Youve written your rsum and it looks and sounds great, but it has to be posted today and you are unsure about how to write a cover letter help is needed urgently. Follow the steps below and you will be able to write an effective cover letter in thirty minutes.

1.Explain why you are writing

2.Make the employer feel that interviewing you is a priority

3.Indicate three benefits which the firm would gain by employing you

4.Back these up with solid evidence

5.Finish with a polite, professional closing sentence

The introductory paragraph will tell the employer if you are responding to an advertisement, a newspaper article, the recommendation of someone who knows him, or if you are submitting a speculative application. It should be a strong, positive statement without giving the impression that you are cocky.

You must make sure that your letter targets exactly what the employer needs, which will have been outlined in the job description, if you have one. If you are writing on the recommendation of someone else or sending in a speculative letter, you should already have done enough background research to know what is most important to the company.

Develop this further by showing them that you can offer value, that is, tell them what you can do to make sure they achieve their aims Try to come up with three points, in other words, three benefits you will bring to the organization.

Then you must prove that you will indeed add value, by giving examples which show how you have provided these benefits in the past. This can be in a previous job, as a student or in voluntary work. It is important that you dont just tell employers what you can do, you must show them exactly how you have done it in the past.

Finish by thanking the employer for taking the time to read your letter and express the hope that your application will be considered favourably.

Following these guidelines will enable you to write an effective cover letter quickly.

Waller Jamison

Overcome your fear of writing rsums and cover letters - help yourself to a better job.