8

I'm an engineer with a fair knowledge of the English language. I can converse with people in English and write as well, but now I'm interested in learning to write cover letters and blogs. I see plenty of books on writing letters in different ways; however, I am still left with the following questions:

  1. In what format can I write a cover letter?
  2. Can I include technical terms in a cover letter?
  3. Are cover letters sent through email differently than written letters?
Improve this question
2
  • 1
    Rudra, welcome to Writers! Nice question. You might also get some good information from this related question.
    – Goodbye Stack Exchange
    Dec 30, 2013 at 22:37
  • What is the cover letter for? There are plenty of different things one might require such a letter for, and there may be subtle differences in what should be included in each.
    – Jules
    Dec 31, 2013 at 18:08

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
4

I think post by sotondolphin (based on info in the included link) is pretty good, but I have the following disagreements / additions:

  1. Make it mistake-free. [Many hirers' attitude is, "If they can't avoid mistakes in a cover letter, then it's guaranteed their work will be even sloppier after I hire them."]
  2. I disagree about the technical terms. Often, HR staff don't read cover letters or resumes/CVs; they just look for buzzwords. The right buzzwords get you passed along to the next level.
  3. A corollary to that is: Your cover letter is for the people for/with whom you'll actually be working. Speak to them, not the HR staff.
  4. If you want the job, then YOU get back to THEM, not the other way around. [p.s. The same goes for getting a date, or (since this is a writer's site) getting something published. :-) ]
Improve this answer
3
  1. A cover Letter has a fixed structure:
    • The first paragraph describes which position you are applying for and where you found the position.
    • The second paragraph explains why you think you are suitable for this position.
    • The third paragraph is set for follow-up actions you are expecting or you may take (such as hearing from you or "I will call you to discuss more details", etc). Also, keep the cover letter to one page.
  2. I reckon you use as few technical terms as possible because the covering letter is usually read by HR staff, they merely need to know your general working experience.
  3. There are significant differences between an email cover letter and one sent by post, in the header and footer sections. In brief, you don't need header information in an email (addressee info, date, sender name and address, etc) and length isn't as big of a deal in an email, although you still should keep an email cover letter short. You may find more info on this page.
Improve this answer
5
  • Why did someone downvote this post, from a totally new member? Just because it paraphrases another website (which it references)? That is unwelcoming, if not plain rude, IMO. I'm upvoting.
    – dmm
    Dec 30, 2013 at 22:16
  • 1
    @dmm - I'm puzzled as well. It's a good answer, and I upvoted it too. Although it could quote more from the link, I don't think that's worthy of downvoting. (In OP's favor, that link is hard to summarize without just quoting all of it.)
    – Goodbye Stack Exchange
    Dec 30, 2013 at 22:40
  • @sotondolphin - I've tried to summarize the link, as well as done some other edits, but please feel free to revert or further change my edits.
    – Goodbye Stack Exchange
    Dec 30, 2013 at 22:48
  • It's a good answer except for point 2. If you can't correctly name things you'll be working with, it's a sure-fire sign to your employer that you have no clue about them. HR can skip words they don't understand. Your future team will judge you by how you used them. (possible exception: you're taking the single, sole position nobody in the company ever occupied before, doing something nobody there has any clue about. Then you may go lighter on deep jargon.)
    – SF.
    Dec 31, 2013 at 9:02
  • Why do you need header information in 2017? I.e. why do you need to add the adress etc. I understand that you need to have at least the name and contact details, but I really dont understand the address? Any thoughts?
    – WJA
    Mar 6, 2017 at 22:22
2

1. In what format can I write a cover letter?

Read the job posting carefully and see if they have any requirements, number one priority is to follow all instructions exactly.

In general you want to start by stating the position you're applying for. After that you can use any format you'd like if you believe it will be professional and beneficial. There is no set format and I've gotten interviews from single paragraph cover letters, and from lengthy ones consisting of 5 or 6 paragraphs. It is about the structure, content, and reason. Just as any writing - say what needs to be said and remove the rest.

2. Can I include technical terms in a cover letter?

Absolutely. I would be be careful not to repeat your résumé though. If you state in your résumé, "skill in technical term" then there is no reason to repeat yourself in the cover letter.

3. Are cover letters sent through email different from written letters?

In general, not really. Just make sure that any minor changes needed are made. For example in an email you might say somewhere "My résumé is attached in both .pdf and .doc for your convenience." Which wouldn't make sense if mailing it in.

MOST IMPORTANT: Follow any instructions given. If the company specifies to state something, state it. If they ask for a format, use it. If they want a particular filetype, do it.

Improve this answer
2
  • Follow instructions. Yes. If you can't follow instructions when applying, why would I hire you? (Same deal as having typos.)
    – dmm
    Dec 31, 2013 at 3:26
  • Also, I would add that you should repeat the exact phrases that are in the job description if you are including technical terms. That is, if it says "C# programmer", don't write "proficiency with .Net", write C# programmer. HR won't know that it means the same thing or better, so it won't get checked off on the list and it might not get passed on then.
    – Kit Z. Fox
    Jan 3, 2014 at 18:20

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.