A COVER LETTER can be many things. Think of a cover letter as a jacket for a new hard cover book. The jacket attracts attention, interest and a willingness to buy. The contents of the book would be the equivalent of your resume.

Your COVER LETTER should answer the following questions:

1. How do your skills fit into the position you seek?

2. Can you provide evidence of these skills?

3. Are you able to identify your strengths?

4. How can you further develop your natural talents?

5. Why is this position the ideal job for you?

For PROFESSIONAL RESUMES only:

1. Can you identify your GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? 

Five ESSENTIAL Parts of Every Cover Letter

1. Introduce yourself to the person who has the power to hire you. Get a name even a first name. If necessary, move heaven and earth and get a full name. Make certain the name is spelled correctly. Don’t settle for “to whom it may concern” or “dear hiring manager”. It may cost you thousands of dollars or a lost career.

2. Grab the hiring manager’s attention by elaborating on your core competencies while highlighting your strengths. State what you have to offer and how your contributions will benefit the employer.

3. In this paragraph, you need to sell yourself and to finalize the “sale”. This paragraph calls for skillful persuasive writing. If you have relevant experience, cite examples of work performed showing the results achieved. If you have no experience, sell yourself confidently (I can…) via your skills and abilities. If necessary, cite volunteer work.

4. This paragraph shows how well you researched the company and what motivated you to write the cover letter. You need to show the hiring manager that your motivations are above and beyond a paycheck. You need to show the hiring manager how your skills and abilities fit in with the company’s mission statement, philosophy and business goals. In other words, you need to show the hiring manager that you are a good “fit” for the open position.

5. Summarize what you have to offer and request an interview in person or telephonically. Thank the hiring manager for his or her consideration.