The Best Business Cover Letter

When you are applying to a job, to a school, to anything, you have to present the best cover letter you possibly can. Your cover letter is your first chance to make an impression.

The corporate world is a place where no silly games are allowed, no children are permitted and no tantrums and whines are accepted. It is the world where you transform to be the mature person that you need to become. It is the training ground to the many business battles in your life. It is where you can unleash your intellectual and strategic capabilities. It's the world where decisions, determination laced with fun co-exist with one another.

Looking for your place in the corporate world is easy enough to do if you know what your priorities are. If you have an idea of what your abilities, strengths and aptitude are you can wisely take advantage of them in presenting yourself to the rulers of the corporate world. But before you primp and wear your power-dressing outfit to deliver your weapons to the different companies of your choice, you need to make sure that your resumes and business cover letters appropriately reflect the person wearing the all too professional business suit.

Resumes are the backbone of the jobseeker's achievements and desires. Business cover letters are the foundation of his/her skills and accomplishment. As someone who wants to be a part of the business world, your resume should reflect who you are and who you want to be. The business cover letter, on the other hand, should stress and indicate the qualities that you have to make dreams a reality.

Writing a resume is simple especially if you have a template to follow. Business cover letters are somehow easy to do as well with the different templates you can get ideas to. However, writing a business cover letter can be harder than writing a resume just for the reason that you are in a way merchandising your strengths that shouldn't sound arrogant, too good to be true and egotistic.

If you're writing your business cover letter, here are some tips and tricks that you can follow.

Even if you know how to make one, it's still better to review or check sample business cover letters online or at writing/business books. In these time and age where everything is changed in just a minute, it's wiser to check if you're still up to date.

If and when you follow business cover letter templates, make sure to just get the gist of the template. Sample templates are there as models only. You still need to do your own construction with the basic structure that templates give. The most common mistake of jobseekers that use business cover letters is that they only delete and change the part of the template where their information is needed. And then leave everything as it is. You cannot impress or catch the attention of your potential employer if he/she sees another altered business cover letter template. He/she'll just think of you as someone who can't even write an original cover letter.

Make it a point to outline what you plan and can do for the company. Not just the standard line where jobseekers say that he/she wants to be an asset to the company. You need to be more specific and more driven than that. It will show that you already value the work that you're looking for.

Sample Cover Letter Format

Your address
City, ST Zip
Date

Name of Contact Person
Title
Organization
Street address
City, ST Zip

Dear (contact person),

Opening Paragraph: Why writing? Capture interest!

Strong opening sentences to make the reader want to continue reading.
Name the job for which you are applying. Tell how you learned about it.
Mention the name of a person (if any) who referred you to the organization.
Perhaps pose a question that zeros in on a high-need area for the employer.


Body Paragraph: Critical content section. Convince the reader of your skills.

Acknowledge the skills required by the open position.
State the skills/strengths you will bring to the job and that parallel those needed to fill the position.
Give examples of skills, achievements - and how they will transfer to the job.
Comment on your knowledge of the company (their products, services, or special projects) and why you are interested in working for them.


Closing Paragraph: Ask for interview - identify next step!

Refer to enclosed resume.
Assert yourself by telling the contact person that you will call on a designated date. Alternatively, state that you are available for a personal interview at her/his convenience.
Make it easy for the person to contact you: list your phone number and times you can be reached. Even if it is on the resume, list it here again!



Sincerely, (Respectfully, etc.)

(sign your name)
Your Name Typed

Enclosures: Resume
(Transcript)

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