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Applying to jobs? It’s a good idea to have a well-written and focused cover letter ready to go. You will revise it for each job, but even in today’s job market a good cover letter may be the difference between you and the other candidate getting noticed.
Think shorter. These days, your letter should be tight and succinct. In most cases, you will submit a cover letter online. Think of how you use your own devices. You want the letter to fit in the window of your desktop or laptop computer, your phone, or, if submitted via email, your email box.
Address to the hiring manager or recruiter (if possible). Use your personal network, LinkedIn, or any other resource that may help, to get a name. At minimum, directing your cover letter to the appropriate person will show them you did some extra work during the application process.
Lead with a referral (if you have one). Here is an additional opportunity for you to leverage your personal or LinkedIn network to find a connection to the hiring manager. If you discover one, and he or she agrees to be a reference, consider leading with something like, “John Doe at Blue Widgets referred me to you when I told him of my interest in Red Widget’s job posting on your company website for a Widget Maker.”
What and where. It helps recruiters and hiring managers if the first line of your letter includes the company’s name (e.g. Apple), where you saw the posting (e.g. LinkedIn) as recruiters and company’s like to track which platforms work best for their recruiting strategies, the job position exactly as it appears in the job posting (e.g. Senior Event Producer), and any other important identifying details (e.g. Apple + Marketing Events).
Start strong: Paragraph One. 1-3 lines. Do not waste a word. Be direct. Tell them 1) why you are applying, and 2) who you are. Tell him or her why you, of all the candidates, should be hired. Focus on the value you will bring to the role.
Achievements. Paragraph Two. 3 bullet points, 1-2 lines each. You just told your potential employer what skills you can bring to their business in the future, so now you need to back it up by what you’ve achieved in the past. Use this formula: Results/Impact > Time Frame > Actions taken. For example: “Reduced G&A expenses by 23% over six months by successfully project managing company-wide information technology infrastructure upgrade with a $7.5 million dollar budget.”
Close strong. Paragraph Three: Show your enthusiasm. It’s human nature that you’ll make more of an impression if the reader believes the job he or she is filling is your dream job (and it may be). Tell he or she you look forward to speaking with him or her further about your qualifications and list your preferred method of being contacted.
Save your letter as a document, and attach it with your submission online. Applicant Tracking Systems do not scan and sort cover letters the way they do resumes. Your cover letter rides on the coattails of your resume’s success getting through. If you’ve got something to say, add the letter. It’s not always necessary, but can demonstrate the extra effort you exerted.
Philip Roufail contributed to this article.
Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercareerstrategies.com.
