The Cover Letter

If you have been job searching, you must have, at some point of time, created a Cover Letter.

To put it simply, the cover letter is an important (usually one page) letter which is accompanied with the resume. This letter mentions the intent of the applicant to apply for the advertised position in the organization. There are conflicting views about whether a Cover Letter is really required or not. However, the general opinion is in favor of a well written and well drafted Cover Letter.

Here are a few essential theme and layout tips that can help you in creating a good cover Letter:

• Read the advertisement carefully and understand what the Company is looking for in the prospective job candidate.
• The Cover letter should be concise and to the point (usually one page).
• It should be addressed formally and to the most appropriate person in the organization.
• The letter should be formatted well with proper spacing.
• Leave about six or seven lines blank at the top of the page.
• If you know who should be contacted, mention the person's name beginning with "Dear". If not, address and begin your letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ and end with “Yours faithfully”.
• Pay attention to the Heading of the Cover Letter : as it informs the reader which job you are applying for. Use BOLD for this line.
• In the first paragraph, you should introduce yourself and say why you are writing to them and why you want to work for them. Further, you should include the most promising points from your CV which will help you to market yourself.
• Mention some of your most relevant job experience which can show that you have experience in the field and skills to match the requirements.
• Remember: The covering letter is supposed to create an interest in the reader to study your CV. So don't go overboard and mention everything again in your Cover Letter.
• Show the employer that you are interested in being interviewed for the advertised position by mentioning something like -- ‘I look forward to hearing from you’.
• Add your contact details on the Cover Letter so that the employer can contact you easily without having to hunt for your details. Include your Address, phone no, Email ID.
• Since you are attaching your resume with the letter, it is good practice to mention ‘Enclosure: Curriculum Vitae’ on the last line of your Cover Letter. Now sign and date your letter.

It is always best to go through the letter a few times before making the final draft.