Cover Letter Magic...
Your cover letter has two important jobs to do: First, your cover letter must personalize your application in order to entice a prospective employer to take the extra step of giving you a call to learn more. Second, it must provide specific and compelling examples of your suitability for the open position. Of course, connecting with the reviewer in this way is an art as much as it is a science. Follow the simple tips below to help you get started, and don't forget to take a look at our Sample Cover Letter for additional guidance.
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Do not submit the same cover letter to every employer. Each cover letter must be specifically tailored to the job (and company) you are targeting. Your cover letter should have several key components:
1) An introduction telling the employer who you are, what job you are seeking and how you learned of the position.
2) A paragraph explaining (with examples) exactly how your skills, experience and achievements meet the employer's needs as listed in the job posting.
3) A couple of sentences thanking the employer for their consideration and asking assertively for an interview.
Cover Letter Quick Tips:
If appropriate, name-drop in your cover letter. Have you worked with/for someone famous or well-known in your field? Were your referred by a current employee? Were you referred by the friend of an employee?- Your cover letter must be grammatically perfect.
- Your cover letter must not contain any spelling errors.
- Do not exaggerate your accomplishments or experience, but also don't be modest.
- Tell the employer how you can meet their needs - not the other way around.
- Spend a few minutes imagining yourself in the shoes of the reviewer. Without getting into too much psychoanalysis, consider the following: What are they looking for? Who are they looking for? What would impress them? What would irritate them? What will make you stand out?
- Present yourself in the best light possible by focusing on the positive.
- Your cover letter should not look cluttered, it should be pleasant to look at.
- Try your best to limit your cover letter to one page. Do not exceed two pages.
- Every word in your cover letter must be meaningful, essential and carefully chosen.
- Do not use fancy fonts, colors or too much underlining, bolding or italics.
- Use an email address which sounds professional. For example, don't use something like iamsocool@youremail.com! Your email address should be some recognizable variation of your name.
- Use active rather than passive voice.
- Do not use the same verb twice unless necessary.
- Use quantifying language to describe your accomplishments. For example: "Increased profits by 12%"
rather than "Increased Profits Significantly."
Sample documents for your convenience:
Chronological Resume
Functional Resume
Cover Letter
Thank You Letter
2) A paragraph explaining (with examples) exactly how your skills, experience and achievements meet the employer's needs as listed in the job posting.
3) A couple of sentences thanking the employer for their consideration and asking assertively for an interview.
If appropriate, name-drop in your cover letter. Have you worked with/for someone famous or well-known in your field? Were your referred by a current employee? Were you referred by the friend of an employee?Your cover letter must be grammatically perfect.Your cover letter must not contain any spelling errors.Do not exaggerate your accomplishments or experience, but also don't be modest.Tell the employer how you can meet their needs - not the other way around.Spend a few minutes imagining yourself in the shoes of the reviewer. Without getting into too much psychoanalysis, consider the following: What are they looking for? Who are they looking for? What would impress them? What would irritate them? What will make you stand out?Present yourself in the best light possible by focusing on the positive.Your cover letter should not look cluttered, it should be pleasant to look at.Try your best to limit your cover letter to one page. Do not exceed two pages.
Every word in your cover letter must be meaningful, essential and carefully chosen.Do not use fancy fonts, colors or too much underlining, bolding or italics.Use an email address which sounds professional. For example, don't use something like iamsocool@youremail.com! Your email address should be some recognizable variation of your name.Use active rather than passive voice.Do not use the same verb twice unless necessary.Use quantifying language to describe your accomplishments. For example: "Increased profits by 12%"
rather than "Increased Profits Significantly."