Cover Letter is the First Impression - How to Write a Great Job Application Cover Letter

Feb. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- A cover letter may be the first impression you make on a potential employer.  Do you think your cover letter is perfect?  Learn how to write a great job application cover letter.  Writing a topnotch cover letter is essential when applying for a job, especially in the corporate world. A great job application cover letter is short, professional-looking, error-free and describes why you are the person they are looking for.

Targeted Cover Letter

When applying for a job, always write a cover letter specifically for that job. Using a canned or generic cover letter will practically ensure that an application will end up in the wastebasket. The people who work in Human Resources departments can spot a generic cover letter right away. They hate that type of letter because it shows that the person is not putting any real effort into the job application process. Likewise, a badly-written cover letter will nip your chances in the bud since no one will take the application seriously if your letter is full of grammatical mistakes, incorrect punctuation and typographical errors.

How to Write a Great Cover Letter

“Dear Ms. Wilson” is much better than “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam” so find out the name of the person the letter should be addressed to.  In the first paragraph, state the exact job title or job description that the application is meant for and how the applicant found out about that job opening. This is absolutely essential because it is a negative if the hiring manager has trouble figuring out which position the applicant is interested in.  After a short introduction, go straight to selling the possessed skills that may separate the applicant from others. Busy HR managers will spend only a few seconds to glance or skim through the letter so highlight only the top skills and attributes. The last part of the letter should request an interview and thank the reader for his time.

Keep It Short, Specific and Customized

Keep the letter short. No one today has the time to read a long five-page letter that describes in detail all of the skills and qualification. Use simple sentences and eliminate all unnecessary words. The entire letter should only be 3-5 paragraphs long and be specific. For example, do not describe achievements as “successfully improved sales.” You need to state exactly what details were included in succeeding in doing such as “increased sales by 25 percent.”

Customize the letter to the employer. Describe attractive skills and work history in terms of the job requirements on their job listing. For instance, if the company is looking for a person who is excellent in “audio and video streaming and integration” then the letter should emphasize the possessed skills in that area.

A good cover letter can boost the responses that are received when applying for a job. Take the time to write a great cover letter and it can double or even triple the amount of interview requests.  A great cover letter will allow an advantage over the others applying for the same job opening.

For more tips and tools on a successful job search in 2011, visit http://www.JobsforFelons101.com

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About JobsforFelons101.com, the road to redemption from a felony charge can be a long and bumpy one and second chances can be hard to come by. I know that everyone can use some help sometimes and that's what I'm here for. I specialize in helping felons and ex convicts find gainful employment and become productive and positive members of society. JobsforFelons101.com is a free resource bank of tips, tools and training that will aide in finding jobs for felons. For more tips, tools and training for a successful job search visit http://www.JobsforFelons101.com