Career Reinvention &
Personal Brand Strategist

Effective Email Cover Letters

May 14, 2007
By: Randi Bussin-Career Coach, Personal Branding Specialist

In this high-tech age, it is very easy to apply for a number of jobs in one day through the Internet. Most companies advertise their open positions on their Web sites, using detailed job descriptions and easy-to-follow directions on how to apply for them.

This is where your e-mail cover letter can be used efficiently and effectively. Here are five rules to follow if you want your e-mail cover letter to be noticed:

1. Follow Format. Many companies have specific ways of seeking their job applicants electronically. You can cut and paste your cover letter and resume right onto their site, your can download them, or you can send them by e-mail. When given options, do what is most convenient for you, but also make sure you give them what they want.
2. Be Specific. Your e-mail cover letter is likely to get a quick look, at best, so be specific about your skills and abilities and how they best suit this job. Start with a personal introductory paragraph, then jump into your skills, attitude, experience.
3. Match Qualifications. Next, take their job description and use those or similar words in your cover letter to show how you can fit their needs for this position.
4. Call to Action. Since there is no human contact in this process, describe how you will follow up your cover letter. Calling in 7-10 days can be an effective way to make your cover letter become more personalized.
5. Check Your Work. Because it is so easy to download your cover letter from your desktop or attach it to an e-mail, make sure you review it closely. It's easy to send a cover letter that's addressed to the wrong company, for the wrong job, with the wrong qualifications. Keep a master cover letter on your desktop, then adapt that, and save each version with a different name. But, always, reread your cover letter before hitting the Send button.

©2010, Randi Bussin, Aspire!

Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess/weblog/42
 

Related Articles Career Coach Articles > Marketing Yourself