Cover-Letter-Outline.doc

Cover Letter Outline
Cover Letter Outline
Cover Letter Outline
Any letter for a job you care deeply about, or to a person you have already spoken with, should be wirtten carefully, with attention to tone, grammar and content. Remember the basics: No one in today's world is a Sir, Madam or a concerned Whom. Get the name , or leave the greeting off altogether. Get the right name. Keep the letter to one page, but don't use microscopic typefaces or wite massive paragraphs. (Excerpted from Write cover letters to fit the situation by Amy Lindgren, Knight Ridder Newspapers. 4th September 2000)

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Street Address
City
State, Zip
Name
Title/Department
Organization
Street Address
City
State, Zip
Date
Dear Name
The opening paragraph should state why you are writing and why you are interested in the position and/or organization. If you are writing a letter of application, you should name the position for which you are applying and tell the employer how you became aware of it. A letter of inquiry should provide evidence of your career-mindedness; it helps to refer to specific job functions, if not titles. If you were referred to the employer by a current employee of the organization, by your mentor or other contact, this is the best place to mention that person's name and to point out that he or she suggested you write.
The middle paragraph is where you draw attention to your resume/CV and highlight specific skills or knowledge relevant to the potential employer. Present your motives for seeking employment with this specific lab./employer/organization and cite achievements and qualifications related to the position desired. If you have qualification that are not noted in your resume, this would be a good opportunity to discuss them.
The closing paragraph states what you will do next (such as calling to arrange an interview at the employer's convenience), or what you would like the recipient of the letter to do next. An assertive statement explaining what you plan to do and what you hope the employer will do is harder to ignore than a vague request for consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Signature
Your typed name
Enclosure (indicates a resume or CV is enclosed with the letter).