Applying for a Waste Management Job: How to Write a Cover Letter

Career Trend reports:

"Research the company and the position you're applying for. Think about how your skills can best fit into their current and future situation including any experience with waste management, even if you did not work for a waste management firm. Get ideas about what information you'll need by looking at sample cover letters in books and online. Begin with your name, address, phone number and email address at the top of the page. Write a greeting that is professional including the hiring manager's name if known or their proper job title, such as Dear Mr. Smith or Head of the Waste Management Department. Have your resume and a list of your skills ready. Include the skills that are appropriate to the job including any jobs in waste management, or companies and positions you have worked in that worked with waste management. Refer to the position that you're applying for and write the job reference number if there is one and mention where you viewed the posting. Demonstrate that you've researched the company as well as the job. Include information on how your skills fit into the requirements of the position and how you can be an asset to the company. Avoid overuse of 'I' and 'me' as well as contractions throughout the letter. Explore in more detail something on your resume that relates to the position and include some new information in addition to what is in your resume. Mention any experience in the waste management world...as well as experience that is similar to waste management. Include the name, company and position of anyone you know in waste management. End your cover letter by stating the best time and method for contacting you. Keep the letter to under a page, under three paragraphs and remain positive throughout. Go back and reread your letter and check for spelling and grammar mistakes. Thank them for their time and sign it if mailing the letter...When mailing or providing a cover letter in person, be sure to use higher quality paper. Emailed cover letters need a catchy subject line and should not use fancy fonts. The first paragraph should include key information about the position you're applying for and why you are interested; the second paragraph includes the details of why you're qualified and your final paragraph tells how they can get in touch with you and thank them...Do not include salary requirements or why you need the position in the cover letter. Do not use the same cover letter for every position you apply for...Do not send a cover letter to a generic department...or person...If you do not know the correct person, try to find out the position title of the person who is hiring for that job."