When applying for a job, twodocuments are most commonly requested: a cover letter and the curriculum vitae.Other documents may be requested, but these two are always at the top of thelist.
It is a common misconception bymost job hunters that cover letters do not hold as much importance toemployers? eyes as the curriculum vitae does. The reason for this may be rootedto the fact that comprehensive technical, personal and educational backgroundabout an applicant can be found in the curriculum vitae. That could be thereason why people spend more time building up their curriculum vitae, or resume,and delegate only a piece of their time to writing a good cover letter.
However, that line of thinkinghas its flaws. The people at the human resource department actually look at aperson's cover letter when determining which applications would be short listedfor an appointment and a job interview. When a person's cover letter is deemedunsatisfactory, it is most likely sent to the paper shredder and yourapplication is lost, your chances of employment at the said company gone todust.
Hence, there is the need to comeup with a spectacular cover letter to grace your resume. How can you make the cover letter that will bring you thejob that you are looking for? Here are some tips.
The Cover Letter Should Be Effective at Attention-Grabbing
Cover letters should get thereviewer's attention. That's the number 1 rule when writing a cover letter. Donot be too generic and rely on sample application letters that you can find onthe World Wide Web. You can use these samples as a template or a reference, butyou should take the time to edit them or even revamp them to make them morerelevant to the job position you are applying for, and to eliminate possiblegrammatical and spelling errors. This will enhance the image of professionalismthat you are conveying to the potential employer.
The Cover Letter Should Be Specific about Your Interest in the Company
This means that when you arewriting a cover letter, the letter should convey your intention: to apply forwork. State the position that you are applying for, and a brief yet definitive backgroundas to why the company should consider you for the job. Do not waste valuable spaceoutlining how you qualify; a brief educational background or job experiencewill do. You should also display passable knowledge about the companybackground to show that you have been so interested that you have conducted researchinto the firm.
Follow Proper Structure
Here is the classic structurethat people should follow when writing their cover letters:
First paragraph contains your introduction. This is where you announce your intent to try and apply for a position in the firm.
The second paragraph serves as a support for the first. Here, you put in your past qualifications for the position.
The final paragraph should convey your interest for the position. This is where you explain and display your interest in the company.
