This is an actual cover letter I wrote for a job I got. Do NOT take it as any kind of model. There are many things I'd write differently now. (It's too long!) I don't know if I got the job because of the letter or in spite of it! I had better information than usual about what they were looking for. I wrote this in 1991. This worked for a high-tech job at a startup in 1991; it might not be appropriate for other situations. Dear Sir or Madam In regard to the software engineer position you advertised in Sunday’s Globe, I have the technical, business, and scientific background you need. I have the technical background you need. In 1988, [Company name] hired me to program in C (the language background you specify, on the Macintosh (a graphical user environment you mention). After completing the project, I moved on to advanced development using Smalltalk, the original object-oriented programming language. A company seeking to incorporate object-oriented thinking into their overall methodology will find me valuable both as technician and as teacher. At [Company name] I provided software that scientists used for real-time control of psychophysical experiments. I have already controlled lights with software, although on a time scale of seconds rather than hours. I have the business background you need. I am a software engineer, not a computer scientist. My goal is building products that please, not just satisfy, customers. At Wang, one individual at director level has described me as having “business sense;” another has said I have “product feel.” And I have the scientific background you need. I studied circadian rhythms in graduate school. I will be able to understand not just your empirical methods but the models and biological theory behind them. I will be glad to provide any further information, such as salary history and references. Call me at [phone number] to arrange a meeting. Sincerely yours...

I live in the US. I'm _not_ an expert on job hunting. Here's what I think about them: --I've always written an individual cover letter for each employer. --There isn't any set pattern or model to follow. --It should be very short, definitely less than a page. --The tone should be very direct. Not too informal, but don't "beat about the bush." The reader should be able to understand the points you're trying to make very quickly --It's a chance to present things that do not show in the résumé. --The résumé includes lots of things. The cover letter should include only your very strongest points. --It's a chance to influence the questions that will be asked in the interview. --Above all, it's a chance to point out specific matches between you and the job.

Every cover letter is an introduction of who you are and what your qualifications are in reference to the job you are looking for. I don't think it has anything to do with cultures of different countries. The bottom line is never sell youself short.:-)

When writing a cover letter in America you should include the following: 1st Paragraph - Where you found out about the position and what position you are applying for. (very short) 2nd Paragraph - All of your experience and related skills that would make you a great candidate for the position. 3rd Paragraph - Include your contact information again and reiterate your interest in working there. (very short) I hope this helps!

In the US, I think one of the keys is to personalize your cover letter for each position. Explain why you're applying for that particular position; what about THAT job interests you . However, it's a balancing act between explaining why you'd be great for the job and explaining how you can benefit the company. A hiring manager will see through a generic or "self-centered" cover letter pretty quickly. Yes, sell yourself well, but don't go overboard and don't forget that the company really wants to know what you can do for them, not what they can do for you. Also, cover letter tone varies somewhat depending on the industry you're applying in. I would write a cover letter differently for a nonprofit than I would for a top financial services firm.