Present
information in the following order:
a) State that you’re applying for the job and tell where you learned about the job (ad, referral, etc.).
~
Phrase the job title as the source/job description listed it.
~ If possible, name drop or remind the reader where/when they met you etc.
b)
Briefly show you have the major qualifications for the job.
~ Phrase and list the qualifications as the source/job description did.
~
College degree, professional
certification, work experience.
~ If
listing several qualifications, summarize briefly
in same order as in the letter’s body.
a)
Make direct links between your education and experience and the work you’ll be
doing in the new job.
b)
The reader may not see the connection between what you’ve done and what they
want you to do if you don’t make the connection for them.
c)
Use the most specific terms possible.
3) Separate yourself from other
applicants.
Draw attention to any one or combination of the following:
~ Mine the job description or company resources (web site, prospectus, coverage in the news etc.) for clues into what the company values.
~ Your knowledge of the company.
~ Honors and awards,
high GPA.
~ Unique problem solving and leadership experiences that apply to the work
you want to do.
~ In short, what is it that you
have done that proves that you are uniquely right for this job,
among the hundreds of other people who have the same degree and basic
qualifications?
4)
Ask for an interview.
~ Tell
when you’ll be available to be interviewed.
~ Tell
when you’ll be available to begin work.
~
Try to end on a unique (not generic) forward looking note.
Next see: Cover Letter Grammar Cover Letter Example