Effective Cover Letter Writing
A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. Your cover letter is where you can highlight your most relevant skills or experiences for the position and show your passion. It is basically a summary of your resume.
When the employer reads your cover letter, you need to answer their main question - "Why should I hire you?"
Research the Company's Needs for The Position
Look at the work described in the offer and try to match one or more of their requirements with something relevant you have done. It could be either an activity you enjoyed, or a course you got a high mark in, or a project that was successful.
Show Your Enthusiasm to Work for The Company
Show that you want the internship and do not seem too desperate. It is a bonus if you can show the employer that you can easily achieve or surpass their expectations.
Explain How You Benefit the Employer
Let the employer know what you can offer them! There is no enticement for them to hire you if you say how good the internship is for you or your career.
Cover Letter Format
Date: DD/MM/YY
Dear Mr. or Ms. (person's last name only): If you know the contact's name.
Dear Hiring Manager: If you do not know the contact's name.
Paragraph 1: State immediately the position you are seeking and how you came to know of the opening. Tell the employer briefly (one or two sentences) why you are interested in this position.
Paragraph 2: Highlight your achievements and problem-solving skills. Show how your education and work skills are relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Paragraph 3: Demonstrate that you have done some research on this organization by going to their website or talking to alumni or other contacts that may currently work for the organization. It shows that you have taken some time to think about this position and put some effort into this letter, which results in making a very good impression on employers. Show them that you know about the company.
Paragraph 4: State that you would welcome a personal interview to further discuss this opportunity. Finish by thanking them for their attention and express a desire to meet them sometime soon.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
Tips for cover letter writing
Make it easy to read (and match it with your resume).
Use a proper font and margin set of 1 or 1.5.
Keep it to a single page.
Human resource personnel are pressed for time, they do not have the time to read long cover letters.
Write unique cover letters for each vacancy.
Tailor- match your cover letter accordingly, fresh cover letter for each vacancy.
Avoid Using "To Whom It May Concern" and "Dear Sir or Madam"
It is always good to find out the person in charge of hiring to personalize the cover letter.
Start with confidence — but do not be arrogant.
It always good to start with your interest in the job, it shows a personal sight to you.