The Art of the Cover Letter: Tips for getting noticed and getting an interviewApril 21, 2014Resume Services0 Comments 4When people ask what I do for a living, I tell them I am a professional career coach who helps people get jobs (the inverse of a recruiter, who helps a company find people). If they give me a puzzled look, I usually tell them Im a professional resume writer. That seems to clear things up, partially because people tend to have an unrealistic notion that the resume gets you the job. Thats not really how it works these days. In fact, I often argue that the cover letter is the most important thing I do for any client. Its the very first thing a potential employer will read about you, after all! Its also far less structured than a resume, which means theres more opportunity to wander outside the lines of normal. Writing a cover letter can be a terrifying task if youre not prepared and not experienced, but Im here to shed some light after reading countless introductions from eager applicants.First, lets briefly discuss the point and purpose of a cover letter, since this is where so many people go wrong. A cover letter does not get you the job. While were at it, neither does your resume. Instead, think of every step in the application process as merely a first down in your quest for the end zone. The function of a great cover letter is to get the reader interested enough to view your resume. If your cover letter isnt doing anything for them, theyre never double-clicking on that little attachment that represents all your hard work and achievement. A great cover letter will get the reader interested and provide a seamless hand-off to the resume. Oh, and while were at it, we should stop thinking about a cover letter as a physical page. In most cases, especially if you read my recent article on getting straight to the recruiter, a cover letter is simply the body of an email. This means we dont need to worry about filling a page, we just need to capture interest.Common Elements of a Poor Cover Letter:1. Too long If your cover letter is a full page or more, you might have a problem. Nobody wants to read that much just to see if youre in the ballpark for their job.2. Beats around the bush If Im two paragraphs in and I still dont know what job you want, we have a problem. If you cant be direct in your cover letter, are you going to get to the point in meetings and in our day to day talks?3. Too thorough This can go hand in hand with length, but far too many cover letters are simply a narrative form of the resume, citing every job and every education bullet point. If I wanted a complete and exhaustive history on you, Id open your resume.4. Focuses on the company -If you spend two paragraphs talking about what a wonderful place Company X is to work, all youve accomplished is telling the reader he works at a nice company. Presumably he already knows that. The point is to sell yourself, not show how much you want to get hired.You can probably imagine where Im headed, but here are the components of an excellent cover letter, which I make sure to follow each and every time I work with a client.Elements of a Great Cover Letter:1. Concise and Brief Respect the readers time, and respect that youre very early in the process, which means brevity is your friend. I like to try for 2-3 paragraphs, only taking up about half a physical page. This is short enough that it tends to get read entirely (as opposed to merely skimmed).2. Get to the Point!- In the very first sentence, tell them what job you want and why youre an excellent fit. The longer you wait, the more aimless you will seem. There is something refreshing about walking into a room and making your intentions known, and thats exactly what a good cover letter does.3. Highlight dont recite your experience Briefly mention your academic qualifications and a little of your history to show them youre in the right ballpark for the position. I hold a bachelors degree in chemical engineering. For the past three years, Ive worked at Company X, helping them design polymers that effectively reduce emissions and increase overall yield. We just want to give them enough of a glimpse to show were worth a second look.4. Gracefully Compliment -I like to mention one polite and personal statement about the company. After all, you want them to know youre interested in this company for a reason, not simply because you found it on a website. Heres the key: Save this for the end of your document. Leading with how great the company is will just make you look like a suckup. Ending with it shows respect and appreciation after youve established your value.5. Include a Call to Action This is natural for sales and marketing folks, but a foreign concept to many in other fields. Tell them youd like to meet to discuss further, or that youre extremely interested in interviewing. It may seem obvious to you, but this shows that youre a go-getter who is ready to further the process by prompting them for the next step. The world belongs to people who ask for it.So there it is. I can guarantee the results for this style of cover letter, because its been battle-tested for so many of my clients. Be brief, clear and direct. Walk into the room with a purpose and state your intentions. Briefly hint at your experience, show some respect for the company, and include a call to action. If your skills and history are a match, I assure you theyll take you seriously and look at your resume. Congratulations on your first down!

