How to Write an Effective Cover Letter

Cover letters are an important feature to add with your resume.  Yes, a good amount of time should be put into constructing an effective resume, but the cover letter has its purpose too and should not be neglected.  A cover letter is like an interview on paper.  You get to explain who you are and what qualifies you in your own words, on your own terms.  No one is asking you questions yet.  No one has even looked at your resume yet.  But this is your opportunity to announce to the potential employer why you are applying for this job and why they should hire you.  With that said, how you write your cover letter can make or break you.  So here are some very important dos and don'ts:

1. Personalize your addressee.  Writing the actual name of whom you are addressing show that you are not sending junk mail.  It shows that you care, did your research, and are serious about this company in particular.  So get in contact with the company or look on their website to determine whom your cover letter should address.

2. Don't send a nonspecific cover letter around.  Again, the key word is "personalize."  Companies are great at knowing if you just committed mass mailing.  What that says to them is, "I really don't care about this specific company."  You want to express the opposite, so figure out what would be the most relevant to each individual company to whom you plan on sending a cover letter.  Again, this takes a little bit of research, which you will have no problem doing if you truly are the kind of employee worthy of being hired.

3. Acknowledge what the company is looking for.  When job postings are specific about their needs and requirements, it is helpful for you to take note of that and emphasize your qualifications in those areas.  Give them exactly what they want to hear.

4. Make it simple to see that you are the right person.  Not only do you want to list your skills and experience, but you also want to give concrete examples.  Vague, general explanations won't peak anyone's interests.  Instead, give specific incidents in your personal life that truly represent the qualifications you are presenting to them.

5.  Don't be wordy.  Think about all the resumes and cover letters they have to go through.  They aren't robots that scan everything.  They are looking for key words and phrases that pop out at them.  So stay in the competition by being brief and direct.  Also, when writing your first paragraph, include the position title for which you are applying, immediately followed by your qualifications for that job.

6. Be the aggressor in your cover letter.  You know the game when it comes to resumes-- very rarely do you get a call back.  Sitting around by the phone is no way to get that job.  You are the one who has to take initiative.  End your cover letter by announcing when you will get in contact with them to discuss this further.  And of course, actually call or show up when you said you would.  You need to show that your serious about this.

7. Take care to edit your cover letter well.  If you want to show that you are serious about this company, you also have to show how much you care by taking time to work on your cover letter.  Don't just quickly write it up and send it in; edit your precious letter and make it the best it can be.  Don't misspell the company's name.  Don't forget to sign your letter.  And don't forget to do this simple but essential step.