How do I write an effective cover letter?... For all the IT People, Please Help...

[BamBam215]

Hey guys,

I'm applying for an IT job on campus that would basically put me charge at one of the computing centers where I would be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and networking the 50-60 computers in there.

As I haven't really written a formal cover letter before, I was wondering if anyone in the IT field would lend me some help. What points should I mention? Should I sum up my resume again, or talk about something else? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

I would really like to get this job and I think that a good cover letter would make me stand out from the rest of the group. Thanks very much...

Ant ..

 

[whooosh]

checkout monster.com they have alot of tips for resumes and cover letters. Also you could post it up at their forums and people will review it for you.

 

[Stifko]

Throw in a line or 2 about how much you love technology. Tell em that learning new technology really gets you all excited and you'll pick it up that much quicker!

 

[BamBam215]

Thanks for the info on monster.com... i'll definitely check it out.

 

[LadyNiniane]

Both monster.com and headhunter.net have cover letter ideas.

Basically you want your cover letter to indicate what position you wish to apply for and where you heard about the open position. Besides that, you want the cover letter to help convince the person reading it to continue on to the resume and/or application enclosed with it. Try to indicate in 25 words or less why you think this person should talk to you before they talk to anyone else about the job.

Use standard business letter format, and a clean font (no script fonts here); sans serif fonts (i.e., Ariel) tend to look crisper than traditional fonts (Courier, Times New Roman), but I admit to a personal bias in that regard.

Make every attempt to address the letter to a person, rather than a department; if a contact name is given, use it. (If uncertain about the gender of the contact person, use the full name in the salutation, i.e., Dear Chris Smith:, rather than Dear Mr. Smith: only to find out later that Chris stands for Christine. )

If no contact name is given, use a department name or the position name in the address portion of the letter, and use the salutation Dear Sir or Madam: - not the best, but better than nothing.

Always indicate that your resume is enclosed (and make certain you put one in there ), and indicate that references "are available upon request" (never include them directly on a resume - there are some potential legal issues there), and that salary "is negotiable" (again, don't put salary numbers on anything unless you absolutely have to - let them make the first move, moneywise).

A cover letter should not exceed half of a standard printed page. It's a tease - a starting point that will hopefully get that person to inquire further.

Good luck.

Lady Niniane

 

[BamBam215]

Thanks Lady Niniane... I'll definitely take up your advice...

 

[palad]

I just applied for a government job, and one of the things I included (and you may want to, depending on the size of the institution) is the name of the job opening you are applying for and any identifying information you have for it. For example, the job I applied for was for a Computer Specialist, and it had a long serial number which specified which dept., which facitilty, etc. It is never a bad idea to specifiy exactly which job you're applying for in the cover letter.