Decide which skills you want to highlight by reviewing the job description. Select one experience to emphasize in depth, or briefly discuss how a few experiences you have had demonstrate a particular skill. Remember, you can connect both volunteer experiences and job-related experiences with the skill set you have developed.



Here is an example:

Dear Mr. Blanton:

I am writing to express my interest in the social media marketing position at ______ (company). I believe my work-related experience and my passion for the field make me an excellent candidate to join your creative team.

I graduated last spring with a marketing major from ____ University. During my senior year, I worked part time as a media consultant with the local Boys and Girls Club. In the position, I redesigned the group's web page and updated or added the group to several social media accounts. The Boys and Girls Club realized a 20 percent increase in membership over the six months I handled these accounts.

This summer I have been working as an intern at _____ (company). I feel the experience I have gained is directly transferable to the position I seek. Primarily, I have worked on monitoring the company's Facebook page, and I have learned so much about what works and what does not in terms of the company's engagement with its clients.

I look forward to contributing my skills and experiences to the social media marketing position at [company]. I hope to have the opportunity to speak with you further about how I can be an asset to your team.

Sincerely,

Your name

Your address

Your phone/e-mail

An e-mailed cover letter should not include every aspect of your career path thus far. Your resume will relate that information. Simply take out what piece of the puzzle shows you in a positive light and emphasize that piece.

After completing your e-mail, take the time to read it over carefully to check for typos and other errors. If possible, have a friend read it over for content and/or send it to yourself so you can see it with fresh eyes.

If you have used a hiring manager's last name in your e-mail, double-check that you have spelled it correctly. Remember what the old adage says about only having one chance to make a first impression.

Before you hit send, there is one more thing to consider. What day of the week is it? Believe it or not, the day you send your job search e-mail can have an effect on whether it is read or not.

According to research by HubSpot, Tuesdays through Thursdays are the best days of the week to send an e-mail. The hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. are when e-mail volume is at its peak, so sending your message first thing in the morning (by 8 a.m.) or later in the afternoon, may increase its chances of being opened. Avoid Fridays and late-night submissions.

Also, unless you just heard about the position and have no other choice, avoid sending your application at the last minute. If a job application is closing at 5 p.m. on a Friday, and you send it over at 4:55 p.m., you may be noticed and not in a good way. You may give the impression that you do things at the last minute.

Writing a professional job search e-mail takes a little time and effort, but the results are worth it. A well-written and concise e-mail reveals your sense of professionalism and your attention to detail.