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A Comprehensive Guide to Writing the Perfect Cover Letter

by Torsten Daerr

Good cover letters are hard to find. They're also challenging to write. There's stiff competition in today's job market, and you need your letter to be the one that stands out from the rest. Today, we've compiled all the best advice for writing a successful cover letter - all in one place so that you can secure that anticipated interview.

What Is a Cover Letter, and Why Do You Need One?
A cover letter is a short introduction to your resume. It should be concise and well-written, explaining why you are the best candidate for the advertised position. To craft a winning cover letter, here are some guidelines to follow.

Introduce Yourself and Your Credentials
The first step in drafting a cover letter is to introduce yourself. Include your full name, email address, and phone number in the first paragraph of your message so that the recruiter can contact you quickly about any questions they may have or set up an interview time with you.

State the Position You Are Applying For
You need to be specific about the position you are applying for. While at it, mention how you found out about the opening and make sure you have the correct job title. While you might have an excellent cover letter, getting any of the job details wrong is a sure way to lose out on an opportunity.

Describe Why You Are a Good Fit
Next, it's important to include some background information on why you are qualified. For example, if you're applying for an English teaching job, you could point out how one of your students won a prize for a gun control essay at a writing contest.

Pointing out your achievements, no matter how small they might seem, might mean the difference between getting a response or your cover letter going straight to the bin.

Include Reliable References
Most companies will require at least two references. It would be best to choose your references wisely. Go for someone who knows you and will vouch for your work ethic. Using someone who either doesn't know you or has only briefly interacted with you can lead to an awkward scenario.

If you have a positive relationship with both people on the list, it might be appropriate to use one reference for professional skills and the other one for personal qualities. One reference can praise your expository essay writing skills, while the other can stand for your interpersonal skills.
Close Courteously
The end of your cover letter is just as important as the beginning. Close politely, thanking the person for taking time to review your application and hoping they will consider you as a candidate. Keep in mind that you want to come across as professional, not desperate.

Keep It Short and Sweet
A good rule of thumb to follow when writing a cover letter is that it should never exceed one page in length unless explicitly requested by the employer. Most employers are too busy to read more than a few paragraphs, and anything longer will be dismissed before the first paragraph is read.

Attach Any Required Documents
Your cover letter is usually accompanied by a resume. In some cases, you might be required to attach more documents. For instance, some companies, especially educational institutions, might require you to write on one of the causal analysis essay topics on a matter that concerns the organization you're applying to. If this is the case, make sure you attach the essay with your application.

Check for Grammar and Spelling Mistakes
Typos and grammatical errors are a sure way of repelling recruiters from your application. You can double-check for these by rereading the cover letter you've written to make sure no errors have slipped in, or ask someone who is more meticulous than yourself to proofread it.

Use an Attractive Format
Using a format that is pleasing to the eye can make a cover letter more memorable. You could use bullets, underline important points in bold or italics, or format your document with white space and margins for easier reading. The point is to avoid blocks of text that will be difficult to get through.

Never Use a Generic Cover Letter
It's important to craft your cover letter according to the requirements of the company and position. The worst thing you could do is send in a generic letter, which will make it seem like you did not care enough to read about what they're looking for or that no one else has applied in this field. Getting a good job isn't a walk in the park, and part of the work involves taking your time to apply your communication skills.

Example Cover Letter
(Date)
(Hiring Director Name)
(123, Company Address)
(Santa Ana, CA 98765)
(hiring.director@rocketmail.com)
(Dear Ms/Mr/Mrs) (Hiring Director's Name)

I am writing this letter in response to the position of Administrative Assistant with your company that is currently posted on _ and would like to express my interest in becoming a candidate for it.

I have over three years of experience as an administrative assistant and am confident that I can bring my experience to this position. I have successfully managed various tasks in my current job, including scheduling and coordination, travel arrangements for domestic and international trips, office management duties like ordering supplies, and managing the phone.

I am confident that I can extend outstanding customer service to your company in addition to administrative support.

My resume is attached, but please let me know when we speak in person or by phone if you have any questions about it. Thank you for your time and consideration of my application.

Sincerely, _

To Sum Up
A well-crafted cover letter can open many doors for your career. It's not just about your wording but also how it comes across. With these guidelines, you can begin crafting winning cover letters that will win over employers and recruiters alike.

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