Heres the after version. Its awesome. It tells us who the candidate is and why shes great at what she does. And shes genuinely enthusiastic. This isnt a generic letter; its a letter abouther.Dear Hiring Manager:It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application for the position of Sales Coordinator for the Westeros Castle Project. As an administrative professional with over ten years experience, I know my diverse skills and qualifications will make me an asset to the Westerosproject team.As you will see from the attached resume, Ive built my career in a variety of roles and industries, mostly in small companies where I was not just the admin but also gatekeeper, technology whiz, bookkeeper and marketing guru. Im not only used to wearing many hats, I sincerely enjoy it; I thrive in an environment where no two work days are exactly the same.In addition to being flexible and responsive, Im also a fanatic for details particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.Last but certainly not least, I want you to know that Im a passionate Westerosfan and a longtime supporter of the new castle. Ive been following the new castle movement since the earliest days of the original Save the Tombs campaign, and I am so excited to see this vision becoming a reality. Ive already checked out the new castle website, and the renderings of the new throne and great hall are stunning, to say the least I particularly love the vintage murals and art featured throughout the building. Nice touch!In closing, I am thrilled at the possibility of being involved in the new castle almost literally from the ground up, and would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value that I can bring to the Targaryen organization and the Westeros Castle Project. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.Warmest regards,Catelyn Star

The Best Cover Letter I Ever Received David SilvermanJUNE 15, 2009 SAVE SHARE COMMENT TEXT SIZE PRINTThe Best Cover Letter I Ever Received

RECOMMENDED HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set (6 Books) (HBR's 10 Must Reads)LEADERSHIP & MANAGING PEOPLEBOOK , Peter F. Drucker, Clayton M. Christensen, Daniel Goleman, Michael E. Porter125.00ADD TO CART SAVE SHARE HBR Guide to Coaching Employees Ebook + ToolsORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENTBOOK 39.95ADD TO CART SAVE SHARE Communicating for Success SetCOMMUNICATIONBUNDLES 125.00ADD TO CART SAVE SHAREIn my last postI talked about how to make your rsum more likely to catch the attention of a hiring manager. As a follow up, Id like to discuss cover letters. Heres my basic philosophy on them: dont bother.Thats because the cover letters I see usually fall into one of three categories:The recap:The rsum in prose form. Its redundant, harder to read than the rsum, and provides no additional insight.

The form letter:This says, essentially, Dear Sir or Madam: I saw your ad in the paper and thought you might like me. And its clearly a form letter where maybe they got my name and company right. If theyre lucky, I will still take the time to read their rsum after being insulted with a form letter.

The Im crazy:This ones rare, and it expands on the rsum of experience with some personal insights. Examples range from the merely batty (I find batik as an art form has taught me to become both a better person and project manager.) to the truly terrifying (I cast a pentagram hex and the central line pointed towards your job listing. I know you will find this as comforting as I do.)

There are really only a few times to use a cover letter:1. When you know the name of the person hiring2. When you know something about the job requirement3. When youve been personally referred (which might include 1 and 2)Under those conditions, you can help your cause by doing some of the rsum analysis for your potential new boss. To illustrate, heres the best cover letter I ever received:Dear David:I am writing in response to the opening for xxxx, which I believe may report to you.I can offer you seven years of experience managing communications for top-tier xxxx firms, excellent project-management skills, and a great eye for detail, all of which should make me an ideal candidate for this opening.I have attached my rsum for your review and would welcome the chance to speak with you sometime.Best regards,Xxxx XxxxHeres what I like about this cover letter: Its short. It sums up the rsum as it relates to the job. It asks for the job.The writer of this letter took the time to think through what would be relevant to me. Instead of scattering lots of facts in hopes that one was relevant, the candidate offered up an opinion as to which experiences I should focus on.And that means the writer isnt just showing me skills related to the job, hes showing me hell be the kind of employee who offers up solutions instead of just laying problems on my desk.What do you think? Have you ever secured a job thanks to a cover letter? Whats your view on the value or lack thereof of cover letters?This content was adapted for inclusion in theHBR Guide to Getting a Job.Editors note:For a different take on whether you need a cover letter and advice on how to write a great one, read our Best Practice How to Write a Cover Letter

HIRINGHow to Write a Cover Letter Amy GalloFEBRUARY 04, 2014 SAVE SHARE COMMENT TEXT SIZE PRINT

