WorkSource

Better Cover Letters

A cover letter should accomplish three objectives:

• Give the recipient a reason to be interested in you.
• Explain why you are interested in the job and the company.
• Lay the groundwork for further contact.
• Highlight the most relevant skills and experience from your resume with more detail. Explain how these qualifications will enable you to do this job better than anyone else.
• A potential employer will be keyed up about you if he can sense your enthusiasm for the company. Explain why you are interested in the job, and convey your awareness of what the company does to show that you have done careful research already.
• Set yourself up for an interview. Establish when you will contact the person next, or make yourself available to them. You could say, “I would like to learn more about working as a financial analyst at KeyCorp. You can reach me at [phone number and/or e-mail]. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
• You want to use intelligent language. However, you don’t want to try and impress the employer with long, flowery, or uncommon words or phrases. Use everyday language whenever possible.