Economic subjects | Human resource management » How to write your cover letter

Source: http://www.doksinet Hur du kan skriva ett personligt brev att komplettera CV med När du har klarat av att skriva en riktigt bra CV så ska den alltid kompletteras med ett lika bra skrivet personligt brev. Det personliga brevet är Yin till resuméernas Yang Det ger läsaren en möjlighet att få en inblick i av vad som gör dig rätt för jobbet. Målet är att få läsaren intresserad så att de har lust att läsa sin resumé. Before you sit down to write the content of the cover letter, use our Cover Letter Template to get you started. This is an easy solution to any formatting issues or any questions regarding the structure of your letter. Next, let's begin with some dos and don'ts of writing a cover letter: Dos: Always address your letter to the intended recipient. This shows you are paying attention to detail and not using a generic cover letter to send to several people. Send the original to the prospective employer. This again, will show that you are

writing a different letter for different positions. Use simple language and sentence structure. Don't overcomplicate your letter by using confusing words. Be clear and concise Keep your letter brief. Your letter should be a summary of what makes you right for the job. This is your opportunity to persuade the reader to look further Avoid negativity. Always stay positive as to your level of expertise This will convey confidence. Answer the question "why should I hire you?" in the letter. Don't leave the person wondering what you have to offer. Clearly state the reasons you're right for the job Don'ts Don't use a salutation that implies gender when replying to an ad that doesn't specify a name. It's never a good idea to assume you know who will be reading your cover letter. Don't repeat your resume. The employer can simply look at your resume if they want a chronological list of what you've done in the past. Grab the reader by

answering questions he or she might have and encourage them to look to your resume for more information. Source: http://www.doksinet Don't be passive. Waiting for them to contact you could leave you waiting forever Take a proactive approach. Tell the reader you will contact them to discuss a time to meet, but don't forget to do it. The standard is 3 business days after you send your resume and cover letter. Don't leave mistakes. Typos are the quickest way to leave a poor impression on a potential employer. Be sure to edit your letter thoroughly before sending it out Don't use flashy stationery. You want the person to remain focused on your content, not the sparkly over-embellished border your paper has. Don't forget to sign it. Using blue ink is the standard for signing a cover letter Be sure to give the letter your autograph before sending it on. Now that you're ready to begin writing, here's what you should include: Headings The top left hand

corner of your letter should be formatted the following way: Your name Street number City, State, Zip code Skip two lines then continue with the following: Recipient name Recipient title Company name Street number City, State, Zip code Skip two more lines to being your greeting. Your greeting should always begin with "Dear" and then the recipient's full name. Now you're ready for the body. I will break down each paragraph by the information that each should contain. Paragraph 1: Explain to the reader why you are writing to them. This should grab the reader and make them want to read on. Source: http://www.doksinet Paragraph 2 and 3: Specify your qualifications for the position. Feel free to use bullet points to highlight your skills or accomplishments. It's perfectly acceptable to use the next 2 paragraphs to explain why you're right for the job, however, WikiHow.com suggests you not exceed 4 paragraphs total. Paragraph 4: Direct the employer to your

enclosed resume but try to refrain from overused phrases like "my resume is enclosed here within". Follow with your availability for an interview. Next, explain when you will be contacting them to discuss, thank them for their time and give your contact information: phone number and email. Closing End your letter with one of these standard closings: Regards, Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Yours sincerely, Skip four lines, print, and sign. Email Emailing a cover letter is slightly different in structure. You will want to make an emailed cover letter shorter. Begin by utilizing the subject line. A simple "Resume Submission" will do You need not fuss with the headings on an emailed cover letter, however, be sure to include the recipient's full name in the greeting and don't forget your closing and contact information. Then, create the body using the same fundamentals as with a paper cover letter, however, QuintCareers.com suggests it be no longer than 150

words Be sure to adhere to spacing and leave out any emoticons or fancy font you might be tempted to use as this will distract the reader and make you seem unprofessional