Present
Yourself as the Solution to the Employer's Needs
Exercise 2: Create A Cover Letter
Your cover letter introduces you to the resume reviewer or decision
maker. It will influence the reviewer to explore you further. A well
written cover letter specifies the position of interest, your field of
expertise, company requirements and what you offer for each. Focus on the
company’s needs and how you provide a solution to those needs. Remember
this basic marketing principle: refer to your target’s needs and
benefits more than your desires.
Below is are examples of a shell for a cover letter
and a completed cover letter.
Shell for
Cover Letter Example
|
(Date)
(Decision Maker’s Name, Title)
(Address)
(Address)
(Address)
(Decision Maker’s Name):
Please consider me for the (position title of interest).
I am a (keyword(s) describing field of expertise) with a proven
track record in (descriptive words).
As you’ll see from my resume, my qualifications are in line with
your requirements [NOTE: List 3 to 5 corresponding
skills as applicable, based on defined company requirements. Keep
cover letter to one page.]:
| You require: |
I offer: |
| · (enter company’s requirement) |
· (include your corresponding skill) |
| · (enter company’s requirement) |
· (include your corresponding skill) |
| · (enter company’s requirement) |
· (include your corresponding skill) |
I am very interested in working at (company). My salary
requirements are flexible based on the scope and responsibilities
of the position. [NOTE: only include this last sentence
if salary history or expectations are
requested.]
I will call you next week to arrange a time to meet.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
enclosure (your resume, of course)
|
Completed
Cover Letter Example
|
February 14, 2010
Ms. Tracy Nicolas, Recruiter
Downtown Hospital
100 First Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33766
Ms. Nicolas:
Please consider me for the position advertised this weekend in the
Clearwater Press. I am a professional human resources
representative with a proven track record in staffing. As you’ll
see from my resume, my qualifications are in line with your
requirements:
| You require: |
I offer: |
| · Recruiting
experience |
· Demonstrated
achievement: recruited, hired and oriented employees for
Eads Industries, doubling the size of the technical
support staff within a two month period; recruited and
staffed all levels of employees for High-Tech Company;
participated in corporate recruiting at the university
level. |
| · A Bachelor’s
degree |
· In addition to
my BS in Industrial Engineering I’ve completed courses
in Interviewing Skills, Employment Law, Job Analysis and
Evaluation and Covey’s Seven Habits. |
| · Human Resources
experience |
· 7+ years
success in Human Resources including recruiting,
management and employee relations. Recognized as a caring,
trustworthy HR professional with excellent organization
and communication skills. Focused on high quality and
efficiency. |
I am very interested in working with Downtown Hospital. I’ll
contact you early next week to further discuss the position and
arrange a time for us to meet.
Sincerely,
Nancy Sawayda
enclosure
|
Try our automated cover letter creation tool
where you fill in the blanks and we'll create the cover letter for
you!
Continue
to exercise 3: Prepare for Interview