1.

Standard, conservative style

This is ideal for sectors such as business, law, accountancy and retail. For more creative
sectors, a letter like this might be less appealing, and could work against you.

Dear Mr. Black,

Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in the Guardian on 30
November.

The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It involved a great
deal of independent research, requiring initiative, self-motivation and a wide range of
skills. For one course, [insert course], an understanding of the [insert sector] industry
was essential. I found this subject very stimulating.

I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be very grateful
for the opportunity to progress to market reporting. I am able to take on the
responsibility of this position immediately, and have the enthusiasm and determination
to ensure that I make a success of it.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing
from you in the near future.

Yours sincerely

2. Standard speculative letter

This may vary according to the nature of the organization and the industry you're applying
to.

Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. I enclose my CV for
your information.

As you can see, I have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments,
the retail sector and service industries, giving me varied skills and the ability to work
with many different types of people. I believe I could fit easily into your team.

I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail. I'm flexible,
quick to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I also have lots of ideas and
enthusiasm. I'm keen to work for a company with a great reputation and high profile
like [insert company name].
I have excellent references and would be delighted to discuss any possible vacancy with
you at your convenience. In case you do not have any suitable openings at the moment,
I would be grateful if you would keep my CV on file for any future possibilities.

Yours sincerely

3. Dear Ms. West:

I was excited to see your opening for a customer service rep, and I hope to be invited for
an interview.

My background includes serving as a customer service associate within both call-center

and retail environments. Most recently, I worked on the customer service desk for
Discount-Mart, where my responsibilities included handling customer merchandise
returns, issuing refunds/store credits, flagging damaged merchandise for shipment back
to vendors and providing back-up cashiering during busy periods.

Previously, I worked within two high-volume customer-support call centers for a major
telecommunications carrier and a satellite television services provider. In these positions,
I demonstrated the ability to resolve a variety of issues and complaints (such as billing
disputes, service interruptions or cutoffs, repair technician delays/no-shows and
equipment malfunctions). I consistently met my call-volume goals, handling an average
of 56 to 60 calls per day.

In addition to this experience, I gained considerable customer service skills during my

part-time employment as a waitress and restaurant hostess while in high school.

I also bring to the table strong computer proficiencies in MS Word, MS Excel and CRM
database applications and a year of college (business major). Please see the accompanying
resume for details of my experience and education.
I am confident that I can offer you the customer service, communication and problem-
solving skills you are seeking. Feel free to call me at 555-555-5555 (home) or 555-555-
5500 (cell) to arrange an interview. Thank you for your time -- I look forward to learning
more about this opportunity!
Sincerely,
Sue Ling.
Cover Letter Checklist:
Many job seekers struggle with their cover letters, but writing a good cover letter is a skill
that can be learned and perfected. The time and effort will pay off, because a well-written
cover letter can increase your odds of getting an interview.
If you’re wondering whether your cover letter is the best it can be, make sure you can
answer “yes” to the questions on this checklist:
Introduction
Does your cover letter have a strong opening paragraph, communicating your job target
and key strengths within the first few lines of text?

Does your cover letter conform to a standard business letter format? (See our cover letter
samples.)

Is your cover letter addressed to a specific individual, if the name is available?

The Body
Does the body of your cover letter express how you would benefit the employer if you were
hired?

Do you avoid starting every sentence with “I” or “my” so you can focus more on the
employer’s requirements and not your own?

Do you demonstrate your expertise by using industry-specific language?

Do you include examples of your accomplishments so employers can see you have a
proven track record?

Is the content engaging and relevant to hiring managers’ needs?

Is the cover letter succinct, containing just enough information to entice the reader to
review your resume?

Did you include all information that was requested, such as a job reference number,
employment availability date and salary requirements?

Is the content unique? Did you avoid copying text from your resume verbatim?

Does your cover letter sound genuine? Does it reflect your personality and make you seem
likeable and approachable?

