How To Write A Cover Letter For Yourself

Are you planning to write your own cover letter but don't know where to start? Feeling a little overwhelmed by all that you may have already researched about cover letters? Try not to stress too much; writing a cover letter is really a piece of cake if you keep a few things in mind. As you are more than aware, your cover letter is more or less a business letter. You are the product you sell. In short, your cover letter needs to show the employer why they'd be crazy not to hire you. Your letter will need to demonstrate your specific qualifications that make you better than any other candidate for the position. Your cover letter allows you to personalize your resume. Another thing to keep in mind when writing your own cover letter is to keep it short and to the point. Remember that you are not the only one applying for the position. Chances are, an employer or hiring manager has a stack of resumes and cover letters on their desk. They are unlikely to sit and read a long cover letter that goes on and on. More than likely they will get through a sentence or 2 and lose interest and toss your resume and cover letter aside. Therefore, your cover letter should never be longer than a few paragraphs and under no circumstances should it be longer than one page. Anything longer than a page is almost guaranteed to take a trip down the cover letter black hole that no one even looks at. Start your first paragraph with your introduction. Address the letter to a specific person, whether it's a hiring manager or HR Rep. It is important to remember the correct spelling of this name and the correct title. This is where you introduce yourself and your reason for contacting them. This is where you tell them exactly why you want to work for their company. It's a good idea to research the company beforehand and include it in this paragraph. In your second paragraph, you should include some highlights from your resume that demonstrate how qualified you are for the position. The key thing to remember here is that you don't have to write your resume word for word. Highlight only those parts that are relevant to the job. This is where you really sell yourself. This is the paragraph where you should dress to impress. Put yourself in the employer's shoes and ask yourself if you fit the needs of the company and how you fulfill them. This is likely to be your longest paragraph, but don't get too carried away. An employer may not know that you volunteer every weekend at your local community center teaching young children to play ball. Remember, these employers are looking for the person who best fits their needs. Use this paragraph to show them that you are exactly what they are looking for. Your last paragraph or closing paragraph is where you make yourself readily available for this interview. After all, the whole purpose of a cover letter is to get an interview. It's a good idea to let the employer know to expect a phone call from you at a specific time to discuss the opportunity further. End your letter by thanking them for their time and that you look forward to meeting them. You may be tempted to use one of the free sample cover letters you can find anywhere online. I do not recommend this. Writing a cover letter yourself is much more enjoyable than a generic sample letter. Customize the cover letter you write for the specific company and position. If you were to send a basic letter, chances are it will be tossed aside. The last thing to keep in mind is to keep the page itself simple. Make sure you have correct spelling and grammar. No need to go crazy with funky fonts and weird borders. It is important that the cover letter is neat, simple and easy to look at. Writing your own cover letter is not nearly as difficult or as intimate as it seems. Keep these simple tips in mind and your cover letter will open the door to countless opportunities.