The Pongo Blog
What to Say in Your Cover Letter
October 06, 2009 (3:00PM) by Julie O'Malley, CPRW
No matter how much advice is out there, a lot of job seekers still seem baffled by the concept of using cover letters. They wonder if they really need a cover letter (yes); if it should just repeat what's in the resume (no); if it has to be customized for every job (yes), and how long it should be (1 page max). But the burning question, the one that really seems to gets people's knickers in a twist, is:
What should I say in my cover letter?
Clue Wagon's Kerry Sandberg Scott (yesterday's guest blogger) puts it this way:
"Really think about why you want this particular job, and why your experience makes you the one they should call first. This doesn't have to be long, because you want to save something for the interview. It just has to show them that you really did read the ad, that you understand what they're looking for, and that you might be the one they need."
6 Key Cover Letter Elements
In order to convey that message effectively, there are six things you must include in your cover letter. The table below shows the six must-have elements for an effective cover letter, and gives an example of how you might express them:
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1) Who you are and how to contact you
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Julie Jobseeker
44 Bearfoot Road
Northborough, MA
866-486-4660
jjobseeker@youremail.com
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2) Which job you're applying for and how you found it
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New Business, Inc.
123 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01110
Attention: Harold Von Hirer
RE: Plant Manager Position posted on JobBoard.com
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3) Why you're interested and enthusiastic about this job
at this
organization
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Dear Mr. Von Hirer:
As my attached resume indicates, I have spent the past four years as a Plant Coordinator at Former Company, and the prior three years as a Line Manager with Smith Company. These roles have given me the multi-faceted expertise to successfully take on the Plant Manager position at New Business. This opportunity is especially attractive because I share your commitment to the local community. As a longtime volunteer at the Springfield Shelter, I have seen firsthand how your corporate contributions directly impact people's lives.
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4) What relevant experience or transferable skills make you a good candidate
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My expertise aligns exceptionally well with your job description, and I'm proud of my track record. At Former Company, I continually sought ways to streamline processes, reduce scheduling conflicts, and minimize downtime. During my tenure, production rates rose steadily, achieving an overall 33% increase between 2005 and 2009. I'm confident I could achieve similar results for your business.
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5) That you'd like an interview and
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I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to explore how my skills and experience could best meet your team's needs.
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| 6) That you're grateful for being considered
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Thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy. I look
forward to your call.
Best regards,
Julie Jobseeker |
Got a specific question about how to say something in a cover letter? Post a comment below and we'll post a reply!
RELATED LINKS
7 Experts Offer Their No. 1 Cover Letter Tip
3 Tips to Avoid a Boring, Self-Absorbed Cover Letter
Good vs. Bad: Make the Best of Your Cover Letter
The third part of the cover letter is a critical one that I think people often miss. They are so focused on selling their skills they forget to show why *this* job at *this* organization is so important to them. If a cover letter doesn't have a little something to make it company-specific, it won't stand out.
Posted by: Melissa | October 07, 2009 at 7:14 PM | Quote This Comment
I always throw in a line that says I have experience working both as part of a team AND independantly. If the position doesn't specify which type of approach they use, I say I don't have a preference between the two. If they say it's a team environment, I say I prefer working as part of a team, if it's more of an independant approach, I leave it alone.
BTW, the asterisk indicating a required field on this form is way over to the right of the page instead of right after the "Required Fields" text...I'm using IE 7.
Posted by: Paul Bunyun & Babe | October 11, 2009 at 10:21 AM | Quote This Comment
I followed your suggestions on how to write a correct cover letter. Although I didn't get the job* , following your instructions landed me my first interview. That's a good, first stepping stone.
Thank you for you advise.
* (My experience in manufacturing-safety wasn't enough for the outdoors-in-the-field safety experience required by the job)
Posted by: Augusto Alvarez | November 12, 2009 at 5:42 PM | Quote This Comment
Thanks for the comments, everyone! @Melissa Very true! A candidate who is enthusiastic about the job is more appealing to employers than one who considers it one option among many.
@Paul Bunyan I think most jobs do require a combination of teamwork and independence, but some are more weighted toward one or the other.
@Augusto I'm so glad you got an interview! And even though it didn't work out, you now know that your resume and cover letter are working, so it's just a matter of time before the right match comes along! (Be sure to tweak the letter a bit for each new employer you apply to.)
