What exactly is a cover letter and how can I write a good one for applying for a job?
150398
A cover letter is a way to introduce yourself to a company that you are interested in.  A cover letter is usually sent with your resume.  It is your best chance to make a great impression.  It will have more impact than your resume will.  The attached link should help you!\n\nhttp://jobstar.org/tools/resume/cletters.php
312152
more important than resumes actually.  they let you state, in your own words, why you think you are best for the job and get you into an interview.  resumes are so technical and formatted, you have no idea who a person really is.  they show no personality, like a cover letter can.  \n\nhope that helps.
111128
There are lots of advantages to a good cover letter. If the letter is good, I can't think of any disadvantages.\n\nOne advantage is that it gives you a chance to highlight experience or education that is directly related to the job you're applying for. It can also be a good way to summarize your expertise, abilities, etc.
1001831
One of the more common forms of the job search involves applying for jobs from either the newspaper, Internet job boards (such as monster.com) or internal resources.  It is good business etiquette to include a cover letter when applying for the position.\n\nWhat to include in the cover letter:\n\n1.  Your name and contact information at the top of the cover letter. It is ideal to use the same heading as the resume for purposes of consistency.\n\n2.  Today's date and the name of the contact person at the company and their job title, if this information is available.\n\n3.  The name of the company and company address\n\nThe greeting should be Dear Mr./Ms. XXXXXXX.  If you do not know the name of the contact person, then the the cover letter should be addressed to the Title, such as Dear  Human Resources Manager or Dear Hiring Manager.  In worse case scenario, it is safe to introduce the cover letter to the Human Resources Manager, even if you are unsure of the title.  You can use "To Whom it May Concern," but it is ideal to address the cover letter in a more formal manner. \n\nThe first paragraph should be an introduction and should include your intention to apply for the job, the job title, internal job ID or job number if specified, and the company name. You should also include the date of posting and the name of the resource where the job is posted (Newspaper name, job board) with the name of the resource written in italics.\n\nThe body of the cover letter can include a number of items, but ideally you want to provide an over description of your career, experience and ability to perform the tasks involved in the job position. Try to address requirements that are listed in the job position and directly respond to these requirements within the cover letter.  The cover letter should also mention your enclosure or attachment (if emailed) of the resume and should either invite the reader to contact you or state your intentions to contact the employer.  The salutation should simply read -- Sincerely, followed by your name with 4 spaces in between.  Your written signature should go between the salutation and your name if you are submitting a printed copy.
1038206
Here are links to samples for you:\n\nhttp://ucdavis.placementmanual.com/resume/resume-33.html\n\nhttp://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/jobofferletters/a/jobofferaccept.htm\n\nhttp://www.quintcareers.com/sample_accepting_letter.html
195985
In this case a cover letter is a letter that you would write to a potential employer.  It usually states that your resume is attached, your current employement status, where you heard about the job, you can even include your expected wage/salary, your availability etc. \nGood luck job hunting!
725991
Job Application Cover Letter\n\nAn Overview\nA cover letter is sent with your CV. It can make the difference between being successful in your job search or not.\nCover letters are generally not read during the first candidate selection, but usually they will be read when the candidates have been short listed. Do not waste such an opportunity.\nAlways include a cover letter even if the job ad does not specify that one is needed. Occasionally, job ads also specify a hand written cover letter.\nYour cover letter should not be a copy of your CV. Specify some of your cover letter achievements and be sure you know how to handle Cover Letter weakness. (Uncertain as to what you're trying to say here).\nA cover letter is a way of showing your writing and reporting skills.\nYour cover letter should be customised per employer. However, if you are sending a lot of CVs, this task could prove impossible. Try instead to have a cover letter per industry or per area.\nDo not mention salary in your cover letter. If the job ad requests your expected salary then mention a range rather than a specific amount. For example $10k -$15k rather than Â£12k.\n\nmore info on http://www.cvtips.com/job_application_cover_letter.html
1171789
Obviously, it's going to vary from employer to employer. Here are some of the things that I look for: \n* Is it well organized, consistently formatted, and free of typographical errors? If it isn't, the candidate lacks the skills, organization, and attention to detail we require. \n* Is it credible? Suffice it to say that some of the claims made on resumes compare to curing AIDS and negotiating world peace, all over a three-day weekend. \n* Does it demonstrate initiative and common sense? Will the new employee be able to work things out on his/her own, or will s/he require detailed supervision? \n* Is the objectives statement, if provided, relevant to the job opportunity we have? Does the objectives statement appear to be well considered and authentic? \n* Is the experience and education shown relevant to the job? \n* Does the cover letter reflect an understanding of our company and what makes us unique? \n\nIf I see a recent grad's resume that meets these criteria, I will be most interested in interviewing them. \n\nGood luck,\nRex
1067648
First, define to yourself what a "decent" job is.\nSecond, prepare a resume of your training, experience, and education.\n   Now, the "how":  A) read the trade publications (financial press), they usually mention job opportunities.  B) Look up company home pages on the Internet.  They often have a section labeled "Employment Opportunities"  C) Mail such companies a resume and a cover letter.  The resume is general, and the cover letter should be specific.  The "how" is all about getting an interview for the position.  If you receive a job offer, it is then up to you to decide if it suits your definition of "decent".  Good Luck
945598
It's not that much different from a cover letter for a resume.  You want to say what you could do for them and what kind of experience you have to offer (even if it's helping with phones or office equipment, or if you have a car to run errands - think about how you could be useful to them)\n\nYou could also mention something about why you would want to work for them, and what you would like to learn.
