coverletter

A cover letter is a letter of application sent along with a resume in response to an advertisement for a position or to enquire about a possible vacancy in near future.

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What a cover letter should do?

Your cover letter should take your resume a step further, by showing an employer how your achievements, skills, experience and job aptitude can benefit the company. A well-written cover letter can encourage prospective employers to read your resume with genuine interest.
Your covering letter should appetize the employer to know more about you. It should prove that you are the right person for the job.

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Remember! Before constructing a cover letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[A] Do your homework before writing: In order to create an impact on the employer, demonstrate to him that you know his company. This can be achieved by studying the company’s - past performance, their strengths and weaknesses, clientele, corporate culture, products and services, their mission statement, their leaderships, their competitors, their reach etc. This will help you write a cover letter, which will be in sync with their needs and mindset. Read the company’s brochures, websites, and annual reports to prepare you for it.

[B] Focus on the needs of the organization: Remember while writing, never write about what you are hoping to gain from being employed at their company, this can be discussed during the interview. But right now every effort you make should be focused on the needs of the company. Show them how by applying your expertise you can benefit the company and make a difference.

[C] Market yourself - The cover letter is a wonderful opportunity to highlight your skills and capabilities. Speak about what you have done and what you can do for the organization.

[D] Use a professional style – How you write is as important as what you write. Use a professional style of writing. Don’t narrate stories or give reasons of why you left your previous job etc. Be focused and to the point.

[E] Cover letter should complement your resume: Your cover letter should complement your resume, this can be achieved by using the same font, layout, letterhead, print and paper quality as that of your resume.

[F] Cover letter should not be a repetition of your resume: Don’t repeat the content of your resume in your cover letter. Instead, illustrate the points already in your resume by providing examples. For instance, speak about some of your key achievements at your last job and how those accomplishments can help the company. Or tell a story about a tough problem you solved.

[G] Avoid spelling errors– to avoid spelling errors, write your cover letter using a standard word processor like Adobe Acrobat or a Microsoft word. Spell check the document.

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How to Write a Cover Letter ?

Write your name, address, in the upper left hand corner. 3 spaces down enter the date in the following manner [day, month, year]. 3 spaces below write the addressee’s name, title and the company’s address.

Salutation:

Always address your letter to a specific person {Dear Mr. Reddy, Dear Dr.Wagh}. Incase you do not know the person’s name, you can write {Dear Employer }. But never write “To whom it may Concern”.

A cover letter normally has three paragraphs

Opening Paragraph:

In the first line, identify the advertisement or the position to which you are applying.

The point here is, that there may be several people of the company screening resumes for several positions, or your employer himself may be screening resumes for several positions, therefore including a reference to the position title or the advertisement will simplify the employers job and ensure that your resume is read by the right person. Keep this introductory sentence to the point.

In the second line of your cover letter, match the job’s requirements with your potential. Show the employer- how hiring you can benefit them. You can also start the second line by stating your background.

For e.g. “Your advertisement for the post of a matron on HospitalInfonet.com is an excellent fit with my qualifications, as the enclosed resume will prove. My background includes 10 years experience in........... My area of specialization is........

Or the other way can be . “My background in ...and ..... appears to be a solid fit for the position of ..... It is with genuine interest that I enclose my resume for your review and offer a brief summary of how my skills may benefit [name of the company]’s efforts”.

In the second paragraph:

Market yourself. Show how your potential contribution can benefit the company. You have already informed them about your skills, qualifications and professional experience in your resume, now illustrate them with examples here. State how your qualifications match. You can use a bulleted list to highlight each credential. Also display your knowledge of the company, a recent project the company has undertaken and how you can contribute your expertise for the benefit of the company. This will show that you have taken the time to research the company before sending in your resume.
If the advertisement has asked you to specify salary requirements then give a range than a set figure. This will leave room for negotiation.

Closing paragraph:

is the place where you show your interest to meet the employer. But never sound desperate. State that you can meet the employer at his convenience [if its possible].
Complimentary Close: End your letter with a professional close such as “Best regards,” “Yours truly”, “Yours faithfully”, “Respectfully yours”.

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Skeleton of a cover letter

Your Name

Your Address

Your Telephone Number

Date: [day, month, year]

{Employer’s name}
{His position}
{Company’s name and address}

Job Title or Reference number: Re: . . . . .

Dear Mr/ Ms. Name:
Opening paragraph
Second paragraph
Closing paragraph

Respectfully yours,
Your Signature

Your Name

Enclosure: {Resume}

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Samples of cover letters

Cover Letter for the post of a Medical Director.

Niloufer Sayed
niloufer@xyzmail.com

24,Everest Apartments, Tel 2111111 / 21111112
Madam Cama Road
Mumbai400001
April 8, 2003

Dr. Soumya R
Human Resources Manager,
Dr. L.H. Hiranandani Hospital,
Powai Road.
Mumbai.

Ref: Application for the post of a Medical Director.

Dear Dr. Soumya,

It is with your hospital that I desire to offer nearly 15 years of hospital management expertise and resourceful insight in developing managerial policies for hospital departments. Having a strong background in marketing hospital services and devising hospital managing strategies, I am certain that my skills and experience, when linked with the vision of your hospital, will serve to create dramatic and profitable results.

As a Medical Superintendent for ABC Hospital, I ensure that our lines cater to an array of patient needs with a prime emphasis in providing superior patient care. I currently offer significant contributions in revenue growth, developing waste management strategies and designing refresher courses for the administrative nursing staff.

Having natural interpersonal and communication abilities, I have developed a solid reputation for effective networking within the hospital’s various departments. In providing a solution driven leadership at ABC Hospital, I worked effectively with the hospital staff to provide effective strategies for combating revenue loss. My initiatives paid, with a profit margin of .....crore in a span of 6months.

As there is considerably more to relate, I look forward to our meeting and discussion regarding how I might assist the hospital’s needs and further advance the visibility of your hospital.

Sincerely,

Niloufer Sayed

Enclosure

Cover Letter for the post of a Matron.

Meenakshi Gupta
24, Everest Apartments,
Madam Cama Road
Mumbai

April 9, 2003

Dr. Soumya R
HRD Manager
Mother Hospital
Mumbai.

Dear Dr.Soumya,

When I saw your advertisement for a Matron on HospitalInfonet. Com, I was struck by the propinquity of the position requirements with my experience and skills.

Please consider my qualifications in the light of your needs:

· Over 10 years of experience as a Head Nurse in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of ABC Hospital.

· Supervise a staff of 15 senior staff nurse.

· Undertaken several in house trainings on nursing care, apart from workshops at the Tata Medical Hospital.

· 10 years of bedside nursing as staff nurse in most of the specialties including 2 years experience in ICU

My work experience with various hospitals is a unique blend of bedside nursing, nursing administration, and in-house teaching.
If given an opportunity to work with your hospital, I will bring a task force of over 20 years with resourceful insight in nursing care.
I look forward to our meeting at your convenience to discuss further how I may be of service to your hospital.