Job Resources
All-Purpose Cover Letters, Career-Change Cover Letters, Cover Letters for Entrepreneurs and Cover Letters for People Seeking Their First Job in Their Field
In this section you will find cover letters which are “cousins” of each other. In general, the cover letters in this section are written for people who need a very creative and resourceful cover letter. These cover letters are designed to accompany resumes of individuals trying to embark on a course of employment which is different from what they have been doing most recently.
The All-Purpose Cover Letter: In a job hunt, the all-purpose cover letter can be a time saver because it can serve as a “standard” or “model” or “template” which you can use each time you send out your resume. You may wish to modify it from time to time, but the all-purpose cover letter is there, already written, often in your computer, when you see an ad you want to answer or when you identify an employer whom you wish to contact in order to explore suitable opportunities for someone of your skills and abilities. The all-purpose cover letter can be used for employers in your current field or for employers in other industries.
Career-Change Cover Letters: Career-change cover letters are designed to help you find employment in a new field or industry. In this type of cover letter, you must “make sense” of yourself to the prospective employer. Otherwise, the prospective employer may look at your resume and ask himself, “Why is an air traffic controller writing to me about this marketing job?” The career-change cover letter is the employer’s first impression of you and can explain why you are approaching him or her.
Cover Letters for Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs and self-employed managers in a job hunt are viewed with respect (everyone knows how difficult it is to start up a company) and with suspicion (most employers suspect that entrepreneurs really want to work for themselves and would have a hard time having a boss). Their cover letters must reach out personally to prospective employers and explain why the prospective employer’s business is of interest. The entrepreneur is seeking to establish
credibility and trust in this type of cover letter.
Seeking First Job in Field: Most people know the frustration of not having any experience in the field in which they are seeking employment. There are particular techniques that should be used when writing a cover letter to try to obtain the first job in one’s field. This type of cover letter “builds a bridge” to a new field. Ms. Chika’s cover letter, which was used as an example on page 2, is an example of this type of cover letter.
See Cover Letter sample and tips