5 Tips For The Perfect Cover Letter
Today I'm sharing the tips I end up giving to most of my cover letter revamp clients. Cover letters aren't always required, but can help you stand out if done properly. An ineffective cover letter is often more harmful than not sending one.😬
1. Address It: Do your best to find the name of the hiring manager or recruiter you're sending your cover letter to, rather than "To Whom It May Concern". Remember you're writing this letter to an actual person who will be reading it!
2. Give Examples: Provide brief examples from your previous roles that make you the perfect hire for this one.
3. Show, Don't Tell: Rather than describing the kinds of skills you have, mention how you've used those skills to create actual impact in your current role (include any data you have).
4. Inverted Pyramid Format: If you've taken a journalism class, this term probably looks familiar. Within the structure of the cover letter, I recommend starting with the most important information you want them to know, ending with the less important. The recipient may not end up reading the whole letter, and you want to make sure they get the key takeaways.
5. Tailor It Every Time: Don't always use the same cover letter! The same basic structure can be used, but make sure you fully understand the role you're applying for and which of your previous experiences help make you a great candidate.
Does your cover letter already have these elements or do you need to spruce it up a bit? Let me know if I can help!
