Writing a cover letter can be as frustrating as that dreaded resume. How much to include about yourself and your job history. What to use from the job posting, it's all too much. You've even got to find the proper recipient that it should be sent to. All of these things have to be carefully considered before completing your letter and putting it in the mail. So let's start with the must haves and build from there all right?

Your first paragraph is an introductory set of statements designed to either catch a recruiters eye with your passion for the position or simply letting him/her know that this job should be yours due to reasons A, B and C.
Make sure that you have addressed it to the proper person. This will be typically listed in the advertisement but you can go the extra mile and politely phone the company and inquire as to who is handling the responses for this position. Occasionally there will be more than one, so it might behoove you to send at least two cover letters and resumes. This show that you are a professional and willing to go the extra mile for the company.

Next, list a summary of your best qualifications for the job. Don't simply rehash your resume here since it is part of the application that you sent. Instead, refer to the enclosed resume for your strongest asset. Never, ever bring up any kind of weakness here. This may be covered in the job interview, so save it for use at that time. If it is not brought up, there is no sense drawing negative attention to yourself. Remember, the cover letter is an introduction to your resume, so use it to pump up your good points.

The last paragraph should be a summation of why you want the job, thanking the reader for his/her consideration and an intention to follow up via phone, email or personal note. This still is looked upon highly by human resources personnel, so make sure that you indicate a follow up is forthcoming and then do it! If you have no intentions of following through, then don't. That's another huge turnoff for the personnel department.

Good luck.

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Best regards,

Brian G. Chadra