Writing a cover letter to send with your resume can be confusing and frustrating. What should you say exactly? Are you saying too much? Are you talking only about your needs vs. the needs of the company? Oh what to do! In this “short” article, I’ll list some ideas on how to craft your cover letter. I have also provided some important links, for further assistance, especially if you still need outside help.
The essential
* Be sure to use exactly the same type of paper that you use for your abstract. White on white is best, commercial paper is highly recommended, especially paper that contains 100% cotton. Cheap £20. Copy paper is a terrible idea!
* Matching business envelope {#10} accepted. Triple your copies separately; when you place the cover letter inside the envelope, make sure the letter is displayed first [when you lift the flap of the envelope up] followed by your summary. Fold it so your name and contact information is the first thing the recruiter sees. If you choose to use a kraft envelope, make sure it is no smaller than 9×12 and no larger than 10×13. Attach an attractive computer-generated label with your return address displayed appropriately. If you must write on it, PRINT your information and don’t be fanciful. Remember: you want the post office and company mailroom to be able to read what you wrote! Otherwise, significant time may be lost in the process.
* If you are sending your information via email, please make sure the job listing stipulates that attachments are okay. If not, don’t you dare send attachments! Instead, within the body of an email message you can write your cover letter [a brief introduction] and then cut and paste your summary. I can’t tell you how many files are never read when the person doesn’t do what they’re told. You can also track and email [paper] copy if an address is provided.
Beginning
* Match the header of your resume to the header of your cover letter. They can and do separate! An example header should look like this:
so and so
14 star lane
Smithville, North Carolina 27777 USA
Phone: 919-555-1212
Cell: 919-555-1213
Email: [email protected]
* Include your personal website address only if that information is valuable. If you host a site that is bizarre, inflammatory, adult-oriented, or controversial, just don’t expect any response from the company.
* Put today’s date on the cover letter.
* Please include your contact information below, which may include:
Mrs. Ellen Snow
HR Coordinator
Fly By Night Aviation, Inc.
1234 Orville-Wright Lane
Serendipity, NC 27776
* Your greeting comes next and should look like this
— Dear Ms. Snow:
Body
* Please note that your cover letter should not be long. You can say everything that needs to be said in no more than three, maybe four short paragraphs.
* Here’s a sample:
Attached you will find a copy of my summary for your review. I am interested in the corporate flight attendant position listed online at http://www.flybynight.com.
I believe that my three years of international flight experience along with my culinary experience and language skills make me the ideal candidate to serve FlyByNight’s distinguished clientele. I am currently working as an independent contractor and have flown to all major destinations in Europe, as well as the US and Canada. FlyByNight’s need for a highly experienced, skilled and reliable team player is exactly the type of position I desire.
I look forward to meeting with you in person to discuss your unique needs and how I can help FlyByNight successfully carry out its mission as the world’s best private jet operator. Do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible; I can be reached at 919-555-1212 or by cell phone at 919-555-1213.
bye
* Sincerely,
so and so
Leave 3-4 lines of your “Sincerely” to your name. Your closing should not include other words, including Regards [too plain]Health! [too British]Love [too personal], etc. Remember, this is a business letter.
Summary, be brief and specific. Have three or four main points that you can emphasize about your strengths, particularly those points that match the points listed by the company in your job details. In this particular case, the candidate highlighted her culinary experience, languages and international travel, as well as her availability. The four points were emphasized in the company’s job listing which read:
“…an international jet operator is seeking an experienced Cabin Attendant. This position involves serving our on-demand charter customers from East Coast locations to destinations in the US and abroad. Must have exceptional food service skills Current training with FACTS, FlightSafety similar training provider; French or Spanish language proficiency: a plus…
You can’t help but talk about yourself, but you can control how you talk about yourself.
No…
1. …beg for an interview.
2. …mention money or benefits. If the job listing “requires” you list your salary requirements, simply state that the salary is negotiable.
3. …bragging too much about your skills: think about what the needs of the company are, do you think they care that you received an NBAA scholarship? However, it is okay to list scholarship awards on your resume.
4. … name drop. Unless you already come highly recommended by someone they know and like. Your mentor may be well known in this industry, but not everyone’s cup of tea. However, you can use them in your reference list.
Putting it all together, this is what your cover letter might look like:
so and so
14 star lane
Smithville, North Carolina 27777 USA
Phone: 919-555-1212
Cell: 919-555-1213
Email: [email protected]
March 21, 2005
Mrs. Ellen Snow
HR Coordinator
Fly By Night Aviation, Inc.
1234 Orville-Wright Lane
Serendipity, NC 27776
Re: Corporate flight attendant opening [this is optional, but it can be helpful especially if the company has multiple openings available.]
Dear Ms. Snow:
Attached you will find a copy of my abstract for your review. I am interested in the corporate flight attendant position listed online at http://www.flybynight.com.
I believe that my three years of international flight experience along with my culinary experience and language skills make me the ideal candidate to serve FlyByNight’s distinguished clientele. I am currently working as an independent contractor and have flown to all major destinations in Europe, as well as the US and Canada. FlyByNight’s need for a highly experienced, skilled and reliable team player is exactly the type of position I desire.
I look forward to meeting with you in person to discuss your unique needs and how I can help FlyByNight successfully carry out its mission as the world’s best private jet operator. Do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible; I can be reached at 919-555-1212 or by cell phone at 919-555-1213.
Sincerely,
so and so