The key element to remember before you write your cover letter is that this is a business document. This is a formal document where you will provide a brief overview of your skills and qualifications to a potential employer and it should be treated as such.
You will want to start with the date, your address, and the company address. Sometimes you won't have the company name or address, especially if you are applying online, so it's ok to leave it blank if that's the case. The job listing may give the company name so you may be able to get the address from viewing their website. Always try to get as much information as you can so the document looks as professional as possible.
Another part of your cover letter that you want to pay special attention to is the salutation. This is where you will want to address the specific person at the company that the letter is going to. Again, with online job postings you may not have a specific name to use. You can use the standard "To Whom It May Concern" but a name is always best.
Also, never assume that someone is a Miss/Mrs./Mr. They could have a first name like Terry or Pat. These names are used for both genders so never assume they are male or female unless you know for sure.
Tomorrow we will talk about the body of your cover letter and what should and shouldn't be included there.
Questions on how you should format your cover letter? Feel free to ask us in the comments below.
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