Cover letter writing?

[ahoteinrun]

So... i'm applying for a job and I realise that I haven't a single clue on how to write a cover letter. It does need to be formal (which I understand to mean no chat speak, which will be hard since I use it so rampantly). The job itself is that of a zookeeper, I meet all the requirements for it, and it will either be an 11month temp thing or a permanent position. Either or would be fine by me (so I could pay off my parents!). But yeah...
How does one write a good cover letter? I havn't even started yet, but I need to apply by the 18th of April, so... I should get on that.

[Rachel]

i am hopeless at writing things like cover letters, but what i remember from when i was writing them applying for jobs late last year is that you have to make sure you personalise it - mention briefly why you think you'd be best suited for the job, and what skills you've developed that show this. it's not the same kind of job, but here's a cover letter i used:

To Whom it May Concern,

I am emailing in regards to the advertised position of Technical Assistant Recruitment Pool (Ref: 002224).

I graduated from Birmingham University (UK) with a Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons Class I) (Cell and Molecular Biology) in July 2006 and am now looking for work in which to further develop my lab experience.

I am hard working, diligent and carry out work with a high attention to detail. I am eager to learn new skills and techniques and also to develop the skills I currently possess. During my time at university I carried out two lab research projects of 8 and 10 weeks in duration. During these projects I developed skills that allowed me to appropriately analyse my results and solve any arising problems. Through my other activities at university and previous employment I feel that I have strong team-working and communication skills.

I have attached my CV to this email and I hope that you will consider me for this position.

Yours sincerely,
Rachel ***

I dont know if that's much help, hopefully it's a little bit of help

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

I applied for a job last week and I had to send my CV, along with a cover letter. What I did was put something like:

Dear Madam,
Please find enclosed my CV for the position of part time shop assistant. If there are any other things that you wish to know, please feel free to contact me.

I've been after a job for a couple of years though, with no luck. So um...you might not want to actually take any notice of mine XD

Anyway, good luck ^^

[Paul]

I applied for a job last week and I had to send my CV, along with a cover letter. What I did was put something like:

Dear Madam,
Please find enclosed my CV for the position of part time shop assistant. If there are any other things that you wish to know, please feel free to contact me.

I've been after a job for a couple of years though, with no luck. So um...you might not want to actually take any notice of mine XD

Anyway, good luck ^^

I thought you worked in that cool shop! Hmm, maybe it was someone else, but it sounded like a cool shop anyway..

[Shoyru_Lover]

Just a hint, when I'm reading resumes and applications from people who want to join The Triple Helix, I look for what they have learned at their jobs and how their skills can be transferred to the position they're looking for.

Using general words like "I am responsible" will not impress. Demonstrate how you are without stating it.

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

I applied for a job last week and I had to send my CV, along with a cover letter. What I did was put something like:

Dear Madam,
Please find enclosed my CV for the position of part time shop assistant. If there are any other things that you wish to know, please feel free to contact me.

I've been after a job for a couple of years though, with no luck. So um...you might not want to actually take any notice of mine XD

Anyway, good luck ^^

I thought you worked in that cool shop! Hmm, maybe it was someone else, but it sounded like a cool shop anyway..

I do work in a very cool shop yes. It's a charity shop, very friendly, but I don't get paid. I'm on benefits at the moment and I'd like a part time job that pays pretty decent and not too many hours so that I can still work as a volunteer too. Not having much luck though

[Paul]

I applied for a job last week and I had to send my CV, along with a cover letter. What I did was put something like:

Dear Madam,
Please find enclosed my CV for the position of part time shop assistant. If there are any other things that you wish to know, please feel free to contact me.

I've been after a job for a couple of years though, with no luck. So um...you might not want to actually take any notice of mine XD

Anyway, good luck ^^

I thought you worked in that cool shop! Hmm, maybe it was someone else, but it sounded like a cool shop anyway..

I do work in a very cool shop yes. It's a charity shop, very friendly, but I don't get paid. I'm on benefits at the moment and I'd like a part time job that pays pretty decent and not too many hours so that I can still work as a volunteer too. Not having much luck though

Ah, that is too bad, I hope you find a job soon.

