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Cover Letters
There are generally three cover letter types for the jobseeker:
Those sent to a specified person (i.e. the hiring authority)
Those sent in response to a "blind" advertisement
(i.e. only a P.O. Box or a job reference number is provided)
Those sent to recruiters
Cover Letters Sent to a Specific Person
When you have the hiring manager's name, always use it in the salutation -- no exceptions. This personalizes the letter and shows attention to detail on your part. In the opening paragraph, state the job for which you're applying, as the hiring manager may have posted for numerous company openings that week. In the body of your cover letter, detail all of the qualifications and skills you have that relate to this new job opening.
Cover Letters Sent in Response to a "Blind" Posting
Newspaper ads often request that jobseekers send resumes and cover letters to a P.O. Box, with no indication of the company's name or the hiring manager's identity. Similarly, online jobseekers will find that job reference numbers are often the only identification provided. In each of these cases, the cover letter content remains the same: showcase your experience and qualification as they relate to the new position. Rather than using the outdated "Dear Sir or Madam," however -- or even worse, "To Whom It May Concern" -- drop the salutation altogether and write:
Re: Job Reference # (then include the number in the job posting)
OR
Re: Assistant Store Manager's Position
After that reference, leave a blank line, then begin the cover letter's first paragraph.
Cover Letters Sent to Recruiters
Companies hire recruiters to find the appropriate employee (you) for a certain position. Because of this, your cover letter must be clear about your preferred industry and position, your travel or relocation preferences, and your salary considerations (if negotiable, include this information). The remainder of your cover letter will contain the same data as a cover letter you would send to a specified hiring manager or a "blind" posting -- that is, you will include your skills and qualifications as they relate to your preferred industry and position. In other words, you will be selling yourself to a recruiter, rather than to a hiring manager.
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