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October 6, 2005
The Key to a Great Cover Letter...
I can feel the excitement now - I am about to reveal the key to writing a great cover letter! Drum roll please........... And the key to a winning cover letter is: the first sentence!
What?!? This isn't new! At least I hope it isn't anything new. Since you started learning how to write your teacher has been telling you to open an effective opening is the key to a great document. Well, nothing changes when you write a cover letter. If you want to get the employer's attention, you need to start out your cover letter with an effective opening sentence.
I hope you're not disappointed that the key is so simple. I also hope that next time you write a cover letter that you'll spend a little more time on the all-important first sentence. "I saw your ad in the newspaper" is not an effective opening, but if you've been reading the Cover Letter Blog you already knew that.
So, how do you write an effective opening? Make them want to find out more about you. Be original! Try to write something that they've never read before. Get their attention right away and you'll have a much better chance of getting the interview you need.
Posted by Jon at October 6, 2005 1:58 PM