Employment: Cover Letters

Cover letters
• Purpose
• Importance
• Preparation
• Layout
• Opening
• Body
• Closing
• E-Mail cover letters
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a supplement to your resume that
includes
• More detailed information about yourself
• Highlights key points in your resume
• Expresses your interest in the position
• And shows off relevant qualifications to a
prospective employer
Purpose
Clarifies what employers want to know:

• Can you handle the responsibilities of the job?

• Do you enjoy your work?
• Are you a professional and will you fit in?
Importance
• The cover letter is the first thing an employer
sees!
• It helps you stand out from the crowd in a way to
ensure you are the one employers are
determined to hire
• It gets the employer excited about the resume
• It helps position yourself
• Is part of the whole package that WILL
encourage an employer to want to get to know
you better
Prepare
• Research the company - find out about their
mission statement, their growth or decline, and
any big projects or acquisitions in process
• Brainstorm a list of reasons about why you’re the
ideal candidate, and which of your skills,
experiences, and qualities you want to highlight
that best match the job and organization
• Do not write more than 1 page
• Do not repeat your resume, refer to it
Layout
Use formal letter format

Paragraph 1 - Opening – introduction

Paragraph 2 & 3 – Support & summary of

suitability

Paragraph 4 - Closing – Desire for an interview

Opening
• Address the letter to an individual by name
• For advertised jobs, name the source; include
job title, date, and publication
• If someone referred you, name that person
• State that you believe you are an ideal fit for the
role
 Ali Hassan
123-67 Faisal Town
Lahore 54700
123 456 7890

1 November 2014

Salman Bashir
National Pvt Ltd
257 Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate
Kot Lakh Pat, Lahore 54700

Dear Mr Bashir

I am writing in reference to your advertisement in the local Dawn newspaper for the
need of a Software Developer at your organization. I consider that my credentials and
interests match with the job requirements and want to apply for the same.
Body
• Demonstrate how your background and training
fill the job requirements
• Summarize your principal assets from
education, experience, and special skills
• Avoid repeating specific data from your résumé
• Refer to your résumé
I have been working as an Assistant Developer at
ABC since the past two years. During this time, I
have acquired a very good knowledge of Web
technologies including Perl CGI and PHP. My
responsibilities include providing back end
support for the distributed applications and
guiding new trainees through their jobs.
Closing
• Restate that you are an excellent fit for the position and the
organization, reviewing your strongest points
• State that you would enjoy discussing the position further –
ask for an interview
• Make it easy to respond – give your contact information and
procedure; tell when you can be reached (during office hours)
• Thank them for their consideration, and state that you will
follow up with them in a week
• Close the letter with “Sincerely”, and be sure to sign it in blue
or black ink pen if you are mailing it
• Mention résumé in enclosure
Although I am enjoying my present job, I am looking for new
opportunities in the same field. I believe I am well equipped, both
academically and professionally, for the position vacant at your
organization and will be happy to meet you to discuss my eligibility
further. You can contact me on weekdays during regular office hours. I
will be thankful for your consideration.

Sincerely

Your Signature
Name

Enclosure: Resume
E-Mail cover letters
• Compose as carefully as cover letters; don’t think you can be careless or casual
just because the communication is electronic
• Use the subject line to introduce your reason for emailing
• Use Mr, Dr, or Ms to address an email just like a hard copy cover letter
• Close emails with “Sincerely” just like a hard copy cover letter; it is acceptable to
type your name
• Remove any signature from your email
• Be very polite, friendly, and professional
• Do not send emails very early in the morning or very late at night - the contact
can see the time sent
• Wait a week to follow up to any email you send; it is customary for professional
contacts to give a week of reply time before you try again
• Do not use colored backgrounds, graphics, or flashy or cursive fonts in an email
• Try to use the same font as your resume
• Try to send attachments as PDFs, not Word documents
Dear Mr Bashir

I am writing in reference to your advertisement in the local Dawn newspaper for the need of a
Software Developer at your organization. I consider that my credentials and interests match with
your requirement and want to apply for the same. Please find my resume attached to this email for
details on qualifications and experience.

I have been working as an Assistant Developer at ABC since the past two years. During this time I
have acquired a very good knowledge of Web technologies including Perl CGI and PHP. My
responsibilities include providing back end support for the distributed applications and guiding
new trainees through their jobs.

I believe I am well equipped, both academically and professionally, for the position vacant at your
organization and will be happy to meet you to further discuss my eligibility. Thank you for your
consideration.

Sincerely

Your Signature
Tom Jones
Additional tips
• Avoid negatives - don’t mention why you left a job
• Do not start every sentence with “I”
• Be clear and concise
• Leave a space between paragraphs
• Use formal or neutral language
• Use the same paper that you use for your resume
• Ensure the name of the person addressed in the letter is spelled correctly and
that you have his/her correct title
• Demonstrate that you have researched the company by including some
information in one or more of your sentences
• Sign the cover letter with a blue or black ink pen
• Ensure your letter is an original and customized, and not a copy
• Proofread. Proofread. Proofread!
Dear Mr _____

I am writing to apply for the position of Media Relations Manager, vacant at your organization
according to your website. ___ is a fast-moving global institution and an outstanding
communications pioneer, now poised to guide the direction of print journalism.

As a recent graduate of the National Taipei University of Technology with significant experience in
finance, administration and media, I bring the necessary energy and commitment to thrive in
____'s innovative environment.

As the current Media Relations Coordinator of the XYZ company, I am a practiced business liaison
and an able administrator. These strengths, combined with deep and varied employment and
internship experience as a journalist and media consultant with ABC and DEF, prepare me to make
a strong and immediate impact at ____.

I am excited about the opportunity to join the ___ team as it moves to the center of the print media
conversation. I will be happy to further discuss my qualification and work with you at an interview.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely
123