Elements of a Winning Cover Letter

Human resource experts assert that cover letters are very important these days as the labor market gets more intense. A cover letter, undoubtedly, could be a very powerful document. It could be more than a sheet of paper because it could basically spell success for catching attention of prospective employers. An effective one could easily persuade any hiring manager to call an applicant and schedule a job interview right away after reading the first three to four paragraphs.

It is a common knowledge that cover letters are important because they could convince a potential employer to turn the next page to check out the attached résumé. It could immediately tell a hiring manager whether the applicant has the skills and qualifications that match the job vacancy being applied for. A well-composed cover letter could also indicate an applicant's ability to carefully, creatively, and skillfully put sentences together to express thoughts and ideas.

Cover letters could be effective or ineffective. Winning cover letters feature general elements. First should be personalization. Good letters are personalized and are tailored specifically to address the hiring manager and the company appropriately. Such letters tend to explain why the applicant is the best possible candidate for the vacant job position. In this regard, cover letter templates do not work wonders anymore. Employers appreciate it more if cover letters are written personally by applicants as there could be instant sincerity.

Second, a winning cover letter should not be too wordy and should be direct-to-the-point. Usually, the most effective ones are just about half-a-page long. Most employers appreciate it more if an applicant would state his objectives and intentions directly, instead of having to resort to long sentences and paragraphs, which take so much time to be read.

The content should be well structured. The first paragraph should facilitate a good opening: explaining why the applicant is writing and what specific position is being sought. It also contains information about contacts and referrals within or outside the company. The second paragraph should tell about the candidate's education, skills, and competence. It should also contain information the applicant knows about the company and how he thinks he could be an asset if given the chance to secure the job position. Take note that good cover letters are personalized but are also carrying serious and business-like tones.

Lastly, winning cover letters, especially those distributed in hard copies, use appropriate font and paper. Standard font style should be Times New Roman, while the paper should not be too thin or too heavy. It really helps attain good impression if the letter comes neat and is almost wrinkle-free. White paper is standard, though in some cases, light-colored and shaded ones also help catch attention. Font size should also be sufficient, neither too small nor too big. When sending out cover letters and résumés, intend to make follow ups (or state this intention briefly) to show your interest and determination to make it to an initial interview.