At best, a cover letter can help a job-seeker stand out from the pack. At worst, it can make a promising candidate seem like an uncreative cut-and-paster. Sadly, the vast majority of cover letters read essentially the same: Retreads of resumes that ramble on while repeating the obvious. Would you read one of these to the end if it were put in front of you? Probably not, and nor would most hiring managers.
When you need to write a cover letter to apply for a job, it's sometimes the small things that can make a big difference. The closer to perfect your letter is, the better your chances of getting the interview.
Review these tips and techniques for writing top notch cover letters to send with your resume, including format and presentation, advice for choosing a ype of cover letter, writing custom cover letters, how to send, and examples and templates.
Keep it short
Less. Is. More. Three paragraphs, tops. Half a page, tops. Skip lengthy exposition and jump right into something juicy.
Address Nobody
Sometimes, you don't know exactly who you should be addressing your letter to. Nix the generic and bland "Dear Hiring Manager" or "To Whom It May Concern". If you absolutely don't know who you should be addressing, then don't address anybody. Instead, just jump right into the body of the letter.
Send it as a PDF
Not every office computer can read .docx or .pages files, but virtually everybody can open a PDF file without any conversion. File conversions are bad for two huge reasons. First, they are just as likely to not bother and move onto the next applicant. And, second, conversions can
introduce formatting errors.
Never ever, ever use the following phrase
"My name is ___, and I am applying for the position as ____".They already know this, and you'll sound inexperienced.
AN EXAMPLE OF A COVER LETTER
A lot of job seekers today wonder if a cover letter is still appropriate to send with your resume—and the answer is yes! And just like with your resume, you should make a customized version that talks about how your skills will benefit the particular company that you want to work for, and demonstrate how you have done some research into what the organization's pain points are. Remember: You're selling yourself in a resume and a cover letter, but the employer has to want to buy.
Check out the sample cover letter below (or download the template as a Word doc) to get some inspiration to craft your own.
And we've got you covered as well if you're looking for a cover letter in a specific industry.
[Date]
Ms. Rhonda West
Customer Service Manager
Acme Inc.
123 Corporate Blvd.
Sometown, CO 50802
Re: Customer Service Representative Opening (Ref. ID: CS300-Denver)
I was excited to see your opening for a customer service rep, and I hope to be invited for an interview.
My background includes serving as a customer service associate within both call-center and retail environments. Most recently, I worked on the customer service desk for Discount-Mart, where my responsibilities included handling customer merchandise returns, issuing refunds/store credits, flagging damaged merchandise for shipment back to vendors and providing back-up cashiering during busy periods.
Previously, I worked within two high-volume customer-support call centers for a major telecommunications carrier and a satellite television services provider. In these positions, I demonstrated the ability to resolve a variety of issues and complaints (such as billing disputes, service interruptions or cutoffs, repair technician delays/no-shows and equipment malfunctions). I consistently met my call-volume goals, handling an average of 56 to 60 calls per day.
In addition to this experience, I gained considerable customer service skills during my part-time employment as a waitress and restaurant hostess while in high school.
I also bring to the table strong computer proficiencies in MS Word, MS Excel and CRM database applications and a year of college (business major). Please see the accompanying resume for details of my experience and education.
I am confident that I can offer you the customer service, communication and problem-solving skills you are seeking. Feel free to call me at 555-555-5555 (home) or 555-555-5500 (cell) to arrange an interview. Thank you for your time—I look forward to learning more about this opportunity!
Sincerely,
Sue Ling
Enclosure: Resume
1. Greeting: Address your cover letter to the proper person.
2. Opening: Write a personable, inviting opening paragraph that highlights how your skills are a perfect fit to the job.
3. Hook: Highlight your past achievements as they relate to the job you're applying for.
4. Skills: Highlight additional relevant skills, such as computer languages or certifications.
5. Close: Briefly recap your strengths as a candidate, and include your contact information.
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