The Art of Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter

You’ve found a job that sounds like a perfect fit for your skills and experience, and you’re eager to apply. You’ve prepared your resume and now it’s time to write your cover letter. Overwhelm sets in...I've been there! Take a deep breath we have you covered!

While your resume lists your skills, qualifications, and experience, your cover letter is your chance introduce yourself and provide context. After all you are more than just a list of bullet points. Let's explore some essential elements of a compelling cover letter and provide tips to help you stand out from the crowd.

Personalize and Customize

A generic, one-size-fits-all cover letter will rarely grab the attention of a hiring manager. To craft a compelling cover letter, start by addressing it to a specific person. If the job posting doesn't mention a name, do some research to find out who the hiring manager is. Personalization demonstrates your genuine interest in the company and the position.

So many cover letters begin with the generic “I am applying for the job of _______ that I saw on your website.” We can do better! Instead, briefly tell them who you are and show enthusiasm for the company and the job. For example, you could begin by mentioning an impressive accomplishment in your career that shows how you could benefit their organization: As a three-time sales leader in my division, I was happy to learn that you are hiring a sales director. I am very impressed by ABC Organization’s commitment to quality service, and I would love to be part of your organization.

Personalization also means customizing your cover letter for each job application. While there may be some overlap in content, every cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company. This shows that you've put in the effort to understand the company's needs and how you can meet them.

Showcase Your Value

 The body of your cover letter is where you'll want to highlight your qualifications and explain how they align with the job requirements. Use specific examples from your professional experience to demonstrate how your skills, achievements, and expertise make you the perfect fit for the role. Make sure to connect the dots between what you bring to the table and what the company needs.

Highlight Your Passion

 It's not just about your qualifications; your cover letter should also convey your passion for the role and the company. Explain why you're excited about the opportunity and how your personal and professional values align with the company's mission and culture. Employers often look for candidates who are not only qualified but also enthusiastic about the role.

Keep it Concise

A cover letter should be concise, ideally less than a page. Hiring managers receive numerous applications, so they appreciate brevity. While you want to highlight what makes you a great candidate, don’t restate your entire resume. They already read your resume! Instead, tell your story and information about what makes you unique from the other applicants.

Professional Tone 

Maintain a professional and positive tone throughout your cover letter. Avoid negative language or discussing any negative aspects of your current or past employment. Remember, a cover letter is not the place to air grievances or discuss salary expectations.

Call to Action 

Conclude your cover letter with a clear call to action. Express your eagerness for an interview and let the employer know that you will follow up. This proactive approach demonstrates your enthusiasm and determination.

Proofread and Edit 

Honestly, there’s no excuse for submitting a cover letter with spelling or grammatical errors. There are too many tools available to prevent it, starting with the built-in spelling and grammar checks in word processing programs. There are also other tools you can use to make sure your cover letter is grammatically perfect (Grammarly is great!). It's also a good idea to have a friend or family member review your letter as well, just to make sure it flows well and that you haven’t forgotten any important words or points.

Want more cover letter tips? Download our FREE cover letter workbook here!

If you’d like 1:1 help writing an effective cover letter, consider working with a career coach. A well-crafted cover letter is important because it can be the tool that leads to your dream job.

---

Want to be notified when a new blog is published? Sign up here!

Follow Our Podcast to get weekly actionable career advice!