Tips for Writing a Better Cover Letter

When done correctly, cover letters can be immensely helpful and may even be the reason you get that call-back or interview. Don’t just include a cover letter because you can — only do it if you think you can use it to your advantage, or if the job you’re applying to asks for one.

First, decide what type of cover letter you are going to include.

That’s right, there are different types of cover letters for different scenarios. The most common type of cover letter is the traditional cover letter, sometimes called an application letter. Traditional cover letters are written for a specific job or position you are applying to. The writing will often reflect on your knowledge and skill sets that directly relate to that position. The other option is called a letter of interest. When writing a letter of interest, you don’t have a specific position in mind, but instead you are inquiring about possible openings within that company.

Don’t just turn your resume into a few paragraphs.

Since a resume often includes the most important parts of your work history, it feels right to mention those details in the cover letter too, since it’s all so important, right? Don’t do that. Your cover letter should cover important details that you did not include on your resume. Make it more personal, and make the reader feel like they’re really getting to know you on a more personal level.

Make it personal.

It’s super easy to tell if an applicant reuses a cover letter for multiple positions or companies, and that makes it seem like you don’t want to put in any effort. Take the time to customize and personalize each cover letter for each position you are applying to. Use the name of the company, the title of the position, and even mention what excites you about that company. Show them that you care and really want the job.

Don’t point out your flaws.

We all have flaws, but don’t bring them up. Be confident in what you do know and the skills you do have. If you’re a recent grad, don’t bring up the fact that you don’t have much real work experience. Instead, use your cover letter to explain what you learned in school, and how you can apply that to actual work.

Keep it short.

The rule is usually one-page maximum. Don’t use it to spell out your entire past. Keep it brief and highlight things you want the company to know. Make sure to properly indent, and add line breaks and spacing between each paragraph. In the end, it should be no longer than a few paragraphs — or one page.

Be yourself.

Everyone wants to sound mature and professional when applying to jobs, but over-doing it can often times be off-putting. Don’t try to impress the company by using a ton of technical jargon or over-polite writing like “Dear Sir, I wish to inform you…” Just be yourself.

Unsure what to write about? Look for examples online.

There are thousands of examples out there for you to read. Just try Googling “Cover Letter Example” with your career field. For example, “Data Scientist Cover Letter Example.” Read what other people have written. Obviously don’t copy any, but use them as inspiration.

Proof-read your letter.

There are few things worse than poor spelling and grammar in a cover letter. It’s pretty easy to make sure your cover letter is error-free. First, just use the spell-checker built into your computer. If you see any red squiggly lines, check them out and see if it’s something that needs fixing. Next, send your cover letter to some friends and ask them to read over them. Often times you will miss errors after working on a cover letter for a while, but some fresh eyes can spot things you may have missed.

Lastly, make sure it gets read.

Follow all the steps above and your cover letter is much more likely to be read. If it’s not insanely long, it’s readable, and it’s informative, it’s much more likely that someone will read it. Want to increase your chances? Create your resume and cover letter on Ceev.io and choose a template to make them stand out from the rest. 😀