Cover letter essentials.

Best bet is to put the cover letter in the body. Then you could refer to attached files. If you attach a cover letter, the body seems like a cover letter to a cover letter.

 

I write a cover letter and attached it, along with my resume, in an e-mail. Then I write a short note in the body of my e-mail, introducing myself to him or her and referring the editor to the attachments. Nothing special, but enough to show some effort.

 

I combine everything (cover letter, resume, references, clips and/or designs) into one PDF, then I send it along.

I'm discovering I get better luck with snail-mail stuff, though. Don't know why.

 

I send things through the mail unless I'm told told otherwise.

 

Where should you put in the cover letter that you either know someone there or someone referred you to the position?

I was once told in the first or second sentence ...

 

I generally put where I heard about the position in the first graph. It might not be the rule, but I certainly wouldn't bury it.

But I don't think I'd include the person if you just "know" them, as in, your friend Gary works in payroll, but has nothing to do with anything involving you and the position. That sort of name drop will probably mean nothing.

 

Of course. I only meant someone who was relevant (i.e. if you're applying for a sportswriter position, you know someone on the sports desk -- nothing else). Is that worth putting in?

 

I thought that's what you meant, sir. I think I'd say, "I've spoken to Richard Muncher about the Daily Rag, and he's had nothing but good things to say. ..." Something like that. It'd probably have a greater impact if Richard Muncher told you about the job, obviously.

 

Continuing with the what if's ...

Say that person didn't tell you about the job, but you still know that he/she works there -- still worth mentioning? For example, "I worked with John Bunch, your current baseball writer, while at The Daily Rag."

Granted, this person actually knows you on a good level -- not just someone you occasionally said "Hi" to while covering a basketball game together.

 

Probably not. Maybe you can get a hold of John Bunch before you submit your cover letter. Then you wouldn't have to fudge anything or ask those "what ifs."

 

I basically sell myself for a job stating what I can do for the place I am applying to. What relevant experience, characteristics and qualities make me employable versus the many other people who apply for a position.

You don't list off your whole resume but highlight what makes you a perfect fit with the place of employment.

I was told to also include in the cover letter a way to contact you and that you would like the opportunity to further discuss how you can contribute. Another point, make it simple and short. No more than 3-4 paragraphs and should be no more than one page. Make sentence short and there should be no more than six lines in one paragraph. You don't want to bore or overburden the employer when they are reading the cover letter.

I was told to always remember is that the cover letter is the first thing that the the employer looks at so make sure you do enough in the letter to persuade them, not make them run away from you.