GovCentral

 The Cover Letter is just that - a cover. It is not a life long biography. You do not want the recruiter to merely look at the cover letter and it and your resume' ends up in file 13. So for starters - How many paragraphs do you think a cover letter should be?

The cover letter should contain the heading, salutation, body and closing.

The Body of the letter contains your message and request for action.  It is organized into three sections:  introduction, main body, and conclusion.

• Introduction:  The first sentence of the letter lets your reader know why you are writing, the purpose of the letter.


• Main body:  The main body of the letter represents your message in organized, easily understood paragraphs.  In a cover letter, it should contain no more than one or two paragraphs.


• Conculsion:  In a cover letter, the conclusion should thank the reader for taking the time to consider your qualifications and end with a request for an interview.  Always end your letter on a positive note.

Closing

All letters end with a complimentary close and your signature above your typed name.  Accepted closings for business letters are:

Yours truly,                                         Sincerely,

Yours very truly,                                 Sincerely yours,

The closing used most often for cover letters is "Sincerely."  After the complimentary closing, type your name and title (if you have one)  four lines down from the close, and always sign your name above.  It is also a good practice in cover letters to include your phone number and e-mail address after your typed name.

 Exactly. Your cover letter should make the reader want to read your resume. Say it, make it short, thank and get out!