- Always include your name, address, and phone number.
- Make the letter personal - address a specific person. If necessary, call for a contact name. "Dear Sir/Madam" letters are less likely to get attention than those addressed to an individual.
- Make the opening sentence catchy. Employers scan cover letters. Write a first sentence that will encourage the person to read on.
- Write each letter for a specific job. There is no such thing as an effective general cover letter. Each job you apply for is different. Show how you meet the needs of the job you are seeking. Refer to the job in the first paragraph of your cover letter.
- Always end with an action you will take. It is a serious, but common, error to end the letter asking the employer to respond. Be assertive. Call the employer to make sure your resume and cover letter arrived and to set up an interview.
Terry Seufert
1855 Woodside Road, Apt. 206
Fort Worth, TX 76113
817-956-6773
Mr. Paul Samson
Acme Electronics
2587 Bowie Road
Fort Worth, TX 76119
817-762-1875
Dear Mr. Samson:
I am replying to your ad in today's Fort Worth Post for an electronics assembler. As I read the requirements, I am struck by how similar they are to many of the skills I have developed both in work and in my hobbies.
YOUR REQUIREMENTS | MY QUALIFICATIONS |
Technical high school graduate Training and experience in basic electronics |
Recent graduate from Johnson Technical High School Courses in electronics in high school and currently at Tarrant Community College Built a home entertainment center Summer work at Canner Electronics as stock room worker and assembler trainee |
I am highly motivated to enter the electronics industry on the ground floor. I plan to continue my courses at Tarrant Community College and ultimately to transfer to a four-year college.
I have enclosed a copy of my resume for your review. I look forward to sharing with you how I feel I might contribute to your company. I will call you early next week to discuss the possibility of arranging an interview.
If you have any questions, please call me at 817-956-6773. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to meeting with you.
Sincerely,
Terry Seufert