Did you proofread your cover letter to ensure that it’s free of spelling, grammar, syntax
and formatting errors?
 Does the writing style and design coordinate with the resume, such as by using the same
font and layout style?
Closing Paragraph
Did you provide an easy way for employers to contact you, such as a direct phone line and
email address?

Does your cover letter end with a call to action, confidently requesting an interview?

Did you remember to sign your letter if you’re mailing a hard copy?

10 Cover Letter Don'ts

Your cover letter is the first thing employers see when they open your materials. Avoid
these 10 mistakes, and make your first impression a good and lasting one.
Mistake No. 1: Overusing 'I'
Your cover letter is not your autobiography. The focus should be on how you meet an
employer's needs, not on your life story. Avoid the perception of being self-centered by
minimizing your use of the word "I," especially at the beginning of your sentences.
Mistake No. 2: Using a Weak Opening
When writing a cover letter, job seekers frequently struggle with the cover letter's
opening This difficulty often results in a feeble introduction lacking punch and failing to
grab the reader's interest. Consider this example:

 Weak: Please consider me for your sales representative opening.

 Better: Your need for a top-performing sales representative is an excellent match to my
three-year history as a top-ranked, multimillion-dollar producer.

Mistake No. 3: Omitting Your Top Selling Points

A cover letter is a sales letter that sells you as a candidate. Just like the resume, it should
be compelling and give the main reasons you should be called for an interview. Winning
cover letter tips include emphasizing your top accomplishments or creating subheadings
culled from the job posting. For example:
Your Ad Specifies: Communication skills
I Offer: Five years of public-speaking experience and an extensive background in
executive-level report.
Your Ad Specifies: The need for a strong computer background.
I Offer: Proficiency in all MS Office applications with additional expertise in Web site
development and design.
Mistake No. 4: Making It Too Long
If your cover letter exceeds one page, you may be putting readers to sleep. A great cover
letter is concise but compelling, and respects the reader's time.
Mistake No. 5: Repeating Your Resume Word for Word
Your cover letter shouldn't regurgitate what's on your resume. Reword your cover letter
statements to avoid dulling your resume's impact. Consider using the letter to tell a brief
story, such as "My Toughest Sale" or "My Biggest Technical Challenge."
Mistake No. 6: Being Vague
If you're replying to an advertised opening, reference the specific job title in your cover
letter. The person reading your letter may be reviewing hundreds of letters for dozens of
different jobs. Make sure all the content in your letter supports how you will meet the
employer's specific needs.
Mistake No. 7: Forgetting to Customize
If you're applying to a number of similar positions, chances are you're tweaking one letter
and using it for multiple openings. That's fine, as long as you customize each letter. Don't
forget to update the company, job and contact information -- if Mr. Jones is addressed as
Ms. Smith, he won't be impressed.
Mistake No. 8: Ending on a Passive Note
When possible, put your future in your own hands with a promise to follow up. Instead of
asking readers to call you, try a statement like this: I will follow up with you in a few days
to answer any preliminary questions you may have. In the meantime, you may reach me
at (555) 555-5555.
Mistake No. 9: Being Rude
Your cover letter should thank the reader for his time and consideration.
Mistake No. 10: Forgetting to Sign the Letter
It is proper business etiquette (and shows attention to detail) to sign your letter. However,
if you are sending an email cover letter and resume, a signature isn't necessary.

Cover Letter Etiquette

Job seekers often spend countless hours developing their resumes and then treat their
cover letters as an afterthought. This can be a critical mistake; the cover letter can help
your resume get noticed.

Think of the cover letter as your resume's cheerleading section. To make the best
impression, follow these etiquette rules:

Say No to the Cover Letter Cop-Out

The first rule of cover letter etiquette is to send a cover letter -- always. It doesn't matter
if the hiring manager didn't ask for it or you're too busy to write one. It's proper business
etiquette to accompany a resume with a cover letter, and it gives you the opportunity to
help sell yourself for the position.

Be Concise

Busy hiring managers don't have time to wade through letters that could pass for
dissertations. Get to the point as expeditiously as possible, and break any paragraphs
seven lines or longer into short, easily digestible ones.

