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Because your cover letter is the first time you "speak" to an employer, it has to be "letter-perfect" and professional in appearance.
Do...
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Address the letter to a specific person, not a title.
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Tailor the letter to the job and the organization. It shouldn't be "canned."
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Show your enthusiasm for the job.
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Keep the letter to one page.
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Keep the paragraphs short and to the point.
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Use action verbs to describe what you've done.
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Experiment with different wording. If you don't think a paragraph is perfect, try to write it another way.
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Type or use a word-processor. No hand-writing- unless specifically requested to provide a hand written
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Check for spelling or punctuation mistakes.
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Have a friend or family member check your letter for advice and corrections.
Don't...
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Make the cover letter run longer than one page.
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Use a long word when a short one will do. For example, use "try" rather than "endeavour."
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Clutter the letter with too many facts or those that are not relevant to the job. Employers are not interested in your life story.
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Use coloured paper or coloured type.
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Include clip art, photos or or other graphics.
Exceptions: For certain types of work, industries or organizations, a more creative approach is required. Follow the standards appropriate to your specific situation. |
