How to Make Your Cover Letter Shine

by Michelle Wright

Ok you know what a cover letter is right? Knowing what a cover letter is and drafting one that is effective are two different things. Let's review the basics first. The cover letter accompanies your resume and is your personal introduction to employers. Cover letters provide the employer with a story-like format of the experience and skills that are in your resume, while being certain to connect your experience and skills to the job requirements. Doing so, in turn, shows that you took the time to personalize and tailor a letter for the job, and acts as a writing sample. A two for one! Keep in mind, for some career fields it is considered professional etiquette to include a cover letter with your resume; so it is definitely a good practice to have a cover letter.

Here are seven cover letter tips to make you shine:

  1. Address your letter to a specific person and/or title

    An employer is more likely to read something directly addressed to them rather than “To Whom It May Concern”. Think of all the mail you receive at home, addressed to current occupant or residence; do you open it? Probably not. So if you don’t have the person(s) name(s) then do some research and get the name(s). Here is yet another opportunity to prove your worth by putting your people skills to work through making a friend, at your employer of interest, who might be willing to help out a go getter job seeker. Who doesn’t love that special person with the go-getter attitude, a touch of flattery and an ounce of smoozing?

  2. Keep your cover letter to one page

    Employers do not have the time for long winded letters and second pages often get lost. Be brief and get to the point.

  3. Express genuine interest in the company or organization

    Do a LOT of research about the position, company, industry, or the economy. Include your research in your letter - for example “I read on your website about your green initiative” or “I have tracked your performance” or “I am familiar with your product.” Companies large or small love to be recognized for their accomplishments.

  4. Get to the point and get there fast

    This is your chance to highlight one or two of your skills or areas of expertise from your resume that are related and beneficial to the job for which you presenting yourself.

  5. Strong closing

    Make it crystal clear that you are the one for the job and it is the worth the employer/recruiter’s time to talk to you. Also, be sure to include when, where, and how to contact you. Your cover letter should encourage some type of action on the part of the employer to contact you about the position you are applying for.

  6. Stand Out

    On the subject line, of your cover letter, include a catchy title. The name should say something about you that is relevant to the job description – “Stellar Sales Manager” or “Quality Assurance Guru” or “Experienced Veteran Machinist”.

  7. Check and correct any spelling or grammatical errors

    Need i say more? Proofread.Proofread.Proofread. Make sure it is perfect. There simply is just too much competition to not take this seriously.
Remember, a cover letter can be especially useful to explain your lack of employment experience for those new to the job market, gaps in employment, your progression in your profession or trade, transferable skills if you are trying to transition into a new industry, and to persuade the employer to read your resume. Now that you have completed your resume and cover letter, you are ready for center stage. Stay tuned for our next discussion – online job boards.