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Tips on how to write a cover letter

If you were giving a beautiful piece of jewellery to someone, you wouldn't wrap it in yesterday's newspaper would you?

So why would you go to all the trouble of crafting a fabulous resume, only to send it with a half hearted, poorly crafted covering letter?

Well, you wouldn't. Not if you were really serious about getting that ideal job.

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Tips on how to write a cover letter

Here are the keys for job-seekers in writing successful (and dynamic) job-search cover letters. Follow these simple rules and guidelines and you should achieve success in this important phase of job-hunting, helping lead you to the next phase... job interviews.

• Don't ever send your resume without a cover letter.
• Do address your letter to a named individual.
• Don't use a sexist salutation, such as "Gentlemen" when answering a blind ad.
• Don't waste your first paragraph by writing a boring introduction. Use the first paragraph to grab the employer's attention; give the employer the reasons you are qualified for the position. Read more.
• Do send an original letter to each employer.
• Don't use such clichs as "Enclosed please find my resume" or "As you can see on my resume enclosed herewith." Employers can see that your resume is enclosed; they don't need you to tell them. Such trite phrases just waste precious space. And don't use pleonasms (wordy phrases), which also waste space.
• Don't depend on the employer to take action. Request action. Request an interview, and tell the employer when you will follow up to arrange it. Then, Do So. It is imperative that you follow up. You will greatly increase your chances of getting interviews if you call the employer after writing instead of sitting back and waiting for a call. Those who wait for the employer to call them will generally have a long wait indeed.
• Don't send a cover letter that contains any typos, misspellings, incorrect grammar or punctuation, smudges, or grease from yesterday's lunch.
• Do use simple language and uncomplicated sentence structure. Ruthlessly eliminate all unnecessary words. Follow the journalist's credo: Write tight!
•  Do write cover letters that are unique and specific to you, but if you're having troubles getting started, consider using our Dynamic Cover Letter Formula. And do take advantage of these free cover letter samples.
• Do speak to the requirements of the job, especially when responding to an ad.
• Do keep your letter brief. Never, Never more than one page, and it's best to keep it well under a full page. Each paragraph should have no more than one to three sentences.
• Do tell the employer how you can meet his or her needs and contribute to the company.
• Do distinguish your cover letter from those of other job-seekers by quantifying and giving examples that amplify and prove the claims you make in your letter.
• Do try to answer the question that the employer will be asking while reading your letter: "Why should I hire this person?" Answer with your Unique Selling Proposition.
• Don't rehash your resume. You can use your cover letter to highlight the aspects of your resume that are relevant to the position, but you're wasting precious space -- and the potential employer's time -- if you simply repeat your resume.
• Do avoid negativity. Negativity never has a place in a cover letter.
• Do be sure the potential employer can reach you.
• Do avoid the three most common cover letter mistakes.
• Do use action verbs.
• Don't forget to personally sign the letter, preferably in blue ink.
• Do use e-mailed cover letters, but keep them shorter and more concise.

A good cover letter should not sound like a re-hash of your resume. It should pull highlights from your resume and tie it gracefully with the job description. Consider it a bridge between your resume and the position you're seeking.

Make your cover letter visually appealing and coordinated with your resume. Use the same personal information block in the heading of your cover letter and your resume. A cohesive resume package is a very attractive selling point. If using paper (i.e., not online), use the same high quality paper for the cover letter as for your resume. At the same time, do not overdo the style elements. One type font is never wrong (unless you are in the arts).

Be concise. Never use two words when one will do (avoid verbosity).
The more unconventional the employer, the more leeway for creativity you have in writing a cover letter.

You don't have to explain everything. You may leave the employer wishing to learn more about you.
You should use a different cover letter for every job application. It must be specific to the exact role that you are applying for.

You should always request an interview.

Warnings

This is not your autobiography. Keep it well under a page.
Avoid generic, empty language ("I will bring a depth of experience," or, "I believe my qualifications and experience suit the demands of the position"). Be specific and concrete about what you can bring to the position.

be brief - be relevant - and be ready... here's how it works...

Be Brief : First - the note is not a book. If you go over one page, you'd better have a great reason... otherwise, your diminishing the value of whatever conversation you'll want to have. This letter is meant to be a conversation starter - you want to tease without giving away the substance of who you are or what you are hoping to achieve.

Be Relevant : If you are writing the letter introducing yourself, you won't present EVERYTHING you've ever done. If you are using this to seek a job, give a couple of lines to quickly summarize your experience. Or answer the question of "why would they care..." - think about from the point of view of whoever will be reading your note. It's GREAT to let your personality show (if it's not a stodgy corporate note) - and that personality may be that of your company too...

Be Ready : This essentially is you OWNING the conversation from the beginning. If you are compelling in your first few lines, someone may read your whole note... if they do that - give them something else to do... What next steps would like..? Are you hoping for a meeting? An interview? A purchase... whatever the case - the note is generally not the end... so let them know what your next step is - and that you want them to do "x" - for example if you want a meeting - ask for it... tell them your availability (generally a couple of time slots) then ask them for the meeting. "I have availability on July 18th at 3 p.m. if your calendar affords it, I'd like to schedule our meeting for then. Please advise." (okay that's not the general tone of my notes - but does give you some idea.)