It's been said that you only have a minute to make a good first impression. If you're applying for a job, that time frame shortens to six seconds. Researchers say recruiters look at resumes for that very short period of time before making a decision. As an applicant, you need to make those seconds count.
A cover letter definitely helps strengthen your first impression.
Your cover letter works like a colorful "Read Me" note on the front of your resume. Write it well, and your recruiter can't help but read every word you've written.
We will show you how to do that.
The Basics: Know Your Audience
Your cover letter will appear in front of your resume, and you'll want to begin by recognizing that you're talking to the right people. You'll also want to ensure that those people can get in touch with you when they're done reading.
In the left-hand corner of your document, include your:
Name. Use the name you’d like your coworkers to call you when you work together. Steer clear of nicknames, of course, but if you go by "John" instead of "Jonathan," then by all means, use that name instead.
Address. This is a tricky one. If you live near the office where you'll work, proximity is your friend because you won't need relocation fees. If you don't live close, leaving this detail out proves you have something to hide. Always be honest.
Phone number. You may prefer email communication, but your recruiter may like to call you.
Email address. Don't use a work mailbox here. Make sure it's a personal account you check often.
Online portfolio. Does your LinkedIn account include samples? Do you have professional clips gathered on a website? Adding a link or an address for that data could help recruiters investigate you in detail.
Today's date. Resumes can linger in offices for weeks, months, or even years. Dating them helps to keep record keeping tidy.
Add a paragraph break, and then type out the details of the company you're speaking with. Include both the company's name and the address.
Add another paragraph break, and it's time to tap out your salutation. Do your homework, and make sure you include the actual name of the person you hope to meet face to face. That shows you're truly interested in the job, and that you're clever enough to dig for the data you need. Never skip this step.
Introduction: Express Your Interest
The first paragraph of your cover letter tells your reader why you've reached out. It's a critical paragraph, and it's packed with all sorts of details that could get you the job you want.
Include:
The job title. What position are you applying for?
The source. Where did you hear about the position?
The emotion. How did you feel when you heard about the job?
This is an important paragraph, and it's one that recruiters tend to read closely. It tells them what outreach channel is working (and that's a pat on the back for them), and it helps them ensure they're not wasting time.
The Body: Why You're a Good Fit
The second paragraph of your letter should contain a big push. In this paragraph, you'll outline all the special things you've done in your career, as well as what you hope to bring to your potential new job.
Consider highlighting:
A core statistic. Seek out a key accomplishment you can express with a number. How many new clients did you pull in? How much revenue did you generate? How many pies did you make? Numbers really pop.
An important skill. Read through the job listing, and seek out something the recruiter really wants. Is it teamwork? How have you demonstrated that? Is it organization? How have you embodied that?
Culture fit. Employees need to do their jobs while getting along with others. Mirror the company's culture with the words you use, or seek out the company's mission statement and explain why it resonates with you.
Conclude this paragraph with a reminder that you have so much more to share in your resume. This data is just a teaser to make recruiters want to know more.
The Conclusion: What Happens Next?
If you're answering a job posting, you want the recruiter to call you back. But if you're sending a cold-call document to someone who never asked to hear from you, the purpose blurs. Use this part of your letter to clarify what next steps are right for you.
Consider talking about:
Interview availability. What days are best for an interview? What times? Are you available in person, via phone, or both?
Portfolios. Would the team like to see work samples before they interview? Point the team to your link, or explain how you'll deliver the work.
Start date. When can your first day be? If the company is severely understaffed, immediate availability could be a big selling point.
The Signoff: Thanks Are Due
No recruiter owes you time. They've chosen to read about you and your work, and you should be grateful. This is your opportunity to express your thanks.
Stick with a professional, short signoff. "Sincerely" or "respectfully" work well.
Follow with your name. You don't need to include a graphic representation of your signature, but if you have it, include it.
It's my pleasure to offer my application for the Customer Service Manager position at Acme’s Smithfield plant. When I saw the listing on Joblist.com, I was thrilled. I'm right here in your city, and I have the expertise that you've been looking for.
I am a talented, driven customer service professional with more than two decades of experience. In my current position, I performed an annual customer happiness audit. Our scores improved by 90% during my five-year tenure.
You mention that low customer satisfaction is a problem for your company and I feel confident that I can solve that problem. You'll see more about my experience in my resume.
I'm available for an in-person interview any day of the week at your convenience. If you'd like to see samples of my work, including pages from the customer happiness audits I mentioned, please visit my online portfolio. The link is above.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Keep the Formatting Simple
Now that you know what you should say, what should the document look like? We're glad you asked. In general, this document should be as crisp, clean, and as uncluttered as possible.
More than 80% of American companies use some form of artificial intelligence in their recruiting efforts, says the Society for Human Resources Management. Some run cover letters and resumes through computers, and all your fancy footwork can obscure the data they need to pass your name along.
Don't put anything in graphics that you can put in type, and stick with standard fonts (like Times New Roman or Arial) for the body copy. The computers can read them, and the humans will be able to comprehend them too.
Next Steps
Are your fingers itching to start typing? We thought so. And we have some good suggestions. At Joblist.com, we collect thousands of job listings from all across the web, and we organize them so you can find exactly what you're looking for. Search for your job for free, and you just might find the career happiness you deserve.
