Creating the Ultimate Cover Letter

I recently served on a hiring committee and we were unanimous in our praise of the cover letters that stood out from the others. It’s a good time to be looking for work and to be creative in your search. But before you send that next resume, take the time to craft a stand-out cover letter.

In this blog post I'll give you five tips for crafting an excellent cover letter and explain why it can make all the difference in getting hired, even if your resume is less than perfect.

1. Show, don’t tell.

The cover letter is an opportunity to show the hiring manager who you are beyond your resume. Use the letter to introduce yourself and your personal brand: what sets you apart from other candidates? What makes you a great fit for this job?

You should explain how your particular experience and skills relate to the position and show how you will contribute to the organization in that role. An occasional “I am excited to apply for the [position] because” works well here (I use this phrase regularly in my own writing).

2. Stay focused on the employer’s needs and priorities.

The cover letter is not an opportunity to talk about yourself and your accomplishments; if you’ve made it to the interview stage then this is the employer’s show, so let them do the talking.

Instead, use the letter to remind yourself of what you know about this organization and its needs. Find concrete examples of how you can contribute to those needs.

3. Think like a journalist, not a novelist.

A cover letter is a sales pitch. You’re selling yourself to the hiring manager and trying to win them over. Once they’ve decided you’ve got some merit, you want to make sure you can back up your sales pitch with concrete evidence.

Your resume is your marketing material, but the cover letter needs to do the same work for you because it can sometimes be so overlooked. The hiring manager has many other candidates competing for this position, so don’t waste their time with superfluous detail.

4. Keep it short and sweet.

No more than a few paragraphs (under 2 pages if possible). Think in terms of what you CAN talk about in an interview, not in terms of what you want to tell the reader.

Be direct and to the point; the hiring manager has a lot more on their plate than reading your thoughts about how you’d like to work for them. If your background is relevant, talk about it. If it isn’t, skip it.

No one wants to read a cover letter that is too long or too flowery, so keep it succinct and stick with the format outlined below, even if it looks ridiculous.

5. Keep it simple. The best cover letters are always written in the same format:

First line: “I am applying for the [position] at [organization name].”

Second line: “I came across your posting for [position title] while searching [keywords] on [job search site], and I believe I am a great fit for this role.”

Third line: “Please find my attached resume to learn more about my background, experience and relevant skills.”

Say it, don’t write it.

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Source: http://www.coveringthegap.com/blog/creating-the-ultimate-cover-letter/#more-202316

By the way this is a fantastic article on how to write a cover letter - by Stephen Sefton at Bright Hub.

I am currently working to develop an online course that will teach job seekers how to write the perfect cover letter for their individual situations and help them get their foot in the door of a company looking for qualified candidates. This course will include the ever important "painting a picture" of yourself, the perfect job description that goes along with your personal brand, and why employers should find you "worthy" enough to hire.

I am also developing practical advice on how to write and deliver a presentation in person.

The first module will be available February 1st, 2013. Please subscribe to my blog to receive updates. I'm looking forward to helping you land your dream job!

Here is an example of a short cover letter:

Dear _______________: Thank you for considering my application for the position listed below. I am a [insert job title] by trade and have over five years of experience in the [insert field]. My skills include [insert skill set], which are outlined in my resume, attached. Thank you for taking the time to review this application. Sincerely,

Sources:

Cover letters - http://www.monster.com/career-advice/cover-letters/cover-letter-tips.aspx#axzz3A0vchwM7 Understand how to craft an effective cover letter and get tips on writing a cover letter that will score you interviews and job offers.

Cover Letters - http://www.hiringtrends.com/cover-letter-tips/ The basics of covering letters: what they are, why to use one, and the best way to use one. If you are looking for a job and are unsure how to write a cover letter, this is your starting point!

Cover Letter Samples - http://www.careerenterprises.com/publication_item_view.php?id=2189 Learn how to write outstanding cover letters that get noticed, sold and remembered! This site has been developed by an employment lawyer with over 25 years experience in the legal field.

Conclusion

The most important thing you can do for your job search is spend time networking with people in your industry, neighborhood, and area of interest. While many job search tips will help you make an impression on recruiters, professional contacts and interviewers have the real power to land a job or advance your career.

While some may complain that networking is an outdated way of looking for a job, I consider it a valuable step in the process. There are still jobs out there every day that go unfilled due to lack of qualified candidates. If nothing else this article has shown you how to create a strong foundation for your next job search.