Writing a cover letter to send with your abstract can be confusing and frustrating. What should you say exactly? Are you saying too much? Are you talking only about your needs vs. the needs of the company? Oh what to do! In this “short” article, I’ll list some ideas on how to craft your cover letter. I have also provided some important links, for additional help, especially if you still need outside help.
The essential
* Make sure you use exactly the same type of paper that you use for your abstract. White to white is best, commercial paper is highly recommended, especially paper containing 100% cotton. Cheap 20 lb. Copy paper is a terrible idea!
* A matching business envelope {# 10} is accepted. Fold your copies in three separately; when putting the cover letter inside the envelope, make sure the letter is displayed first [when you lift the flap of the envelope up] followed by your summary. Fold it so your name and contact information are the first thing the recruiter sees. If you choose to use a kraft envelope, make sure it is no smaller than 9 x 12 or larger than 10 x 13. Place an attractive computer generated label on it with your return address displayed appropriately. If you must write on it, PRINT your information and don’t be fancy. Remember: you want the company post office and mailroom to be able to read what you wrote! Otherwise, significant time can be lost in the process.
* If you are emailing your information, please make sure the job listing stipulates that the attachments are fine. If not, don’t you dare send attachments! Instead, within the body of an email message, you can write your cover letter [a brief introduction] and then cut and paste your abstract. I can’t tell you how many files are never read when the person doesn’t do what they are told. You can also follow up and send an email [paper] copy if an address is provided.
Beginning
* Match the heading of your abstract to the heading of your cover letter. They can and do separate! An example header should look like this:
So and so
14 Star Lane
Smithville, NC 27777 United States
Phone: 919-555-1212
Cell phone: 919-555-1213
Email: [email protected]
* Include your personal website address only if that information is valuable. If you host a site that is weird, inflammatory, adult-oriented, or controversial, just don’t expect any response from the company.
* Put today’s date on the cover letter.
* Please include your contact information below, which may include:
Mrs. Ellen Snow
HR Coordinator
FlyByNight Aviation, Inc.
1234 Orville Wright Lane
Serendipity, NC 27776
* Your greeting comes below and it should look like this
– Dear Mrs. Snow:
Body
* Please note that your cover letter should not be lengthy. You can say everything that needs to be said in no more than three, maybe four, short paragraphs.
* Here is a sample:
Attached, please find a copy of my abstract for your review. I am interested in the Corporate Flight Attendant position listed online at http://www.flybynight.com.
I believe that my three years of international flight experience coupled with my culinary experience and language skills make me the ideal candidate to serve FlyByNight’s distinguished clientele. I am currently working as an independent contractor and have flown to major destinations in Europe as well as the US and Canada. FlyByNight’s need for a highly experienced, skilled and reliable team player is exactly the type of position I want.
I look forward to meeting with you in person to discuss your particular needs and how I can help FlyByNight successfully carry out its mission as the world’s best private jet operator. Feel free to contact me as soon as possible; You can reach me at 919-555-1212 or by cell phone at 919-555-1213.
Byes
* Sincerely,
So and so
Please leave 3-4 lines of your “Sincerely” in your name. Your closing should not include other words, including Greetings [too plain], Health! [too British], Love [too personal]etc. Remember, this is a business letter.
In short, be brief and specific. Have three or four main points that you can emphasize about your strengths, in particular those points that coincide with the points listed by the company in your work details. In this particular case, the candidate emphasized her gastronomic, linguistic and international travel experience, as well as her availability. All four points stood out on the company’s job listing that read:
“… the international jet operator is looking for an experienced cabin attendant. This position involves serving our on-demand charter customers from East Coast locations to destinations in the US and abroad. Must have exceptional foodservice skills Current training with FACTS, FlightSafety or similar training provider; knowledge of French or Spanish – a plus …
You can’t help talking about yourself, but you can control how you talk about yourself.
No …
1. … beg for an interview.
2. … mention money or benefits. If the job listing “requires” you to list your salary requirements, simply state that the salary is negotiable.
3. … brag too much about your skills: think about the needs of the company, do you think they care that you received a scholarship from the NBAA? However, it is okay to include scholarships in your summary.
4. … remove the name. Unless it’s already highly recommended by someone they know and like. Your mentor may be well known in this industry, but not universally appreciated. However, you can use them in your reference list.
Putting it all together, this is what your cover letter might look like:
So and so
14 Star Lane
Smithville, NC 27777 United States
Phone: 919-555-1212
Cell phone: 919-555-1213
Email: [email protected]
March 21, 2005
Mrs. Ellen Snow
HR Coordinator
FlyByNight Aviation, Inc.
1234 Orville Wright Lane
Serendipity, NC 27776
Re: Corporate flight attendant opening [this is optional, but it can be helpful especially if the company has multiple openings available.]
Dear Mrs. Snow:
Attached, please find a copy of my abstract for your review. I am interested in the Corporate Flight Attendant position listed online at http://www.flybynight.com.
I believe that my three years of international flight experience coupled with my culinary experience and language skills make me the ideal candidate to serve FlyByNight’s distinguished clientele. I am currently working as an independent contractor and have flown to major destinations in Europe as well as the US and Canada. FlyByNight’s need for a highly experienced, skilled and reliable team player is exactly the type of position I want.
I look forward to meeting with you in person to discuss your particular needs and how I can help FlyByNight successfully carry out its mission as the world’s best private jet operator. Feel free to contact me as soon as possible; You can reach me at 919-555-1212 or by cell phone at 919-555-1213.
Sincerely,
So and so