| Designing a job application cover letter is often a | | | | may have dealt with in your former workplace. |
| nerve wrecking affair no matter how many times | | | | Aim to highlight your own portfolio. Give the |
| one has done it before. Learning how to script | | | | strongest examples of achievements you have |
| your letter so that it makes an immediate impact | | | | made so far. If you have little experience, your |
| will save you hours of designing and | | | | title, job description and projects done during your |
| disappointments from potential employers. It is | | | | internship will do. Finish your letter with a |
| important to understand what role a cover letter | | | | reference to the enclosed resume and any other |
| plays in order to design one that suitably meets | | | | documents. You can also give a period during |
| expectations. Always bear in mind that a job | | | | which you may take a course of action, such as |
| application cover letter is not about you but about | | | | following up on the application. The only exception |
| what you have to offer the organization or firm | | | | to this is where the company indicates that they |
| where you are trying to get a job. It is about | | | | will contact short-listed candidates. You can also |
| what you have to offer your employer. | | | | request an interview. Do not forget to thank the |
| The first segment of your job application cover | | | | recipient for their time. Sign out with your name |
| letter should contain the salutation. Pay attention | | | | and signature. |
| to how you address the recipient. At no time | | | | Some general rules apply when writing a job |
| should you ever use 'sir or madam' in your | | | | application cover letter. Watch what font you use. |
| salutation. Writing 'Dear Sir or Madam' shows you | | | | Forget about trendy fonts and colors. They are a |
| do not know who you are addressing, when in | | | | bad idea. Use formal fonts always and do your |
| essence you need to have done enough research | | | | print outs in black and white, except of course |
| on the firm you are sending your application, to | | | | where graphics are involved. Trendy fonts will only |
| know whether the HR in-charge is male or female. | | | | serve to make you look immature and a joker. |
| Better yet, use their names instead of plain titles. | | | | While at this, avoid exclusive use of lower or |
| It will reflect you in a better light and set you off | | | | upper case letters. They look outrageous on a job |
| in the right footing with the recipient. Depending | | | | application cover letter! The only time you should |
| on the prevailing culture of the organization, use | | | | use upper case letters exclusively is when printing |
| the name only or with a title. Some organizations | | | | out the addresses, both yours and the recipient's; |
| will prefer you use either 'Dear Mr. or Ms.' when | | | | and the subject of your letter. |
| addressing staff. In less formal places, a simple | | | | Check your grammar again before making the |
| 'Dear So-and-so' will suffice. | | | | final copy. If you are unsure of how to write a |
| After the salutation, write your opening paragraph. | | | | word, check it up. It will only take a little of your |
| Here, you should specify the position you are | | | | time and save your job application cover letter |
| interested in and why you think or feel you are | | | | from being trashed. Avoid contractions and use |
| qualified for it. Explain briefly, why you are | | | | each word in full. In addition, don't use big words in |
| interested in the position. Ideally, this section | | | | a bid to sound knowledgeable. The recipient won't |
| should be brief, with a maximum of three | | | | have the time to look for the meaning. Keep it |
| sentences. Move on to the next paragraph, which | | | | simple and clear. |
| is largely the body of the job application cover | | | | Do not write a lengthy letter. Keep your letter |
| letter. Here, spell out your qualifications and skills. | | | | short and relevant by sticking to the objective. |
| You should also mention your past work | | | | Few recruiters will have the time to read pages |
| experiences. If you have not had more jobs | | | | of irrelevant material. With a little research prior to |
| previously or are a fresh graduate, a mention of | | | | writing the job application cover letter, you will be |
| your qualities will work just fine. Give specific | | | | able to tailor the letter to meet the firm's needs. |
| examples of accomplishments you have made to | | | | It will only take a little of your time and make |
| support these qualities. | | | | your letter stand out from the many other |
| Avoid making exaggerated claims. It's also | | | | applicants who will also apply. |
| unbecoming to mention high profile clients you | | | | |