For a professional position, the initial application process requires two important documents: the cover letter and the resume. But then, the cover letter adds more on the success rate of an applicant in passing the preliminary round than the resume. The resume serves to back up the points you made in the cover letter and to showcase your work history. This means that a good resume is useless without a good cover letter.

The advantage of presenting a cover letter is that you can create your application based on the company and position you are interested in unlike the resume which is based on your actual work experience. Nowadays, a generic cover letter is as ineffective as a broken television. You cannot pass the preliminary process with this type of cover letter. So to write cover letter that is effective, you should pay close attention to its content.

The content of the cover letter should be very specific. It should speak to a particular company and should be directed to the specific hiring manager or employer. It should mouth about the specific job position. It should highlight about particular skills and experience. And it should discuss about your specific intention. For you to address your letter to the specific individual, you may need to undergo extensive research. However, if you are confident enough, you can simply call the company and inquire who you should direct the cover letter to.

In your cover letter, you should mention the company and the position you are intended to apply. Bear in mind that hiring managers have no time and intention to guess what position you are applying to. Be very specific on your choice of position. In addition, create specific references to the company. Specify the knowledge you have about the company and the position. Furthermore, indicate your interest about the company’s current project.

In writing your cover letter, also concentrate on defining your knowledge about the position and your qualification for it. You may want the hiring manager to know why you are a ideal fit to the position and the company and why you are interested in working in their company. Tell the hiring manager how you are qualified for the job position.

In addition, your cover letter should also emphasize your most important and pertinent skills, experience and achievements. Make sure that you go over the main points. However, the details should be integrated only in the resume and not in the cover letter as your cover letter should be as short as possible and yet concise and complete. Since the details are integrated in the resume, your cover letter should specifically direct the reader to the resume. Stating that you have enclosed your resume for more details about your experience and accomplishments is great enough.

Finally, you must also request specific follow up and interview. Are you going to follow up after a week or two weeks? Or are you just going to wait for the hiring manager to call within 7 days? Are you going to call the company for follow up or are you going to give them a personal visit? Keep in mind that your cover letter should be in conversational tone but still formal enough to show what a professional you are.