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Cover Letter Resources

Writing a Cover letter

Cover letter mistakes
 
Writing a Cover letter?

Match the paper and font style to your resume.
Create the same heading for both the cover letter and resume.

Address the letter to a specific individual. Call to request the name and title of the person hiring for the position. As a last resort, you may direct the letter to someone with a specific job title such as “Director of Human Resources.”
Sound positive and confident in your letter and write an attention-getting introduction.

Be very clear about the position you are applying for and point out how you are uniquely suited for the job by listing relevant qualities.

Focus on the needs of the employer and how hiring you will lead to higher production and greater efficiency.

Tailor your letter around the question, “how will the employer benefit by hiring you?” Use the position announcement and company literature for clues about what to stress.

Add power by using facts, examples, or evidence.
For example, the statement “can initiate and accomplish tasks with little direction” has no credibility until back-up with an example: “independently began operation of organization’s website.”

Paint an accurate picture of yourself. Don’t exaggerate or lie.

Conclude your letter by informing the employer of your intent to contact him/her within the next few weeks and make the follow-up call once you can assume the resume has been received.

Make sure your letter is PERFECT-no typos, misspellings, or factual errors. Have someone proofread the letter before you send it out.

 
Common cover letter mistakes

Spell everything out (St. Ave, Cir etc). It looks more professional.

Don’t address your letter “To Whom It May Concern.”

If gender is unclear, address it to their position. Ex: “Dear Human Resource Manager.”

Don’t handwrite or type over an old resume or letterhead to make corrections.

Don’t use a sticky note as a cover letter.

Don’t handwrite your cover letter.

Limit creativity. Business letters should be conservative.

Watch the length of the letter. The biggest marketing mistake is trying to say too much. It should only be 3-4 paragraphs long with 4-5 sentences in each paragraph.

Don’t make the font size to small. If your reader can’t read it-they won’t.

Don’t forget to include your phone number and email.

Don’t forget to sign your name, and your name should be typed below your handwritten signature.

Don’t forget to enclose your resume.

 
  
 
         
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   Questions or comments about this Website? email Joshua Waddell, Director of Career Services jwaddell@okcu.edu