Writing a Cover Letter That Makes an Impression

A cover letter is an integral part of the job application process. It is a way for you to introduce yourself to your potential employer apart from the more formal list of qualifications on your resume. The main objective of a cover letter is basically to market yourself. You need to advertise your accomplishments and any special skills you may have and explain why you would be the perfect fit for the job and a valuable addition to the team.

There are many different styles of cover letters, and there is no real way to know exactly what type of letter will get the attention of a recruiter or potential boss. Some people respond to more casual, informal cover letters that convey personality and vigor, whereas others appreciate a more formal, professional letter. It is usually possible to glean what type of style is best suited to that potential employer by reading the job description carefully to see what kind of language is used. If the description includes something like “fun, energetic thinker to offer creative solutions and work with a team,” you may want to pen a boisterous letter. However, if the description sounds more like, “detail-oriented individual who works well under deadlines,” a more serious, straightforward cover letter may be in order.

Let Your Personality Shine Through

Whether you feel that you should gear your cover letter more toward the professional or casual side in terms of tone, you should be sure to let your personality shine through regardless. You by no means need to say that you enjoy jogging and butterfly catching in your spare time, but you should look at the cover letter as a way for you to attach a person to your resume. Just as a movie script may not have much affect if it is being read on the page, hearing someone explain the script or recite the script out loud can completely change the way the script is understood. In your cover letter, be sure to advertise how the accomplishments listed on your resume can actually translate into real-world skills that can be advantageous in the work place. A great way to do this is to combine points about your professional experience with details about your personal experience. You may even want to include a specific example or scenario in which you were able to test your skills and you prevailed, such as a challenge you faced in your previous job.

Choose Your Words Carefully

Be sure to read the job description several times before penning your cover letter. The description will often include certain phrases or “buzz words” that the employer may be looking for in your resume or cover letter. For instance, if you notice terms like “deadline” and “fast-paced” in the description multiple times, this is likely a very important aspect of the job and you should highlight your ability to adhere to deadlines and manage stress in the cover letter. While you resume can list things like your familiarity with certain software or your college GPA, the cover letter is where you can truly attest to your personal skills as well as your academic and professional accomplishments.

Proofread!

While it may seem obvious that you would proofread both your cover letter and your resume very carefully, you may surprised to know that many people overlook basic spelling and grammatical mistakes in these documents when applying for jobs. There is nothing that will get your cover letter tossed in the trash faster than a sloppy proofreading error or confusing sentence structure. Even if the job itself doesn’t involve writing, no employer wants an employee who is careless or inarticulate. Proofread your cover letter once, twice, and then again. Give it to a friend or family member to read, as another set of eyes can often find mistakes that you may have overlooked.