candidates. However, don't force it in at the expense of the flow of the letter - the resume may accommodate it more naturally.

Be sure to include, in some form, a request for an interview. Unless you are responding to an advertised position, it's also advisable to include a plan of action, such as "I will call you next week" to make sure your application doesn't get overlooked. If you are responding to an advertisement, the employer generally has a time frame for contacting applicants and your call may be more irritating than advantageous. In this case, the best course is to state that "I will look forward to hearing from you" and provide thorough contact information.

When you finish writing, edit the letter to make sure every sentence adds to the goal of the letter, and eliminate any that does not. Read the letter aloud to make sure the tone is conversational, and weed out any stilted language.

Following are some final tips for your letter:

•  Use good quality bond paper that matches your resume.

•  Use proper business format.

•  Have someone review your letter for spelling, grammar and typos.

•  Be concise. Do not exceed one page. A space between paragraphs makes the letter more inviting to the eye.

•  Be honest. Always be able to back up your claims.

Your letter and resume can be sent in either a matching #10 business envelope or a 9x12 envelope. The larger envelope gives the advantage of allowing your documents to remain unfolded.

Melissa K. Barnes has been the Director of Career Services at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania for seven years. Prior to that she worked in the career services field at Westminster College in Pennsylvania , Bryant College in Rhode Island , and Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts . She has a Master's Degree in Counseling from Springfield College and a Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of New Hampshire .

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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