Marty’s Cover Letter Do’s & Don’ts

DO…

• Personalize your cover letter. Avoid “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam” whenever possible. If possible find out the recipient’s name; call the company. If there’s only a fax number and no title for the person to whom it is going, then you probably have no choice.
• Write a compelling cover letter that makes recruiters want to read on. Don’t make it a repeat of what you wrote in your resume.
• Be brief and quickly make a strong point. The individual reading your cover letter will scan, not study it.
• Highlight pertinent information and provide relevant data that may not be covered in your resume;. In fact, if you see an advertisement that requires certain skills or experience you have, but it’s not strongly emphasized in your resume, this is the place to tout it.
• Be positive and confident. Let them know how you’ll make a valuable contribution or be a real asset to the company.
• Make sure you tell them where and when to reach you.
• Let them know that if you don’t hear from them by a certain date you’ll follow up with a call to schedule an appointment.
• If you’re sending out your information by mail, match the cover letter and envelope paper to that of the resume. It makes a better presentation.
• PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!!!!!!!!!!

DON’T…

• Rewrite your resume in your cover letter. That is what the resume is for.
• Bore the reader. Make your point in the fewest words possible.
• Hand-write the letter. After all, this is a business letter.
• Use first names; Mr. or Ms. is more appropriate.
• Forget to sign the letter.
• Use your company e-mail address for replies. You never know who is reading your e-mail.