Writing Cover Letters for Resumes

2. Example of a Cover Letter

A cover letter tailors your qualifications to the job on offer. You have the reader's attention for about 20 seconds—so keep it short and to the point. Write it so strongly the employer wants to offer you an interview before reading the details of your resume. The cover letter should work hard for you, covering the essential information and selling you as the best candidate for the post. Compare these two cover letter examples.

Example of a standard cover etter

Example of a professionally written cover letter

John Noakes
1221 Stave Avenue
Washington CD 22090

Dear Sir or Madam

I was interested in the position of Sales Executive advertised in a recent issue of Computer Monthly and wish to be considered for the post.

I have attached my resume and would be happy to attend an interview at a mutually convenient time.

Yours sincerely

John Noakes

John Noakes
1221 Stave Avenue
Washington DC 22090

Sales Executive advertised in
Computer Monthly

Dear Mr Johns

Joining Datacom’s Sales Team

I would like to join Datacom Office Equipment as your new Sales Executive and bring to your organization my 12 years of experience working on international corporate clients for Bestdata.

My training at Bestdata helped me become Regional Sales Representative of the Month four times in two years. After my promotion to North-East Regional Sales Manager, we improved training for sales representatives, revamped our marketing strategy and moved into direct selling on the Internet. Sales increased by 30 per cent in the next year.

Many of these ideas apply to Datacom's product range, especially the innovative portable telephones and fax machines you recently launched in the trade press.

I'd be happy to discuss these ideas at an interview. Could we arrange an interview in early June when I am in New York?

Yours sincerely

John Noakes

Enclosed: Resume

The standard letter is easy to write but does nothing to get you an interview. The professionally drafted alternative is harder to write but well worth it. We'll use this letter in the following pages to explain the professional writing techniques you should use.

Writing Cover Letters

2. Example of a Cover Letter

Example of a standard cover etter

Example of a professionally written cover letter

Continue: Write a professional letter head for your cover letter