Ahhh… the dreaded cover letter! You start to fill out an online job application and stop dead in your tracks as the mandatory “Attach Cover Letter” field prevents you from going any further. Raise your hand if you say to yourself “well, I will complete the application tomorrow…” but tomorrow never comes.
In week 3 of the “Dream Job Search Bootcamp”, we will talk in detail about what is a cover letter, the various elements of a good cover letter and the main do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when you start writing one. Read on to learn about everything you need to get going, complete with a template and a sample cover letter!
So what really is a cover letter?
It is one page document (250-500 words) that you send with your resume when applying for an internship or job to give the employer a better idea of yourself and your qualifications. It is not a copy paste of your resume. While your resume explains “the what” of your professional past, your cover letter provides “the how”.
You need to ‘cover’:
- Who you are and your reason for getting in touch
- What are your relevant qualifications
- How you have been effective at doing things in the past
- Why are your experiences advantageous for employer
- When are you available
But in this digital age, who needs a cover letter?
Check out my response to the top 3 questions about whether a cover letter is needed:
Job seeker: Do I need a cover letter? The application form is asking for it.
Me: Yes, always give the employer what they ask for.
Job seeker: Do I need a cover letter? It is optional to attach one.
Me: Yes, because it is complementary to your resume and makes it stronger.
Job seeker: Do I need a cover letter? There is no mention of it in the application.
Me: Yes, don’t be lazy! Write one and include it in the ‘upload additional documents’ section!
What does a good cover letter look like?
A cover letter is a document no longer than 1 page. Let’s talk about each section in detail:
Addressing
Despite the casualness that social media has brought to the job search process, cover letter still remains a formal and professional document. The most common way to address your draft is to write the first and last name, preceded by an appropriate ‘Ms.’ or ‘Mr.’. But make sure to avoid the blunder of using the wrong title! Stay away from the title if you are unable to confirm it, and say something like ‘Dear Maria,’. At all cost, avoid using ‘To whom it may concern,’.
Also, similar to a hand-written letter, ensure to include date and subject before you open the cover letter.
Introduction Paragraph
Introduction paragraph is all about telling the hiring manager about how you got to know about the position, expressing your genuine interest in the role and a summary statement about why you are a good fit for the job on the market. Mention the position title as well as the name of the company, and make sure it is correct. If you heard about the open position through a personal connection or someone who works at the company, be sure to mention that. Start with something simple and strong like “As a supply chain professional with over 8 years of experience in sourcing for small businesses, I was very excited to know about the open position of Sourcing Manager at XYZ company from Mr. Ben Spencer, who works in the Contracts department…”.
Body
This is the meat of your document. In 2-3 paragraphs, explain what key strengths make you a perfect fit for the position, and demonstrate how you have achieved extraordinary results for your employer in the past. Don’t just throw in a list of skills or good looking adjectives. Instead, tell stories to make your pitch more credible.
Always think about what you can do for the company, not how the company will be good for your career. For recent grads and students applying for internship, don’t focus on your educational background. Instead talk about how the skills you have learnt during class or extra-curricular work will add value to the position you are applying for.
Closing
Finish strong by reiterating your enthusiasm and strong interest in the position and summarizing your key strengths. Follow up by requesting a coffee chat or phone chat, especially if you are writing to a specific person, and not for online application submission. Finally, don’t forget to spell check and make your draft free of typos and grammatical errors!
Where can I find good cover letter examples?
Look no further! To get a FREE template and a sample cover letter, click here!
Cover letter DO’s and DON’Ts
DO’s
- Keep it simple, clear, direct, succinct and professional
- Use common language –> read out loud for flow
- Use confident language such as, “I achieved…”
- Demonstrate your understanding of the company by connecting the job requirements with your skill-set
- Tell the truth!
DON’Ts
- Be generic
- Address the cover letter to the wrong company or person (and yes, I have made this mistake before)
- Be overly formal or fill with irrelevant filler words
- Sound selfish by focusing on your needs
- Don’t focus on GPA or the classes you took
Key Takeaways
Here is a list of my top 5 tips to help you write your next cover letter:
- Before you start, know yourself as well as the job requirement. Use the Skills Assessment Worksheet to make an inventory of your top skills and strengths.
- As you write, think about what you can do for the company, not why the company will be good for your career.
- Tell stories using the STAR technique to expand on your experience and increase your credibility.
- Ask for a phone chat or coffee chat to gain some insider perspective of the company.
- Sloppiness is costly! Make sure to spell check.
Today’s challenge:
Draft your first cover letter (or update an existing one using the tips above). Post any and all questions in the comments section below!
If you haven’t already, SIGN UP to receive weekly update on my latest blog post, tips and resources on how to land your dream job and lead a sassy career. Next week will be all about how to nail your next career fair. So stay tuned!