The Do’s of Writing a Spectacular Cover Letter

The old saying, "You only have one chance to make a first impression," is definitely true when meeting someone in person, and it is just as important when you are writing to someone regarding a potential job opportunity. Writing a stellar cover letter becomes even more important in today’s job market when there are so many applicants competing for the same position. You need to set yourself apart from the other applicants. Below are some ideas to consider when writing a cover letter so you can be the one that stands out!

Do be Specific: When possible, address the cover letter to a specific person rather than "To Whom it May Concern." Do your best to research the person responsible for hiring. If it is not listed in the job description, call Human Resources or the Department and find out to whom it should be addressed.
Do be Concise: Cover letter should be one page long and divided into 3-4 paragraphs.
The first paragraph should indicate the reason you are writing and how you heard about the position. Try to open with an attention grabbing, yet professional, sentence. For example, "A proven track record in managerial accounting makes me the perfect candidate for this position," or, "12 years of experience in corporate advertising is the expertise that Smith Company needs."
The second paragraph should be used to explain your qualifications and highlight with specific examples how your skills match what the employer is seeking. For example, saying, "I am an effective sales manager," doesn't actually convey anything to the reader. Instead, try saying, "Over the past year, I have increased sales by over 150% bringing in over $300,000 in sales." Employers love proof that supports what you are saying.
The third paragraph should be used as a closing paragraph to thank the reader for their consideration and to request an opportunity to meet to discuss the position further. You should also provide your contact information (phone number/email) so the employer knows how to reach you. Another option is to be more proactive and state a follow-up action on your part. For example, "I will contact you within the next several days to set-up a time to talk." Then, make sure you actually do what you said you were going to do!
Do Customize: Although you may be sending out cover letters and resumes to multiple companies, do not let the companies know this by creating a generic template letter. For example, instead of writing, "I am very interested in working for your company," customize it by replacing "your company" with the actual company name. Additionally, make sure you address the specific company’s needs with your talents. Employers can tell when you are using a "one size fits all" type cover letter and they don’t like it! By taking a few extra minutes to state the company’s name and addressing how you can benefit them, you could set yourself apart from a generic cover letter.
Do Proofread: If you have grammatical errors or misspellings, this can immediately disqualify you from being considered for a position. Employers often view this as being careless and an inability to write effectively. Always proofread and, when possible, have a friend proofread it as well.
The goal of the cover letter is to grab the reader’s attention by convincing him you are a great candidate, make her want to read your resume and, of course, call you in for an interview so you can brilliantly sell yourself in person just like you did on paper! Good luck!

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