Guide to Writing a Resume Cover Letter

Identify yourself in your resume cover letter

A good resume cover letter starts with a professional heading and an appropriate salutation. Put your name, address, phone number, fax number and e-mail address at the top of the page, along with the date. Include the contact information for your potential employer, as well.

I recommend: Consider printing your resume cover letter on your own custom letterhead, which may help it stand out in a stack of cover letters that otherwise look identical. You can invest in letterhead for your home office at PrintingforLess.com or design and print your own with free Word templates courtesy of HP or Microsoft.

Use sample cover letters to help you write a great first paragraph

A great resume cover letter is useless if nobody reads it. Make sure somebody does by writing an interesting, attention-getting first paragraph. Be creative. Include important information—such as where you found out about the job opening, what position you’re applying for and why you’re interested in it—but start with a memorable opening sentence that will truly distinguish you from other candidates.

I recommend: Start by looking at sample cover letters written by other people. Download a sample cover letter by job type at BestCoverLetters.com or About.com. Use a sample cover letter only as a guide, however; if you read it in a sample cover letter, chances are it’s not original enough to catch an employer’s eye.

Research the company before you write your resume cover letter

Show early on in your resume cover letter that you know something about the company at which you’re applying to work. Demonstrate right away that you know what the company does, what its values are and what it looks for in its employees. Use words in your cover letter that the company uses on its Web site or in its job posting to show that you understand its culture and its language.

I recommend: Read as much about the company you want to work for as possible and let your knowledge shine through in your cover letter. Monster’s Company Boulevard, Hoovers and EDGAR Online all are great places to do company research.

Highlight your qualifications in your resume cover letter

Cover letters are a place to build upon your resume—not to reiterate it. In your second and third paragraphs, then, explore your unique qualifications and take time to authentically describe them. Show; don’t tell. In other words, instead of saying you’re a good problem solver, offer an anecdote from your work history that effectively illustrates your problem-solving skills. Be specific, not general, about your accomplishments and focus on what you can bring to the job, not on what the job can bring to you.

I recommend: If you lack confidence in your writing skills, you may benefit from using a resume cover letter writing service such as ResumeWriters.com, ResumeEdge.com or any of the companies listed in Business.com’s directory of resume consultants. Software like the Perfect Cover Letters Starter Package, which includes writing tutorials as well as a full library of sample cover letters and templates, might also prove helpful.

End your cover letter on a professional note

End your resume cover letter by asking for an interview and by reminding the employer that you will follow up to confirm receipt of your resume. Promising to follow up—and then actually doing so—demonstrates the kind of persistence and follow-through that many employers look for.

I recommend: Your cover letter and resume are only half of the job-hunting battle. Once your letter is in the mail, make sure you’re ready for the job interview that will hopefully follow. Consult Business.com’s job interviewing directory for tips. Be ready with a thank you note to seal the deal, too; you can purchase pre-written thank you letters from Business.com’s directory of thank you letters for jobs.

Edit your resume cover letter before you send it

Make sure your cover letter is laid out professionally and formatted appropriately. Check for spelling and punctuation errors and make sure you’ve used good grammar and a professional vocabulary. Finally, ensure that your cover letter is short—less than one page—and easy to read.

I recommend: Use standard business letter formatting when you’re putting your final cover letter together. Download guidelines and samples from About.com, which offers a complete guide to writing business letters. Don’t forget to print your cover letter on the same professional grade paper on which you print your resume; consider a heavier weight specialty paper, which you can find at OfficeMax, FedEx Kinko’s and Office Depot.