Home | What We Do | Submitting | Samples | Pricing | Privacy | About Us | Writing Tips | Contact Us | Site Map
                 
  Job Seekers  
     
   
     
  Cover Letters  
     
  Your résumé tells a potential employer what qualifications you have for a particular job, but it does not reveal what kind of employee you would be. Employers rely on the cover letter to determine the personality of a potential employee. Therefore, the cover letter is a valuable opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants who have identical qualifications.

It is the job of our editors at Exceptional English to ensure that your cover letter is free of typographical, grammatical, spelling, and format errors. If necessary, our editors will also rewrite and/or rearrange sections of your cover letter so that your strengths are presented in the best possible light.

  
 
 
  Here is an example of a job applicant who has outstanding qualifications, but a poor cover letter:  
     
  Click here to view the original cover letter.

Click here to view the edited cover letter.

Click here to view some tips on how to create an outstanding cover letter.

  
     
 
This is the original cover letter before it was revised by an editor at Exceptional English.

P.O. Box 555
Burlington, VT 05401
April 27, 2002

To Whom It May Concern,
I recently moved to Burlington, and I am looking for a teaching job. I have been an adult ed. teacher for 2 years. It is true that I do not have much teaching expereince, but I am sure that my enthuiasm can make up for my lack of experience. I think you will find that I am a caring, approachible teacher who enjoys helping others. I apprecate your consideration of my qualifications. Please find enclosed a copy of my resume. By the way, I am curious as to what the starting salary and benfits is for teachers at your school. Hopefully, my questions can be answered during a job interview.

Sincerely,

Paige R. Wilson

  
 
     
 
This is the edited cover letter produced by Exceptional English.

P.O. Box 555
Burlington, VT 05401
April 27, 2002

Ms. Elizabeth Bennett
Director of Human Resources
Adult Learning Place
555 Maple St.
Burlington, VT 05401

Dear Ms. Bennett:

I recently moved to Burlington, and I first heard of the Adult Learning Place from a report on the local news. I then went to your website and noticed that you are looking for qualified teachers. I would be very interested in working as a teacher at the Adult Learning Place. I am an adult education teacher with experience assisting adult students prepare for academic exams, such as the GED and the TOEFL.

I ascertained from your website that one of the goals of the Adult Learning Place is to help adults learn the skills they need to become independent, productive members of society. I also noticed that a large portion of the students attending the Adult Learning Place are newly arrived immigrants whose first language is not English. In addition to my teaching qualifications, I believe my experience with helping people of diverse backgrounds and my knowledge of computers and languages (English, French, Spanish, and American Sign Language) can be put to good use at the Adult Learning Place.

Most importantly, I think you will find that I am a caring, approachable teacher who enjoys helping others. I appreciate your consideration of my qualifications. Please find enclosed a copy of my résumé. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Paige R. Wilson, BS, MS, MSEd

Enclosure

  
 
     
  Some tips for creating an outstanding cover letter:  
     
  Please see our sample cover letter before and after to see how our expert writers can put these tips into action.  
     
 
  • Include an inside address with each cover letter.

  • Never use "To Whom It May Concern." It is perceived as extremely impersonal and will not get anybody's attention. If possible, include the contact person's name in the greeting. If you do not know the contact person's name, use one of the following greetings: Dear Recruiter, Dear Hiring Manager, Dear Sir/Madam

  • Mention in the first paragraph how you learned about the job. If possible (and if appropriate), name-drop, i.e., mention the name of someone you know who works in the company.

  • If possible, do some research on the company you are applying to. This shows that you are interested in working for the company.

  • Sell yourself. In the body of the letter, seize the opportunity to describe how your job qualifications, special skills, and personality traits make you an ideal candidate for the job.

  • Emphasize your strengths in a non-boastful manner.

  • Do not be long-winded.

  • Make sure that your cover letter is free of typographical, grammatical, spelling, and format errors.
  
 
Top of this page
  
 
Click here to send your document to Exceptional English
 

Contact us at:     inquiries@exceptionalenglish.com   or   support@exceptionalenglish.com
©2002 Exceptional English
 
Go to the NOVALynx home page
Go to Cindy Scarborough's home page
 
Top of this page