One of the must-do’s for a professional job seeker is to compose an effective cover letter. The cover letter gives a voice to your resume and personalizes your application. A dynamic letter is the first half to managing the project of seeking an interview. Your letter must jump out at the prospective interviewer and be conversational enough to compel someone to want to call you in for an interview. It is your first shot at a proposal that the employer see you out of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of applications. Your cover letter must forge an inroad and lay groundwork for that crucial meeting of the minds to seal the deal, once you get in the door. A solid cover letter provides the best forum for getting you in the door.

Here are some excerpts from effective cover letters in all situations, different industries and fields that have stirred interest and, very often, snagged interview appointments. There’s no guarantee each and every time, but you increase your odds. Even if you don’t score every single time, you’ll feel better about yourself professionally if you give it your best shot. In any situation, whether you’re just returning to work or career changing, you can create a conversationally effective cover letter balanced with professionalism.

HOMEMAKERS RETURNING TO WORK:

I have taken intermittent periods from full time work to raise my family. However, during that time as project manager of a home and family, I kept myself informed of business trends in your industry and kept myself abreast of the latest technical skills, while performing worthy community activities which allowed me to hone those skills and maintain my office expertise. I look forward to full time work in xyz company.

CAREER CHANGERS:

After enjoying a successful career in the world of retail serving the public, delivering premier customer service and mastering customer retention. I am ready to multi task as your front desk agent in your hotel establishment. The same skills that made me succeed in retail will bode well for your guests and operation….as you will see, I am an ideal candidate for dealing with the public and assuring their comfort and accommodations. Well spoken and cosmopolitan, I have traveled the world over and possess decorum, savvy, grace and am multi lingual, as well.

I am seeking a similar endeavor in not for profit after a successful stint in the world of finance where I…(name one outstanding accomplishment). Your advertisement in the Times excited me for several reasons…

OFFICE WORK:

My letter will introduce me to you. I am seeking a position as office assistant and am delighted that you are also seeking the same because I feel I am a perfect fit for your company. I am well versed in office operations and was the right hand person at my last position which I enjoyed immensely. Unfortunately, the company closed, and you can understand how eager I am to return to this field and ready to climb aboard. I possess excellent office demeanor, know the nuts and bolts inside out, and am known for my “people” finesse. I bring a varied background with the skills necessary to make your business grow including a knack for discerning the unspoken needs of your clientele.

SALES:

Do you need an infusion of energized closers? I am aware of your need for a strong sales individual and I believe I am the person you are looking for. Let me tell you why….(and be prepared to taut your outstanding achievements backed with dollars and percentages!)

I believe in your philosophy and product and now want to help others benefit from it as I have. I am able to transfer the same tenacity and dedication that I parlayed into award-winning, six-figure earnings to your product. While my former product is now defunct, I have not lost the vision of myself as a motivator with innate abilities to convince people of my belief in your product and thereby make it theirs, as well…

SCIENCE AND HEALTH:

As an innovative and highly qualified research scientist with a wide array of experience within biological research, particularly in….I am convinced that I would be a great asset to your laboratory. I come to you with exceptional achievements in contributing to the success of organizations with which I have been affiliated, by streamlining procedures while adhering to strict sanitary meticulous controls and aiding in breakthroughs that will someday yield solutions….Known for my creativity and vision, I excel in an environment that provides the opportunity to challenge normal routines and offer suggestions that contribute to overall effectiveness and outstanding results.

AIDS research has always been my passion. I am a science researcher who is committed to vaccine and treatment and an eventual cure of HIV…I recently read that your pharmaceutical company has made inroads in Nigeria, one of the most heavily populated countries of people infect with HIV in the world. I am especially excited that your representatives were able to overcome the political barriers and despite a harsh and perilous civil war, able to convince the leaders of the necessity of allowing your company to treat orphans and young mothers, in particular, with the new drug. This is the kind of company I wish to be affiliated with….Kindly review my qualifications and consider me a top notch candidate.

Cover letters give you a chance to be creative in your application. It is the finishing touch yet the introduction to your performance. A little trick: copy and paste the heading of your resume, complete with your page profile link from linkedin.com onto your cover letter. It will be your own letterhead, one you can take pride in. Cover yourself with an effective cover letter along with your resume. Let it speak of who you are!

-By Gloria Schramm, Career Counselor & Contributing Writer