How to do a Successful Cover Letter
by Natalie Terpstra
Posted on November 21, 2017 at 1:30 PM
markgranitz/Flickr
How to Write a Successful Cover Later
Are you ready to write a cover letter that will score you a job? The answer is yes.
Your cover letter could be the reason your resume gets chosen or pushed aside. So it makes sense to put a lot of effort and time into writing an effective cover letter. All the information you need to know to write a successful cover letter to get your application noticed is right here. We have tips on what to include in your cover letter, how to format it, and different examples of professionally written cover letters.
A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. Don’t simply repeat what’s on your resume, a cover letter should include specific information on why you fit the employer’s job description the best. A cover is not always needed when applying somewhere, but if you include one with your resume it will show you’ve put some extra effort into your application.
"You'll never please everyone, but you only have to please a few people to get an offer."
It is important that your cover letter complements the position your applying for. Do not just change the name of the company in the body of the letter, take the time to customize the cover letter. Each cover letter should include a header with both your and the employer’s contact information followed by the date. If you’re doing this in email form put all of this information at the bottom of the letter after your signature. The beginning of your cover letter should be a Salutation, or a formal greeting, with “Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name.” If you're unsure of their gender write out their full name. If you don’t know he name of the employer, write “Dear hiring Manager.” The next step is to write your introduction, this is where you explain what job your applying for, how you heard about the job, and briefly mention your skills and experience that you’ll mention later in your cover letter. The goal of your introduction is to get the reader’s attention so they chose yours over other applicants.
The body of your cover letter should explain why you’re interested in the position and why you would make an excellent choice in a paragraph or two. Mention specific qualifications from the job posting and explain how you meet them. Do not restate your resume, put specific examples that demonstrate your abilities. Don’t just tell the employer that you are a hard worker or a team player, instead use examples from your work experience to “show” these traits in action. The last part of your cover letter should be a strong closing. Restate your skills and how that make you a strong fit for the position. You can also discuss why you would like to work at that specific company. Mention that you would like the opportunity to come in for an interview to discuss further employment options. Finally, make sure to thank the employer for his/her consideration. End your cover letter with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name.
Your cover letter should look like a professional business letter. Microsoft Word is another place to find free templates for you to use. The format should match that of your resume, keep your font and size the same. Refer to How to Write a Resume if you are unsure of what style font or sizing to use when typing up your cover letter. Make sure there is a space between each paragraph, you header, salutation, and signature. Your document should be on a single page, if it’s not try going back and reading your work to see if you’ve added ay unnecessary details in your writing. When your finally done have a friend or family member proofread your work to make sure you’ve spelled the employer’s and company’s name correctly. It’s easy to make a mistake and two pairs of eyes are better than one for finding small errors.
Take the time to write a cover letter that expresses who you are. You don’t want to bore the reader with something that’s the same as everyone else’s A well-written cover letter will successfully get your application noticed by employers and help secure an interview.
Source: Doyle, Alison. “How to Write a Successful Cover Letter.” The Balance, 19 July 2017, www.thebalance.com/cover-letters-4073661.