Tips to write a quality cover letter that can get you hired

It can be difficult to make a proper cover letter when there is some much attention on having the best kind of resume. If done well, it could make a big difference and get you closer to getting a job interview. If a recruiter loses interest in a poorly written CV, a cover letter could save you from getting completely ignored. 

But what is a cover letter and how does it differ from a regular resume? This kind of document provides additional information and more details about your experience, skills and motivation.

A cover letter gets sent along with your CV but instead of just being concrete information, a cover letter is your chance to explain why you want the role and what you can bring to the table. 

Not all job listings ask for a cover letter but if you want to stand out from the crowd, it is recommendable that you send one anyway. A survey from the job portal CareerBuilder showed that 40% of companies are more likely to pay attention to an application when it includes a cover letter. 

So how do you write a good cover letter?

Outline:

• • • Heading: This is where you put your contact information along with the date and your name.

• • • Greeting: Try to address your letter to a person who could be the recruiter or simply write ‘’dear hiring manager’’. If you can’t find a name, research the department you want to join and find the person in charge. If you still can’t find any names, try directly addressing the department, one example could be by saying ‘’dear marketing team’’.

• • • Intro: Start with an eye-catching statement, instead of just saying ‘’I’m writing about (insert role here)’’, try something more unique.  Then, explain what job you’re applying for, how you found out about the job, what you know about the company and demonstrate your value. Explain what skills you have and how they could help the company. This section is essentially a preview of the rest of your cover letter, this is where you grab the reader’s attention and express your enthusiasm as well.

• • • Body: This is where you describe why you’re the best candidate for the position. Provide specific examples from your work experience of your skills. Connect everything to how you’d perform in the job. Also explain why you chose the company, show them why you are a strong fit for the position and a valuable candidate worth taking the time to interview.

• • • Closing statement: State how you would like the opportunity to have an interview and explain how you will follow up. End by thanking the reader for their time and attention.
• • • Signoff: Use a professional signature with your full name.

Personalization:

It can be hard to personalize a letter for each job you apply to so using a template and modifying it to fit each role you aspire to have. Include some basic information about your skills and experience that will always remain the same but modify your skills to fit the job requirement.

• • • Obviously, don’t forget to change the job title. Make sure this intro paragraph that you share why the job motivates you and what skills and experience you have that actually make you a good choice for the job.
  • • You probably are using multiple platforms to find job postings so mention how you heard of the role as it won’t be the same for all jobs.  Add a referral if you can. If you know someone at the company, mentioning them can help you get noticed and get you a possible recommendation.
  • • Match your abilities to fit the role. This is where you explain why your particular mix of skills and experience would make you the best candidate. Make it clear that you fill out the requirements from the job description, the reader isn’t going to take the time to figure it out themselves. Be specific and focus on how your set of skills would help the employer.
  • • Research an organization’s values or goals and how you have the same mindset, and how what you have to offer will allow you to excel in the job.
  • • Make sure to personalize your reasoning for wanting the job. If you’re applying for  different roles, you probably have different motivations for each one.
  • • For the closing, you can keep the final statement and signoff the same for all applications.

Format tips:

• • Length: Keep it short. Each paragraph should have 6 lines max of text. Try not to have more than three sentences in each one. Avoid sentences that are too long.
  • Font and font size: Use fonts that fit a professional letter. It can be useful to use unique fonts to stand out but it must be easy to read. For the font size stick to a typical 12 point size. Make sure it’s not too small so the reader won’t struggle to read it.
  • Spacing: The cover letter shouldn’t look cluttered. Add a space after the header, and each section of the document including the different body paragraphs.

Proofread:

• • • • Check for typos, grammatical errors are a big deal breaker for recruiters.
      • Don’t send it before reading through your letter.
      • Read it outloud to see if it flows well and to find any other mistakes.
      • Check that the company name or contact name is correct.

What not to include in a cover letter

Make a good impression and stay focused on what you have to offer, so avoid mentioning the following:

• • • Don’t add personal information that isn’t relevant.
    • Don’t say how you left your last job and definitely no negative comments about your last employer.
    • Don’t mention salary requirement unless it was requested, you don’t want to make it seem like money is the only reason why you want the job.
    • Don’t share anything that isn’t related to the job or anything that might distract a recruiter from your best qualities.
    • Avoid typos.
    • Don’t lie.
    • Don’t make it too long,if not a recruiter might just ignore it.
    • A cover letter isn’t for you so don’t mention what you want out of the job, this letter is about what you are going to offer the company.
    • Don’t go overboard with the business jargon, keep it simple with concrete sentences, write it so it sounds like something you might actually say as this allows the company to  get a better understanding of the type of person you are and if you’re a good match for the role.