A cover letter is a letter of introduction that is usually sent along with a resume or job application. Usually job seekers pay a lot of attention to their resume and ensuring that their resume is perfect, but they make a big mistake of neglecting the cover letter. A cover letter is just as important for a job seeker as is the resume.  A well written cover letter can make a lot of difference to a job seeker and can be the difference between getting a shot at an interview or having your resume thrown into the trash.  Job seekers also need to ensure that the cover letter that they send across is not a duplication or mirror of their resume; rather the cover letter needs to help the reader interpret the resume and should have information that is factual and data centric. The cover letter also helps give a personal touch to your resume. While a lot of job seekers feel that writing a cover letter is an uphill task that is far from true. A cover letter can be a very easy document to create if you know what is required and what needs to go in it.

Let’s take a look at the different types of cover letters that job seekers can use:-

There are three different types of cover letters that job seekers can user, these are:-

  • The networking letter:- this cover letter format asks for information and assistance with your job search.
  • The prospecting letter:- this cover letter format is an inquiry into possible vacancies in a company.
  • The application letter :- this cover letter format is sent along with a job application and resume for a job opening that you know about.

While applying for a position, or sending out your resume it is very important that you choose the suitable cover letter format that corresponds with the type of job application you are sending across. Many candidates make the mistake of having a cover letter drafted and using the same format for every job application that they apply for.  A cover letter should reflect and compliment the applicants resume and should be customized to suit each job application.

Tips for writing a perfect cover letter

When drafting a cover letter, there are a few points that one must keep in mind, lets look at some simple tips to writing a perfect cover letter.

  • Precise:- a cover letter needs to be precise to be effective, the cover letter needs to let your future employer know your identity, the reason why you are sending across your resume, a brief summary of your experience and your knowledge of the position.
  • Well written:- since the cover letter is going to be the first thing a future employer sees, the cover letter needs to be well written, free of any grammatical errors and well formatted.
  • Format:- you should use a standard   font style that is clear and simple, the most common font is Times New Roman, Ariel or Calibri with sizes 10 or 12.
  • Don’t mirror the resume:- one big no-no while drafting a cover letter is to mirror what on the resume, the cover letter needs to have information that is not present in the resume, like how you came across this job posting, tentative availability dates etc.
  • Attitude:- the cover letter needs to reflect your attitude, it needs to be positive and upbeat and should reflect your confidence.
  •  Indicate follow up action:-  You should include a follow up action like “ I would contact you in the next few days to confirm if you need any further information regarding my qualification and profile.

How to format a cover letter:-

When writing a cover letter you should ensure that your cover letter is written in a standard business style with the following sections:-

  • Header:- the cover letter should have a header section that has the candidates name and contact information, date and recipients address and salutation.
  • Introduction:-  This is a brief statement that states the position you are applying for.
  • Body:- the body of the cover letter should include information like why you want to apply for the job, your experience, qualification, skills etc.
  • Closing:- This section should sum up the cover letter and any next steps that the job seeker needs to take. This section also contains the signature.

Following these simple tips will help you draft a great cover letter. In this website we have various cover letter formats that you can use as a reference or customize to suit your resume. Download these cover letters for free.