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It also helps convince the reader that you meet qualifications, fit the culture, and should be invited for an interview.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"What key tips improve a cover letter’s effectiveness?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"Research the company and job description first, keep the letter simple and concise, address it to a specific person, open with a strong statement, clearly state the position and how you heard about it, and match your skills and accomplishments to the qualifications. Include how you would address the challenge the job exists to solve and explain employment gaps when necessary.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What should applicants avoid in a cover letter?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"Avoid trying to be funny, sending a generic letter to every company, lying or over-exaggerating, discussing why you left past jobs, mentioning salary unless requested, being overly personal, repeating your resume, and making the letter too long.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},255131,1789286229,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,89,94,99,103,108,113,117,122],{"id":85,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":86,"show_sort_weight":87,"slug":88},11,"Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":90,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":91,"show_sort_weight":92,"slug":93},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":95,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":96,"show_sort_weight":97,"slug":98},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":55,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":100,"show_sort_weight":101,"slug":102},"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":104,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":105,"show_sort_weight":106,"slug":107},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":109,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":110,"show_sort_weight":111,"slug":112},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":114,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":115,"slug":116},18,30,"letters",{"id":118,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":119,"show_sort_weight":120,"slug":121},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":123,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":124,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":125},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":127},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":128,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":22,"category_id":114,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":120,"language":135,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":80,"read_time":26},2336475401981,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/22000c94efd8d5204d?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1786935347598174694","WRITING AN EFFECTIVE  \nCover Letter  \n[https://alumnae.smith.edu/ascend/](https://alumnae.smith.edu/ascend/)  \nWriting an Effective Cover Letter  \nCover letters act as an introduction to your resume. It shows that you have basic writing and communication skills. It makes the reader see how you stand out from the other candidates. It puts a bit of your personality out there to go with your resume.  \nHere’s the secret: half the people you send a cover letter to won’t read it. But those that do will most likely scrutinize it. So make sure the letter is well written and balanced.  \nYour goal with a cover letter is to convince the reader:  \n• that you have what it takes to not only meet the basic qualifications, but also be wildly successful in the job  \n• you will fit in with the company’s culture and the team you will be working on  \n• to call you in for an interview.  \n10 Tips for Writing a Cover Letter  \nMake sure you research the company (the company culture) and fully understand the job description before you start writing.  \ntwo  \nKeep it simple – one page, three paragraphs, one inch margins, 11-12 point font and same heading as your resume.  \nthree  \nAlways address it to a specific person – do not send it “to whom it may concern” or “sir / madam.” You can always find a name online or by calling the HR department and asking the name of the hiring manager.  \nfour  \nOpen strong! You want the hiring manager to continue reading, so start with a strong statement about why you are perfect for the job.  \nfive  \nMake sure you state what position you are applying for and how you heard about the job.  \nsix  \nMention anyone you know who works for the company and how your conversations with them led you to apply for the position due to a good culture fit.  \nseven  \nSell yourself by matching your skills to the qualifications they are looking for. Emphasize the personal value you will bring to the position. Share an accomplishment that shows exactly why you are the perfect candidate for the job.  \neight  \nState the challenge the job exists to solve – and how you would go about addressing it.  \nnine  \nIf you have a significant and obvious gap in your employment, give a simple explanation.  \nten  \nIf asked to list salary requirements, research salary ranges  \nusing [Payscale.com](Payscale.com), [Salary.com](Salary.com),  \nprofessional associations and informational interviews. Give a range you are comfortable with based on your research.  \ncover letter DON'TS  \n01 DON’T try to be funny.  \nHumor does not always translate well on paper.  \n02 DON’T  \nsend a generic letter to every company you apply for.  \n03 DON’T  \nlie or over-exaggerate information.  \n04 DON’T  \ntalk about why you left past jobs.  \n05 DON’T  \nmention salary unless it is explicitly asked for.  \n06 DON’T  \nget overly personal.  \n07 DON’T  \nrepeat your resume.  \n08 DON’T  \nmake it too long – no one will read it.  \nStep-by-Step Cover Letter:  \nParagraph 1: Open strong and draw the reader in. Describe the job you are applying for, including the position and job title. Tell them how you found out about the opening and any personal or professional connection you have at the company.  \nWhen I saw the posting for a Marketing Director at Healthy Kids on the healthcare news website, I knew I had to submit my resume. As a hard-working and enthusiastic marketing expert with over eight years of experience, I am ready for my next adventure! I am currently looking for an opportunity that allows me to combine my marketing expertise and interest in ensuring a healthy lifestyle for the next generation. After speaking with your CFO Susan Mello, I know my skills and experiences would be a good fit for the position and the “Healthy Kids” team overall.  \nParagraph 2: Introduce yourself and tell your potential employer why you are qualified to do the job you are applying for. Tell them what you have to offer by matching your skills and strengths to the qualifications of the position. Highlight an a","cbCaiboP2uNBOHn0","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiboP2uNBOHn0","pdf",117057,"English","# Writing an Effective Cover Letter\n## What a Cover Letter Does\n## 10 Tips for Writing a Cover Letter\n## Cover Letter Don’ts\n## Step-by-Step Cover Letter","[{\"question\":\"What is the purpose of a cover letter for a job application?\",\"answer\":\"A cover letter introduces your resume, highlights writing and communication skills, and explains how you stand out. It also helps convince the reader that you meet qualifications, fit the culture, and should be invited for an interview.\"},{\"question\":\"What key tips improve a cover letter’s effectiveness?\",\"answer\":\"Research the company and job description first, keep the letter simple and concise, address it to a specific person, open with a strong statement, clearly state the position and how you heard about it, and match your skills and accomplishments to the qualifications. Include how you would address the challenge the job exists to solve and explain employment gaps when necessary.\"},{\"question\":\"What should applicants avoid in a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"Avoid trying to be funny, sending a generic letter to every company, lying or over-exaggerating, discussing why you left past jobs, mentioning salary unless requested, being overly personal, repeating your resume, and making the letter too long.\"}]","Writing an Effective Cover Letter - Tips and Don’ts | PDF"]