Page 42 - The Editors of VGM Career Books - Resumes for Computer Careers, Second Edition (2002)

Chapter

4

The Cover Letter

nce your resume has been assembled, laid out, and printed to
your satisfaction, the next and final step before distribution is to
Owrite your cover letter. Though there may be instances where you
deliver your resume in person, you will usually send it through the mail
or online. Resumes sent through the mail always need an accompanying
letter that briefly introduces you and your resume. The purpose of the cover
letter is to get a potential employer to read your resume, just as the pur-
pose of the resume is to get that same potential employer to call you for
an interview.
Like your resume, your cover letter should be clean, neat, and direct.
A cover letter usually includes the following information:

1. Your name and address (unless it already appears on your personal
letterhead) and your phone number(s); see item 7.
2. The date.

3. The name and address of the person and company to whom you
are sending your resume.
4. The salutation (“Dear Mr.” or “Dear Ms.” followed by the person’s
last name, or “To Whom It May Concern” if you are answering a
blind ad).
5. An opening paragraph explaining why you are writing (for exam-
ple, in response to an ad, as a follow-up to a previous meeting, at
the suggestion of someone you both know) and indicating that you
are interested in whatever job is being offered.
6. One or more paragraphs that tell why you want to work for the
company and what qualifications and experiences you can bring
to the position. This is a good place to mention some detail about

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