An Instructional Designer Cover Letter should highlight those qualities and professional virtues of the candidate that combine to make a skilled instructional designer. In today's world of cut throat competition, mere possession of skills and qualifications is not enough - the way you present them is also important. And the lesser number of words you use to do so, the better. This helps the recruiter to shortlist your job application - and he has got less than a minute to do so. Cover letters should, therefore, be informative and to the point.
The purpose of a cover letter is to fill the gaps left by the resume. The resume is essentially a technical document that is send to different employers. Candidates usually do not customize their resume for each employer. The tailor made approach is used with the cover letter. The cover letter puts the job application in a broader context. It also explains the reasons the candidate feels he is eligible for employment with the organization in question. In short, the cover letter sheds valuable light on the possible areas of connect between the organization and the candidate, as felt by the candidate.
Instructional Design Cover Letters must highlight the capacity of the candidate to design instruction manuals that support the technical products of the company. This includes the resourcefulness to technically understand the product, define the requirements of the manual, and to describe it in a language that non technical persons can understand. Knowledge of multimedia tools is essential and so is the ability to teach or instruct when acting as an internal instructor or trainer.
Let us go through an example of instructional designer cover letter:
Date: November 15, 2011
Joseph Emerson
480 7th Street
Wamego, KS 66547
785-456-7487
joe_emerson@hotmail.com
Joel Fraser
Human Resource Executive
DePoint Cooling Systems
13000 Nall Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66209
Dear Mr. Fraser,
With reference to your advertisement in the "The New York Times", dated November 4, 2011, I hereby submit my application for the post of an Instructional Designer with the Refrigeration Section of your esteemed organization. I have seven years of experience in designing manuals for refrigerators and training new recruits on the design aspects of refrigerators. I am looking for an opening with a growing company, like yours, where my competence will find the right environment.
I am well experienced with designing and actually preparing the instruction manuals for all kinds of refrigerators of all capacities, ranging from small domestic ones to massive commercial refrigerators. I am more skilled with the design of manuals for large industrial / commercial refrigerators. My expertise in this field has also made me eligible for training new recruits. I am well versed with the coordination needed with the research and production department. I have also been a member of interdepartmental trouble shooting teams and I have received excellent feedback from team leaders and clients for my work in this capacity.
My qualification as a mechanical engineer technically qualifies me for the job. Certification in technical writing and a project in Industrial Refrigeration during the final year of graduation are additional technical eligibilities. Furthermore, I have a soothing and mature way of communication that has been an asset when dealing with clients, especially the irate ones.
It will be a pleasure to work with an expanding and improving organization known for its coherent work culture. If given the opportunity, I will put my considerable talents to full application with your organization. I am looking forward to have a pleasant time with your organization. You can get in touch with me on the telephone number or email id.
Yours Sincerely,
(Joseph Emerson)
Instructional Designer Cover Letters need to emphasize the efficiency of the candidate as someone who can capture requirements; design manuals accordingly, work in teams, instruct or teach, and solve problems as and when they arise. And since the position requires dealing with clients, good communication and interpersonal skills also need to be highlighted.