Employment Cover Letters - article by Good English Article Sites

The keys to writing effective employment cover letters

Landing a job today requires that you take every step to position yourself as a prime candidate for an interview. While you may occasionally present your resume in person, most employers solicit resumes by mail or email. This means that you must present yourself on paper, in the strongest and most favorable light. One of the most common mistakes of job seekers is that of sending poorly composed employment cover letters, or worse yet, none at all.

Your resume may be perfect, but employment cover letters are what may – or may not - get you in the door for an interview. Sure, your credentials are important, but if an employer is receiving a hundred responses for one position, he or she may want to screen out the obvious non-candidates with a quick scan of the cover letters accompanying the resumes. The well written cover letter is the one that prompts the employer to turn the page and look at your credentials. Here we've got some pointers on writing effective employment cover letters.

1.Introduce yourself briefly, but stick to the points that are relevant to the position. For example, “As shown in detail on my attached resume, I have (number of months/years) experience in (skill sets).

2.Employment cover letters should be concise. You want to present the points that demonstrate your interest and qualifications in a summary format. Don't be long winded. The idea is to succinctly describe why you are a good match for both the company and the position that's open. For example, let's say you're applying for an entry level position at a nursery, which involves planting and caring for plant starts. You've taken a few courses in horticulture. This formal training sets you apart from the crowd. You'll want to mention this up front, perhaps with a statement like “I've completed three courses in Horticulture at the (school name) and plan to continue my coursework, with (certificate or degree) as my goal.” Also, do your homework on the company to determine what their specialties are and make a mention of how their business matches up with your skills.

3.If you belong to professional associations related to your work, this is another eye catching fact for a prospective employer. Again, be concise.

4.Wrap up your employment cover letter with a short sentence or two, thanking them for their consideration and letting them know that you look forward to hearing from them.

5.Your resume should include all of your contact information, such as phone, cell number and email, so there's no need to include this information in your cover letter.

Keeping your cover letters short and sweet is the key to winning employment cover letters. Choose your words carefully. You want to convey confidence, but not arrogance. When you've written your draft copy, go over it and cut out any unnecessary words. This helps give the employer the impression that you are well organized and efficient.

Following this template increases your chances at getting that all important interview. Good luck!

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