When sending an email cover letter, brevity is even more important. The nature of email
calls for concise communication, in part because it's harder to read on screen than on
paper. However, don't fall prey to the one-line cover letter that some job seekers try to
pass off. It goes something like this: "Please see attached resume, and thank you for your
time and consideration." You should be able to write a convincing cover letter in a few
brief paragraphs.

Keep It Professional But Friendly

While a resume is generally a formal document, cover letters give you a chance to reveal
your personality. Not only do you want to show that you're a good fit for the position, but
you also want the reader to like you. Appropriate use of humor, combined with a friendly
and professional tone, can help endear you to the hiring manager.

Get Personal

Whenever possible, address your letter to a specific person. If a job posting doesn't
include a person's name, do some research to find out who the correct person is. Try
calling the employer (but do respect ads that state "no phone calls"), and ask a receptionist
for the hiring manager's name. Keep the salutation professional by using "Dear Mr.
Jones," not "Dear Jim."

Focus on the Employer's Needs

If every other sentence of your letter begins with "I" or "my," you need to change the focus.
Research the employer and find out what types of problems managers there are facing,
qualities they look for in employees and their future goals. Then use your letter to prove
that you are the answer to their problems. The most compelling letters demonstrate what
you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you.

Be Original
Your cover letter will stand out if you employ some creativity. For example, you could
include a brief summary of your toughest sale or most challenging project.

You could incorporate excerpts of performance reviews to highlight your record of

success. Or, you could create two columns in your letter to demonstrate precisely how you
meet the employer's requirements:

Your ad specifies: Five years' experience in IT.

And I deliver: Six years of superior-rated performance in network design and
administration.
Proofread

Cover letters should be free of errors, so thoroughly proofread them before sending. If
proofreading is not your strong suit, get help from someone with meticulous proofreading
skills. If you're customizing a cover letter that you use for many positions, remove any
placeholders; this will prevent embarrassing errors such as "I would be delighted to be
your next ." And one last tip: Whatever you do, spell the hiring manager's name correctly.

Following cover letter etiquette can take time, but the reward is worth it: more calls for
interviews and a greater chance of securing a new position.

Cover Letter Makeover

Too many job seekers use their cover letters to express what they want; however, a truly
effective letter speaks to the employer’s needs. If your cover letter seems like it's just not
doing the job, revamp it by showcasing your accomplishments and focusing on the
employer’s requirements. For inspiration, take a look at our “before and after” cover letter
makeover.

Sample Cover Letter: Before

The “before” cover letter sample is OK, but to stand out in today’s job market, there has
to be more substance. The job seeker explains that she has a strong work ethic and a
successful career, but doesn’t provide any evidence of her accomplishments. See the
“before” cover letter sample here.

Sample Cover Letter: After

The “after” cover letter example is a strong statement of the job seeker’s value proposition.
She includes examples of her accomplishments so the employer can see exactly how she
would be an asset to the company if hired. See the “after” cover letter sample here.
More Cover Letter Help

Need ideas for your cover letter format? Check out Monster’s cover letter examples.
Have a specific question about your cover letter? Visit Monster's Resume & Cover Letter
Tips forum to get free advice.

Sample Cover Letters

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing in response to your job notification for the position of Telecom Engineer on
ABC site.

I am a BTech in Electronics and communication with an aggregate of 90% marks.

- I have worked on RF amplifiers, PLC Scada system, DC power supplies, line drivers and
modems in my industrial training project.
- I also have a good knowledge of C++, C, C#, Matlab and embedded system.
- I did a 6 months internship from Abc Pvt. Ltd.
- I made DTMF controller based tele remote to manage electronics appliances through
mobile phone from any place.

Some of my personal qualities which you may find useful for this role are:

- Good team worker.

- Adaptable to any kind of environment and can work under pressure.
- Good analytical and communication skills.

Please find my detailed CV for your consideration. Should you need any more details,
please do let me know.

Thanking you for your time and looking forward to hear from you.

