How to Write a Cover Letter
Cover letters play a lesser role in the job search, but they must be crafted carefully for the best impression. Nowadays, people apply for jobs online and rarely send resumes by snail mail – or through the postal system. Technology really has made things easier, but it has also caused many people to be lazy and lax in their writing skills. Although a cover letter is not always required, when it is requested, or when you want to address the hiring manager directly, it needs to be well-written, accurate and succinct. That’s right – less is more. A good cover letter is a marketing tool, not just something you slap together at the last minute to accompany the resume which hopefully you tweaked for key words and accomplishments relevant to the specific job desired.
The Basic Structure of a Cover Letter
The basic structure of a cover letter contains the following parts:
- A heading – with name, address, phone number, email, etc.
John Smith
123 Elm Street
Washington, D.C. 20023
Phone (202) 234-5678
jsmith@gmail.com
The heading does not need to include all the items listed above. It can simply have a name and email address.
- The date – if emailing the cover letter, it will be time-stamped, but it doesn’t hurt to include it on the document.
June 1, 20…
- The name, title, company name, and address of the recipient
Mr. Jeffery Johnson, President and CEO
ABC Company
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20023
The address is optional, but the letter should include the name of the person, their title, and name of the company. All of these elements may be left out if emailed.
- Salutation
Dear Mr. Johnson
- A Powerful Introduction
Over the past few years, your company has been transitioning into the ______ market. With over a decade of experience in ____________, especially in my role of ______________ with Company ______, I have the experience and knowledge to facilitate more rapid changes in this area.
- Purpose of the Letter
- Critical Message(s) What is your UVP (Unique Value Proposition)?
What can you bring to the table which makes you stand out from other applicants as the obvious choice?
Ideally, you want to have three captivating reasons which highlight your experience and accomplishments related to the position and show that you can get the job done successfully and better than anyone else.
- Call to Action – ask for the interview!
- Closing
A well-written cover letter, checked for accuracy can draw attention to specific highlights of your career and/or specific accomplishments relevant to the position. It may also explain special circumstances pertaining to gaps in employment or other career changes and decisions.
If you are not sure about your UVP or how to put your thoughts on paper to put your best foot forward, I am happy to help you. You can hire me on Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/services/product/a-cover-letter-customized-for-a-specific-job-or-purpose-1424851361213628416. If you choose this option, I would first interview you and then write a draft after viewing your resume and the job description. I can help you with resumes, LinkedIn Profile Optimization, Interview Preparation, and many other elements of the job search and career strategy.
You can also find me on Transformations 123: https://transformations123.com/
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