RECOMMENDED HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set (6 Books) (HBR's 10 Must Reads)LEADERSHIP & MANAGING PEOPLEBOOK , Peter F. Drucker, Clayton M. Christensen, Daniel Goleman, Michael E. Porter125.00ADD TO CART SAVE SHARE HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set (6 Books) (HBR's 10 Must Reads)LEADERSHIP & MANAGING PEOPLEBOOK , Peter F. Drucker, Clayton M. Christensen, Daniel Goleman, Michael E. Porter125.00ADD TO CART SAVEHow to Write a Cover LetterNo one likes job hunting. Scouring through online jobs boards,spiffing up your rsum, prepping for grueling interviewsnone of its fun. But perhaps the most challenging part of the process is writing an effective cover letter. Theres so much conflicting advice out there, its hard to know where to start. Indeed, in an age of digital communication, many might question whether you even need a cover letter anymore.What the Experts SayThe answer is yes. Not sending a cover letter is a sign of laziness. Its akin to making spelling and grammar mistakes in your rsum. You just dont do it, says Jodi Glickman, a communications expert and author ofGreat on the Job. John Lees, a UK-based career strategist and author ofKnockout CV, agrees. Even if only one in two cover letters gets read, thats still a 50% chance that including one could help you, he explains. Its an opportunity to distinguish yourself, Glickman adds. Still, as anyone whos ever written a cover letter knows, its not easy to do well. Heres how to give hiring managers what theyre looking for.Do your research firstBefore you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Look at the companys website, its executives Twitter feeds, and employee profiles on LinkedIn. Do some research beyond reading the job description, says Lees. Find out what challenges the company is facing and how your role would help address those. Knowing the company better also helps you decide on the right tone to use in your cover letter. Think about the culture of the organization youre applying to, advises Glickman. If its a creative agency, like a design shop, you might take more risks but if its a more conservative organization, like a bank, you may hold back.Open strongPeople typically write themselves into the letter with Im applying for X job that I saw in Y place. Thats a waste of text, says Lees. Instead, lead with a strong opening sentence. Start with the punch linewhy this job is exciting to you and why youre right for it, says Glickman. For example, you might write, Im an environmental fundraising professional with more than 15 years of experience and Id love to bring my expertise and enthusiasm to your growing development team. Chances are the hiring manager or recruiter is reading a stack of these, so you want to catch their attention. But dont try to be funny. Humor can often fall flat or sound self-regarding, says Lees. Stay away from common platitudes, too. Say something direct and dynamic, such as Before you read any further, let me draw your attention to two reasons why you might want to hire me.If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, also mention it in the first sentence or two. And always address your letter to someone directly. With social media, theres no excuse to not be able to find the name of a hiring manager, says Glickman.Emphasize your personal valueHiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems. Drawing on the research you did earlier, show that you know what the company does and some of the challenges it faces. These dont need to be specific but you might mention a trend thats affected the industry. For example, you might write, A lot of healthcare companies are grappling with how the changing laws will affect their ability to provide high-quality care. Then talk about how your experience has equipped you to meet those needs; perhaps explain how you solved a similar problem in the past or share a relevant accomplishment.FURTHER READING Stand Out in Your InterviewCAREER PLANNINGARTICLE Amy GalloHow to ace your first meeting with a potential employer. SAVE SHARE Convey enthusiasmMake it clear why you want the position. In todays economy, a lot of people have the right skills, so employers want someone who really wants the job, says Glickman. Enthusiasm conveys personality, Lees adds. He suggests writing something like Id love to work for your company. Who wouldnt? Youre the industry leader, setting standards that others only follow. Dont bother applying if youre not excited about some aspect of the company or role. Sending out 100 rsums is a waste of time. Find the 10 companies you want to work for and put some heart and soul into it, Glickman says. At the same time, dont go overboard with the flattery or say anything you dont mean. Authenticity is crucial. You dont want to sound like a gushing teenager, Glickman warns. Be professional and mature. Lees notes that in some industries, like fashion or technology, its more appropriate to say how much you love a companys product or services. A good rule of thumb is to use only the kind of language that the hiring manager would use with one of his customers.Keep it shortMuch of the advice out there tells you to keep it under a page. But both Glickman and Lees say even shorter is better. Most cover letters I see are too long, says Lees. It should be brief enough that someone can read it at a glance. You do have to cover a lot of groundbut you should do it succinctly.When you cant submit a cover letterIn the black hole of an online system, the rules may be different, Glickman concedes. Many companies now use online application systems that dont allow for a cover letter. You may be able to figure out how to include one in the same document as your rsum but thats not a guarantee, especially because some systems only allow for data to be entered into specific boxes. In these cases, use the format youre given to demonstrate your ability to do the job and your enthusiasm for the role. If possible, you may try to find someone who you can send a brief follow-up email highlighting a few key points about your application.Principles to RememberDo: Have a strong opening statement that makes clear why you want the job and why youre right for it Be succincta hiring manager should be able to read it at a glance Share an accomplishment that shows you can address the challenges the employer faces

