Résumés, Cover Letters, Interviews: Cover and Thank You Letters

A cover letter is often your first contact with a prospective employer.  But the real purpose is more than just acting as a written handshake.  The bottom line in writing a cover letter is for you is to convince the reader of the letter to look at your résumé.  The keys to achieve this are to

• Tailor the letter to each situation. Don't write the same stock/generic letter for each job you pursue. Make it personal and individualize the letter for the personnel and organization to whom you write.
• Show why it would be in their interest to hire you. Don't bother explaining why you want to work for them; your interest is obvious since you're applying. Instead show what you have to offer, referring specifically to the abilities and experiences identified in the job listing. Show why you are the perfect fit for the job and why they will win if they hire you.

This site from Virginia Tech covers different types of cover letters and gives a few examples.

Create a Winning Cover Letter Tips on what to include in a cover letter and what should stay in the résumé.

myFuture.com includes some common mistakes in cover letters and gives an example of an online cover letter. 

Ask a Manager contrasts a poor and a good letter.

The Purdue Online Writing Lab gives a down and dirty guide to writing cover letters.

The Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Job-Search Cover Letters

Entry Level Cover Letter Examples

Email Guidelines and Etiquette  Covers using a clear subject line, who to address your email to and why you should not apply for a job using your seXXXygirl@ email account. 

Sending a thank you note is an important part of the interview process. It is not only proper etiquette but it will single you out from other interviewees who might not have sent one. It is best to write the note the day after the interview but don’t let more than three days go by without doing so. The letter should go to the “host” for the interview and others with whom you spoke. Thank them for their time and consideration. If you are interested in the position, make this known. If you are not, tactfully convey that information.

Some sample thank you letters.

Monster.com says the thank you letter can help improve your chances.

Virginia Tech discusses the purpose and form of the thank you letter.