Write Resume Cover Letters: 5 Tips for Success

Writing Effective Resume Cover Letters Is a Very Important Step in Your Job Search

A cover letter is the first impression you make on a potential employer. Creating an effective cover letter is the key to being successful in landing the job you want.

Having a great cover letter is one way to get noticed, whether you use regular mail or email.

Remember that the job you’re applying for may have hundreds or even thousands of other applicants.

Learning to write resume cover letters that are effective and focused will give you an edge.

Five Tips To Consider As You Write Resume Cover Letters

1. Use simple and short sentences and paragraphs.
   Try to keep each paragraph around three or four sentences. You don’t want to bore your potential employer, who will be scanning your letter quickly.
2. Use proper business letter format:

   Contact information at the top; date; contact information of the employer; greeting; first, second, and third paragraphs; and finally your closing and signature.

   Use the body of the letter to outline the position you’re applying for, as well as your strengths and skills as they will apply to the job. Include your interests in the job and the name of a mutual contact if you have one (such as a friend who is recommending you).

3. Use the second paragraph to further build a link between you and the employer.

   Make sure you appeal to the employer’s needs, showing how you can satisfy them. This step of writing your resume cover letter requires careful attention to job descriptions, and it may be assisted by doing some industry and company research.

4. Use the final paragraph to close with a thank you.

   For example: “Thank you for taking the time to consider me for this job. I look forward to hearing from you.”

5. Always use spellcheck AND proofread your cover letter to avoid looking unprofessional.

   Spellcheck alone is insufficent, as it misses those words that are spelled correctly, but are the incorrect word (as where you write “to” meaning “too” or vice versa).

   And few things get a resume tossed in the “do not interview” pile faster than spelling errors and typos.

Learning how to write resume cover letters is an important skill that is vital when you’re applying for a job. Using the tips outlined above will help you improve your cover letters. This will improve your chances of being hired for the job for which you are applying.

For Additional Help with Writing Resumes and Cover Letters

Grandresume.com provides professional resume writing service as well as cover letter editing and writing services. In addition to general resume and cover letter services, Grandresume.com offers special approaches for the following:

• Entry Level and Recent Graduates
• Professional Level
• Executive Level
• Military Career Transition
• Federal Employment

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