Cover letter is a major helping tool for getting an entry in the interview process. Covering letters at most times reflect a prospective candidate’s personality traits. It is a means to organize and present your information in the best possible manner. It is a letter of introduction which motivates the reader to look at the document attached along with it. This document may be in the form of a resume or curriculum vitae.

The hiring manager would be looking at several resumes and in order to make a mark upon his conscious, you need to develop a resume and cover letter which will stand apart and draw his attention. A good covering letter is concise, covers all the relevant points and is presented in an appropriate manner.

There are different types of covering letters depending upon the purpose and the audience for which it is being written. The purpose of the cover letter may vary from one individual to the other.

Users of Covering Letters: Cover letters are written keeping in view the audience and thus may have a variance in the content and the format.

Job Seekers: The most commonly written cover letters are for the job markets. Job seekers frequently send covering letters attached to their CVs. The employment applications are also sent along with the covering letters and at times, the screening by the employers is done after the scrutiny of the covering letter and resume.

Marketing Devices: Introductory letters also serve the purpose of marketing devices for the prospective job seekers.
Business Documents: Many business documents like the loan applications, contract drafts and proposals too need cover letters as also the executed documents.

Cover letters for job seekers are typically divided into three categories:

– Cover Letter in response to a known job opening
– Uninvited cover letter enquiring about prospective job vacancy
– Networking letter requesting information and assistance in the job search for the seeker

Format of the Introduction Letter: Cover letters are generally one paged document which is divided into four distinct parts. A good introduction letter is systematically formatted and presented in the following manner:
Header: This is the top m0ost portion of the letter which contains the sender’s address and other information, the recipient’s name and the contact address. Below that is the reference or the subject and the final part of the letter contains the salutation to the addressee.

Introduction: It relates to the position being applied for and should be so designed so as to catch the prospective employer’s immediate attention.

Body: This is the most significant portion of the letter. It spells out the interest of the job seeker in that particular position which can be a real good insight for the employer. It also contains the skills, qualifications and past experience of the seeker.

Conclusion: This sums up the letter and also indicates the next logical step the job seeker is expected to take. It may also imply that the seeker is looking forward to hearing or meeting the prospective employer. This is followed by a Valediction which is in turn followed by a signature line. An abbreviated term ENCL may also be added at the end of the letter signifying the presence of enclosures.

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Category: Career
Keywords: cover letters, cover letter use, different kinds of cover letters, cover letter for resumes