How To Write A Cover Letter: Dos And Don’ts
Hello dear,
Oh yeah I also used to think “dos and don’ts” was poor grammar. It isn’t. Grammar girl says so.
Anyways, onto today’s letter.
Last week, we figured out the best way to write a resume.
This is only half the battle.
Today, we will look at the other side of the “job-application coin”: your cover letter!
Sidenote: Just like last week, most of the information here comes from Kathryn Minshew and Alexandra Cavoulacos’ book,“The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career.” It still gets my vote for most relevant career advice book out there today. Highly recommended.
Onward.
Do
1. Channel The Right Side Of Your Brain
Remember I told you to think of your resume as the left side of your brain?
Well, your cover letter is the right side.
What does this mean? Whereas your resume shows data and numbers, your cover letter shows your personality (feels, colors, originality! hence the image at the top).
Here, you have to be creative. This is your first opportunity to show a future employer who you are.
Below, we’ll look at a few ways to do this.
Sidenote: Although I would totally use wit and humor, I wouldn’t recommend everyone do the same. Remember, your cover letter shows your personality the way you are, so don’t try to force things.
2. Tailor
Remember we learned there is no “one-size-fits-all” resume?
The same goes for your cover letter.
You should tailor your cover letter to the specific company/ job you’re applying for.
How? Here are some examples:
- Read through the job description. Your cover letter should mention the same skills and requirements they are looking for.
- Even if your previous jobs are unrelated to the one you’re applying for, talk about the skills you acquired that are transferable.
- Address the hiring manager by name. If you can’t find that information anywhere, address the head of the department (e.g. “Dear Sales Director”). Never use “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” The more personal, the better.
Sidenote: Of course, to avoid writing a new document from scratch every time you’re applying for a new job, you should probably have a “master cover letter” with all the relevant information. Depending on the job, you edit it appropriately. What you shouldn’t do is send the same cover letter to different companies.
3. Grab Attention
Use an attention-grabbing anecdote instead of starting with “I’m writing to express my interest in the position of bla bla bla.”
Like everything else, the anecdote has to relate to the position you’re applying for.
For example, you could mention how you always helped your friends with their homework in high school and therefore it’s no surprise you want to be a teacher today.
If you need inspiration, here are some examples of great opening lines to use in your cover letter.
4. Speak The Same Language
The tone you use will change depending on the company.
For instance, remember I said I’d use wit and humor? That might work for a more “fun” company like Google, but I wouldn’t try the same strategy with IBM.
Make sure you know what the company’s “voice” is like. To find that out, just read the copy on their website. It will give you a good idea of how “formal” your cover letter has to sound.
Don’t
1. Copy Paste
A lot of people are tempted to copy everything they wrote on their resume and slap it onto their cover letter.
Don’t do this.
Remember, your resume shows numbers, your cover letter shows personality.
If anything, you should expand on some key points from your resume.
Try this: pull out 2–3 (relevant) skills from your resume and explain how you used them successfully before. (e.g. My HTML experience allowed me to build the beta version of my previous employer’s website, which became a key tool in acquiring most of our customers down the line).
2. Mention The Obvious
Another mistake when writing cover letters is explaining “why you want the job so much.”
It’s safe to assume whoever’s reading your cover letter knows you want the job (duh!).
Instead, talk about what you can offer. Highlight your strengths, and show your personality.
And that’s it for today!
Today, we learned:
- What to do when writing a cover letter (channel your right brain, tailor, grab attention, and speak the same language).
- What not to do when writing a cover letter (copy paste, and mention the obvious).
See you next week (follow the series here to be notified).
Be well.
R
P.S.: Just like last week, I can’t recommend Muse’s coaching services enough. For a fee, they’ll help you create the strongest version of your cover letter. Absolutely worth it.
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Since I write about finance, legal jargon is obligatory (because the guys in suits made me). Before following any of my advice, read this disclaimer.
