Most job applicants would agree that the Resume is an indispensable part of any application for a new job. Unfortunately, many applicants neglect to include a Cover Letter with the Resume, judging it as frivolous and insignificant. However, the presence (or absence) of a Cover Letter can make or break a promising candidate’s job application. Here’s how to write a Great Cover Letter.

1.       Address  and Contact Information

How can an employer contact you without your contact information? Before drafting your sentences, include your name, address and contact information at the top of the page towards the left. This should be followed by the date of the letter. Further down, include the recruiter’s name, designation and address to indicate that this is a personalized letter addressed specifically to the company. This will prevent recruiters from thinking that the letter is one sent en masse to hundreds of companies.

2.       Salutation and Greetings

After typing out the employer’s contact details, do not forget to follow with a salutation. Start with ‘’Dear Mr. Tan’’ or ‘’Dear Ms Lee’’. This short phrase serves to build rapport between you and the recruiter. It indicates that you are actually communicating to him personally. Even though it may seem like a no-brainer, you should always ascertain the gender of the recruiter concerned. Nothing is worse than being called ‘’Ms’’ for male recruiters or ‘’Mr.’’ for females.  

Subject Heading

After the short greeting, include a subject heading to give introduce the content of the letter. The heading should make it clear that the letter is a job application and should mention the name of the appointment concerned. A possible model is ‘’Re: Application for Senior Technician’’

Introductory Paragraph

The first paragraph is where you would like you would like to introduce yourself briefly and to make the recruiter feel like reading more of the letter (recruiters often do not read beyond the first paragraph, so it is important to capture their attention). Mention what attracted you to the job that you are applying for. If the job is a private banker in the wealth management line, you could mention ‘’my passion for the finance industry and my desire for career development drew my attention to the post of private banker open at your organization’’. This could be followed by a summary of what makes you an ideal candidate for the post.

Second Paragraph

The second paragraph is where you will need to prove that you are the right man for the job. Highlight your employment credentials and emphasize the parts where it is directly relevant to the activities of the target organization. You may wish to discuss specific experiences to further convince the recruiter of the authenticity of your experience.

Third Paragraph

At the end of the second paragraph, the employer should already be ready to take you on and arrange on interview. The third paragraph serves to convince him that he will not make a mistake by placing his trust and resources on you. Effective Cover Letters take this opportunity to highlight other assets such as Community Involvement or Hobbies. Mentioning these details highlight that you are a balanced candidate and would be able to integrate into the organization without a hitch.

Concluding Paragraph

Reaffirm why you are the ideal candidate by reiterating your major skills, your wealth of experience and other factors which make you more suitable for the job. Conclude the Cover Letter by thanking the recruiter and by requesting an interview. This could be done subtly like in ‘’I look forward to hear from you’’ or ‘’ I look forward for an opportunity to meet and to discuss in greater detail’’.

For advice on writing Cover Letters, please visit www.cvplus.com.sg

Image taken on 2009-02-19 12:28:38. Image Source. (Used with permission)