revise ... Repeat ...

Writing is an iterative process that may include multiplecycles of proof-reading and revision.

It is very difficult to proof-read your own writing so it is bestto get the help of a friend.

If you cannot get a friend to help then it may help to:

Read your writing out aloud to yourself - this oftenuncovers problems that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Do not try to do everything at the one session - leavesome time between writing and proof-reading.


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Ac-cen-tuate the Positive

In all communication with apotential employer:

1. Clearly indicate yourpositive attributes

emphasising those that aremost relevant to thevacancy.

2. Say nothing about yournegative attributes unless youre specifically

asked.3. Be truthful do not tell any

lies.

Mister In-Between~ Johnny Mercer & Harold Arlen

"You've got to accentuate the positive.Eliminate the negative.Latch on to the affirmative.Don't mess with Mister In-Between."


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Related Materials

How to Write a Great Cover Letterhttp://knol.google.com/k/-/-/1hzaxtdr9c09g/24#How to Write a Great First CV (Resume)

http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/1hzaxtdr9c09g/12#
http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/1hzaxtdr9c09g/12#http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/1hzaxtdr9c09g/24#

How to Write a Great Cover Letter

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