Alan Stutts | Professor | Author

Hospitality Job Search

May 3, 2007 on 10:02 am | In Uncategorized |

Jessica jobseeker is specific. She conveys enthusiasm. She clearly has researched Great Big Hotel and knows what their current needs are. Without repeating her resume, she has included enough information about her work history, achievements, and education to show that she more than meets the requirements of the job.

Follow these guidelines when writing each cover letter.

” Direct your letter to a specific person. Include the person’s full name, title, company name, and company address. If you cannot get a name, use a job title, if known. Avoid saying “To whom it may concern.”

” Include your full name, address, and contact information. Many experts recommend you create a personal letterhead to use for cover letters.

” Use a formal greeting (Mr., Ms., Dr.) in the salutation if you know the addressees gender. Never assume gender. Do not open a letter “Dear Sir” if you are not certain the addressee is male.

” If you do not have a name, your salutation line should use a job title, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Employer”

” Do not address the person by their first name unless you already know them personally have permission to use their first name.

” Write 2 or 3 paragraphs at most. The paragraphs should have no. more than five or six lines. Use short sentences. The reader has hundreds of cover letters to read and will appreciate brevity.

” Type the letter and the envelope or create it on your computer and print it on a laser printer. If you do not have a laser printer, take a disk to Kinkos or the library and print it on their laser printer.

” Center your margins.

” Use standard English and avoid slang.

” Double-check your spelling and grammar.

” Use standard white paper. Make this the best quality stationary paper you can afford. Do not print your cover letter on copy paper or any paper that is less than 60 lb weight. Look for “bright white” paper if you are buying printer paper.

” Sign your name with ink, preferably with a fountain pen. A good roller ball pen is the next best choice.