What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume and explains your interest in, skills and qualifications for a particular job. While the resume summarizes your work history in detail, the cover letter hints at a real person behind it. It is to spark your recruiter’s interest and the desire to meet you.
You might ask: ‘Do I always have to write a cover letter? and the answer is ‘Yes.’ It is advisable to write it every time, just in case. Why? Because it ALWAYS looks better. It adds flesh to the skeleton that is your resume and it has the potential to place you ahead of your competition.
Furthermore, just like in case of your resume, a cover letter should be tailored to a particular job opening. That means that you have to write a new cover letter for every new job ad that you apply to.
What does a cover letter consist of?
A cover letter is very similar to a five-paragraph essay. It consists of:
- The Introduction
- Second paragraph explaining why you are a good fit
- Third Paragraph explaining why the company is a good fit for you
- Closing paragraph and summary
- Closing salutation/sign off and post-scriptum
Paragraph One: The Introduction
The introduction is the most important part of the cover letter. It needs to contain enough of a hook to make the hiring manager want to read on. It needs to be involving and crisp, and communicate your interest in the company. The intro needs to contain three sentences:
- A sentence that communicates that you know the company and admire it
- A sentence that summarizes your experience and skills, preferably with concrete examples
- A sentence that states your value to the company
Here is an example of an effective introduction:
This introduction is effective for four reasons. First of all, it starts off with a compliment, and who doesn’t like one? Secondly, it communicates you have an idea about what the company stands for (values), what it has achieved and what its story is. In other words, it shows you have done your homework and researched the company. Thirdly, it states your experience and skills without sounding commonplace. Lastly, it talks about your interest in the job and the fact that you already see yourself as part of the team.
Paragraph Two: Why You Are The Perfect Fit
In the second paragraph, you write more about your knowledge, skills and experience. Answer the following questions for yourself and summarize the answers using examples and explaining HOW you accomplished what you did.
- What were some of the most important projects you worked on? What was your role in them and HOW have you grown?
- What were some projects you’ve led yourself?
- How did you achieve a promotion?
- What responsibilities did you have and why?
- What special skills do you have?
When answering these questions be specific about dates, names of companies you worked for and positions you have held. You can get these from your resume.
Paragraph Three: Why The Company Is a Perfect Fit for You
Write about why you are impressed with the company; why they have got you interested.
- Have you been a great fan of the company?
- Do you use the products they sell? How are they useful or meaningful?
- Do you follow the company in the news? How did they catch your attention?
You can explain here how your ‘infatuation’ with the company started and why it never ended. What kept you interested? Next, you can share how you can contribute to its further success and with your unique perspective make the company even more successful. Perhaps you have a specific idea that will be of use to the company? Share it with them.
Paragraph Four: The Closing
The closing paragraph is your last chance to highlight all you have got to give and make an irresistible offer to the hiring manager.
First, you should sum up everything that you are bringing to the table. Next, you blatantly tell the recruiter that you would like to be considered for the position. You can do that by telling him/her that you would like to explain more about the novel idea that you have been considering. You want to make the hiring manager want to call you right after s/he has finished reading.
Closing salutation/sign off and post-scriptum
Your cover letter sign-off should be professional and warm. Here are some examples of phrases that will work well:
Finally, close out by signing your first and last name. You can also include handwritten signature and other information such as your phone number, LinkedIn account profile, or online portfolio. You can also include a post-scriptum with a fun fact about yourself or simply a restatement of your enthusiasm for the company.
Since, a cover letter is a little more informal, you can let your personality shine through it.
Good luck!
