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Ah, the elusive cover letter. People often make mistakes to their cover letter and it's not much fun, but learn to do it well and the reward will be great. TopResume's career advice expert Amanda Augustine shared some tips with Business Insider on best cover letter practices, emphasizing research to personalize your cover letter for the hiring manager. “Re-read the job description carefully. Depending upon where you found the role, the person who posted the position may be linked to the listing,” says Augustine. Here's how to write the coveted cover letter for the job you're applying for: 1. Don't restate your entire resumeThe recruiter already has your resume, so there's no need to rehash your entire work history in your cover letter. This is often a turn-off for employers who are sick of letters that merely summarize their candidates' resumes. Consequently, they see no need to read them. Augustine recommends, “Use your opening documentation to demonstrate your understanding of the company's position in the marketplace and its needs, and then highlight your experiences and accomplishments that speak to these requirements.” 2. Use the hiring manager's name, if possiblePeople like personalization. Using the hiring manager's name shows that the candidate did his or her research. Hiring managers and recruiters often post their positions in more than one place. Run a Google search for a portion of the job description in quotation marks. Or, if you know the name of the recruiting agency that's running the search, take a look at its company site. If the group is small enough, it may have each recruiter's bio listed. The worst ways to address a cover letter or an email to a potential employer include: “To whom it may concern,” “Dear Sir or Madam,” “Hello,” “Dear Hiring Manager ” and “Dear Recruiter.” Avoid using these. 3. Use the “T” formatJob seekers don't have to reinvent the wheel here. The main components when writing a cover letter don't really change. Follow what I like to call the “t-format”:
Related: Ask Amanda: How Do I Write a Great Cover Letter? 4. Choose the top three requirements that match your work experienceThe hiring company is going to list out a bunch of ideal skills. Don't be intimidated. Make a list of all of the qualifications mentioned in the job posting under a header called “Your Needs.” Then, make a list of all of your skills in a column called “My Qualifications.” Simply pick the top three skills in the “Your Needs” column that match up with skills in the “My Qualifications” column and write a little blurb for each. Focus on past examples of your work that show how you meet each of the hiring manager's needs. 5. Don't make your cover letter generic!Boilerplate is not the way to go. You need to tailor your cover letter to speak specifically to each company's needs. Augustine says, “While your introduction may not be as specific as it would be for a position where the employer was known, this doesn't give you license to use a generic template for the main sections of your cover letter.” Read the job description and brainstorm how you have each prerequisite. Then, pair it with a specific contribution, experience, or accomplishment. Relay this information in a paragraph or a set of bullets. This will customize your cover letter and grab the reader's attention. You don't have to say it all when you write a cover letter. If you want to get a job interview, just say it right. Make sure your resume is as strong as your cover letter. Request a free resume review from one of our career experts today! Recommended Reading:
Related Articles: When writing a cover letter, specific information needs to be included: a contact section, a salutation, an
introduction to the hiring manager, information on why you are qualified for the job, a closing, and your signature. The way the information is listed and the format depend on how you are sending your letter. The goal of your cover letter is to make a case for getting selected for a job interview, so it's important to include all required information along with a compelling argument for why you would be a strong candidate for the position. It can be time-consuming to write a custom cover letter for each job you apply for, but it's important to take the time and effort to show the company why you are a good match. The more your experience and your skills match the job description, the higher your chances of getting picked for an
interview. Be sure to include information in your letter about how you possess the particular skills and requirements that the employer is seeking. Don't simply repeat what's in your resume. Your resume lists your skills, but your cover letter should highlight
how you have put those skills to use. Before you start writing, review cover letter examples and make sure that your letter explains how your skills relate to the criteria listed in the job posting. Looking at examples of effective cover letters will give you a starting point for creating your own letter. Here's what to include in a cover letter to send with a resume when you apply for a job. What to List in a Cover Letter Contact SectionPali Rao / iStockWhen writing a cover letter to mail or to upload to a job board or company website, the first section of your cover letter should include information on how the employer can contact you. Printed or Uploaded Letter Hiring Manager Name (if you have it) Date Your Name Email Cover Letter Your Name Here's more information, with examples, on how to address a cover letter. Choose an Appropriate SalutationFizkes / iStock / Getty Images PlusIt's important to include an appropriate greeting at the beginning of the cover letter or message. If you have a contact person for your letter, be sure to include their name in your letter. Consider salutation examples that are appropriate for cover letters and other employment-related correspondence. For example:
Highlight Your Qualifications in the Body SectionPali Rao / iStockThe body is the most important part of a cover letter or an email message applying for employment. The body of a cover letter includes the paragraphs where you explain why you are interested in and qualified for the posted job:
Be specific by referencing the employer's job requirements as listed in the job posting in this part of your cover letter. Include Keywords in Your LetterTodor Tsvetkov / Getty ImagesIncluding keywords related to the jobs for which you are applying in your cover letters can help you get selected for a job interview. These are specific words hiring managers look for when considering applications. As hiring processes have become automated, online applicant tracking systems are programmed to search for keywords. Choose an Appropriate Closingpeepo / Getty ImagesMake sure to close your letter in a professional manner. Casual closings as you would write to a friend or a family member are not appropriate in a letter to a potential employer. For example:
Add Your Signature to the LetterPaul Bradbury / Getty ImagesWhat is included in a cover letter signature depends on whether you are sending or uploading a cover letter document or using an email message as your cover letter. Hard copies of letters should be signed by hand. Scanning your signature to include on PDFs can be a nice touch, while emails should include a professional electronic signature that includes your contact information. Review Cover Letter ExamplesHere's an example of the final product, including information on why the applicant would be an excellent candidate with a summary of his qualifications for the job. Download the template for a cover letter here and also review more cover letter samples with free templates you can download to use as a starting point for your own letter. John Bigham September 1, 2020 Shaun Lee Dear Mr. Lee: I am writing to state my interest in the position of Assistant to the Director of Goodspring. I believe that my work experience and education have equipped me with the skills necessary to be a successful candidate for this position. During my years with XYZ Wellness, I have been responsible for everything from accounting, bookkeeping, marketing and maintaining records to scheduling appointments and greeting clients and their families at the door. I have proudly overseen our growth from a startup business to a well-respected contributor to the community. I have also been in charge of organizing our very successful annual golf fundraiser and dinner. Last year, we raised $145,000 for our local homeless shelter. Your mission is an important one, and I would very much appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to your team and help you continue to provide the services so vital to our community. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, John Bigham (signature hard copy letter) John Bigham When you're sending an email cover letter (see below) your contact information should be listed after your signature. What Not to Include in a Cover LetterShapecharge / E+ / Getty ImagesThere are some things that don't belong in a cover letter. Don't go overboard. Including too much information can hinder your chances of getting an interview. Keep your letter concise and focused, and don't include extraneous details. What do you include in a cover letter?Key Elements of a Cover Letter. Information about you.. Contact Person's Name, Title, Employer, and Address.. Salutation.. Opening Paragraph.. Middle Paragraph.. Second Middle Paragraph.. Contact Information and Closing.. What are the 4 main parts of a cover letter?A cover letter is comprised of several sections: your contact information, a salutation, the body of the cover letter, an appropriate closing, and a signature.
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What 3 things are in a cover letter?
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