Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Cover Letter Format: How to write it appropriately

Posted on/at 8:21 AM by Wanto

By Jimmy Sweney

If you are applying for your first internship, then you're probably very excited about it. However, it is important that you know at least a little background of the company that you apply to. It is also necessary that together with your resume, you submit a cover letter with the right format.

People applying for job openings would only submit resumes without including cover letters. If you are one of them, then you also probably don't have an idea of its correct format. Failing to submit a cover letter will decrease your chances of getting hired because you did not provide enough information and lack marketing strategies for your self.

Cover letters are important because it gives an applicant an edge over the others. It gives the interviewers an overview about you and why you are the perfect candidate for the position. Take time and put effort in writing your letter and pay special attention to the correct format.

Start making your draft as early as possible. Since you are just writing a draft, just let the words and ideas flow. A day for a cover letter is not enough. It takes time for review and revisions.

It is recommended to make your letter as short as possible. Truthfully speaking, a letter that exceeds one page is not recommended. HR managers would often prefer a letter that is short and detailed than a long and pointless one. With the large number of applicants, HR managers don't have the luxury of time to read all long cover letters and conduct interview one-by-one.

Revising your draft will help you to clear the irrelevant things written in there. The body of your letter should include details such as the degree you earned in college, awards received, skills needed to accomplish the task and prior work experience.

It is advisable to include a request for interview to show that you are determined to get the position. However, do it in a courteous way and show your professionalism. Revising your letter every now and then is also helpful because in case you missed out some errors, you will be able to correct it at once.

Pay attention to your grammar and punctuation. You will definitely make a bad impression if you have grammar lapses. Instead of making your way to the interview, your letter and resume will probably make its way to the shredder.

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