Sincerely

Respected Sir / Madam,

I would like to be interviewed with you after getting shortlisted for the suitable post in
your esteemed organization.
I am particularly interested in a career with your organization because of your ever
growing reputation in the industry. As a candidate, I can offer your company strong java
website developer, website management, website designer, graphic designer, database
controller, DTP and 17 years job work experience in IT industry.

I am a I.Com along with (DCP) Diploma in Computer Programming and (DTP) Desk Top
Publication having 17 years of IT industrial experience.

I have enclosed a resume for your review. My a legal document download and review with
updated project detail at url name of http://sgnitsolutions.blogspot.in . I am very
interested in further discussing my career prospects with you. I will contact your office
whenever called for an interview.

Thanking you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing in response to your job notification for the position of graduate R.N. at xyz
hospital.

- I completed my Bachelor of science degree in nursing from xyz institute of medical

sciences with an aggregate of 89%.

- I have an experience of ICU staff nurse as I have assisted many doctors in minor
operations during graduation.

- My areas of expertise include ICU and CCU, physiotherapy and emergency procedures.

Some of my personal qualities which you may find useful for this role are:

- Highly motivated person who remains focused and self-directed even in the stress
conditions.

- Very soft spoken to deal with all kind of patients.

- Enjoys working with Medical surgical patients.

Please find my detailed CV for your consideration. Should you need any more details,
please do let me know.

Thanking you for your time and looking forward to hear from you.
Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to forward my resume for your kind perusal regarding any present or future
opportunities available with you commensurate with my qualification and ability to
perform it.

kindly provide your email id so that i can send my resume

Thanking You,
Yours Faithfully,

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing in response to your job notification for the position of a Mechanical Engineer
on ABC site.

I am working as a Mechanical Engineer for XYZ Co. Ltd for the last 3 years and happy to
mention some of my achievements in this role:

- Performed root-cause analysis for front-end alignment issues and performed vehicle
drive audit testing.
- Received excellence award for design proposal in thermal analysis.
- Predicted accurate fatigue of fine pitched copper lead components using workbench
analysis.

I’m well versed with:

- Resolving issues with suspension systems.

- Generating material cost management initiatives to reduce overhead expenses.
- Designing modules in technical tools to create models for structural analysis, vibration
analysis, and heat transfer.

Please find my detailed CV for your consideration. Should you need any more details,
please do let me know.

Thanking you for your time and looking forward to hear from you.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have completed B.E. in computer science from xyz university. Having developed
challenging software applications and acquired deep knowledge in cutting edge
technologies in all my previous positions , I am an ideal candidate for the Senior software
developer position at your esteemed organization.
As a Senior software developer for Power Systems, I have designed and developed the
core of many software applications, trained new developers, and reinvented the way
performance of an application is optimised.

I have enclosed my resume for your review. I would like the opportunity to meet and
discuss this position. please feel free to call me at 9999999999 or email me.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Cordially,

Name
Address
Date

Company Name
Company Address

Dear Mr. John,

Presently, at the threshold of my career, with an expected Bachelor of Engineering degree

in Computer Science, I have been researching IT Firms,fit for my professional interests.

After learning in detail about your company,its current clients and projects worldwide, I
am very much interested in joining your organization as software Developer.

I expect you will need to know in detail about me in order to consider my candidature.So
I have attached my resume for your review as the first step in the application process. I
hope you will find my profile to be a strong indicator of what I would contribute as a
skilled, hardworking member of your highly qualified Software Development team.

Sincerely,

Name
Place
Phone
Dear Mr. John,

Having read your job advertisement in Times Of India ,seeking .NET Developer,I would
like to apply for one of these positions. I have developed a good number of .NET
application ,working on wide range of Microsoft Technologies.

Besides my experience as .NET Develper,Where I learned how to do standard coding both

for web and windows application,I have also done database designing and applications
performance enhancements from database perspective.

