Cover letters

[Dracula Girl]

Couple questions if you know the answer.

When I write my cover letter to relate more to the job qualifications or job activities?

If I am applying through a general HR dept., do I write my letter to the HR people or to the head of the department that the job is in? And who do I follow up with if I can do so?

Thanks.

[Jin-Roh]

I think that all depends on the job you are applying for and such. I would first, before applying for a job, get a name of who is going to read it. Even if you suspect that the cover letter might be read by several people, I would start with who I think is most likely to be the hiring manager. Snoping around a company website will eventually get you that, or at least a few friendly emails.

I think most employers are just looking for someone who can right an interesting, eye-catching, and not drab cover letter more than they are looking for matching qualifications in the cover letter. Companies hire 70% on attitude, or so I've been told. Also, make sure when you write a cover letter you are very consious of what the other person wants.

Also, it sound cheesy (but it works), but there are actually a list of words that proven to be pesuasive. The other's person;s name and "you" big ones. The word "because" works well too. Lately, when I've been selling Cutco, I tell people "don't think about Christmas" and it works pretty well.