Top 5 Job Search Tips on Cover Letters

If you’re anything like me, you think writing cover letters are a pain in the butt.  During my senior year of college, I cringed at the thought of applying for jobs because I knew it meant having to write a cover letter.  I wanted the job to come to me.  Of course, that never happened.  Questions like, “How do I write a cover letter?” and “What makes a good cover letter?” often flooded my head.  I wanted employers to know I was well-qualified for the job, but I didn’t know exactly how to put that on paper without including bullet points or headers.

In a market where job openings are scarce, sending a cover letter is crucial because it gives you the opportunity to tell hiring directors why you are qualified for the position and what you can bring to the table.  It is important to discuss your qualifications and expertise without revealing too much or too little information.  Employers want to know why they should hire you.

To give you some guidance in writing that outstanding cover letter, I’ve chosen 5 articles that will help you.  These articles cover everything from the basic cover letter to writing the one that will get you hired.  Let’s get started:

1. Do You Still Need a Cover Letter?, Careerbuilder.com

Simply put, yes, you still need a cover letter with every job you apply for.  Cover letters show that you have the ability to put sentences together and sound halfway intelligent.  If a job description asks for a cover letter and you don’t send one, don’t expect to get an interview for that company.

2. The Basics of Cover Letter Writing, The Chronicle of Higher Education.

This article discusses the basic principles that can be applied to most cover letters.  A cover letter should generally be one page and free of errors and typos.  Be sure to explain how you found out about the job and why you are interested.  Next, highlight your achievements and qualifications and connect your background to the specific position.  Also, remember to end your cover letter with something like, “Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.”  Use simple, direct language.

3. Three Words That Will Kill Your Cover Letter, Sooperarticles.com.

A resume and cover letter is much like a sales pitch.  It’s your job to convince the employer why you are the right candidate for the job.  While it may be hard to sit down and write your “sales pitch,” it’s very easy to ruin it with these three words: “My name is…” It’s important to keep cover letters short and straight-forward.  When you start off with “My name is…” a hiring manager is immediately going to think that he or she is about to read your life story.  Keep your cover letter short, very straight-forward, and professional.

4. 2 Killer Cover Letter Formats, Squawkfox.com

A standard cover letter has one format, but did you know that there are typically two formats?  Classic and contemporary.  Classic is the “standard” one that discusses previous experience and why you fit the job criteria.  The contemporary format goes more in-depth of how your experience relates back to the job you’re applying for.  Hiring directors like to see people who can correlate past experience to future experience.

5. 10 Cover Letter Tips: Making Yourself Irresistible, Interviewmastermind.com

This website offers some great tips on cover letter writing, like if you have a connection at a company you are applying to, don’t be afraid to mention them!  Sometimes it is not always about what you know, but who you know.  In today’s market, every little bit helps with landing that perfect job.

I hope these websites and articles have provided you with valuable information on how to write an outstanding cover letter.  Remember to use these helpful hints and tips if you ever find yourself stuck with what to write about.  A cover letter is one of the most important documents you will write and a well-written cover letter can often send you to the top of the interview list and help you nail that dream job.