Business Education and Training

There are three different kinds of cover letters commonly used. These are: letters written in response to a job posting, cover letters emailed rather than posted in response to a job posting(and yes, they are different) and the cold call letter with this last one being the trickiest. To master how to write a cover letter, you need to be familiar with them all.

The format of a letter written in response to a job posting is simple enough; you inform the employer that you want to be considered for the position. While emailed letters have the same function, the form is considerably different. Email cover letters are less formal, but have to work far harder than a conventional cover letter to get your resume read. You must be professional yet engaging - it’s a balancing act. Don’t make the mistake of using internet shorthand and abbreviations and please, please spellcheck your email before sending.

A cold call letter is a different animal altogether. These are written to a company where you would like to work but may not actually have an open position which suits you. There is no guarantee that a cold call letter will land you a job right away, but it can be a good way to get yourself noticed by that company you’d like to work for. These letters will be sent to the HR department directly rather than to a specific person generally speaking, but can also be sent (or cc’d) to the department head of your target position.

Writing a cover letter can be an intimidating task, but if you focus on the process - not the outcome - it will be a bit less painless.

Here’s a handful of cover letter tips:

• Use the proper business letter format. Include, in order: your contact information, the date, your future employer’s contact information, and the salutation.
• Include a headline. A good headline will jump off the page and get your letter noticed.
• Follow a three paragraph formula. In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and explain why you are the right fit for the job. The second paragraph should highlight your experiences and achievements that are relevant to the job. In the third paragraph, ask for an interview and mention when you will be following up. Be specific.
• Remember to both type and sign your name.
• Proofread and edit, then do it again. Have someone else (besides spell check) take a look at it.

Learning how to write a cover letter doesn’t have to be difficult.