525937
first, skills are not the only things that they look for in a person. as far as i know, attitude matters most.\nstill, how can they know you are good if they haven't seen you work? right? have you ever been called for an interview or exams? oops, before that, have you packaged your resume properly? there are people who say that the cover letter says it all. that some employers do not bother to check the resume and all if the cover letter stinks. is it properly made (grammar and spelling correct)? is it clear, brief and comprehensive? is it professional? does it sound serious? will it talk for you and land you the job? \nnext, your resume? how have you packaged it? and your picture, do you look presentable in your picture-i mean please be in a tie/barong or collared blouse with coat? ive seen some pictures people attach to their resume wherein they are wearing polo shirts or tshirts even! and please, polish your english. if ever you will be interviewed for a job that requires ability to speak english, dear, you grammar will fail you. and if you do get interviewed, be honest and articulate and come dressed properly!\nand be patient, some companies take so long a time before they hire people. my first job for a multinational took around three months from the time i submitted my resume to the time i got hired. my second job took arounnd six. patience is a virtue really. after all, kung hindi ukol, di bubukol\nbest of luck!
1137642
I suggest that you include your cover letter in the body of the email, AND attach it to the email as a document - this way if they need to print it out, they can print the attached cover letter which will retain the formatting, and not look messy as e-mails often do, with excess header info, etc.\n\nAs well, be sure to include in your first sentence that you are sending resume in response to a request for it; for example:\n\nDear Name (or Department head)\n\nAs per your request, I am sending you my resume in consideration for (put job title here).  As you will see on my resume, attached, I have __ years of experience in a directly relevant field ... etc.  \n\nBest of luck to you!
550060
I never thought I would be helping someone to NOT get a job - but here we go:\n\nYou should put this information on your cover letter. I would not use the term "quiet" but would use something like Looking for a calm work environment. Other possible ways to word this: non-stressful, peaceful, etc.\n\nBecause this is on the cover letter, you will be writing a new one for every job anyway, so you can delete it from the ones for jobs you actually want.
834030
A resume is like a report of sorts. you can google and find some samples I'm sure. I don't think they do cover sheets anymore but, you usually start with facts about yourself. Full name: .......Birthdate:..... Address:.......Phone 3:....... Then your education should be next. Graduated from:  school name and year.\nThen you start with a general description of your work experience. It can be in Date form most current to the first.  LIKE: From. April 05 to Jan.06:  insert the job you did and under that a brief decsription of the job and then a contact person name, address and phone number.\nOnce the jobs are listed Write a letter of sorts describing yourvgoals, any extra things you did like any clubs or volunteering or any sports or anything you did. Any hobbies and interests and make it gear towards the job you are trying to get. \nIt's really information. Then last you put any work and personal references  names and addresses and phone numbers. Then call the people you put down and ask them to be looking for a call. don't let them be caught off guard. With caller ID a lot of people don't pick up if they don't know the name.\nIt is really just information. \nI think simple and to the point is best Start at the left margin and do the first page. Job experience, and references and then do the same \n with the intro letter, Thank them for their time before closing the letter and end with Sincerely, your name and sigh it. Put your contact number and address there also.\n good luck. If you have microsoft office or works, I think it has a format for resume on there. Just use what applys to you. Leave the rest. Too much info is not always good. Make sure everything looks good. Check all spelling and phone numbers. Have someone else look at it. Good luck.
893751
Correspondence to business and organisations has to be written in a formal manner. \nA cover Letter should never be longer than one page.\nMention achievements or strengths, apart from your qualifications and job experience. (uncertain what is meant here). Check out Writing about your achievements.\nYour letter should be address to a specific person. Job research is very important. One of the results of your job research should be the name of the person responsible for the recruitment. \nKeep the letter to the point. The letter must be easy to read and follow.\n\nDo not send a hand written cover letter if you are not asked. If the job advert specifies a http://www.cvtips.com/letter_writing_sample.html letter writing sample then send one! Make sure the letter is error free and that the same font is used throughout. Make sure that your letter and CV are similar in style.\nUse top quality stationary. The envelope, the paper and the style of your CV stationary should match that of the cover letter.\nMake sure that whatever you write in your cover letter is backed up by facts or at least be able to convincingly back them up in the interview.\nConvey your enthusiasm about the job opportunity. You have to show that you are confident in your expectations about the job selection but do not be 'cocky'.\nSign your cover letter and write your name in block capitals under your signature.\n\nMore details on http://www.cvtips.com/how_to_write_a_cover_letter.html
329973
Follow-up letters are also effective for\n\nAccepting an interview invitation \nAsking if a position for which you interviewed or submitted a job application is still open \nAsking interviewers for feedback explaining the reasons you were passed over for a job, so you can try to improve your chances \nOffering additional information about your qualifications that your resume and cover letter didn't or can't \nStaying "in touch" by reaffirming your interest in the company, after they've rejected your first attempt at employment \nStaying "in touch" after a layoff. As are many, your employer might be negligent about matching your qualifications to open jobs after laying you off, despite what they promised in your separation package. \nRequesting an extension to accept or decline a job offer \nThanking an employer for a job opportunity after you've accepted it \nThanking an employer for a job opportunity even after you've declined it. You never know when you might need to count on a job offer from that employer again. \nCalling attention to yourself once more, after sending an interview thank-you letter. It might help you to stand out among other applicants. \n\n\ncopy from http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/followupletters/l/aa021003.htm
624731
Too long (should be one page only)\n\nPutting information that is uninteresting to the prospective employer.\n\nNot highlighting (bold) interesting information\n\nLeaving out specific skills of interest, because you are following a template\n\nForgetting cover letter, forgetting to sign the cover letter, forgetting to include e-mail address or phone #