Useful aids for a Cover letter

Here is a little exercise to be performed when wanting to write a Cover Letter:

Write your own Cover letter by using the guidelines and the different hints set up for you in the exercise. Use the different cover letter templates to structure your ideas clearly, get your arguments straight by answering the questions and using them as your structure for your cover letter.

Remember to be personal: you are talking about your experience, your education, and you are looking for your job.
Keep also in mind that the templates and exercises are ideas to get you started, and should not be bluntly copied!

Name of person you are addressing the contact letter to. (1)

Your role or current job. (2)
"graduate student in environmental science"
"customer service professional"

A general description of your accomplishments/experiences in the field to which you are applying. (3) (4) (5)
"fifteen years of customer service"
"an outstanding background in scientific research and discovery"
"a solid history of dependability in the automotive industry"

A positive description of the employer. (6) (7)
"what many consider to be the most progressive medical institution in the state of Rhode Island"
"a well-established company with a long history of gourmet creativity"

Assets you can offer to the company. List one to three. (8)
"extensive experience with start-ups"
"demonstrated ability to solve problems"
"refined ability to manage teams"

Key skill/experience/accomplishment and how it can help the company achieve its mission. (9)
List two to three of these.
Be specific.


Dear (1):
As a (2) with (3), I am eager to contribute my abilities and experience to (4).
Given my (5), I believe I can help (employer name) achieve its mission and goals as a (position).
(6) + (7)
(8) + (9)
I would like to continue contributing my abilities and experiences to (employer name) and would be happy to discuss in further detail how I accomplish this.

My resume is enclosed for your convenience.
Feel free to contact me at (phone number and/or e-mail address).
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards,
(Your name)

Cover letter template 1

Villa Maria,
Model Farm Road,
Cork.

12th May 1999

Mrs W.A. Morgan,
Personnel Manager,
Planet Building Services Ltd.,
113 Mill Lane, Dublin 2.

Dear Mrs Morgan,

(The opening paragraph identifies the job and the vacancy source).

My Curriculum Vitae is enclosed for the post of Assistant Personnel Officer ; the advertisement appeared in the latest issue of the vacancy bulletin published by the Career Service at University College Cork, where 1 am in my final year of study for a B.A. Honours degree in Economics.

(This paragraph draws attention to relevant work experience).

You will see that I took a year out between school and University. A large part of this time was spent in a metal packaging factory. During the vacations at the University I worked as an accounts clerk in a Large double glazing plant. I was able to make good use of this experience by seeing for myself the various jobs undertaken by different departments in manufacturing industry.

(This paragraph highlights extra skill).

My position as chief student negotiator on the catering services committee has taught me very similar skills to those I would need in the Personnel function.

(This paragraph says briefly why the company attracts).

Your firm appeals to me because of it medium-size and multi-site operations requiring mobility, and an energetic disposition which I think I have.

(My final paragraph should mention availability).

I look forward to the opportunity of having an interview. I am available at any time except between 23rd May and 22nd June, when the final examinations are held.

Yours sincerely,
Raymond Brown