7 THINGS TO SAY IN YOUR COVER LETTER IF YOU WANT THE INTERVIEW (EXAMPLES)
A cover letter can be the most critical part of your résumé because how you write it may be the deciding factor in whether or not you get an interview. Here are seven suggestions to help you make a powerful impression with your following cover letter.
1. Let the prospective employer know that this job is right for you and why.
"I've been searching for a computer programming job since I graduated from college two years ago, but so far haven't found anything permanent—only temporary assignments." "This job seems like it's exactly what I want; my degree is in business management, and all these requirements sound like they'll match up perfectly with my experience."
2. Be specific about what you can do for the employer.
"I've been able to increase production by at least 10 percent in all six of my previous jobs, and I'm sure I can do even better here." "I'm creative when it comes to coming up with new ways to package and advertise products, as well as new ones to create—especially ones that customers will be interested in buying."
3. Explain why you're interested in this position and your target company.
"All the projects you described are perfect for me; I know exactly how they should be done and am confident I could handle them from day one on the job. My computer science degree is a great background for programming, and my business experience has made me very professional in dealing with clients." "I've been looking for a company just like yours for a long time. I used to do product management work, but now that I have my MBA, I'm interested in learning about marketing strategies and applying them to companies like yours. That's why I want to come to an interview and ask you questions about your job openings."
4. Stress your specific qualifications for the job (e.g., skills, education).
"My computer science degree is more than adequate preparation for the programming tasks you described." "As part of my coursework in graduate school, I studied many of the textbooks you're using here at ABC Company; one was on new techniques for handling inventory, which I've found very interesting."
5. Ask questions that show you're serious about the position
And how it fits into your long-term career plans (e.g., "What are the chances of advancement in this job?").
"I know there's a lot of opportunities to learn here—that's what attracted me to ABC Company—and I'm sure I'll be able to move up quickly if I work hard."
6. Reinforce key points with additional details or facts.
This will help you make a lasting impression on the employer by reinforcing these ideas about yourself throughout your cover letter. For example: "My computer science degree is more than adequate preparation for all the programming tasks you described. The first time I did any computer work was my freshman year in college—when I took a programming course and wrote a program for calculating vehicle depreciation." "As part of my coursework in graduate school, I studied many of the textbooks you're using here at ABC Company; one was on new techniques for handling inventory, which I've found very interesting."
7. Close by highlighting your strong interest in the position or company.
"I'm eager to come to an interview so we can talk more about this job and how it would be perfect for me." "Attached with this letter is my resume and other information that will tell you even more about me."
Final Thoughts
Most companies have several openings available for different positions, so it's okay to apply for several at the same time—but make sure you tailor each cover letter and resume individually for the specific job. (And don't forget about that follow-up call; see #6 below.)
If you're applying for a job opening in another country: Obviously, your application materials will need to be translated into the language of that particular country! Just follow these tips as closely as possible, making sure all references to geographical areas are correct and appropriate; terms such as "mailbox" and "e-mail" will need to be changed to "post box" and "fax," for example.
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