Nothing disrupts the application process like having to individually tailor 100 different cover letters to go with 100 different job applications. It’s the bottleneck of your application flow and the bane of job seekers nationwide.
But, even more than you despise writing the cover letter, recruiter’s dread reading them—which gives applicants with an eye-catching cover letter an immediate advantage over the competition. To maximize your cover letter writing efforts, a little customization goes a long way. Increase your chances of standing out from the crowd with these cover letter writing tips:
Obvious but Necessary
Surefire ways to not get the job:
- Misspellings, typos and grammatical errors scream lack of attention to detail. Read your cover letter aloud, get a second pair of eyes and use a grammar check tool like Grammarly (but don’t rely on it).
- Don’t summarize your resume. This is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experience with a dose of personality.
- Nix “To Whom it May Concern.” Find out who is in charge and address the letter accordingly. In the age of social media there’s no excuse, do the research.
Opening Paragraph
The first sentence is crucial to the success of your cover letter. It serves as a first impression—make it a good one or the recruiter will move on to the next qualified candidate.
Kick things off with a bang:
- Don’t: “Hi, please accept this email in application for X job that was advertised in Y location.”
- Do: “I’m a content marketing specialist with more than 10 years of experience and I’d love to bring my expertise and enthusiasm to your growing digital marketing team.”
Next, demonstrate genuine interest by adding a personal touch. For instance, if you’re applying for a position with a cotton candy manufacturer, tie-in a story about your first experience with cotton candy and how, at that moment, you aspired to someday disrupt the cotton candy industry. Then incorporate how your skills can help elevate the company’s mission.
Section takeaway: Tell them why the position intrigues you and why you’re the right one for the job.
Showcase Your Experience
Here’s where you can be specific about what you’ll bring to the table. Don’t regurgitate your resume, instead, tell a story that showcases your personality while conveying how you’ll contribute to the success of the company. This section should be conversational yet professional, and highlight your knowledge of both the company and position you’re applying for. Start by demonstrating an understanding of the industry’s pain points. Then share an accomplishment that proves you’re equipped to face these challenges head-on.
- Don’t: “Responsible for providing customer service”
- Do: “As a customer service representative, I take pride in my ability to establish trust with my clients. From scheduling weekly client lunches to accommodating my schedule to better serve my clients needs, I take all necessary measures to ensure my services exceed their expectations.”
Section takeaway: Make a connection between company needs and your qualifications.
Closing Comments
Sign off with confidence. This is your final chance to express your interest and propose the next steps. In one or two sentences, thank the recruiter for their time, sum up why you’re excited about the opportunity and why you’re the ideal candidate for the position. Let the hiring manager know how you can be reached and, respectfully, let them know when you plan to follow up with them.
- Don’t: “I’m excited about how this position will help me grow in XYZ industry.” (This is your last chance to show what you bring to the table.)
- Do: “I’m excited to further discuss how my skills and experience can contribute to the company’s goals. I look forward to hearing from you and, since I know life is busy, I’ll be sure to send an email next week to follow up.”
Section takeaway: State your intentions, exude confidence and initiate a contact.
Lastly, remember to keep it short and sweet. Make sure recruiters are able to sift through the main points at a glance. And, if you have a contact within the company, mention it within the first few sentences of your cover letter.