There are quite a few steps a job seeker takes during the job hunt, but the most difficult for a lot of people is writing the cover letter. It sounds far too simple, but it’s often forgotten – a cover letter is a letter. When writing correspondence, there are a few stand-by rules to follow: use the proper format, match the tone to that of the advertisement, give concrete examples to support statements, highlight your skills, and be your authentic self. Writing a cover letter using these tips will get you hired.
Use an Appropriate Tone
People want to hire other people they connect with. Writing a cover letter is the best way to make that connection quickly before they meet you. The most effective way to do that is to match the tone of your letter to the tone of the job advertisement. Are they laid-back or more sophisticated? Identify the tone and mimic the hiring manager/job poster to show you “speak their language,” and would make a perfect fit as an addition to their team.
Show and Tell, Don’t Just Tell
I know this is a convoluted concept for writing (which is telling), but this can – and should – be done. Don’t just tell the hiring manager that you’re a problem solver, show them. When you say you’re a “problem-solver,” include a quip about a project you either led or contributed to that encountered a problem you solved. All companies have problems they need a candidate to solve, so show them you’re that candidate!
Remember, it’s a Cover
Don’t forget the cover part of “cover letter.” If your résumé is a story, the cover letter is the cover page or the table of contents. It should give highlights on what they’re about to read, not tell the whole story. Your résumé tells the hiring manager your professional experience, the dates you worked for your previous companies, and the responsibilities and accomplishments at those positions. But your cover letter should tell them the skills learned from your history, such as: excellent communication that led to frequent new sales and upsells, effective decision-making that reduced time spent on group planning, or positive energy often recognized for inspiring and motivating the team.
Be Real, Don’t Sound Cliché
Everyone says they’re a “detail-oriented, organized, self-starter.” Stand out from the crowd! Be creative and innovative by telling your future employer about your amazing skills in a way they haven’t heard before. They’ll read about “fast learners” and “hard workers,” who “think outside the box” and have “exceptional written and verbal communication” all day long. Tell them you have valuable knowledge in three unique areas of expertise required to excel at the position you’re applying to. Your cover letter will pop in comparison to the other clichéd letters.
End with a CTA
This surprisingly gets missed often, but it’s so important. End with a call-to-action. You want them to call you for an interview, right? Tell them! It can be as casual as, “I look forward to your call at (###) ###-####.” Prompting the hiring manager with a CTA shows assertiveness and attention to detail, both great qualities in any job market.
Back to Basics
Don’t forget the essentials:
- Heading (who this is addressed to)
– Name, Title, Company, Address - Greeting
– Dear Mr./Ms. or Dear John/Jane - Opener (hook them in)
– Explain candidly why you’re passionate about this particular company and position, and what accomplishments you have that can help with the company’s current challenge(s) - Highlights (why they would want you)
– Present to them a situation similar to a challenge they experience regularly and how you resolved the problem, in a story format: “my key challenge was X and I achieved Y by doing Z” - Flattery (why you want them)
– Showcase your research while also making them feel delighted by flattering them with authentic reasons why you want to be a part of their team - CTA
– Don’t forget your call-to-action - Closer
– Nothing fancy needed, a simple “thank you,” or “best regards” will work in closing
Cover letters are more focused on writing and less on facts about your history, so they can often be the most difficult part of the process for job seekers. You’re not alone! The cover letter should not be like your résumé but longer; That is a common myth. It should be a separate entity, with different information highlighting why they shouldn’t overlook you.
You have all you need, so start writing! Best of luck. For more information, keep following our blog, and check back at pdxMindShare for career news and current job listings.
