A cover letter is a document you send along with your Résumé. It contains the summary of why you think yourself a match for the post you are applying. Do not repeat your Résumé in the cover letter, a cover is your first impression to the employer.

Your cover letter is an introduction of yourself to the employer. The cover letter stays on top of the Résumé so that the employer gets to know about your Résumé from the first page. It draws the attention of the employer to your Résumé. Usually, employers use the cover letter to screen applicants. In most of the cases, your cover letter will decide if you are eligible for an interview or not.

A cover letter allows you the opportunity to grab the attention of your potential employer. It’s your introductory voice that will surely reach to the employer. It is a reflection of your personality, enthusiasm, and intellect. Cover letters should be specific to every company. Do not use one cover letter for every job application.

Therefore, research before writing a cover letter. Study the company you are applying for. Tailor the cover letter according to the company's needs, interests, goals, and values. Let the employer know that you are interested and studied the company.

Write the date of your cover letter at the top. A cover letter should be addressed to the individual who will be checking your Résumé or simply to the company. You can figure it out by researching or calling the company.

The letter should contain the name of the position you are applying and why you believe that you are an eligible person for the job. Include a brief description of your education, strengths, and experience in the cover letter.

Give these answers in your cover letter:

• Which position are you applying for?
• Why do you want this position?
• How are you going to perform the given job?
• How do you qualify for the position?

In addition, highlight your most relevant skills in bullet point or bold text. Point them to your Résumé (e.g. detail given in the Résumé). At the end of your cover letter, request for a follow-up meeting or an interview.

The cover letter should be in the form of a paragraph. The tone and language should be formal and polite. It may contain several paragraphs. You-viewpoint is preferred for both your cover letter and Résumé. You cover letter should be on a single page. It’s better if you can complete it in half of the page without compromising the main content.

This is the part of the cover letter that a reader will start with. They may not pass the first para if you write something boring. So, start with something different that will grab the attention of the reader immediately. The first paragraph should also contain the following information.

• Which position you are applying for.
• How did you learn about the vacancy?
• Portrait your interest for the position.

The body of your cover letter should contain all the information related to why you think the job is a fit for you. Highlight few of your most relevant skills and experiences and link them with the position you are applying for. Let the reader know that you are interested in the company and the job. Do not repeat your Résumé in the cover letter. Make it brief and refer the reader to your Résumé for more detail.

In the concluding paragraph appreciate the reader first and request a follow-up meeting in the form of an interview. Provide your updated contact information e.g. email, phone number so that they can contact you in case of any need. At the end provide the enclosure of the attachments.

You should-

• Definitely, do a research on the company and the job position before writing your cover letter
• Follow the standard text and font format of a formal business letter
• Address the individual reader if possible with their correct title
• Highlight your strengths
• Recheck spell, punctuation, and grammar
• Check the print quality and paper
• Provide handwritten signature
• Give attention to detail, be brief and specific
• Avoid negative language
• Avoid gender-biased words (e.g. gentleman, cameraman)

You should not-

• Attempt ask for anything except what the employer is offering
• Start with a boring introduction
• Use stiff language
• Lie in your cover letter or Résumé
• Underestimate yourself
• Use any idiom phrases
• Use more than 1 page

This is a sample of a cover letter that you can get ideas from. Do not mimic this as it is. Be creative, do a little brainstorming and write it in your own language. It should be different for every company and job position.