Dont: Try to be funnytoo often it falls flat Send a generic cover lettercustomize each one for the specific job Go overboard with flatterybe professional and matureCase study #1: Demonstrate an understanding of what the company needsMichele Sommers, the vice president of HR for the Boys & Girls Village, a nonprofit in Connecticut, recently posted a job for a recruiting and training specialist. I was looking for someone with a strong recruiting background who could do everything from sourcing candidates to onboarding new hires, she says. She also wanted the person to hit the ground running. Were a small team and I cant afford to train someone, she says.More than 100 candidates applied for the job. The organizations online application system doesnt allow for cover letter attachments but one of the applicants, Heidi (not her real name), sent a follow-up email after submitting her rsum. And its a good thing she did because she wouldve been weeded out otherwise, Michele says.Heidis rsum made her look like a job hopper very short stints at each previous employer. Michele assumed she was a poor performer who kept getting fired. She was also the only candidate who didnt have a four-year college degree.But Heidis email caught Micheles eye. First off, it was professional. Heidi stated clearly that she was writing to double-check that her application had been received. She went on to explain how she had gotten Micheles name and information (through her husbands boss who was on the board) and her personal connection to Boys & Girls Village (her father-in-law had done some work with the organization).What really stood out to Michele, though, was Heidis understanding of the group and the challenges it was facing. Shed done her research and listed some things she would do or already had done that would help us address those needs, says Michele.The personality and passion she conveyed in the cover letter came through during her phone screening, Michele says. Heidi ended up being more than qualified for the job. I wanted this role to be bigger from the get-go but I didnt think that was possible. When I met her, I knew we could expand it. Three weeks later Michele offered Heidi the job and she accepted.Case study #2: Catch their attentionOver the past four years, Emily Sernaker applied for multiple positions at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). She never gave up. With each application, she sent a personalized cover letter. I wanted my cover letter to highlight my qualifications, creative thinking, and genuine respect for the organization, she says.Sarah Vania, the organizations regional HR director, says that Emilys letters caught her attention, especially because they included several video links that showed the results of Emilys advocacy and fundraising work at other organizations. Emily explains, I had prior experience advocating for former child soldiers, human trafficking survivors, vulnerable women, and displaced persons. Its one thing to make statements in a cover letter, like I can make a pitch, I am a creative person, I am thoughtful, but showing these qualities seemed like a better way of convincing the recruiter that the statements were true.This is what Emily wrote to Sarah about the video:Here is a short video about my story with activism. The nonprofit organization Invisible Children made it for a youth conference I spoke at this year. It is about four minutes.As youll see from the video, Ive had a lot of success as a student fundraiser, raising over $200,000 for Invisible Children. Ive since gone on to work as a consultant for Wellspring International and have recently concluded my studies as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar.

In each of the cover letters, Emily also made clear how much she wanted to work for IRC. To convey enthusiasm is a vulnerable thing to do and can come off as naivet, but, when it came down to it, my enthusiasm for the organization was genuine and expressing it felt right, she says.This is how Emily conveyed her interest in working for IRC:You should also know that I have a sincere appreciation of the IRC. I have enjoyed learning about your programs and have personally visited your New York headquarters, the San Diego New Roots farm, the We Can Be Heroes exhibit, and the Half the Sky exhibit in Los Angeles. The IRC is my top choice and I believe I would be a valuable addition to your fundraising team.Emily learned throughout the process that the organization had hundreds of applicants for each position and it was extremely competitive. I appreciated that I wouldnt be the best for every opening but also remained firm that I did have a significant contribution to make, she says. Eventually, Emilys persistence paid off. Last June, she was hired as a temporary external relations coordinator and, in October, she moved into a permanent role.

Amy Gallois a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review and the author of the forthcomingHBR Guide to Managing Conflict at Work. Follow her on Twitter at@amyegallo.