According to one recent survey of more than 200 recruiters, an overwhelming majority (83%) said that they referenced an applicant's cover letter when making a hiring decision.
While some companies might list this addition as optional, it's in your best interest to attach one. Yet, while your resume might be polished and updated, you might struggle with this additional part. What makes a great, compelling cover letter, and is there anything you should avoid?
With the right writing strategies in place, you can take the stress out of this step. Today, we're breaking down the art of the cover letter and sharing everything you need to know.
In the simplest sense, a cover letter is a one-page document that job applicants attach to their resumes. If you're completing an online job application, most companies will have a separate upload button for this file.
This is your opportunity to share more information about yourself with any prospective hiring team. While your resume is a high-level overview of your education, achievements, and job roles, a cover letter allows you to expand in more of a narrative format.
Though it's important to keep it succinct and easy to scan, you can use this space to elaborate on your skills, abilities, and experience. Then, you'll share how those attributes align with the company's goals and why they make you a good fit for the open position.
Many recruiters use cover letters as a way to screen a long list of applicants before shortening the list and moving forward with a select few. If you can articulately explain your background and match it to their needs, you can increase your odds of getting chosen.
If you're going to pour your time and energy into creating this letter, you want to make sure the recruiter will actually read it. Let's take a look at a few best practices and writing tips to keep in mind when it's time to get started.
An effective cover letter doesn't unnecessarily wax poetic. While you'll naturally want to pitch yourself and expand on your talents, you don't want to lose your reader's interest. If possible, stick to the one-page rule.
Unsure which parts to cut? Stick to talking points that directly align with what the company is looking for. For instance, while you may be proud of one particular summer internship, consider whether that serves your point and will pique the interest of the recruiter.
Most cover letters contain three to four short, informative paragraphs. Use this space wisely, and focus on the details of your current and past work experience, explaining how it makes you an excellent candidate for the new position, and why.
As you write, pay attention to the job description, comparing your knowledge and abilities to certain role requirements that you know you can fill.
Yes, your cover letter should be polished and professional. At the same time, you also want to remind the reader that you're a real person, and not an AI bot.
If you can, find out the recruiter's name and address the letter to them directly. Many job postings will clearly list the point of contact, though this isn't always the case. When in doubt, you can always research the company's hiring department for more information!
A name is preferable over a generic "To Whom It May Concern," which can make your letter appear more like a boilerplate template, and less like a personalized response.
When you're creating a cover letter, the writing process can be a little tricky. You may wonder how to begin, and how to segue from one section to the next. To enhance readability, we suggest breaking your paragraphs up into three main sections, as follows:
Start by covering your background, including your level of education and any past roles that relate to the new job opening. Then, lead into what you're currently doing, sharing the responsibilities that you have at work, and the skills you've learned.
Finally, talk about where you want to be, and how this open position will facilitate your long-term career goals.
Keep in mind that these paragraphs don't have to be long. In fact, they can be one sentence each, as long as they are thorough.
Writing a cover letter allows you to explain to the hiring team why you want the job. Of course, the main reasons will be to earn a living, put your skills to good use, and grow your connections.
However, those reasons also apply to nearly every other candidate submitting an application.
To help your letter stand out, write about specific parts of the role that appeal to you. In addition to referencing the current job posting, you can also research the company to learn more about its culture and focus.
Are you drawn to its eco-conscious work model? What about the team-like atmosphere and opportunities for training and development? Recruiters love when candidates have done more than simply copy and pasted their cover letter from one application to the next.
By weaving in a few company-specific details, you'll show that you took this step seriously and that you're genuinely excited about the prospect of working for the team.
In the excitement of writing your cover letter, you might forget some of the most important details: your contact information! If you're working from a pre-designed template, most will have spaces in the top header for you to add your phone number, email address, physical address, and other key details, such as a link to your LinkedIn profile.
Before submitting, be sure to check the cover letter requirements of the job you're responding to. Some companies prefer for applicants to include their contact information in the body of their letters. If this is the case, you can simply add it at the end, under your name.
Want to grab the attention of a hiring manager? Add a few numbers to your cover letter as a way to quantify your skills and qualifications.
For instance, don't just say you have sales experience. Mention how you helped your current company increase its revenue by X% in the most recent quarter. If you're great at marketing, list the ROI of your most recent campaign.
Stats like these show that you made a measurable impact on the company you worked for and that you'll apply those same talents to the organization.
Instead of regurgitating what's on your resume, look for unique figures that tell a bigger story about your capabilities.
When it's time to create your own cover letter, we always recommend making it personal. While a template is a great way to make sure you're formatting yours correctly, you don't want to use the same formula for each application, only changing the contact information as required.
Instead, take the time to make yours unique and applicable to the opening you're responding to. While it might take a few minutes, the time investment is worthwhile.
That said, it can help to see an example for inspiration! Here's a fictional cover letter that uses the writing strategies we detailed above.
Dear Ms. Kelly Miller,
In my five-year career as a digital marketer, I have honed my outreach and fundraising skills, as well as my social media savviness. I've become adept at reaching large audiences in compelling, measurable ways, and I've led my current company to a 15% year-over-year growth as a result.
Clear Copy Marketing's 15 years in practice proves that your organization shares my commitment to quality, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
Currently, I serve as the Digital Marketing Manager for Smith & Myers, where I work closely with our sales and project management teams to drive new leads and nurture existing ones. During my time here, I have implemented a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that streamlines our accounts, ensures against delays, and allows us to serve our clients better.
Previously, I worked as a Marketing Assistant at Sunshine Marketing, where I received praise for my ability to connect with clients across multiple channels. While working there, I developed the company's social media presence and grew our communities across Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. That increased web traffic led to 35% more conversions after the first year.
I believe I would be an excellent fit for the Senior Marketing Manager position at Blue Spot Digital. In addition to my work experience, my further qualifications include a B.A. in Journalism from Brown University, an Online Marketing Certificate from Cornell University, and training in Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle CX.
I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your marketing team. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sarah Jones
sarahjones552@email.com
(999) 999-9999
The above writing strategies can help you create a winning cover letter that clearly displays your talents and keeps your reader engaged. However, we know that putting these steps into practice can be easier said than done.
Does the idea of fine-tuning your resume and cover letter seem daunting? If so, we're here to help!
As the top-rated professional resume writing service in Canada, our team at CareerHD knows how to help your application shine. In addition to resumes and cover letters, we also specialize in one-on-one consultations, interview prep, career coaching, and more.
Are you ready to take a step toward the job of your dreams? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today and let's connect!
