Jane Hurst

 

Jobs in the ECO market are on the rise. If you are looking for a new job in one of these careers you will need to have a good cover letter and resume. People usually pay more attention to their resumes, but their cover letters are just as important. Here are eight tips for writing an ECO job cover letter.

  1. Research– Before beginning your cover letter you should research the company where you are applying. Find out who their hiring manager is and what their mission statement is. Look for key words at their website and be sure to see what they are doing to proactively help the environment. The more information you have, the better your cover letter will be.
  2. Correct address – Make sure you address the letter correctly. You do not want your resume going to an incorrect address. Double check that you have spelled the name of the hiring manager correctly. You will be addressing the letter to the hiring manager. If you cannot find the name of the hiring manager, you can address the letter to the company and write “To whom it may concern” as the heading.
  3. Heading– Make sure your heading – your name and address above the company’s name and address includes your personal website and your LinkedIn address along with your snail mail address and your email. Be sure to read over this information in case you accidentally write something incorrectly. If the hiring manager tries to get in touch with you and they cannot because the information you provided is incorrect, they will just put your cover letter and resume aside.
  4. Basics– Single space your cover letter and align to the left. Use one inch margins and choose your font wisely. This is a business document and you want to be sure your font is legible and business like. No comic sans. While you should single space this document, you should double space between paragraphs and sections. Format your cover letter in a business style and do not exceed one page.
  5. Introduction– Start your cover letter by introducing yourself and let the hiring manager know which job you are applying for. Sometimes companies have more than one position open and if you do not specify which position you are applying for your resume will be put aside. This is the time your research into the company will come in handy. Let them know what skills you have that will match the job. If you can use keywords from the company website that will help keep the hiring manager’s attention.
  6. Body– This is where you will explain why you want to work for the company. You should briefly include any work you have done (volunteer or otherwise) that has been good for the environment. Also you should show specific reasons why you want to work for the company. For instance, if it is a small company you can say you enjoy collaboration within a small group. Use your research to shape this part of your cover letter.
  7. Close– You want to end your letter with a simple but commanding statement. Invite the hiring manager to call you. Be sure to include your phone number and email again so the hiring manager does not have to search for them. Keep your closing short and simple. Make sure to double check your call back information to be sure it is correct. You can suggest that the hiring manager check out your personal website that will have more information about you than your cover letter and resume combined. If you do not have a personal website, consider developing one. This is a great addition to a resume and cover letter.
  8. Prepare– Start preparing your resume. Make sure it is accurate and legible. Be sure to highlight any classes, work, or certificates that pertain to the job you are looking for. You also want to proofread both your resume and cover letter and make sure you have no mistakes. Make sure everything is lined up and formatted well. Also take the time to prepare for an interview. Make sure you have something appropriate to wear and quiz yourself using interview questions you can find online. Take a deep breath and put your best self forward.
Jane Hurst is a writer, editor and avid traveler from San Francisco, CA. 

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