So, you've finally found your dream job and are ready to create your resume cover letter. If you are hopeful of even getting an interview, and of course you are, then it would behoove you to create as flawless a resume cover letter as you are able. Why? you ask. The answer is simple. This is the first impression that your prospective employer is going to have of you. And as everyone knows, first impressions make a big impression.



You'll want your resume cover letter to be as brief and to the point as possible, while still getting in all of the information that is pertinent. First and foremost, introduce yourself, and inform the employer of the position that you seek. Follow that up with the reasons you feel you are qualified to take on this position. Did you major in something relating to that field in college? Have you held other jobs in the same position as this one, or a similar rank? Have you had other sorts of experience with it? Have you gone above and beyond and achieved special accolades or awards related to this line of work? You can "toot your own horn," so to speak, as long as it is done in a humble manner and, in this case you certainly have a valid reason: to show without a doubt that you are the best person for the job!

But, what if you do not have a college degree in that area, or one at all? What if you have no experience in this field, just a burning desire to work in this industry? Don't despair! Instead of listing all of your education and qualifications, you list the education that you do have, stress what you did especially well in, and then express your fervent aspirations to work in this field, and learn as much as you can, as quickly as you can. It may be difficult for the prospective employer to turn away someone who is as passionate and ambitious about the same career that he is!

Now, while it is very important to inform them of your education, skills, achievements, etc., it's just as important to let them know that you can fit in with their company. No one wants to go through all of the time and money it takes to train a new employee, only to have that new employee turn out to be someone who doesn't fit in with the other employees and disrupts the flow of the office teamwork.

So, in your resume cover letter you should also bring up your personality traits. Mentioning that you have excellent interpersonal skills, enjoy speaking to clients on the phone, enjoy greeting/working with/meeting new people, depending on what exactly your position will entail, all of these demonstrate your intent to be pleasant around others, and indicate that you will be a kind and considerate employee and team player.

So, the prospective employer now knows the job you seek, he knows what degrees and/or experience you have, and he or she is aware that you are quite a pleasant person, to hear you tell it, anyway!

You, my friend, are almost finished and ready to wow them with your resume cover letter. Near the end you will assure them that you feel you are the right person for the job, and that you can and will be an asset to them.

Thank them for their consideration, and let them know that you will be anxious to hear from them to set up an interview at their convenience. Make sure that they have all means of contacting you that you normally use: home phone, cell phone, email address, they seem to be the most common ones.

Last but certainly not least your resume cover letter should be very professional looking. Nothing fancy, cutesy, or decorative. This rule may waver some in certain artistic arenas but in the mainstream business world you would be wise to follow these guidelines.

Of course, it goes without saying that you proofread, proofread, and then proofread again. Have at least one friend read it as well. Use spell check. Read it out loud to yourself and see if it sounds okay to you. Have some else read it to you. You read it to them. It may sound crazy and like too much work but believe me; certain prospective employers might be very impressed by a flawless resume cover letter. The flipside of that would be a resume cover letter with too many errors. Other prospective employers might be quite judgmental, assuming that if you can't go to enough trouble to make your resume cover letter perfect while you are still trying to get the job, what kind of work would you do should you actually get the position. It's always better to err on the side of safety, I think.

So, off you go to write your resume cover letter, good luck, and I hope you get the job!