The Basics of Writing a Cover Letter
The ability to construct a good cover letter is an essential attribute of a successful job-seeker.
As a professional engineer, I have written (by hand) scores of these letters in my past.
The letters I have written include letters for internships, full-time jobs, part-time jobs, temporary positions, etc.
Even after having had all this experience writing cover letters, I still would not consider myself to be an expert.
Still, I believe I know enough to pass down the knowledge I have acquired from past job searches as well as college and graduate school applications.
The art of writing cover letters is just that: an art.
It is not easily mastered, and many people make careers out of helping people write cover letters and resumes.
Writing a decent cover letter for a particular job opening can take literally hours, if the applicant truly cares about getting the job.
In this article, I intend to inform the reader on the basics of writing a decent letter.
This is not a step-by-step procedure, but if you follow these simple guidelines you'll probably be at least a step ahead of the competition.
The idea behind a cover letter is to add depth and personality to the candidate.
The letter should certainly not be a list of skills and abilities.
The employer is typically looking for a responsible, friendly, and civil-minded individual.
The tone of your letter should indicate that you are a relatable, reasonable, and capable person who is well-suited for the job.
In terms of content, there are a great many elements that the ideal cover letter should include.
In the first place, a cover letter should not strictly be a summary of one's skill set.
Your resume should sufficiently describe your credentials in a succinct manner.
Always keep in mind that the letter is intended to accompany the resume, and not to replace or summarize it.
Furthermore, though it sounds cliche, know your audience.
If applying for a job as an electrician, don't go into great detail on your skills as a fisherman.
The employer is looking for reasons to trust you with the responsibilities of the position, so give him/her those reasons.
In your cover letter, talk about your past experiences that are related to the job to which you are applying.
If you find that it is difficult to relate any of your experience to the job at hand, try to make a stretch, and twist the story such that it relates to the job.
The idea behind relating stories from your past is to illustrate qualities of yourself that would benefit you in the position for which you are being considered.
For example, if applying for a position as a lifeguard, relate an experience that illustrates your courageousness, selflessness, or regard for the safety of the public.
It is surprisingly easy to come up with a relatable event and use it to sell yourself.
You generally can't go wrong with illustrations of your more virtuous attributes, such as work ethic, competence, intellect, enthusiasm, etc.
Years ago, it was not possible to find an "easy way out" to writing cover letters.
Everyone had to sit down and do it the hard way, often armed with only a typewriter.
Today, with the advent of the internet, there are many resources at one's fingertips to help one write a worthwhile letter, or even have it written for him/her by a professional.
As a professional engineer, I have written (by hand) scores of these letters in my past.
The letters I have written include letters for internships, full-time jobs, part-time jobs, temporary positions, etc.
Even after having had all this experience writing cover letters, I still would not consider myself to be an expert.
Still, I believe I know enough to pass down the knowledge I have acquired from past job searches as well as college and graduate school applications.
The art of writing cover letters is just that: an art.
It is not easily mastered, and many people make careers out of helping people write cover letters and resumes.
Writing a decent cover letter for a particular job opening can take literally hours, if the applicant truly cares about getting the job.
In this article, I intend to inform the reader on the basics of writing a decent letter.
This is not a step-by-step procedure, but if you follow these simple guidelines you'll probably be at least a step ahead of the competition.
The idea behind a cover letter is to add depth and personality to the candidate.
The letter should certainly not be a list of skills and abilities.
The employer is typically looking for a responsible, friendly, and civil-minded individual.
The tone of your letter should indicate that you are a relatable, reasonable, and capable person who is well-suited for the job.
In terms of content, there are a great many elements that the ideal cover letter should include.
In the first place, a cover letter should not strictly be a summary of one's skill set.
Your resume should sufficiently describe your credentials in a succinct manner.
Always keep in mind that the letter is intended to accompany the resume, and not to replace or summarize it.
Furthermore, though it sounds cliche, know your audience.
If applying for a job as an electrician, don't go into great detail on your skills as a fisherman.
The employer is looking for reasons to trust you with the responsibilities of the position, so give him/her those reasons.
In your cover letter, talk about your past experiences that are related to the job to which you are applying.
If you find that it is difficult to relate any of your experience to the job at hand, try to make a stretch, and twist the story such that it relates to the job.
The idea behind relating stories from your past is to illustrate qualities of yourself that would benefit you in the position for which you are being considered.
For example, if applying for a position as a lifeguard, relate an experience that illustrates your courageousness, selflessness, or regard for the safety of the public.
It is surprisingly easy to come up with a relatable event and use it to sell yourself.
You generally can't go wrong with illustrations of your more virtuous attributes, such as work ethic, competence, intellect, enthusiasm, etc.
Years ago, it was not possible to find an "easy way out" to writing cover letters.
Everyone had to sit down and do it the hard way, often armed with only a typewriter.
Today, with the advent of the internet, there are many resources at one's fingertips to help one write a worthwhile letter, or even have it written for him/her by a professional.
