Writing a cover letter may seem passé in today’s world of zapping resumes electronically to potential employers, often via the black hole of job boards. But a cover letter can pack more punch than you think.
While job openings have fallen more than 30% from their peak in March 2022, there were roughly 8.2 million openings at the end of April.
To score one of those positions, you’d still need to cut through the blitz of applicants. One way to do that is to write a captivating cover letter. I talked to several career coaches about the advice they’re giving their clients and have included my own expert tips. Here’s what you need to know:
First, should you write one at all?
Opinions are mixed.
“The maddening thing for job seekers is that there are a million different opinions out there about cover letters,” career coach Aileen Axtmayer, told Yahoo Finance. “You hear everything from people who are adamant they’re never read to hiring managers saying it’s the first thing they look at when evaluating a candidate. I tell my clients that if they’re very excited about the role, then it’s worth the time to write a letter.”
I agree. For many hiring managers, it’s what first spurs a flicker of curiosity about a candidate.
“Worst case? It doesn’t get read,” Axtmayer said. “Best case? It’s a chance to demonstrate your skills for the role. Applying for something that requires strong writing skills? A cover letter can be a place you demonstrate that on the spot.”
Look at it this way: Your cover letter is the appetizer for your resume. So, unless the job posting states otherwise or you’re submitting your resume on a site without an option for a cover letter, always include one.
A well-written cover letter instantly represents who you are and what you bring to the table that’s relevant to the employer’s needs. If you can’t send it along with your resume when you apply electronically, one option is to send it directly to the person who is interviewing you ahead of time.
The art of a killer cover letter
Keep it brief.
Be clear, direct, and succinct. Use short sentences and active verbs. Your letter should be no longer than one page. Think of it as a written version of your elevator speech: a short, snappy summary of who you are and what kind of job you’d like to find. It’s a sales pitch you will tap again and again as you network and interview your way to your next position.
Do your homework.
“To write a great cover letter, I recommend my clients first know what matters to them and research to determine what they admire and appreciate about the organization, whether it’s their mission, their culture, the values, their reputation,” Maggie Mistal, a said. “It’s a great way to see how an organization is a match (or not).”
“If you’ve found something about the company that truly speaks to a cause and interest that you care about,” she added, “this is your moment to put that front and center.”
Start by reading the job description with a sharp eye. “If you’re trying to figure out what is important to include, read the entire job description,” Axtmayer said. “Don’t just skip to the qualifications.”
Pay attention to the words used repeatedly. Those are clues as to what is important to the organization.
The 5 key sections of a cover letter
1. Header: The header of your cover letter contains your contact information. Include your telephone number, professional email address and links to your LinkedIn profile, and personal website if you have one. Use the same heading with your contact info in the same style as your resume and send it as a PDF, Axtmayer said.
2. Greeting: Research to find out the hiring manager’s name and address your cover letter to that person. If it isn’t listed in the job post, research LinkedIn or the company website to identify the right person. The idea is to try to avoid generic greetings, such as “To Whom It May Concern.”
3. Opening paragraph: Mention the name of the company and the job title to which you are applying. It should also briefly mention why you are applying for that job.
“The No. 1 thing I’ve seen left out of letters in my years of career coaching is people failing to include why that organization,” Axtmayer said. “It doesn’t have to be anything long, but showing the organization what makes them stand out to you and why you want to contribute your skills there can turn a good letter to a great one, and show you’ve done your homework.”
And, if applicable, note in this section who referred you or how you heard about it. Employers like to hire people they know or know of.
4. Body paragraph(s): Expand on the most relevant parts of your experience or education in one to two paragraphs. Use this section to show recruiters the impact your work has had and what you will bring to the table if hired.
“I tell my clients the cover letter is where you show vs. tell,” Axtmayer said. “It’s a space where you can have a narrative approach to showing how you align with a position and you can also share information that just doesn’t get captured easily in a resume.
“If you describe a specific example where you demonstrate multiple skills the employer is looking for, it can entice them to look at the rest of your background on your resume,” she said. “Don’t assume employers will understand how you fit. Connect the dots for them.”
5. Closing paragraph: Refer to your resume and express enthusiasm to meet with the hiring manager. For example: “For additional details, please see my resume (attached). I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the position and my qualifications in greater depth.”
Always end with gratitude: “Thank you for your time and consideration.”
What to avoid
Here are a few mistakes to steer clear of in your letter.
Focus beyond yourself: This is not all about you. “I find a big mistake most people make in the cover letter is using ‘I’ too many times,” Mistal said. “They focus only on what’s great about themselves. But I suggest they focus the majority of their cover letter on what is great about the company they want to join. But they need to be sincere. It has to ring true with them, or it will ring hollow in the cover letter.”
Don’t be generic. Tailor each letter (like your resume) to the specific position. Include keywords and phrases in your letter that match those used in your resume in case the organization uses an automated system for screening cover letters and resumes.
Don’t be bland. No one wants to read something stilted like: “As was mentioned in the job description for this position, your company is in need of a team-oriented individual with a background of 10 years or more in the fields of marketing and communications. My qualifications make me perfectly suited to that position.” Write, “Your company needs a team player with experience in marketing and communications. I’m that person.”
Don’t include your salary requirements. Unless the organization specifically requests this information, save the salary conversation for when you’re near to being offered the job.
A bonus for your efforts: “By doing a cover letter, you’re also doing your interview homework so you can clearly and specifically answer why you want to work at that company, in that job, and how you’ve demonstrated the success factors that are important in that environment,” Mistal said.
An essential element for career switchers
For those making a career shift, you need to be up-front about your “why.”
“Cover letters are very helpful for career changers — people whose resumes don’t have all the requisite experience,” Mistal said. “In these cases, the cover letter can not only talk about what one loves about the organization but also how their skills and experience can transfer or translate.”
Deal with that in the first paragraph by answering these questions: Why are you making this transition? What is it about this job or field that you enjoy? Why this particular employer? How can you help this employer succeed with your current skill set?
Kerry Hannon is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist, and the author of 14 books, including “In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in The New World of Work” and “Never Too Old To Get Rich.” Follow her on X @kerryhannon.
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