When you apply for a job, it is important to include a cover letter with you resume. As employers value communications skills, a well-written cover letter can put you ahead of other job applicants.
General Cover Letter Hints
Proofread Carefully. Make sure that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes in your cover letter. Try getting a friend to proofread your cover letter: another set of eyes often catches mistakes that you might otherwise miss.
Address your letter specifically. “To Sir or Madam” just doesn’t cut it in today’s job market. Do some research online to establish the name of the person who will read your cover letter and include it in the “to” line.
Use the perfect tone. Your cover letter should be conversational (it can include contractions—“don’t, wouldn’t”) and should express some of your personality. Your cover letter should not be too colloquial, however: remember, this is a professional application that you are undertaking. Be cheerful; market yourself.
Be short and sweet. You want your cover letter to be easy to read and to the point. Leave plenty of white space on the page.
Indicate some knowledge of the position & company. If the job is located outside of your current hometown, acknowledge this in your cover letter and indicate why you should still be considered. For example “Although I am currently living in the Toronto area, my spouse has been transferred to Edmonton and we will be moving there as of July 15, 2006”. If you are moving from another country, indicate the status of your Visa / work permit application. If you omit this information, too often employers will assume you applied in error, not knowing where the job was located, and won’t consider your application any further.