Cover letters. There used to be a time I would cringe whenever I saw a job posting requesting a cover letter. I hated the thought of having to write one so much that I would actually consider not even applying for the job. Yes, it was that bad.
Thankfully, not anymore. Instead of the dreadful, loathsome task I once viewed it as, I now consider writing a cover letter as an opportunity to put distance between myself and all of the other candidates applying for the same position.
While the resume is concise and allows you to present yourself in the most professional light, the cover letter allows you to show your personality. It’s a tool that (when used correctly) can personalize your candidacy and make you stand out in the reader’s mind.
To do that, however, you cannot write the same cover letter that everyone else writes. So, besides reiterating your job experience and professional qualifications (which you should certainly do), here are a few things you can do to make your cover letter shine brighter than the rest.
Write a new cover letter for each position
Believe it or not, some job candidates still send out recycled cover letters to prospective employers. Sure, it’s easier to just take an existing cover letter and update the position you’re applying for than it is to write a totally new one. But submitting a recycled cover letter demonstrates a lack of interest and, quite honestly, it reveals a sense of laziness. That’s not the impression you want to convey.
Personalize your opening paragraph
Use the opening paragraph to strike a personal connection with the hiring manager. Start by addressing them by name in your opening salutation. This step alone separates you from all those candidates who start their letter with something like, “To Whom It May Concern”, or “Dear Madame or Sir”. Self-improvement icon Dale Carnegie once said, “Remember that a person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Never underestimate the power of calling someone by their name.
Next, share with them a unique reason why you are applying for the position. Instead of saying something generic like, “I am confident my skills and experience make me a great fit for your organization,” say something unique and specific like, “Since your organization has just started using Agile, I’m confident my eight years of experience working with the methodology can be beneficial to the Software Development team.” This statement shows that 1) you’ve taken the time to find out about the inner workings of the team you would be joining, and 2) you bring valuable experience that can immediately benefit the organization.
Don’t be afraid to name drop
It’s no secret that employee referrals get more attention and consideration than applicants without any personal connection to the company. If you were referred by someone who works at the company you’re applying to, be sure to mention that person’s name in your first paragraph.
If you know someone who works there, but they did not actually refer you, still, mention their name, their position, and your relationship to them. Of course, you’ll want to get the person’s permission before doing this. This step alone immediately separates you from the hundreds of other applicants.
Note: If you’re not sure whether you have a personal connection to the company, use LinkedIn or some other professional networking forum to find out if your network includes anyone who works there or if any of your connections can introduce you to someone who does.
Explain any perceived weaknesses in your resume
If someone is reading your cover letter, that means your resume has already piqued their interest. If there’s anything in your resume that could potentially cause a problem for your candidacy, now is the time to address it. For instance, if you have a gap in employment, your cover letter is a great place to explain the situation.
For instance, you can explain that you used this time to update your skills by taking some classes, or that you spent time volunteering for a cause that is very important to you, or that you took some time to learn a new language. The important thing is to demonstrate that this was not simply “downtime” spent doing nothing. You want to show that even though you were not employed, you took the initiative to engage in activities that enhanced your professional experience, making you a more desirable candidate.
Highlight your shared values
These days, most companies strive to be more than just an employer. Many also want to be viewed as good corporate citizens. As a result, they encourage their employees to engage in fund raising and public awareness activities. These activities can include walk-a-thons, bicycle rides, 5k runs, and a whole host of other forms of fundraisers. If you have any personal connection to either the causes or activities that the company supports, mentioning this in your cover letter is a great way to show that you share some of the same values that the company does. This is a subtle way to imply that you would fit in perfectly with the company’s corporate culture.
Refer to your resume least once
Include something like, “As you can see from my resume, I’ve…”. Make sure to point them to an achievement or activity that is awesome and worth reiterating. The goal here is to make sure that something significant in your experience sticks in their minds and makes you stand out from the crowd.
Remember, if someone at the company is reading your cover letter, they have already looked at your resume and they are interested in you based on your stated qualifications. Now the goal is to get an interview. Writing a cover letter that stands out from the rest gives you the best shot at achieving that goal.
– Contributing Author, Darrell Washington