[ksterne]

When applying to a job, having a good cover letter is just as important as having an impressive resume. Your cover letter is what gives a potential employer the first impression of you and it is also what distinguishes whether or not your resume is even worth looking at. Because of this, it is important to create a new cover letter for every new job application you put out and tailor them to each particular job offering. The McMaster Engineering Co-Op and Career Services website offers some great pointers for writing a good cover letter, such as:

1. A cover letter must be original
- Tailor each letter to the specific job you are applying to.
2. A cover letter must be concise
- Be sure that the cover letter does not go longer than one paragraph in length.
3. A cover letter must be professional
- Be very specific as to why you are applying, how you qualify for the position, and how you will be in touch with the employer.

The website also offers advice on what specifically the body of the cover letter should consist of. Firstly, if you do not know the name of the employer, begin the letter with the phrase “To whom it may concern”. This is a better opening compared to others such as “Sir / Madam”. An effective introduction is important as well since this is what the employer will first read about you. Here, state the job you are applying to and try to list some facts you know about the company and why it is appealing. Following the introduction, listing why you are qualified for the position comes next.

Stating your qualifications is the most important aspect of the letter and is the main area where you can focus on different points depending on the specific job at hand. Only mentioning qualifications which pertain to each individual job will show that you took the time to consider what the employer may be looking for specifically rather than listing all of your qualifications at random and hoping that they match with those necessary for the position. At the end of the letter, mention that you have included a resume as well. Although it seems this should be obvious to the employer, it is an effective closing nonetheless. Finally, sign the letter with a saying such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards” rather than simply stating your name as it sounds more professional and polite, and don’t forget to thank them for their time and consideration as well.

There are also various websites offering samples of cover letters. Below is a link to the Engineering website listed previously which contains some other helpful advice not included in this article as well as a great example of a cover letter:

http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/eccs/career/cl_tips.html

With these guidelines anyone can now write an effective cover letter. While writing a good cover letter takes some time and consideration, it is well worth the effort in the end. Good luck!

[lorend]

Also check out: http://talentegg.ca/incubator/tag/cover-letter/