Posted By: Heather Eagar In: Job Seeker - Cover Letters Whether you’ve written one or one hundred cover letters in your lifetime, they can present enough challenges to make you dread the process each time. It’s for this reason that many people resort to the “carbon copy” cover letter as opposed to creating an original one for each job application. If you want to make sure that your cover letter is unique and appropriate, let’s take a look at some cover letter etiquette tips to consider.
Whether you’ve written one or one hundred cover letters in your lifetime, they can present enough challenges to make you dread the process each time. It’s for this reason that many people resort to the “carbon copy” cover letter as opposed to creating an original one for each job application.
The “carbon copy” cover letter is not recommended because it lacks authenticity. Even worse, it forces you to turn your back on cover letter etiquette. If you want to make sure that your cover letter is unique and appropriate, let’s take a look at some cover letter etiquette tips to consider.
Tip #1: Keep the Cover Letter Personal
The first tip to keep in mind when writing a cover letter is that you want to make sure that it’s personal. You may have read in a business writing book at some point that it’s common to address the reader as “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.” While these terms can be appropriate when absolutely necessary, it’s better to track down the hiring manager at a company so that you may address him or her directly (ex. Dear Mr. Smith) in your salutation.
Tip #2: Focus on the Employer’s Needs
Another etiquette tip to keep in mind when creating your cover letter is focusing on the employer’s needs. This concept goes back to the “carbon copy” cover letter that looks just like the last 15 you’ve written. It’s always important to keep in mind that no two jobs are exactly the same, which is why your cover letters shouldn’t be the same either. To honor these differences, it’s good to focus on the specific needs of the employer and afterward addressing your own strengths and how they can help the company achieve their desired success. This way, you can help the hiring manager more easily align the company’s goals with your qualifications, which in turn can increase your chances of being hired.
Tip #3: Dot Your I’s and Cross Your T’s
Another aspect of cover letter etiquette is making sure that you proofread every word, ensure all grammar is correct, and most importantly, make sure that every bit of information you offer is 100% honest. You don’t want the employer to run a background check only to find out you’ve lied on any of your documentation. So before submitting your cover letter, it’s important to ensure every I is dotted and every T is crossed.
Tip #4: Keep it Short and Sweet
The fourth tip to consider when writing your cover letter is length. If you become passionate about what you’re writing, you can easily say too much, which can frustrate the hiring manager who has many more to read. So in the writing process, your job is to explain why you’re qualified and why you want the job as concisely as possible. This way, the hiring manager won’t trash your cover letter before getting to all of those great qualifications that would have otherwise gotten you hired for the job.
Now that you’ve learned a little about cover letter etiquette, it’s time to get started on your own. What are you waiting for? Your next job is just a great cover letter away.
Comments
Posted by: MURALI CHEERATH
The above mentioned details for the covering letter is very much helpfull those who disobey or dont care the manners or style to keep-up while drafting a covering letter. Ia m very much greatful to you for the advice mentioned above.
Posted by: George
Hi,This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone.
Posted by: KEVIN
The above mentioned details for the covering letter is very much helpfull those who disobey or dont care about the manners or style to keep-up while drafting a covering letter. I am very much greatful to you for the advice mentioned above.
Posted by: Theresa
Thanks Heather. Great advice for job seekers! Another note I would add for those applying for opportunities outside their geographic location - an explanation of why you are attracted to that city/state and why you'd consider a relocation are vital components.
Posted by: philip
I liked your site very much and thge tips you provided are really impressive and will surely help today's aspirants who wanna make their cover letter more atrractive and chosen with a single chance because many letters are rejected due to the cover letters only!
Posted by: Steve B
This is a much better article than another attempt by this author at turning a "Losing Cover Letter into a Winning One". I found that the advice given was useful and confidently offered. I hope that the comment writer Paulie has the opportunity to read this offering. Good job!
Posted by: Janet Heffernan
Thanks for the very good information, I am one who struggles with cover letters, do I do one or not?Thanks,Janet
Posted by: Anthony Tedesco
Ms. Eagar, This information will be extremely helpful as I recieved a more professional writing style from another source. Your insight makes sense if I were the HR Department Head I would appreciate a more personable Cover Letter. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Posted by: Julia Snead
Thank you for the information. It was helpful.
Posted by: Jenny Saa-Tomala
Great tips. They are clear, concise and very useful.
Posted by: Navaid Siddiqui
The most important thing is to gear the cover letter towards employer requirments and converting them to your own strength and achivements and be honest and do not write a book, It should be only less than a full page. It works
Posted by: David
Your article is excellent and really covers some aspect of the "Cover Letter" that should be followed for success in an "active job" search as I am at this moment.
Posted by: Michael F. Connors
I really enjoy reading the articles you post, They are always right on track as is this one. Would it be possible for you to post some cover letter examples? I am sure it would be very useful for me and for all.
Posted by: maxcine ellis
Great information. Will certainly use these tips in my cover letter. Thank you.
Posted by: Marjorie
I found the information on what to include in a cover letter consident with what I have been reading. I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks
Posted by: kannan rangaswamy
Your information pertaining to cover letter will facilitate me in creating an effective format for the current and future. Kannan
Posted by: Fannielee
Thank for the tips, on short and sweet letters. I hope I expressed my experience and goals, to make it to the final run up. Thanks so much Fannie Lee.
Posted by: IBRA ABALIS PHD &MBA
Dear Heathe - These five cover letter “etiquette tips to consider” are the best and fascinating in any article I ever came across. Thank you for your help.
Posted by: Marquita
Why would a very busy employer spend time reading cover letters when he or she barely has enough time to read the resumes? The concept of covers letters seems so backwards. Can't the resume simply say what is needed to get a person hired?
Posted by: Sujit R. On: 7/28/2010 12:27:58 PM
Helpful but small examples will be a good idea to the beginners or Non-English Major job seekers.
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