Richard Wallace - Adams Cover Letter Almanac

ADAMS
COVER
LETTER
ALMANAC

SECOND EDITION

Adams Media
Avon, Massachusetts

Copyright 2006, 1995, F+W Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefeld Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-59337-600-6
ISBN 13: 978-1-59337-600-0
Printed in Canada.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Adams cover letter almanac / Richard Wallace, editor.2nd ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-59337-600-6
1. Cover letters. 2. Job hunting. I. Wallace, Richard.- II. Adams Publishing (Avon, Mass.)

HF5383.A26 2006
650.14'2dc22
2005034593

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

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Contents

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The Adams Cover Letter Almanac, Second Edition, is a comprehensive guide packed full of helpful tips for crafting a job-winning cover letter. Since the previous edition was published, computers, e-mail, and the Internet have markedly changed the way we search for, and respond to, job opportunities. To reflect those changes, this new edition has been expanded to include the latest information about electronic cover letters, online classifieds, and career Web sites.

To get the most from this book, we recommend that you begin by looking over Part I: All about Cover Letters. Here you will find everything you need to know about writing hard copy and electronic cover letters, from piecing together an introduction to choosing the right format. Are you wondering how to personalize each letter? Should you mention personal preferences, like a salary range? What are the common blunders you should avoid? Part I will answer all your cover letter questions, and more!

Part II: All about Job Hunting addresses more general job-search issues such as how to network effectively and how to determine the best companies to contact. If you're having trouble designing an effective strategy for finding employment in today's tough job market, look no further. Part II provides a step-by-step guide for job hunters.

Once you're ready to begin writing, we suggest you turn to Part III: Sample Cover Letters. This section contains more than six hundred examples of cover letters used by real people to win real jobs. The letters address twenty-five types of situations including responses to classified advertisements (print and Web postings), information requests, and thank-you letters. Choose the chapters that are applicable to your special circumstances and start writing your letters, using the samples as guidelines.

Remember, there is no one right way to write a cover letter. The advantage of having so many different styles and formats is that you can pick and choose elements from numerous samples and custom-design each cover letter to fit your needs.

PART I
All about Cover Letters

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO COVER LETTERS

Purpose of the Cover Letter

Your cover letter is more than likely the first contact you will have with a potential employer. If it is well written, your letter will lead the reader to the other part of your applicationyour resume. If your letter is poorly written, however, the employer may not even take the time to review your resume, and your application has a good chance of ending up in the trash.

Put yourself in the boss's shoes. If you were doing the hiring, what attributes would the ideal candidate for employment possess? You probably would prefer that the person have work experience similar to, or at least applicable to, the position for which he or she is applying. You would want the candidate to be ambitious and anxious to contribute his or her energy and skills to the success of your company. The perfect candidate would demonstrate interest in, and knowledge about, your industry and your specific organization. (An applicant's prior knowledge of an industry or a particular company suggests that he or she has a compelling interest in the firm, and is not looking at the current opening as just another job.) In short, if you were doing the hiring, you probably would want to hear from an energetic, dedicated, and skilled candidate.

Your cover letter affords you the opportunity to present yourself as the perfect candidate. You can begin by learning how to create an effective sales pitch.

The Sales Pitch

Imagine your cover letter as a marketing tool, much like a television or radio commercial. Effective commercials catch your attention by highlighting only the most attractive features of a product.

Your cover letter should be your commercial, the place where you highlight your most attractive features as a potential employee. Remember, employers typically receive hundreds of applications for each job opening. No one is going to waste time reading through a long letter crammed with text. Be brief and succinct. You should avoid detailing your entire work history in your cover lettersave that information for your resume. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that show you are an above-average candidate for the position. Stressing only one or two unique attributes increases your chances of being remembered by the recruiter and getting to the interview stage, where you can elaborate on the rest of your accomplishments.

In addition, the cover letter allows you to carefully select one or two accomplishments or special skills that reflect your suitability for the desired position. If you are applying for a job that doesn't fit directly into your experience, make sure you explain how your background and qualifications match the position's requirements. For example, imagine you are a bank accountant seeking an applications programmer position in a computer software development company. A well-crafted cover letter would emphasize your relevant computer experience, and de-emphasize your accounting background.

Personalize Each Letter

The success of your job-hunting campaign relies on the quality of your contacts and how well you maintain them, not on the quantity of applications you send out. Taking time to research each employer promises to be much more effective than sending out hundreds of form letters and resumes. In effect, you are saying to an employer, This is where I want to work. I have done my research and I am confident about my decision. Also, the employer will view your interest as an indication that you are likely to stay with the company for a substantial period of time if hired. (For more information on researching a potential employer, see Chapter 7.)

First, try to determine the appropriate person to whom you should address your cover letter. In general, the more influential your contact is, the better. Try to contact the head of the department in which you are interested. If you are applying to a larger corporation, it is likely that your application will be screened by a human resources or personnel department. If you are instructed to direct your inquiry to this division, attempt to find out the name of the senior manager. This way, you may be able to cut down on the number of people your resume passes through on its way to the final decision-maker. In any event, be sure to include your contact's name and title on both your letter and envelope. This will ensure that your letter will get through to the proper person, even if there's been a recent change in staffing and a new person occupies this position.