August 6, 2004, Newsletter Issue #29: Part 4: cover letters

Tip of the Week

LENGTH

If it’s more than one page, it’s too long. And if it’s one page and you stretched the margins as close to the edge of the paper as you dared, it’s still too long.

I’m sure you have labored over the words and paragraphs to ensure everything you feel is relevant has been included – or perhaps you were feeling prolific and the words flowed with ease.

Get tough, and get chopping!

White space is not only pleasing to the eye, it ensures that your cover letter is not visually daunting – and therefore skipped or trashed.

Your cover letter should be concise and to the point; four paragraphs max. Be mindful of the length of your paragraphs, which should not be more than four sentences.

The first paragraph should immediately mention why you are writing. If you are answering an ad, say so. If you were referred by someone for a specific position, mention that person’s name and the position.

DO NOT REGURGITATE YOUR RESUME. Resist the urge to tell your life’s story. Email cover letters should be even shorter.

Since there is no space consumed by date and return address, avoid having the reader scroll down too far or too often.

More cover letter tips next week in part 5!

Judi Perkins
VisionQuest
http://www.findtheperfectjob.com

________________________________________

Need help with your resume? Why not hire Judi to:
a) advise you on changes
or
b)conduct a full interview with you and rewrite it for you

If your resume is not getting any results, it`s probably not your skills. It`s the way your resume is written.

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