Cover Letter Writing Tips:

Choose a cover letter style - there are different types of cover letter styles that you can use. These include narrative, two-column (your requirements vs. my qualifications) and the use of both paragraphs and bulleted statements to list key achievements.

Do not be general in your cover letter - before you sit down to write your cover letter, make sure it is about you and not too general. Give careful thought to the position you are applying for and why you feel you are right for the job. Try to be as interesting as possible.

Be sure to personalize your cover letter -  if you are going to gain inspiration from cover letter samples, be sure to infuse your letter with specifics that allow the reader to understand who you are professionally. You do not want to give the impress

A cover letter is a formal business letter - date and address your cover letter if you have the contact's name and address. If you do not, use whatever information is provided in the job posting.  

Express your reason for contacting the company - indicate where you saw their ad and introduce yourself by telling them what your intentions are for contacting them. For example, state that you are seeking a particular position or that you are transitioning your career.

Let them know what your career path and direction are - mention the types of positions you have held and with what types of companies and industries.

Highlight your qualifications - review job ads to understanding how your experience meets specific requirements. Highlight how your career has evolved and emphasize your most important achievements and skill sets that are relevant to the position you are seeking.

Use jargon and keywords found in ads - if the position is in the same industry or is an exact job title as one you've held, use the industry jargon and acronyms. Do not use too much of their exact language. It shouldn't be obvious. Do not use the jargon and acronyms if it is a different type of position or industry. 

End the cover letter politely and effectively - the closing (last paragraph) should thank the reader for their time and ask for an interview. It is also a good opportunity to disclose salary requirements and other information such as a pending relocation.

Proof your cover letter - Proof the letter carefully to make sure it is error free.

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HOW TO WRITE A DOUBLE-DUTY COVER LETTER

There are many rules out there about what to do and what not to do when it comes to writing cover letters and resumes. 

Let's start with the one-page resume rule. You will find advice stating to keep the resume to one page if you have less than ten years of experience or are a new college graduate. Some experts will advise keeping the resume to one page in length no matter how many years of experience you have. 

Which expert advice should you follow? Probably the majority -- which lean towards  keeping the resume to one page if you have about ten years of experience in a non-supervisory role, and two pages if you are mid to senior level.  

Even the one-page rule can be broken for those with less than ten years of experience if they are in a very project-oriented position such as information technology, engineering or construction. These positions tend to list many project highlights. 

If you are very senior level, you can get away with a three-page resume, or longer. For those in academia and scientific fields, a curriculum vitae is recommended, which can run up to ten or more pages. 

Okay, enough about resumes. There are just as many rules about cover letters too. Some say to keep it brief; others say to tell a story. Unlike the divided opinions about resume length, most experts will agree to keep the cover letter to one page. 

There are many different cover letter formats to use such as the resume style that combines paragraphs with bulleted statements; a narrative that is all paragraphs and no bulleted statements; and the two-column approach that compares the company's requirements with your qualifications, side-by-side. 

A variation on the two-column approach is to use two separate paragraphs that are headed by titles. These include one for Your Requirements and another for My Qualifications. Beyond these more common approaches includes the use of charts and testimonials. The resume and the cover letter are business communications that allow for a great deal of flexibility and creativity, strategically speaking. 

So what do you do when you have between 10 and 15 years of experience or too much information to fit on one page, but not enough to fill two pages? What length should your resume be then? Should you reduce the font size to force it on one page? That is not recommended. 

The solution to this sticky problem is to create a double-duty cover letter. The opening of the letter can read along the lines of:  

As an expressed interest in being considered for a position managing your company's global business development initiatives, I have attached my resume for your review and consideration. I offer twelve years of experience in sales and business development with major technology firms, with achievements that include global expansion projects.

I am confident that my qualifications are a good fit with your company's needs. For instance, in my career I have achieved the following results:  

* List a key achievement

* List another key achievement

* List another key achievement

* List another key achievement

* List another key achievement 

The advantage in using this strategy is the ability to include achievements that might not have fit on your resume, whether one or two pages. Moreover, it will add value to the cover letter and avoid the risk of writing cliche statements for lack of something better to say. 

Whatever you do, make sure you list more about your achievements than your soft skills. It is okay to list that you are a team leader, effective communicator and business development strategist. But the reader will want to see more about what you've actually done and the challenges behind each accomplishment.  

Be sure to include dollar signs and percentages for greater impact aka quantifiable and qualifiable achievements. 

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Source: Sample Cover Letter Samples

Author: For more resume samples, cover letter samples visit Q&A Resume Samples