RÉSUMÉ COVER LETTER SUGGESTIONS

- SUGGESTIONS FOR RÉSUMÉ COVER LETTERS -

Sheldon L. Epstein, Chief Engineer - Epstein Associates - K9APE™

When sending your résumé by mail, E-mail or FAX, you should include a cover letter. The cover letter serves two purposes; namely,

It serves as a routing slip to identify a specific individual in an organization; and
It provides an opportunity to describe in detail your specific skills and experience not appearing or not completely described in your résumé.

Thus, the cover letter is used to direct your résumé to a specific individual and to provide him/her with additional facts that cannot be incorporated into your résumé.

There are five situations when you will send your résumé with a cover letter. They are:

To a company which placed a job advertisement in a newspaper;
To a company listed in a directory or other source which you believe may have a job open which may not have been advertised;
To a company recommended by a friend which you believe may have a job open which may not have been advertised;
To a company which probably does not have a job opportunity; but, which might be able to provide information or make a recommendation; and
To a person who might be able to provide information or make a recommendation.

Each case requires a different style of cover letter; however, all five cover letters have a similar format.

A cover letter always consists of exactly three paragraphs. The contents of the paragraphs are:

PARAGRAPH 1 - INTRODUCTION

Tell Them What You Are Going To Tell Them;

PARAGRAPH 2 - BODY

Tell Them What You Want To Tell Them - Why You Are A Special Person; and

PARAGRAPH 3 - CONCLUSION

Tell Them You Told Them And Request A Specific Response.

Each paragraph should have no less than two sentences nor more than four sentences. No sentence should have more than about 35 words. Your letter must be brief and specific. Do not waste the reader's time with generalities or by repeating information found in your résumé. The cover letter should provide additional and specific information not found in your résumé that will be of particular interest to the employer.

Your letter must be typed on a single sheet of plain paper and should be free of grammatical and spelling errors. It may be electronically scanned along with your resume`. It must contain your address and telephone number. Recommended formats follow.

{1. TO A COMPANY THAT PLACED AN ADVERTISEMENT}

1234 N. Hertz St.
Evanston, IL 60202
847:555-1212
6 JAN 98

Mr. John Doakes, President
Chicago Instruments Corp.
711 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60091

Dear Mr. Doakes:

This letter is in response to your 4 OCT 96 advertisement for an Electrical Engineer. My specialty is designing Video Image Analysis Instruments.

In addition to the experience described in my résumé, I built two custom imaging systems during 1995. The first system is used to measure diameters of high-aspect ratio bores in engine block castings. The second system checks for manufacturing defects in replacement lenses for cataract surgery. Both products incorporate my Digital Signal Processing (DSP) software for Texas Instruments TMS320C40 Digital Signal Processors.

I would appreciate an opportunity to describe how DSP technology enhances the performance of electronics instruments. Please contact me for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Applicant

{2. TO A COMPANY LISTED IN A DIRECTORY}

1234 N. Hertz St.
Evanston, IL 60202
847:555-1212
6 JAN 98

Mr. John Doakes, President
Chicago Instruments Corp.
711 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60091

Dear Mr. Doakes:

Chicago Instruments Corp. is listed in the TRI-STATE BUYER'S GUIDE as a major manufacturer of Precision Measuring Systems. My specialty is designing Video Image Analysis Instruments.

Sincerely,

John Applicant

{3. TO A COMPANY THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY A FRIEND}

1234 N. Hertz St.
Evanston, IL 60202
847:555-1212
6 JAN 98

Mr. John Doakes, President
Chicago Instruments Corp.
711 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60091

Dear Mr. Doakes:

Chicago Instruments Corp. was recommended to me by Gene Simmons of the Last National Bank as being a quality manufacturer of Precision Measuring Systems. My specialty is designing Video Image Analysis Instruments.

Sincerely,

John Applicant

{4. TO A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A JOB OPENING}

1234 N. Hertz St.
Evanston, IL 60202
847:555-1212
6 JAN 98

Mr. John Doakes, President
Chicago Instruments Corp.
711 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60091

Dear Mr. Doakes:

Chicago Instruments Corp. is listed in the TRI-STATE BUYER'S GUIDE as a major manufacturer of Precision Measuring Systems. My specialty is designing Video Image Analysis Instruments and I would appreciate receiving your advice and suggestions on opportunities where I might find employment.

I would appreciate your taking time to describe how and where my Electrical Engineering experience and DSP technology might best be used to enhance the performance of electronic, precision measurement instruments. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Applicant

{5. TO A PERSON WHO MIGHT MAKE A RECOMMENDATION}

1234 N. Hertz St.
Evanston, IL 60202
847:555-1212
6 OCT 98

Mr. John Doakes, President
Chicago Instruments Corp.
711 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60091

Dear Mr. Doakes:

Gene Simmons of the Last National Bank gave your name to me because Chicago Instruments Corp. is a major manufacturer of Precision Measuring Systems and because of your special knowledge. My specialty is designing Video Image Analysis Instruments and I would appreciate receiving your advice and suggestions on opportunities where I might find employment.

I would appreciate your taking time to describe how and where my Electrical Engineering experience DSP technology might best be used to enhance the performance of electronic instruments. A self-addressed, stamped envelope is enclosed for your reply. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Applicant

MORE SUGGESTIONS

When you send an unsolicited résumé and ask for suggestions (see the last sample cover letter), you should also enclose a Self- Addressed, Stamped Envelope (also called a SASE). This is a sign of courtesy and consideration to your recipient and it will provide him/her with more time to prepare an answer. Remember that the people who can help you the most are very busy so your request should be presented to obtain the maximum value from their limited time. By enclosing a SASE, you help them to help you by saving their time. This means that you will receive more responses and better responses.

If you want my opinion about your cover letter and your résumé, you may mail a copy to me together with your Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope. I will write my comments on your résumé and mail it back to you in your SASE. Its contents will remain confidential. If I have suggestions about prospective employers, then this information will be included. Also, I will be happy to answer any questions that you send to me. There is no fee nor any obligation of any kind. No telephone calls, please.

Sheldon L. Epstein
Résumé
P.O.B. 400
Wilmette, IL 60091-0400