When you are applying for an acting job, there are many things you need to take care of. You need to draft a good looking resume and a cover letter to send alongside with your headshots. The whole package you send to the casting department is extremely important as this is your first and perhaps the only chance of making an impression. People who are responsible for casting receive hundreds of resumes and it's a difficult task to sift through them to find the perfect candidate. Your cover letter should be such that it stands out amongst the hundred others and strengthens your chances of getting the role.

FEATURES OF A GOOD COVER LETTER

A cover letter is like a sales copy. It's a very important opportunity for you to grab the attention of the casting department and sell your skills. A good cover letter should have the following characteristics-

1. Written on good quality paper- First things first. If you are submitting the hard copy of your resume and cover letter, make sure that you use high grade paper. The surface should be smooth and feel good in hand. Using a cheap quality paper will make you come off as a non serious candidate.

2. Use good grammar- A cover letter is a formal job application. Therefore, make sure that you follow grammar rules while drafting your application. Make sure that there are no spelling mistakes. Your writing should be properly structured and coherent. If you make simple mistakes in your cover letter, you will be taken as a careless person and it can seriously hamper your chances.

3. Keep it simple- Casting directors go through hundreds of resumes. They are unlikely to read all the letters from the beginning till the end. Therefore, it is important that you keep your letter short and concise. The purpose of the cover letter is to give you an opportunity to introduce yourself to the casting director. Keep your information relevant and short.

4. Do not include all your achievements- A we said, a cover serves the purpose of an introductory document. Its aim should be to make the casting director interested in your application. Therefore, if you have a long list of achievements, a cover letter is not the best place to talk about it. Don't mention more than two-three of your most recent achievements. Keep the rest for the resume.

5. Be formal and polite- Make sure that your application looks formal and professional. Don't use slangs and unnecessary abbreviations. Also, don't sound overconfident while describing your abilities and achievements. Use proper salutations while opening and closing your letter. Also make sure that you put your signature with pen even if you have typed your letter. This adds a personal touch to the letter.

These were some of the characteristics a good cover letter should have. Now let's look at the basic components of a cover letter. A cover letter should never exceed 3-4 paragraphs. Every cover letter should have-

1. A Beginning- This is the introduction part of your letter. Here you can tell something about yourself and how you came to know about the job you are applying for. Also tell them why you are interested in the role you are applying for. Make this section brief and not more than 3-4 sentences.

2. A Middle- This is a very important part of your cover letter. Here you have to talk about yourself and why do you think you qualify for the role. You can mention your skills and training. You can also talk about some of your most recent achievements. However make sure that you keep this section brief and to the point. Also, use simple language and make sure that your strengths are highlighted in this paragraph.

3. An End- This is again a very short paragraph, of two-three lines. End the letter with a thank you and make a mention of your resume and headshots which you have enclosed with the cover letter.

If you keep the above guidelines in mind while drafting your cover letter, you can be assured of making a positive impact on the casting director and getting a callback for the auditions.