What was your area of education? What are your past experiences? Have you had a job in the past that you enjoyed? Consider whether you intend this as a career or as a temporary job. You might be more willing to compromise over a temporary job than over a lifelong career.
Recruiters will typically say so if they recruit for certain jobs and positions, so make sure you read their website or posting carefully.
Read Make a Resume for tips on putting together a strong resume.
Place your name, title, and address on the top left of the paper. Place the date below this. Put the person’s name, title, and address below this. Address the person appropriately. Start with “Dear Mr. " or “Dear Mrs. " Have 1-inch margins around the paper and use single spacing. Don’t indent, just use a double space in between paragraphs. Use an easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman or Arial, in 12-point font. End with “Sincerely,” then leave 4 lines so you can manually sign your name. Below this, type your name and title.
If you’re unaware of the recipient’s gender, then use the person’s full name after “Dear. "
The opening sentence should read something like: “I am writing with interest in being matched with a job in sales and customer service. "
A good introduction would be: “I am a recent graduate of Rutgers University, where I majored in management. "
Recruiters may or may not advertise the companies that they work with. If the recruiter you’re writing to has made this information public, mention the specific companies you’re interested in working for. This demonstrates that you’re a serious candidate who has done research into the job you want.
Remember that this section shouldn’t just restate your resume; the recruiter already has your resume. What it should do is elaborate on some points that don’t get fully covered on your resume. For example, you may have done an internship for a semester. This is only one line on your resume, but you can elaborate on how it gave you invaluable skills and experience for the job you’re seeking. You can also bring up experience that isn’t on your resume. For example, tutoring your neighbor might not be suitable for a resume, but you can mention how this experience gave you a sense of responsibility, which will help you in the job you’re seeking.
Look at the transferable skills you’ve attained. For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, you might not think your stock worker position at a retail store gave you much experience. But if you dealt with customers, that means you’ve gained customer service experience. These skills easily transfer over to dealing with potential clients for your company. If you’ve never had a job, things you’ve done in school can also be applicable. You might have given a classroom presentation. That means you have public speaking experience. Other classroom experience that gives you job skills are the ability to meet deadlines, multitask, and work under pressure.
Your closing should sound something like this: “As you can see from my qualifications, I am an ideal candidate for a position in sales and marketing. I greatly look forward to hearing from you and speaking further. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. "
