12 Rules for Cover Letters

To write an effective cover letter and impress your potential employer, it is important to remember the 12 rules below:

1. Don't send an email unless instructed to.  Always send a neat letter.
2. Be honest.
3. Show that your are unique and focused.
4. Make a personal connection with the employer or organisation.
5. Reveal your personality through your letter.
6. Make sure your are writing to the correct person.
7. Make sure you have some control over the result.
8. Don't beat around the bush.  Be precise and to the point.
9. Be consistent.  Make sure your wording is similar to that in your resume.
10. Make sure no unnecessary details are included.
11. Your cover letter should be a maximum of one page long.  More that that is too much information.
12. The purpose of the cover letter is to get you to the interview.