Writing a cover letter to send with your resume can be confusing and frustrating. What exactly should you say? Are you saying too much? Are you just talking about your needs vs. company needs? Oh what to do! In this “short” article, I’ll list a few ideas on how to craft your cover letter. I’ve also provided some important links, for additional assistance, especially if you still need outside help.

The essential

* Make sure you use exactly the same type of paper that you use for your abstract. White on white is best, commercial paper is strongly recommended, especially paper containing 100% cotton. Cheap 20 pounds. Copy paper is a terrible idea!

* Matching business envelope {#10} is acceptable. Triple your copies separately; when you put the cover letter inside the envelope, make sure the cover letter is shown first [when you lift the flap of the envelope up] followed by your abstract. Fold it so your name and contact information is the first thing the recruiter sees. If you choose to use a kraft envelope, make sure it is no smaller than 9×12 and no larger than 10×13. Attach an attractive computer-generated label with your return address displayed appropriately. If you must write on it, PRINT your information and don’t be fancy. Remember: you want the post office and company mail room to be able to read what you wrote! Otherwise, significant time can be wasted in the process.

*If you are emailing your information, please make sure the job listing states that attachments are okay. If not, don’t you dare send attachments! Instead, within the body of an email message you can write your cover letter [a brief introduction] and then cut and paste your abstract. I can’t tell you how many files are never read when the person doesn’t do what they’re told. You can also track and email [paper] copy if an address is provided.

Beginning

* Match the header of your resume with the header of your cover letter. They can and do separate! An example header should look like this:

so and so

14 star lane

Smithville, North Carolina 27777 USA

Phone: 919-555-1212

Cell: 919-555-1213

Email: [email protected]

* Include your personal website address only if that information is valuable. If you host a site that is weird, inflammatory, adult-oriented, or controversial, just don’t expect any response from the company.

* Put today’s date on the cover letter.

* Please include your contact information below, which may include:

Mrs. Ellen Snow

HR Coordinator

FlyByNight Aviation, Inc.

1234 Orville-Wright Lane

Serendipity, NC 27776

* Your greeting comes next and should look like this

— Dear Mrs. Snow:

Body

* Please note that your cover letter should not be long. You can say everything that needs to be said in no more than three, maybe four short paragraphs.

* Here is a sample:

Attached you will find a copy of my abstract for your review. I am interested in the Corporate Flight Attendant position listed online at http://www.flybynight.com.

I believe my three years of international flight experience coupled with my culinary background and language skills make me the ideal candidate to serve FlyByNight’s distinguished clientele. I currently work as an independent contractor and have flown to major destinations in Europe as well as the US and Canada. FlyByNight’s need for a reliable, skilled and highly experienced team player is exactly the type of position I want.

I look forward to meeting with you in person to discuss your unique needs and how I can help FlyByNight successfully carry out its mission as the world’s best private jet operator. Feel free to contact me as soon as possible; I can be reached at 919-555-1212 or by cell phone at 919-555-1213.

bye

* To be honest,

so and so

Leave 3-4 lines of your “Sincerely” to your name. Your closing should not include any other words, including Greetings [too plain]Health! [too British]Love [too personal], etc. Remember, this is a business letter.

Summary, be brief and specific. Have three or four main points that you can emphasize about your strengths, particularly those points that align with the points listed by the company in your job details. In this particular case, the candidate highlighted her culinary, language and international travel experience, as well as her availability. The four points were emphasized in the company’s job listing which stated:

“…an international jet operator is looking for an experienced Cabin Attendant. This position involves servicing our on-demand charter customers from East Coast locations to destinations in the US and abroad. Must have exceptional food service skills Current training with FACTS, FlightSafety similar training provider, French or Spanish language proficiency – a plus…

You can’t help but talk about yourself, but you can control how you talk about yourself.

Do not do…

1. …beg for an interview.

2. …mention money or benefits. If the job listing “requires” you to list your salary requirements, simply indicate that the salary is negotiable.

3. …brag about your skills too much: Think about what the company’s needs are, do you think they care that you received an NBAA scholarship? However, it is okay to list scholarship awards on your resume.

4. … name drop. Unless you already come highly recommended by someone they know and like. Your mentor may be well known in this industry, but not everyone likes him. However, you can use them in your reference list.

Putting it all together, this is what your cover letter could look like:

so and so

14 star lane

Smithville, North Carolina 27777 USA

Phone: 919-555-1212

Cell: 919-555-1213

Email: [email protected]

March 21, 2005

Mrs. Ellen Snow

HR Coordinator

FlyByNight Aviation, Inc.

1234 Orville-Wright Lane

Serendipity, NC 27776

Re: Corporate flight attendant opening [this is optional, but it can be helpful especially if the company has multiple openings available.]

Dear Mrs. Snow:

Attached you will find a copy of my abstract for your review. I am interested in the Corporate Flight Attendant position listed online at http://www.flybynight.com.

I believe my three years of international flight experience coupled with my culinary background and language skills make me the ideal candidate to serve FlyByNight’s distinguished clientele. I currently work as an independent contractor and have flown to major destinations in Europe as well as the US and Canada. FlyByNight’s need for a reliable, skilled and highly experienced team player is exactly the type of position I want.

I look forward to meeting with you in person to discuss your unique needs and how I can help FlyByNight successfully carry out its mission as the world’s best private jet operator. Feel free to contact me as soon as possible; I can be reached at 919-555-1212 or by cell phone at 919-555-1213.

To be honest,

so and so