Tips To Creating Your Own Cover Letter Template
Using a cover letter template when job hunting is a logical and
time saving measure. Your time is limited, so writing one basic
one and using it as your template will simplify the application
process, making you more efficient and hopefully employed all
that much faster.
A basic template can be either bulleted - sometimes called an
Executive Summary - or in paragraph form. The paragraph form of
cover letter template is more traditional and preferred by many
for the neat appearance it presents. Since hiring managers are
busy however, the bulleted format does have advantages. This
cover letter template allows you to make quick changes in the
emphasis you are placing on your skills in case there is more
than one type of job for which you are applying.
A good bulleted template will begin with the date, address and
salutation. Then it should reference the position applied for.
Open the template itself with a short paragraph highlighting
your primary qualification, such as years of experience, and
state that you can make a strong contribution to the company.
Then back up what you've said with at least two bullet point
paragraphs, each listing some of the key qualifications that
your resume lists. You've heard the old saying "tell them what
you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what
you told them." This is the place for that.
Your last paragraph should be upbeat and point out that you can
make valuable contributions to the organization, list your
contact phone number again, and thank the reader for his or her
time.
A good template emphasizes the contributions the applicant can
make to the prospective employer. Employers don't really care
about what you want, they care about what you can do for them,
and your cover letter template and resume should reflect that
truth.
An alternative to the bulleted template is the standard
paragraph formatted cover letter template. It begins as the
bulleted one does, with the date, salutation and standard formal
correspondence protocols. It will then have three or four
paragraphs in block format that point out your years of
experience, education and other qualifications in the first
paragraph, followed by the second paragraph where you state your
desire to join the organization. The third paragraph should go
into more detail concerning experience and qualifications. For
instance, stating that your skills are in personnel supervision,
or in operations management. List a recent accomplishment in
this paragraph to back up your earlier words. In the last
paragraph point out the obvious - it never hurts. Let the reader
know that your resume is enclosed and you would like to meet
with him soon to exchange ideas. State that you will call him in
the next few days if you feel it appropriate, otherwise restate
your contact phone number and email address and your
availability to meet. End it with your signature and the word
"enclosure".
This cover letter template also emphasizes what the applicant
can do for the company by citing experience. If you follow
either of these listed here you should have good success.