The Importance of the Cover Letter

Draw attention to your qualifications. Set yourself apart. A good cover letter can do that and more. Treat your cover letter as an opportunity to tailor your qualifications to the job opening, and to demonstrate your written communication skills.

Summary

• Tailor your qualifications
• Outline related accomplishments
• Show your interest

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Cover letters are always sent with your resume via mail or e-mail in response to a job opening. Your purpose is to generate enough interest to get a call for an interview. The most effective cover letters are concise, professional yet friendly, and focused on the employer's needs.

Paragraph 1: Get Their Attention
Identify the position for which you are applying and how you learned of the position. Clear information will ensure that your resume ends up on the right person's desk. Then, briefly focus on the employer's main requirement and your qualifications for meeting that need using keywords from the job posting. These few sentences should help the employer quickly understand why you are a strong candidate for the position.

Paragraph 2: Show You Are A Good Fit
Demonstrate that you can perform the job and contribute to that company's success. Outline your related accomplishments, similarities to your current position and why you believe you can do the job. Make a greater impact by describing your accomplishments in terms of numbers and statistics. You may also want to discuss why you are interested in the employer or type of work that the employer does.

Paragraph 3: Make Your Closing Pitch
Thank the employer and repeat your interest in the job. Request the next step in the interview process. Tell the company how to get in touch with you - repeat your phone number and email address. Finally, let the employer know you will make follow up contact, and be sure to follow through.

Make Your Best Even Better
You've put your best material down on paper. Now, take it up a notch:

• Proofread every line
• Ask someone you trust to read your letters and offer comments
• Use ideas from sample letters online and in books to strengthen your letter

Manpower can connect you to local employers in your field. Apply today at manpowerjobs.com.