Cover Letter Do's and Don'ts

Do's:

• Write to a specific person (not "To whom it may concern")
• Call the company and ask the operator whom to address your pilot resume to if not certain
• Personalize your cover letter body to that particular airline; no one cover letter for all employers!
• Bullet your significant qualifications
• Use the same paper as you used to print out your resume
• Have another set of eyes proofread
• Highlight how the company would benefit by hiring you. Avoid using "I" too many times
• Name drop in the first sentence if applicable
• 24 lb or heavier white or off-white paper works best
• Use the enclosure (enc.) statement below your signature
• Sign it

Don'ts

• Any spelling or grammar errors
• Make it wordy or lengthy. You have mere seconds to grab an airline's attention
• Exaggerate or lie
• Have different times on your cover letter than are on your resume
• Be pushy or demanding for an interview
• Not using bullet points to highlight qualifications
• Slang or cliches
• Write in email-style colloquialism. It needs to be written in good old fashioned, professional style.
• Forget to sign your signature with black or blue ink
• Send a resume without a cover letter
• Use paper clips to hold together your cover letter and resume
• Hand write address information on the envelope