The Way to a Successful Cover Letter!

First of all, a cover letter is a paper that introduces that impressive resume that you have prepared. Before you get started on your cover letter, here are a few tips to abide:

The Shorter the Better

Follow this concept! Your cover letter should not be too long, as long as it does the job of introducing you. It should be in 3 short paragraphs that say:

1. The job that you're applying for.
2. The reason why the employer should interview you.
3. How much you appreciate the time he or she takes to read your letter.
4. When you will call to make an appointment for an interview.

Just Be Yourself!

This is the biggest tip to follow when you are writing a cover letter. Most importantly, you have to be yourself and of course show a positive attitude! This would mean that you should refrain from writing an overly formal letter that does not sound like it's written by you. Don't even try to use phrases that sound canned! Instead, a better approach would be a letter with a casual yet polite style. This is definitely beneficial to you as it is a way to show that you would be a great and fun person to interview.

Now that you know the tips and things to avoid when writing a cover letter, it's time to get started on your letter. Follow the next steps and they will take you from top to bottom of your masterpiece.

Step One

Since you've gone through the step of creating a heading for your resume, it is needless for you to go through that step again. Instead, here's what you should do:

1. Make a copy of your resume on your computer.
2. Name this new document "Cover Letter".
3. Delete everything in the document except the heading.

With that, you've got a letterhead that is ready for the contents of your letter!

Step Two

Now, write the date and inside address.

Step Three

This would be the first paragraph of the body of the letter. It should say something catchy like:

1. Where you got to know of this job.
2. The name of the person who referred you to the man or woman you're writing to.

Step Four

This consist the second paragraph and it should be brief, describing:

1. The job that you would like.
2. What you have to offer on this job.
3. A "sneak-preview" on what you would like to talk about in the job interview.

Step Five

The third paragraph is your closure. You should say things like:

1. You will give the employer a call again to see when you can come by for an interview.
2. You appreciate the employer for taking his time to read your letter.

Step Six

Write your complimentary close like "Sincerely" or "Yours Sincerely". Then sign your name by hand at a few lines down. Don't forget to include your first and last name! lastly, write "Enclosure: resume." just below your name and flush left.

With the hints and detailed steps given above, you will be on your way to a successful cover letter. Good luck!

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Political Campaign Letter Writing Tips

Letters to the editor is a powerful way of getting your campaign message across and influencing public opinion. While you are likely get a few letters from close friends and supporters, it helps to have an organized letter-writing campaign to local newspapers and publications to help shape the issues and your public positions. A letter-writing campaign can be assigned to a volunteer to organize. All they need to do is to find volunteers willing to write pro-candidate letters.

Some campaign letter writing tips:

• Keep the letters to a single issue, if possible. When doing so, highlight differences between candidates.


• Not every letter has to be politically issued-based. Even letters that highlight the candidate's favorable personal traits are useful.


• Try to keep a list of the issues and the volunteers who will write about them. Provide a list of (email) addresses to the local publications.


• Do not supply your writers with a 'sample letter'. A few minor talking points of facts is fine, but the letters should be written in the supporter's voice, with their own spin on the topic. Canned letters sound phony, particularly if several are published at the same time on the same topic.


• 'Negative' letters can backfire. If writing about an opponent, encourage your letter writers to stick to facts and policy rather than personal attacks.


• Suggest that the writers to mention the campaign website, if they choose.


• Start sending letters as early as possible. Especially in local papers, a letter is very likely to be published during 'slow' news period.


• Many papers have a holding period where they will not publish letters from the same person within a certain period of time. If a volunteer is willing to write multiple letters, have them be staggered throughout the campaign.


• Don't have everyone wait until the week before the election to write in. Newspapers are typically flooded with letters right before the election, and it's very likely many will not get printed.


• If possible, reprint the best letters or quotes on your website. Only do this after the letter has been published.


• If someone you don't know writes a letter on the candidate's behalf, have someone from the campaign contact them, thank them, and see if they wouldn't be interested in further involvement with the campaign.

Letters can lead to positive write ups, which is good fodder for a newsletter email or social media post. This may bring them back to the site to read up on what is happening and, possibly, make a political donation.

An effective, long-term letter writing campaign is an excellent investment. In most cases, you'll see a flood of pro-candidate letters appear right before an election. Astute readers will see them for what they are. But when someone has been hearing good things about a candidate for months, they should be more readily influenced.

Online Candidate provides political website design for candidates running for local office. Once you have your campaign website up and running, add it to our free political candidate directory