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Cover letter is an essential part of your application. It is your opportunity to set the right tone and invite the recruiter to read your resume. Below are few useful hints for writing effective cover letters.

Grab Reader’s Attention

· Make sure that the appearance of the cover letter is professional; ensure the accuracy of all important details like the person’s name, company name, spelling and grammar

· Use a personal introduction that immediately inspires the person to read more

· Address the letter to the hiring manager if possible, or make sure that you have the correct name and address of the identified person

· Use a strong first sentence that is creative, unique and gives the reader a sense of you as a person

· Include a referral if possible

Generate Interest

· Quickly emphasize what you can contribute to the organization and highlight what you know specifically about the company, its goals and needs

· Demonstrate that you’ve done your homework on the company and position

· Emphasize what you can contribute, not what you want

Turn Interest into Desire to Learn More

· Relate your skills and accomplishments to the position

· Call attention to your skills, abilities and unique qualities that make you a good fit for the position and company

· Highlight one or two of your unique or special accomplishments or contributions

Call for Action

· Ask for a meeting or appointment

· Make it clear to the reader that you want to talk

· Explain when, where and how you can be contacted

· Be proactive by telling the reader when you will follow up with a call

· Make a strong final impression and make it obvious that you are serious about an interview

Please download Winning Sample Cover Letter and use it as a guide for crafting your own.

Note: The cover letter tips and winning sample cover letter above are from ‘Intrasession Career Workshops’ at Haas School of Business – University of California, Berkeley.

Resources on writing winning cover letters

Useful books with tons of sample cover letters

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