What a Covering Letter Should Consist

Why this job?

If you know why you want the job you are applying for, great, tell the employer. However, if your reasons are along the line of 'I need a job' or 'I need some money' or 'I don't know what else is available' or 'I need to know more about your organization or the job available before I can answer that', then it is best to not write anything. You have to show the employer that you have taken time to research and found this 'perfect' job for you.

There are many ways to find out about a job and an organization. Any career center should have something on jobs in all industries. Your public libraries or job centers should also have tons of information. You can also look online. Find out about the company, the department you are applying for, the job description, and anything else you can about that job.

Nowadays, employers are looking for specifics. In the past, below statements may have worked.

"Your company has an international reputation for providing outstanding opportunities in a variety of career areas", or

"I am particularly impressed with your management trainee program which is among the best in the business"

However, times have changed and these statements are simply space fillers and inane declarations. The do not say anything valuable about you, your knowledge of the company as related to the position. Out of all the candidates, the employer probably reads a lot of this impersonal statements and how great these job seekers think of their company. But, how many actually manage to convey personality and stand out.

An employer reads and evaluates how realistic and focused you are about the industry, the company and what the position has to offer you at this point in your career. Talking about what you know and how good of an asset you will be for the company in your cover letter will grab the employer's attention. If they see the above two statements, they would think that you put together your cover letter in your sleep, spent less time on it than you take to brush your teeth and did not care much about the job you are applying for.