Extend your job screening process by writing a cover letter

Extend your job screening process by writing a cover letter

Dear Sam: I have heard no one reads a cover letter. If so, do I need to take the time to write one? — Terri

Dear Terri: A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself to a prospective employer, expand upon and personalize your resume, provide the narrative your resume does not often allow, and highlight how your skills and experiences fulfill the employer’s needs. A cover letter should be a key part of every application. While it is true that only half of hiring managers actually read cover letters, we are playing to that 50% of your audience who look at the letter for additional information on the value of your candidacy. Half your audience enjoys reading a cover letter and learning about your “transitions, additions and losses.” Remember that a cover letter expresses your interest in the company and position and allows the employer to observe your attentiveness to detail, spelling, grammar and quality of your written communication.

When writing your cover letter, you can employ many strategies to develop and organize the content. Here are some guidelines:

  1. Open the letter noting your key qualifications and the position of interest. Use the first paragraph to capture the recipient’s attention and make them want to read more. To do this well, you must clearly understand your key qualifications, the position of interest and the intended audience.
  2. Use the center section of your cover letter to explore your experiences, successes and the skills that supported your performance. Often I will use bullet points to focus the hiring manager’s attention on the most critical pieces of information.
  3. Tailor your cover letter to the position and company. If you have a clearly defined goal, that does not mean you have to rewrite your entire cover letter, but be sure the skills highlighted are those most relevant to the opportunity of interest.
  4. Keep it brief. Generally, cover letters should be no more than one page.
  5. Do all you can to acquire the hiring manager’s name and address your cover letter appropriately.
  6. Present a clean and professional package using the same heading from your resume.

I hope that helps you develop a well-structured and highly effective introduction tool.

Samantha Nolan is an Advanced Personal Branding Strategist and Career Expert, founder and CEO of Nolan Branding. Do you have a resume, career, or job search question for Dear Sam? Reach Samantha at [email protected]. For information on Nolan Branding’s services, visit www.nolanbranding.com or call 888-9-MY-BRAND or 614-570-3442.