Your cover letter is your avatar, your signature. It suggests your character and communication style, as particular and unique as your fingerprint or vocal waveform. Absent your physical presence, your cover letter is you.
The truth of these of these statements is precisely the reason why so many covering letters fall at the first hurdle: specificity. It is simply too easy to type 'sample cover letter' into your search engine of choice and then copy whatever you can find there, or perhaps download a ready-made cover letter template. Certainly this is better than nothing, but free online cover letter templates will not provide what you desire—a compelling letter of introduction that ignites employer interest in you.
Perhaps that's why you're here—you know what others do not. You are savvy to the fact that a solid covering letter will make you appear polished and professional in the eyes of the recipient. You embrace its potential to powerfully articulate your deep understanding of the target organisation whilst simultaneously communicating your eagerness to further its aims.
But this brings us to the second hurdle: How to write a cover letter that wins interviews and draws attention to your résumé. If templates and samples lack the personal touch that will make your covering letter stand out, how can you prepare a document that speaks directly to a particular employer's requirements with both personality and panache? The work involved is real and substantial, but the rewards will be worth the effort.
Free cover letter templates seem like an easy solution to a complex problem, but are no match for those which have been custom-built to the career
objective of the author and the requirements of the reader
.
It's true that you can recycle certain cover letter elements (although 'I am a very self-motivated, organized individual' is best avoided), but the remainder of the text should, at a bare minimum, always make explicit reference to your:
current position;
industry sector;
significant strengths; and
unique selling points.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. The process of creating an outstanding cover letter begins with research, and lots of it. You will need to examine the following elements as they relate to your target occupation:
—Industry subject matter and terminology;
—Technical/business practice innovations;
—Recent events and their societal impact;
—Current recruitment trends/salary scales.
The background details you acquire from this essential research will form the foundation of your cover letter, so do not skip this step!
With that initial groundwork out of the way, you must now discover as much as you can
about the employer to whom your cover letter will be sent. Find out:
—The nature of the organisation's business;
—Its most high-profile customers/clientele;
—Present developments and past history;
—Staff requirements and mission statement.
Remember: the more you understand about your selected occupation as a whole—and your chosen organization in particular—the stronger your cover letter will be.
Individuals who submit hackneyed, non-specific cover letters immediately betray their ignorance of both. By way of proof, take a look at this uninspired cover letter excerpt:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want you to know that I am very interested in your field. A business contact has told me that you are the acknowledged leader in your industry. As a self-motivated individual who works well on my own initiative—as well as within a team environment—I am writing in order to apply for work within your organisation.
We need to do better than this.
First, If at all possible, try to address your cover letter to an individual within the organisation, rather than the organisation itself. You may not have a name to hand, but acquiring one is easy to do.
Phone the organisation, then ask the receptionist for human resources, recruiting, or personnel. One of these departments will provide you with the name of the person responsible for job applications.
If there is no such department (common in small organisations) or you are transferred to a machine, hang up and hit redial. This time, simply ask the receptionist for the name of the managing director.
if you know someone who works in the organisation, mention them by name in your cover letter, and send them a copy of your job application. You aren't the only person who wants this vacancy, and in the battle of wits between your rivals and you, such contacts will make for some powerful ammunition.
Many job hunters make the mistake of repeating the information already contained within their CV on their covering letter. Still others perceive the cover letter as a clarion call to pen a lengthy autobiography, writing endless pages on their career path to date and future aspirations. A third group forsakes the cover letter entirely, confident that a solo CV is all they need to market themselves.
All three groups will suffer the same fate: rapid rejection at the hands of HR managers focused solely on the best. Let's imagine what a more personal letter might look like:
Dear Professor Montegue,
Having gained a degree in Nursing from UCC, and spent over twenty years working as a senior staff nurse at Saint James' Hospital, I am very much aware of the Mater's reputation as one of Ireland's most distinguished hospitals. A colleague of yours, Dr. Manoj Guvaro, has alerted me to the fact that you are currently seeking an experienced night nurse to oversee the maternity ward—a position for which I am most eager to apply.
Better. This second example properly presents a brief overview of the candidate and their relevant credentials. Its distinct and active voice sparks the reader's interest, working to convince them that the skills of this individual are valuable.
Avoid lengthy letters exceeding one page: the letter should be short and snappy. Most cover letters consist of a body of four paragraphs. Limit your paragraphs in turn to four-six lines so you don't overwhelm the reader.
Paragraph 1: Introduction of yourself and why you want the job.
Paragraph 2: Relevance of any academic or work experience to the requirements of the particular position; your ability to add value. Show why you fit the job.
Paragraph 3: Why do you want to work for that particular company?
Paragraph 4: What is it about the position that interests you?
Keep in mind the perspective of the person who will be reading your letter. S/he is not interested in what YOU want, but rather in what value you will bring to the organisation. What you convey should prove interesting enough to lead an employer to want to interview you.
Write your letters in the first person; yet vary your sentences with beginning phrases and clauses so that each line does not start with "I". Don't be afraid of including a memorable turn of phrase or rich vocabulary if suitable.
SUMMARY: Cover letters are often rejected at the initial sort stage because they do not demonstrate that their authors can meet the selectors' criteria due to their generic nature. Write in your unique voice or let us advocate on your behalf.