Cover Letters

The cover letter is perhaps the most dreaded part of the application process. It is intimidating for many reasons, but the opportunity should be embraced as a chance to color your application with the relevant information and character that a resumé simply cannot expose by its nature.  Learning to write a cover letter well can effectively expedite your path to an interview, and subsequently to a hiring.  Mastering the parts of the job application process is simple, but takes a bit of research, dedication, and of course, confidence.  Remember, without a good cover letter, even an excellent resumé may never get read. To write a cover letter, reference the provided steps.

Write to yourself

Firstly, write a miniature cover letter to yourself, explaining why you want the job. Of the millions of cover letters floating around on recruiters' desks, too many are filled with transparent passion all across the board.  It is very tempting to fall into language explaining why you are so perfectly suited to the position and why it is just the job you were born for.  This is a dangerous game, and frankly will only be successful for very strong writers.  Depending on the job and personality of the recruiter, this kind of writing can work counter-productively. Rather than make you stand out, it may push you into the masses of people using precisely the same language. 

A key to a good cover letter is honesty, and who better to be honest with than yourself?  You know why you want the job, and why you are good for it.  Do not include information that is generic or untrue.  If your Aunt Edna raised you baking rhubarb pies, and it ingrained within you a dream of owning your own bakery, or growing rhubarb, or even managing a café or grocery store, write it!  Sometimes the personal bits that you don't think will matter are the parts that make you memorable.

Do Not Rehash

Your cover letter is not a place to repeat all the information you provided in your resumé.  You should reference your experience, but be explicit about what it meant to you and precisely why those years wth that company mean your are qualified. Also, a cover letter is a place to include relevant information that you could not fit on your resumé, so go for it.

Grammar

Of course, watch your grammar and syntax.  Nothing ruins a piece of good writing like a technical failure.

Format

Your cover letter is a chance to explain a lot of things, but no one wants to read pages upon pages elucidating why you are perfect for the job.  Be brief.  The most challenging part of a cover letter is being simultaneously persuasive and succint.  Like your resumé, your cover letter should be kept to one page.  See here for sample templates and more relevant steps to writing a cover letter. 

Start Strong

This is especially important if you are part of  a large pool of applicants.  Your first sentence should grab the boss' attention and get them to want to meet you.

Organize

Organize your cover letter so it's not just one large paragraph of waxing poetically about yourself.  Typically cover letters are comprised of three paragraphs—the first explaining why you are submitting your resumé, the second pointing to your relevant experience, and the third is a gracious thanks for consideration and a request for contact. 

Remember, character and work ethic matter as much as experience in most cases, so be honest about your qualifications and let yourself shine through your writing.