Details of my experience are given in my resume ,attached for your perusal. Please feel
free to contact me for any additional information ,you may require pertinent to my
application.I can be reached at 999999999 or mail me at name@gmail.com

Yours Sincerely,

Dear Mr. John,

I am based in Delhi and looking for a post of JAVA Developer in your well recognized IT
firm.I saw your job advertisement in one of the national newspaper today and would like
to apply for the same.

As per my professional background I am a suitable candidate for this post. My primary

skills includes:Core Java,EJB, Swing, Hibernate and Oracle as backend.I also possess
hands on experience in OOP implementation in both web and other applications.

I am a good team player and an effective communicator. I really look forward to meet you
in person. I have attached my resume for your review. I would be highly thankful to you
for considering me for this important position.

Respected Sir/Ma’am

I am immensely thankful to you sir/madam for this wonderful opportunity. I am greatly

looking forward to joining and learning in your organization.

I have completed my graduation (Bachelor’s of Engineering) in ‘’Electronics &

Instrumentation’’ from Muffakham Jah College of Engg & Tech(Hyderabad), which is
under Osmania University as well, and my aggregate is 86.54 percent marks.
I have been working with Suraj Instrumentation & Electrical Works as a Project Engineer
(C & I ).I have completed courses in Honeywell DCS, Basic Pneumatic Controls from
Advance Training Institute, Hyderabad, A.P and Vocational Course on Embedded
systems ( Microcontroller) from CITD (Govt. of INDIA Society, Ministry of MSME) in
collaboration with ECIL (Electronics corporation of INDIA Ltd),Hyd (A.P).I have also
completed Case Study on Thermal Plants.

Key Skills

Familiar with all type of field instruments.

Worked with consultant in erection, pre-commissioning and commissioning phases of
plant.
INTOOLS, P&ID, PLC Programming, DCS, ISO 9001:2008,PNEUMATIC & HYDRAULIC
Simulation Softwares, MATLAB, KEIL Software.

Thanks for your precious time. For your kind perusal, I have enclosed my curriculum vitae
with this letter. I’m looking forward to hear from you soon.

Dear Mr. Right,

I recently came across the advertisement listed in (the name of publication) for the
Mechanical Engineer position available at (name of company).

I am extremely interested in the job, I believe that I am highly qualified and perfect for
the responsibilities and tasks required, which seem to match perfectly with what you are
seeking in a professional for the position.

I am currently employed at (name of company) where I have enjoyed being an important

team player in the development of the (give an example of the product) where I (give
details of what you did specifically on this project.)

My core responsibilities have been to develop layouts for (details), working on project
budgeting directly with contractors, as well as liaising with colleagues on project specifics.

My job has also included visiting factories in (country/city or town) to oversee production.

I have a very high attention to detail and constantly look out for new ways on how to
improve efficiency as well as company budget spending on required parts and (add
anything which you feel is worth mentioning in relation to this here.)

I hope to be able to interview for this position in person, I believe that it is the perfect job
for me and that I would be a strong addition to your professional team of engineers. I am
committed to reaching goals within often tight and very demanding time frames for
production, I enjoy the challenge and always get excited by the sense of accomplishment
received at the end of a project.

I wish to thank you for your time today in reading this letter.
Please find enclosed my Resume/CV for further consideration.

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Please accept my letter and resume in response to a mechanical engineer position
advertised in newspaper.
In Dec 2014, I will be Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from ABC University.
I would like to begin my career with a company/firm where I will have effective
environment for knowledge, where with my skills and knowledge I will able to know about
new things, and where my performance will be meet to company’s goals/needs.
As a mechanical engineer, I am perfect in engineering principles, applied tools and
practices, mechanical system designing, building and testing. In addition, I have excellent
knowledge about AutoCAD.
My key strength includes leadership, creativity, troubleshooting skills and quick problem
solving ability.
I believe that I could make significant contribution to your firm. If you are interested in
interview, please contact me at above telephone number or e-mail me on
EdenTK@rediffmail.com.
Thank you for reading my letter and resume.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Thomas K Eden.
Enclosure Resume

Dear Ms. Doe,

I read/ heard in/on ...... that you are hiring a ....... in your company/ business/ shop/
garage. I have worked on both agricultural machines and motor boats. I am an
experienced sailor and have a working knowledge of many kinds of motor boats.

