Purpose and Value to You
For you, the job applicant, your cover letter has one main purpose: to help get you invited to a job interview. By tailoring your communication to the interests of the addressee firm, you can add value to your resume in any of three ways:
- You highlight Positive Characteristics that are of particular interest to the reader. Although these characteristics are probably conveyed in your resume, your cover letter offers you the opportunity to give them the prominence and emphasis you want for a particular situation.
- You can reframe items from your resume to address the particular interests of your potential employer.
- You can introduce new material that is of specific interest to an employer and that might be very difficult or awkward to include in a resume.
Writing cover letters can be time-consuming. Most people don't consider writing business letters fun. To make the best use of your time and to make your effort as painless as possible, I suggest building a prototype letter that can serve as the source for all your cover letters. When you've written your first letter, you have then written the rest.
You should write four core paragraphs that cover these topics:
- Your purpose for writing
- You're Positive Characteristics that would be of interest to the employer
- Why you want the job
- The next step after receipt of your resume
Let's look at your four core paragraphs one at a time. Your first paragraph will have between two and four sentences and will quickly convey the following information to the reader:
- What you are writing about --presumably, your interest in a particular type of job or a specific 'training program'
- How your interest in that field or position developed
- Your academic credentials, if they are a clear selling point (for example, Bachelor of Business Arts in Accounting, Bachelor of Arts from a prestigious college, or Honors student)
- An indication that your past work experience is of value to this employer (if true).
I am interested in joining Sundance Marketing, Inc., as a sales representative. My interest in sales has developed from both my work experience and my college courses in business.
Your second paragraph will highlight the Positive Characteristics that you feel are of particular interest to that employer. You may use either a standard paragraph format or a bullet format. I prefer the bullet format because it is easier to type, easier to read, and easier to modify for the next letter. However, format is a matter of style, and the choice is yours.
Here's an example of the bullet format for your second paragraph:
I am certain that I would be an asset to your firm. Among the at-tributes I offer are:
- Two summers of sales experience-financed most of tuition from commission-based jobs;
- Thorough knowledge of your product--I have been an avid widget user for years;
- Excellent communication and persuasion skills--demonstrated in both work and academic situations;
- Maturity and sense of direction--I started college only after determining my goals and serving three years in the U.S. Army. [For other students: . . . after two years of productive experience in business.]
Your third paragraph will explain why you want to work for that firm. If possible, address both the type of job and your impression of the firm. In most cases, you should also explain your attraction to the industry and to the geographic location in which you would be working. Citing something you have read about the firm in either the general press or a trade publication can be very helpful. Your third paragraph might look like this:
A position in finance with Tool co would be very appealing to me, for several reasons. First, I am eager to build a career in a field where I can utilize my skills in analysis, research, and communication. Second, I am attracted to the manufacturing sector because it is the real growth sector of business in America. Third, I am especially excited about Tool co. Your firm was recently described in The Wall Street Journal as 'an innovative, medium-sized company where the creativity, hard work and dedication of its employees have resulted in exceptional growth and outstanding growth potential.' Tool co has the kind of working environment I want to be a part of. Fourth, I know that Tool co expects its people to move around the several divisions of the company. I would enjoy starting my career in your St. Louis headquarters and I'm ready to relocate as necessary.
Your fourth paragraph closes your letter with an expression of what you expect will happen next:
I am eager to meet with you to discuss career possibilities for me at Tool co. Next week, I will call your office to see when a meeting can be arranged.
Sincerely yours,
Your Name
Enclosure: Resume
Your last paragraph will be polite but to the point. Notice that you will take the initiative to call the firm. This makes sense, for at least two reasons:
- Your call keeps the initiative in your hands and eases the employer's burden of responding. Both of these outcomes increase, however marginally, your probability of being invited to a job interview.
- Your call shows more than average interest in the position. Evidence of interest cannot hurt you.
A cover letter should add value to a resume; otherwise, all it says is 'Dear Employer, here is my resume.'
