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Cover Letter
A cove letter is a way to introduce yourself to your employer and show your interest in a particular job vacancy. It includes more detailed information about how your skills match the position. A cover letter will also help you to show a more professional image and to add a personal touch which can help you get noticed.

Key points to include in a cover letter

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Address it to the contact person for the job. If you dont have this information you can address the letter to the company. Avoi d sending the same covering letter to multiple companies at the same time. Include customized content for the job you are applying for. Be concise no more than one page. Highlight the similarities between the job offer and your skills, experience or education. Ensure it complements the information contained in your CV and avoid repeating the same wording you used in your CV.

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What should I keep in mind while writing a cover letter?

Information contained in the ad such as contact person, contact persons position, job requirements, application deadline, and application procedure. In what language should I write my cover letter? Its advisable to write the cover letter in the same language used in the ad unless the company requires something different. Do I need to keep my cover letter?

Its good practice to keep all your cover letters in a special folder on your computer because you can use them later as a starting point to write a new cover letter. Besides, this allows you to have a record of all your application-related communications. For example, companies youve already applied to and information youve already sent.

How do I write a cover letter?

Keep the following steps in mind:

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Format. Use letter size paper. Put your address at the top right hand corner. Skip down 3-4 lines and enter the date. Skip 3-4 more lines and write the contact persons name. Salutation. Use a formal salutation such as Dear Ms. Harris. Avoid "To whom it may concern", or "Dear Sir/Madam", whenever possible. You can find out the name of the recruiting or sales manager on the company website. First paragraph. In this section tell the employer why you're writing to them. State the position you are applying for. Design your opening statements to catch the readers attention. Examples are Your ad for an EN-SP translation position caught my attention and has held it since or I appear to be an excellent match for your current requirements. If you're writing a letter of interest or an inquiry letter, in which you're asking about translation positions that might be available, specify why you are interested in working for that particular company. Second paragraph. This is the most important section of your letter because it highlights how your particular skills match the job requirements. When you write this section keep in mind that the purpose is to show your potential employer what you can contribute to their bottom line, not what you want to get out of the deal. You can research the employer's background and history to help you with this section.

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Third paragraph. Make this closing paragraph between 2 -4 sentences. In this section you should direct the employer to the enclosed rsum saying something like Please find my rsum attached, which will offer you a more complete understanding of my

qualifications. Provide your phone number or email address and encourage them to get in touch with you. It's very important to finish off by thanking the employer for their time and consideration.
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Conclusion. If you have addressed the letter to a named person, use "Yours sincerely. If you have used "Dear Sir" then conclude with "Yours faithfully" or "Regards". Leave one or two lines to sign your name. Its extremely important that you proofread your letter to check if you used correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax. Try to use active sentences, avoid informal writing and keep a professional tone. Format for a cover letter Its better to have two versions of your CV, one in PDF and one in text-only format. The latter is particularly useful if you send your cover letter in the body of an email message.