Cover Letter Basics
Too often applicants use a "one size fits all" cover letter. Some candidates do not even bother to include an employer address or name when submitting the resume! What messages are these candidates sending to employers? Certainly not that they are unique fits for the employers" needs. Demonstrating that match is the touchstone for any effective job search.Writing a cover letter targeted to a specific position does not mean you need to reinvent the wheel with each letter. You can construct a strong cover letter that includes fields ò€“ employer name and address are givens, but you can also include a list of keywords you insert for each cover letter. You can also change the accomplishments you highlight to demonstrate your success in the areas most important to a specific opening.
Address the cover letter to the hiring professional leading the job search if possible. That is much more likely to get the reader"s attention than the generic "To Whom It May Concern" opening.
Include buzzwords from the job posting. You can often do this in a paragraph explaining why you are a match for the opening. For instance, "I have 12 years of experience strengthening accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and expense control practices that captured over $5 million in savings for ABC Company" for an accounting position seeking someone with extensive A/R, A/P, and payroll experience.
Highlight three or four achievements relevant to the position. Using bullets points to bring attention to those feats is an effective method to set out the details. The bullets should persuade the reader to continue learning more about you and generate interest in reading the attached resume. Limit the bullets to keep the letter to one page. The cover letter does not need to cover every detail ò€“ otherwise the resume becomes superfluous.
Close with a brief statement of why you are a strong candidate for the job, and indicate that you would like to meet with the company. If you are relocating, you should also address that issue at this point of the letter as well.