How to write a good Cover Letter with your resume

Most recently I had posted a job opening for a continuity supervisor as well as a costume assistant and I was shocked to see the way some of the applicants responded.

In response to my post, there were quite a few emails that came. A few stood out but this one below stood out the most for all the wrong reasons 

Very Bad Email

You definitely want to get noticed but if your effort is anything like the above applicant then the likelihood of you getting the job is as short as your email irrespective of your experience. Your employer's response looking this would be WTF??

Not only do you want to stand out but make a good impression as well. If you can't take the time to write a proper email then don't expect the employer to take the time to go through your resume.

Here are a few points which you should have in your cover letter when sending your resume to anyone.

1. Subject
2. Address the person
3. Reference of the job opening
4. Highlight your capability
5. Any other request
6. Closing
7. Formatting 
8. Final tips 

example of a good email

Subject

The subject of the email should always have the following points
a) The job position
b) Your name
c) Project name (if any)

like:- 
PROJECT NAME / POSITION - YOUR NAME
RESUME: NAME - POSITION
Resume for the post of XYZ - YOUR NAME

Remember the person who has posted for the job will have multiple applicants in their inbox. So if your subject line should stand out among the many emails including other work emails that the person receives.

TIP:- Keeping your name at the end sticks out more than at the start of the subject.

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Address the person

Hi, Yo, Wassup - these are a big NO-NO even if the person you are sending the email to is your close friend. Adress the person with their name and if you don't know that or the gender use the sir/madam option.

like:-
Dear XYZ,
Dear Sir/Madam,

Always keep it formal as you never know how many people your email could be forwarded to.

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Reference of the job opening

Your next line in the email should be a reference of who or where you saw the notification of the job vacancy. If there was no post then a line stating how and where you came across the company and why you are applying to them.

like:-
This is in reference to your post on XYZ
I got your reference from XYZ

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One line highlighting your capability

After you have referenced the job position in one line state why the person should consider you.  Keep the line short and highlight your strength towards the position, that generates interest to the employer even before the CV/Showreel is opened. 

like:-
"Having been part of the industry for the last 18 years... " or
"As a hardworking individual.." or
"I think I am suited for this job because.."
"My experience with editing from the last few years..."

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Any other request

Any other request from the employer to be mentioned next but only if it asked. These would be questions posted in the job opening. 

like:-
- When can you join?
- How much ctc/salary are you expecting?
- Your experience?
- Special skills
- Please send your showreel/work experience

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Closing

This is as important as the beginning. End your email with a short line which says your ready to meet or get on a call/skype anytime. Don't forget to say thanks and in addition to your name do leave your phone no as well so that the employer can easily find it without having to open your CV.

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Formatting 

Before you send your email, select all your content and fix the font and size especially if you have copy-pasted anything into the body of the email. This helps keep everything uniform. In fact, you should make this a habit for all the emails you send out as it helps make your email look very professional.

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Final tips 

1. You need to make the effort only once in drafting an email then later you can just adapt that same content and send it to others. So take your time and draft a good one and keep.
2. If your too lazy to retype the email and hit forward then remember to delete "Fwd" in the subject.
3. Also when forwarding, remember to fix the employer's name and the reference line.
4. Remember to update your resume and links if using old email content.
5. Very Important - Please keep your cover letter as short as possible as no one will look at long emails.
6. If you have separate links to your work then its better if you make a single playlist (like on youtube) and send only 1 link. No one likes many links listed in one email.
7. Avoid attaching your showreel videos or heavy files. People could be reading your email on their phones and these may not open. Also, no one has the time to wait for big downloads to see your work. 
8. There are also chances that your email might bounce if large attachments are made.
9. DO NOT chase the person for a response, one courtesy check-in after a few days is fine but do not chase your potential employer if you do not get a response.

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Check out some other tips when applying for work that you should keep in mind.
Tips when applying for work

All the best in finding your work.