Creating Effective Cover Letters
a cover letter lets employers know why they should review your resume. It’s the first thing they see when they look at your application and it works as a summary of your skills and ability to communicate effectively.
Basic Cover Letter Rules
- Unless an employer asks for a hand written letter, always type a cover letter. If you don't have access to a computer, visit your local library or employment services center (most YMCa's offer computer access)
- Cover letters should never be more than one page, ideally only half a page.
- Format your cover letter into short, easy to read paragraphs. Remember, your audience is reviewing lots of these, you want to make it easy for them to find your skills.
- Customize your cover letters for each job, they are designed to highlight your skills for a specific employer.
- Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person. If you don't know who to send your resume to, call the company and be polite.
- always include a cover letter, if you're sending your resume by e-mail use the e-mail message body as your cover letter, I've hired dozens of people but never looked at a resume without a cover letter.
Great Links for Cover Letters
- Jobs Etc. Canada
- Monster.com - Cover Letters
- The Riley Guide
- Virginia Tech - Employment Services
How do you write a good cover letter? Let's look at some basic rules that will help you in your search for a job:
The Devil is in the Details
You would be amazed how many cover letters I used to get with errors, typos or even wrong contact details! Spend the time to proof your cover letter and remember, a sloppy letter tells the employer that you're a sloppy worker.
Include a Cover Letter
If you want an employer to send their time reading your resume, take the time to write a cover letter, otherwise you're guaranteeing yourself a very long, very tiring search for employment.
Focus on the Employer's Needs
Remember, cover letters are about the employers needs, not yours. Don't start every paragraph with "I" or "My", you want to tell an employer what you can do for them, so try writing the letter with their needs in mind.
Get to the Point
Keep your cover letter short, tell them what position you are applying to, where you learned about the position and how you can help them.
Break your letter into short paragraphs and remember to thank them for their time, keep in mind that the person reading your letter is a very busy person.
Make it Professional
Cover letters and resumes are very different devices. While your resume is formal and technical a cover letter is a professional but personal message from you to another person. Write your letter with that in mind.
address it Personally.
always try to address your letter to a person, not a department and never "To Whom it May Concern" (that's the kiss of death). Unless the ad says "No phone calls", try calling the company, and ask for the hiring managers name. If you need more details, be polite but remember the person you are talking to has a job to do.
Originality Works
Generic cover letters get ignored, tell the employer how you can help them and show them that you understand their needs. Back up your statements with examples that will interest your employer.