I would be pleased to be associated with your boating company as a full-time mechanic

and have included a copy of my CV.

I can be contacted on the above address and look forward to hearing from you.

Dear Mr. Espinoza:

I am contacting you to apply for a production position with ________. I have five years
of production experience.
My first production position was with ______ in ________ plant. I learned a lot about
the assembling process and since 2001 I have held a seasonal position with __________
on a packaging line. I had the unique experience of being commended for my work and
recognized by the management for my high productivity and was the only seasonal worker
to have such recognition.

I am open, dynamic and above all very efficient and I look forward to having the
opportunity to work with you.

I look forward to hearing from you to arrange an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I am a Mechanical Engineer with 8+ years of experience. My goal is to obtain an

engineering position with your company as a Mechanical Engineer. I have a diverse
engineering background with valuable experience in the semiconductor industry, large
scale production window manufacturing and renewable energy.

I contribute strong machine design skills, effective product management, and

professional communication skills that help bridge gaps between marketing, engineering,
and manufacturing. I am a hard worker and consistently put forth the extra effort to make
my team’s goal a reality.

From experience managing my own business, I developed excellent project management

and communication skills, allowing for a smooth transition to any engineering
environment. I enjoy the challenge of managing multiple projects at once, and the reward
of successfully guiding a project from conception to completion.

My experience working in smaller companies allowed me to learn diverse parts of the

business and execute numerous roles in order to complete projects on time. I have utilized
my strong attention to detail using SolidWorks along with FEA to better validate my
design transformation to production.

My years of experience creating process design and detailed automation have provided
me with a broad range of experience, but most importantly with a valuable list of do’s and
don’ts along the way. I am excited to learn about opportunities for an engineering position
with your company, and am confident that I would be a great asset to your team.

I am a Mechanical / Project Engineer with project managing and mechanical design

experience. Fallowing is the short overview of my professional experience.

After receiving a Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering Science from the University
of Michigan in January 2005, I took a position as a Mechanical Engineer with Frame One
Contracting. The work consisted of designing retrofit kits for automotive dynamometers
in order to modify the equipment to the required standard. My professional function was
to conduct all of the research and produce all of the documentation necessary for the
equipment modifications. I also worked directly with suppliers, contractors, and electrical
professionals in order to ensure the equipment was produced to and would performed to
the specifications established by management.

In July 2008 I moved to Southern California to work for HELCO Steel. HELCO is a mini-
mill that recycles scrap steel into rebar. There I worked as a Project Engineer and was
assigned to the plant expansion project team. The expansion project was a $120 million
undertaking that was aimed at increasing the plant’s manufacturing capacity while
maintaining compliance with California strict environmental regulations.

Due to recent economic downturn the expansion project was canceled and my position
was eliminated. Please consider me for a Mechanical Engineer position, I feel that my
skills would be an asset in this role.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss the
opening with you in person.

Please accept this letter and the accompanying resume as an expression of my interest for
the Mechanical Engineer position offered by your organization.

I Graduated as a masters in mechanical engineering from university of Alabama in

Huntsville. As a mechanical engineer, I have a strong background in the basic principles
of engineering, methods and practices in mechanical system design, testing and
troubleshooting mechanical equipment. In addition, I am proficient in using FEA
software’s & advanced CAD designing tools.

My professional work experience as graduate trainee engineer at manufacturing industry

and my years of academic background have given me not only a strong technical
foundation but also domain knowledge and exposure to Work environment. My key
strengths include effective communication, strong troubleshooting skills, Quick problem
solving ability and passionate to learn and adopt new technologies and skills.

As my years of education and experience make me feel confident that I can excel and live
up to the expectations in performing the duties assigned. My enclosed resume provides
more details on my qualifications, skills and work experience.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my education and
experience might best be employed to your organization. Please feel free to contact me if
you have any further questions. I will be available as soon as possible to take up the
responsibilities if you find me as an potential fit for this position.