Sample Cover Letter, Remarks |
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Buena Vista Drive Lawrence, Kansas 66044 785-555-1212 Human Resources November 22, 1999 Dear Director, I am responding to your request for a technical writer which appeared in the Kansas City Star (11/21). I have a unique combination of technical writing, internet experience, and leadership skills which can be useful to your company. I am very interested in this position. As a technical writer for a health care company located in Topeka, Kansas, much of my job consisted of writing technical documentation for end users of our products. More specifically, I wrote software user manuals and on-line help files. I also wrote equipment (both service and user) manuals for the electrical stimulation products we manufactured and sold to nursing facilities. While preparing manuals, I also tested the software; I reported bugs to the software development team. I often worked with field staff (such as end user representatives) and suggested changes I felt would heighten our end users' understanding of the software. I wrote help files which we included in the software via RoboHELP. In addition to writing technical documentation, I researched ways to keep documentation costs down without compromising the needs of our end users. As our customers were inexperienced computer users with no technical background, I often prepared "how to" material such as detailed instructions on dial-up connections and loading software. Our success at educating our customers as well as moving toward on-line documentation (and away from mailing paper copies of manuals) saved us thousands of dollars in 1998. I see all documentation projects as exciting challenges. I take pride in producing documentation that maximizes customer product knowledge (and satisfaction) while staying sensitive to budget and time restraints. I work well under time-sensitive deadlines. I learn new technologies quickly; I have a keen ability to put technical thoughts and concepts into readable, concise documentation. I work well as a team and independently. I feel I can contribute to your company’s continued success through my documentation expertise. To this end, I am eager to discuss my qualifications and possible employment with you any time at your convenience. Please feel free to call me at (785) 555-1212 (home) and leave a voice mail message if necessary. Sincerely Yours,
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Remarks on each paragraph. If you do not have a specific name and title, just use Dear Director. Include an opening paragraph stating the position for which you are applying as well as where you saw the job announcement. Provide a brief second paragraph stating your experiences. Do not be too complete; they can read your resume! Outline those skills you have beyond the job requirement (if you think it will be a "bonus" for you) in a possible third paragraph. Provide one "brag" paragraph (fourth). What have you done that's more than merely part of the job description. Any success stories? Toot your horn here! Tell about who you are as a worker (shown here in the fifth paragraph). What extra skills do you have that make you a "catch." Provide a short-but-sweet closing paragraph. Make sure they know how to reach you! Sincerely Yours is among the most professional closings. Skip three to four lines before typing your name. STOP! If you wrote more than one page, you've gone too far! You've written too much! You MUST keep the cover letter to one page. Good Luck! |