A well-written cover letter gives you an opportunity to clearly demonstrate your suitability for the desired position and give potential employers a chance to get to know you better. According to one executive, your cover letter may even be more important than your résumé. A good cover letter allows you to set yourself apart from others applying for the position, when done right.
Here are some tips to help you craft a great cover letter and land that interview.
Do more than just run spellcheck. Read through your cover letter several times. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to do the same. If the cover letter needs to demonstrate your effectiveness as a professional communicator, make sure that it is free of spelling and grammar errors.
Be very clear in the opening paragraph—if not in the first sentence—about why you are applying. Identify the open position and, if applicable, the person who recommended that you apply. It is helpful for an employer to understand that someone they know and/or work with has suggested you apply for the vacancy.
Do not repeat or list information from your résumé, such as specific educational or previous employment details. Use the cover letter to expand on a project that you’ve worked on, or to link skills you’ve acquired with those listed in the job description or posting. You want to show how the work you have done helps a future employer meet a current challenge.
Whenever possible, identify a specific person to whom you can address your letter, such as the department director or the human resources professional handling the application process. Mirror the company’s tone by reading its website, its LinkedIn profile and other information. Show that you understand the company’s culture and how you can complement and add to the team.
How frequently do you count the word “I”? You are writing to show the employer how you can help them and why you want to work with them.
Rather than say, “I look forward to hearing from you,” conclude with a more proactive statement. Close with a clear statement about when you will follow up with the employer, typically one week if you are applying to a posted vacancy or up to two weeks if you are proposing yourself for a position that was not explicitly posted.
Your cover letter should not be longer than a page. Period.