How to Write a Strong Cover Letter?

A strong cover letter and a powerful resume can drive you toward your dream job.  Why should I use a cover letter?  It shows that you care for the job and helps you highlight your accomplishments, experience, and key skills.  A good letter entices the employer to read your resume.  So always send a cover letter with your resume.

In a weak economy, hundreds, if not thousands, of cover letters hit the inboxes of recruiters.  They do not have the time or interest to read every single application in its entirety.  And, how many positions here are we talking about?  One, may be two?  To make your letter standout from the pile, therefore, write it in a way that it catches and sustains the interest of the reader.

Gain a big lead in the job race with these cover letter writing tips:

Keep it clear and concise:  Use your cover letter as a strong link to your resume, which details your skills and accomplishments.  Let the letter play only the role of a curtain-raiser.  Make it clear, concise and relevant.

Tailor your cover letter:  Write it with a clear focus on the job demands.  Read the job ad a few times and note the job needs.  Then, write a list of your achievements, skills and experience that fulfills those expectations.  Never send the same letter to different employers.

Letter format:  For a cover letter that you want to send through snail mail, use a business-letter format.  Make sure it has the same style as your resume. 

If you wish to send a cover letter by e-mail, left-justify the date, contact info of the employer (name, title, company name and address, state and zip) and content. 

Give a paragraph break after the closing line, which is “Sincerely” or other, and type your name.  Hit Enter twice again and type your name, address, city, state, zip, telephone number and e-mail ID.

Tone:  It should be persuasive.  The content and presentation should bring you success.  Use simple words.  Remember to include keywords from the ad.  Knit the letter with the industry jargon where relevant.

Salutation:  If the job ad says to whom you’ve to address the letter, it makes your life easy.  Further, with the name of the person on the envelope, your mail doesn’t land on someone else’s desk.  Use the last name of the hiring person for salutation.  Here are examples: “Dear Mr. Smith” or “Dear Ms. Nash”.  When you address a person with his / her last name, it helps break the ice and build rapport.

What if you don’t know the name of the person?  Research the website of the company or call.  Still can’t find the name?  Address the letter like “Dear Prospective Employer” or “Dear Employment Manager”.  Stay away from general versions, such as “Dear Sir or Madam”.

“Hook” the reader early:  Your first paragraph should be the gateway to the rest of your cover letter and, eventually, your resume.  Refer to the position you’re applying with the reference code.  State why you are the best fit for the job in the opening paragraph.  Such a method sustains the interest of the employer and makes her give more time to your application.

Use bullet points:  Draw attention to your key talent with bullet points.  They are a neat way to organize and present information.

Turn the spotlight on accomplishments:  Remember you’re in the job market.  To sell yourself, you’ve to tell how you can be an asset to the company.  Your letter content should answer the employer’s question, “Why should I hire you?”  Use the list you made above and give a solid proof of your achievements.  Add more value to your statements with dollar figures, percentages and numbers, where feasible.

Present the list of successes at work with those items that align well with the needs of the employer at the top.  Keep in mind the sooner the recruiter maps your talent with the job position, the higher the potential for you to receive the interview call.

Salary info:  Include it in the cover letter, if the job ad specifically asks for your salary history and or salary expectations.  For the latter, give a range to make room for negotiation.

How to include a resume:  Follow what the job ad says on how you should send the resume with the letter.  The employer may ask you to attach the resume in .doc format, add it to the message body in text / ASCII mode, or other.

If the ad doesn't specify how to send the resume, it would be safer to include it in the body of the e-mail text.

10 Tips for Writing a Perfect Resume highlights the traits of a winning resume.

Closing paragraph:  Your cover letter parallels a sales letter—it must have a call for action.  Tell when you will call to explore an opportunity for an interview.  Give your telephone number and e-mail ID, which makes it convenient for the hirer to call you.  End the letter with a traditional word or phrase like, “Sincerely” or “Best regards”.

E-mail cover letter sample:

June 19, 20XX

Mr. John Doe
Senior Technical Manager
XYZ, Inc. 123, New Street
New York, New York 12345

Dear Mr. Doe:

Re:  Your ad in your website for Java Programmer (Job Code: 456231)

More than five years of solid Java programming expertise and experience in all phases of the software development life cycle (SDLC) makes me a strong candidate for the programmer position in your company.

My key qualifications that best meets your job needs are:

• Proven experience in developing robust applications using J2EE.  I have five years and six months of experience developing large network applications for industry verticals like insurance, finance and retail
• Extensive experience in writing advanced scripts using PERL
• Experience in SAN and NAS
• Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD).  This certification has helped prove my proficiency in Java
• Expertise in mentoring and training programmers.  I have trained more than 60 programmers in all phases of software development
• Extensive experience in applying modern software engineering models and practices, such as agile development, to build quality enterprise applications

I have attached my resume.  If you find my technical background a good match for the current position in your company, please call me at 212-123-4567 or e-mail at mark@myjavaprogrammingsite.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss with you how I can contribute my skills and experience to XYZ.

Best regards,

Mark Techguy

Mark Techguy
456, Valley Drive
New York, New York 54678
Cell: 111-111-1111
E-mail: mark@myjavaprogrammingsite.com

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10 Tips for Writing a Perfect Resume highlights the traits of a winning resume.

For university students in the junior / senior year, How to Prepare yourself for the Job Market and Prepare a Powerful Recent Graduate Resume? features the strategies for a job hunt and writing an effective resume.