[Twinkle]

I applied for a job last week and I had to send my CV, along with a cover letter. What I did was put something like:

Dear Madam,
Please find enclosed my CV for the position of part time shop assistant. If there are any other things that you wish to know, please feel free to contact me.

I've been after a job for a couple of years though, with no luck. So um...you might not want to actually take any notice of mine XD

Anyway, good luck ^^

I thought you worked in that cool shop! Hmm, maybe it was someone else, but it sounded like a cool shop anyway..

I do work in a very cool shop yes. It's a charity shop, very friendly, but I don't get paid. I'm on benefits at the moment and I'd like a part time job that pays pretty decent and not too many hours so that I can still work as a volunteer too. Not having much luck though

Try bar work? I know it's late nights and everything but you usually only work part-time at weekends. There's always seasonal work at supermarkets. At Asda I worked busy periods like Christmas, summer and Easter and I could choose my hours to suit my lifestyle.

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

I applied for a job last week and I had to send my CV, along with a cover letter. What I did was put something like:

Dear Madam,
Please find enclosed my CV for the position of part time shop assistant. If there are any other things that you wish to know, please feel free to contact me.

I've been after a job for a couple of years though, with no luck. So um...you might not want to actually take any notice of mine XD

Anyway, good luck ^^

I thought you worked in that cool shop! Hmm, maybe it was someone else, but it sounded like a cool shop anyway..

I do work in a very cool shop yes. It's a charity shop, very friendly, but I don't get paid. I'm on benefits at the moment and I'd like a part time job that pays pretty decent and not too many hours so that I can still work as a volunteer too. Not having much luck though

Try bar work? I know it's late nights and everything but you usually only work part-time at weekends. There's always seasonal work at supermarkets. At Asda I worked busy periods like Christmas, summer and Easter and I could choose my hours to suit my lifestyle.

I'm not confident enough for bar work but I wouldn't mind working in a place where I could wear my trendy clothes Now the spring's here though, I can wear those any time. I go frumpy in the winter lol. I also don't like working in big places. I tried Dobbies and couldn't stand it.

[Twinkle]

I hated Asda to be honest. I loved IKEA on the other hand, it was a really good place to work. I got an mp3 player for a Christmas present! There was always parties and meals to go to to make friends but you didn't have to go if you didn't want to. The best day ever was when we had hardly any customers in so we all just stood in the back talking and eating chocolate.

I'm wildly off-topic, sorry! As for the cover letter, I've never been any good at writing them either. I might google templates to help.

[Ammer]

I've done a share of cover letter's, here's an example of mine,

<center>Your Name
Your Street
City, Province/State
Your Number
You're E-mail</center>

<hr>

Title of the Person you're sending it to such as "HR Manager"
(Far Right of the Page on the same line as above) Date you wrote the cover letter
Department
Street
City, Province/State Postal Code

Subject: Summer Student Application

Dear Sirs,

My name is (Insert Name) and I am an first year undergraduate student at (Insert Whatever). The bilingual program, which I am double majoring in, involves both Psychology and Political Science (Law); and I hope to pursue a career in either of these fields. During my first year at the Glendon Campus, I was selected as a Glendon Ambassador to high school students. I have taken on the responsibility of hosting a radio show engrossing discussions upon world events, student and national affairs, pop culture and showcasing a variety of music. This show, entitled “Parental Advisory”, invites local and international listeners to voice their opinions upon a variety of subjects, including the aforementioned.

Through my work experience at McDonalds and Samsonite Inc., I have learned and practiced leadership, customer relations and interactions, organization, problem solving and time management skills. I am confident that my determined work attitude, outgoing nature and eagerness to learn new skills makes me an excellent candidate to join your forward-looking team. These attributes, combined with my enthusiasm to learn, will be essential to my contributions and success during this internship.

Given the opportunity, I am confident that I can apply the same skills set within this internship and be a valuable addition to your team. I would be happy to have a discussion with you or members of your committee to see if we can establish a mutual interest. I certainly look forward to exploring this further. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

-Insert Name-

Enclosure

Hope it helps!