Cover Letter Examples – How to Write a Covering Letter with Sample

A cover letter is the concise version of your curriculum vita(CV) and is an essential when It comes to making a perfect first impression on your prospective employee. A CV is incomplete without a cover letter and it is highly unprofessional not to send one. Just like the CV a cover letter also has specific rules to be followed in its structure and format. It is essential to follow and understand these rules in order to set yourself apart from your competitors.

The word count in a cover letter can be anywhere between 200 to 250 words. Within this word count you need to present an introduction to yourself followed by your CV and highlight points in it that are specifically related to the kind of job you are applying for. You may also make optimum use of this opportunity and mention some crucial experiences or skills that might not be mentioned in your regular CV but might be of high importance and concern to the prospective employer. Cover letter is based on the saying, “First impression is the best impression”, since this is the first thing that your employer observes in you. He is constantly analyzing you, and since he gives himself very limited time to judge your potential a cover letter serves as a perfect platform for you to put forth all your assets as the most suitable candidate for the job.

The general format of a cover letter is where you start with mentioning your name and contact details and mention the name and contact details of the company or institution you are applying to. Now just like you would write a business letter proceed ahead in a similar fashion. Categorize the letter into separate parts where one part describes the vacancy that you are referring to and the source from where you obtained information about the vacancy; second part describing  your key skills, experience and things that make you suitable for the job; third part describing your interest in the job and what makes you sure that your are the best fit for the same; fourth part describing your availability for an interview.

Finally conclude by giving information on attachments accompanied with the letter and make sure that you make no mistakes, by proof reading the letter more than once. To give you better understanding of a typical cover letter following is a sample cover letter:

Sample Cover Letter (Example) :

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
I am writing in reply to the classified ad seeking to fill the position of Graduate Student Advisor for the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree program.
I have been awarded the degree of Master of Arts from XXXX so I understand the need for academic advisement and program planning in a nontraditional higher education environment. I have also experienced, first-hand, the comforting effect of being able to contact an adviser who genuinely cares for the success of students.

During my career as an electrician I was elected Chairman of the Executive Board which sat as the union’s representatives to the apprenticeship advisory board. In this capacity I was able to be an effective advisor to apprentices who were experiencing scholastic problems which threatened their future in the industry; especially to older apprentices who were seeking a career change and had problems adjusting to the obligations of work, school and family life.

I believe my educational background in nontraditional post-graduate education and my work related duties of counseling and advising students enrolled in learning programs qualifies me for consideration for the position of Graduate Student Advisor. I look forward to discussing how my skills can be of value to XXXX as it prepares to move into the new millennium.
Sincerely,

Your Signature

Your Typed Name

1. By Natashia Laudermilk at 29th May, 2010

   First off, thank you very much for these extremely useful points you have written about resume cover letter writing. Everyone could surely enhance their cover letter as it would be a shame to miss an opportunity for not having done so!