Writing Cover Letters That Make Your Resume Shine
By Freddie Johnson

Writing an exceptional cover letter may be more important than writing a quality resume. Unfortunately, many people put their cover letter together as an afterthought, focusing all their attention on writing a top-notch resume.

But just as the resume "sells" your potential employer on giving you a job interview, the cover letter "sells" that same person on taking the time to read your resume. If your cover letter doesn't impress, you won't get the job interview because your resume, no matter how great it is, won't get read.

So how do you write a cover letter?

Your cover letter is a business letter. Your name, address and phone number should be at the very top, either centered or left justified. This should be followed by the contact details of your prospective employer.

The opening paragraph should grab the employer's attention and focus tightly on the exact job you are applying for. You can summarize, name, request or question the availability of an opening.

In the following paragraphs you need to provide the information necessary to compel the employer to not only read your resume but give you the job interview. Your cover letter should include a summarized version of the most important pieces of your resume that most closely apply to the position for which you are contacting the employer. This can include parts of the following:

Your Education

Work Experience

Specific skills that are applicable to this position, such as your ability to work independently or your ability to work as part of a productive team

Applicable responsibilities from your previous work experience

The closing paragraph should be one that compels the employer to take action - ie, call you for the interview. Include exactly what you want the employer to do. For example, your final sentence could be something like, "I look forward to your phone call to schedule a mutually convenient time for my interview."

You'll want to close with the following:

Sincerely,

Your Name Enclosure (this is your resume)

Make sure you address your letter to the exact person in charge of hiring. If you are responding to an ad that does not include a name, call the company and ask.

Sign your cover letter by hand. In fact, use a blue pen so there is no mistaking that it's a real signature and not a stamp.

Using this structure for your cover letter will help to get your resume read more often.

Learn more about writing resumes with Freddie Johnson's free articles on resumes, cover letters, interview and job search tips at http://www.resume-cover-letter-and-career-tips.com

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