Good luck! -- Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | November 13, 2009 at 10:33 AM | Quote This Comment
AFTER READING THIS ARTICLE I REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE A COVERPAGE WITH EVERY RESUME
Posted by: John Williams | November 16, 2009 at 2:21 PM | Quote This Comment
Thanks for the advice on how the cover letter. I really think this is a great web site for people like me.
Posted by: shantelle Jacob | December 04, 2009 at 4:31 PM | Quote This Comment
I live in MN and applying for jobs in Indianapolis. Do I need to put in the cover letter why I want to move?
Posted by: Denise | December 07, 2009 at 1:20 PM | Quote This Comment
@Denise
Yes, you should make it clear that you have a good reason for wanting to be in Indy, just so they don't think you'll be running back home to MN as soon as you get another opportunity there.
Don't give details; just assure them that you are committed to relocating to Indianapolis and are interested in working for their company specifically.
Good luck! Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | December 07, 2009 at 3:06 PM | Quote This Comment
I have worked 3 temporary jobs in the last year as well as moved to a different state to be closer to family. Do I include just that in my closing paragraph?
Posted by: Kathy | June 09, 2010 at 3:33 PM | Quote This Comment
@Kathy
I'd put it somewhere closer to the middle, so it's not the last thing they see (and remember). You could say something along the lines of:
"After relocating to XX to be closer to family, I've spent the past year doing short -term assignments for X, X, and X. No that I'm established in the area, I look forward to committing to a full-time endeavor such as the X position at your company."
You can modify that to your own style, but the idea is to explain that you are settled and eager to be a long-term employee.
Good luck! Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | June 10, 2010 at 10:14 AM | Quote This Comment
I have been submitting endless resumes on job boards for the past 3 months with no luck, not even a bite. Then, just this week, I decided to start adding a cover letter. I got a phone call today!! It IS important to have a well written cover letter to get the attention you need for that interview. Now comes interview prep! Thanks for all the great advice...Pongo is a great website!
Posted by: Vicki G | August 06, 2010 at 8:56 PM | Quote This Comment
@Vicki G
Thanks for sharing your success! A cover letter really can make a difference. If nothing else, it shows the employer you're enthusiastic enough about the opportunity to do a little extra work!
Good luck landing that job!
Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | August 09, 2010 at 10:31 AM | Quote This Comment
I recently obtained master degree in engineering. For now, I've several experiences in training and project. Despite my solid background in engineering, I would like to apply for job in marketing.
Do I need to state that in cover letter? If it's better to mention it, do I include just that in my opening paragraph?
Thanks,,
Posted by: Maya | August 11, 2010 at 12:08 AM | Quote This Comment
@Maya
You should definitely mention in your cover letter that, despite your engineering background, you would like to move into marketing. In addition, you should give a little background about why you want to make this change, what makes you qualified, and what kinds of marketing-related projects you've worked on, and/or what training or research you've done to learn about marketing.
In short, you'll need to explain yourself, otherwise employers will assume you sent your resume in error.
Best of luck to you! Career change can be scary, but rewarding in the end.
--Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | August 11, 2010 at 9:57 AM | Quote This Comment
How do I convey just how perfect I am for the job? I have no sales experience but I know I would do an amazing job. I have great people skills, my current staff members love having me on their team, and I am very enthusiastic. I am super friendly and always smiling. I know if I can get an interview, the job is mine. Thanks
Posted by: Barbara Isaacs | October 02, 2010 at 12:56 AM | Quote This Comment
@Barbara
Your confidence comes shining through in your comment, and that is a huge plus. Sales success is largely dependent on personality traits, and it sounds like you've got the right ones. Now use them to sell yourself!
A cover letter alone won't get you the interview if your resume isn't targeted to a sales role.
So start by editing your resume to emphasize the way your non-sales experience ties in, and how it's prepared you to be a great seller.
Then, use your cover letter to help the employer see that you understand what it takes to be a successful in sales, that you have those qualities, and that you can use them to help the business.
Meanwhile, keep networking. Ask around. Try to get informational interviews. An employer who's not actively looking for new salespeople might be open to reviewing your resume and cover letter, and giving feedback about what they would and wouldn't like to hear from someone like you.
Prove you're a sales pro by pitching yourself. And you know what that means... focus on the benefits you have to offer, not just the features. (In other words, talk about the results you can achieve, not just the skills you possess.)
Best of luck!
--Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | October 08, 2010 at 11:38 AM | Quote This Comment
If I may offer some practical advice from the other side of the table, ... As I review resumes and cover letters, I always look for how detail oriented a person is at mentioning correct data in the cover letter and on the resume. If YOU aren't putting your best foot forward by offering true, correct, and accurate information in a cover letter to a prospective employer for a chance to to get hired, then how will you perform AFTER hire? If the cover letter mentions 6 years of experience at XYZ Company, the resume had better bear that out or it goes into the 'Z' file. Absences between positions are another flag that I look at within the cover letter to see if they are adept at providing insight into why they didn't work for long periods of time (Job Search? 1 month for every $10K they are seeking in salary is aceptable to me).
I also look for examples of meeting not just goals, but how someone created 'stretch goals' and how they brought 'value added' to a position current or past position. The creation of and examples of using 'metrics' for measuring finite productivity and seemingly intangible customer service all provide me with a sense of how this person thinks outside the box. No one is looking for an 8 to 5 person who just punches a clock and does bare minimum. The competition is tremendous for excellence as well as being able to articulate experience and successes. If you took any position to pay the bills while searching for that new career, find a sentence to show your responsibility in being financially frugal and resourceful in your career quest; how you took a transient position to new levels and accomplished goals. Employers do not want to get the feeling from a cover letter that offers a sentiment of: "I've had it with applying, I'll never get hired" - also found in 'canned' resumes. Being succinct in cover letters, yet covering all the requirements of the position posting, is what I look for. Research the entity you are applyng to, use internet resources (search engines)... and if the position is over $100K/year, research key individuals within that entity and papers/publications/associations they've written or belong to. Knoweldge is power.
You must project that 'readable' enthusiasm and positive attitude in your cover letter. To be able to remain upbeat and in a positive mindset during a long job search will be borne-out in an interview - is it genuine? No one wants a negative or indifferent employee.
Lastly, ... research yourself on the internet ... your potential employer will - guaranteed! I've used the same internet services available to anyone with a computer researching strong candidates ... and have found glaring mis-truths about applicants' experience, integrity in legal proceedings past and current, as well as missing job-relative employers and dates NOT listed on resumes or applications. All that speaks to detail orientation and integrity. Write and re-write your cover letter until someone you trust and will tell you the truth and not what you want to hear; "I wish I had written this!", ... then you have a winner.
Best of luck to all in your career search!
Posted by: - Greg | October 13, 2010 at 6:46 PM | Quote This Comment
What if you don't know what particular job you're applying to? -- just whatever available position. how do you say that in your cover letter?And what if you don't have prior working experience?
Posted by: Laine | October 13, 2010 at 9:32 PM | Quote This Comment
@Greg
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your perspective. You make a lot of great points.
--Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | October 14, 2010 at 9:50 AM | Quote This Comment
@Laine
What you're referring to is a "prospecting" cover letter, also known as a "cold contact" letter.
The first step is to learn about your targeted company's business needs, so you can then craft a letter that shows how you're qualified to help address those needs.
We actually have a blog post titled "Write Cold-Contact Cover Letters to Warm Up Employers" that can describe the whole process for you:
http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/208/write-cold-contact-cover-letters-to-warm-up-employers.cfm
Hope that helps!
--Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | October 14, 2010 at 9:59 AM | Quote This Comment
I REALLY LOVED ALL YOUR COMMENTS ESPECIALLY ON HOW TO WRITE A COVER NOTE . I HAVE GAINED ALOTS. PRESENTLY IAM WORKING IN ONE OF THE OIL COMPANY AS A THIRD PARTY STAFF BUT WITH ALL THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT YOUR RESUMES PREPARATIONS I HOPE I WILL SUCEED ANYTIME THAT I WISH TO CHANGE EMPLOYMENT. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL PROGRAM
Posted by: ABOLARIN STEPHEN IBITAYO | October 14, 2010 at 11:46 AM | Quote This Comment
OK, so I am just beginning my job search. Many of the jobs I have found do not list an individual person. What the process to follow to get to know who the person is?
I've been told not to address To Whom It May Concern.
What do you do? To whom do you address your cover letter?
Posted by: Lee | October 15, 2010 at 2:36 PM | Quote This Comment
@ ABOLARIN S.I.
Thank you, and I wish you the best of luck!
@Lee
First, you should try to do a little research to find out the hiring manager's name. Check the company's web site, check LinkedIn, and even try calling and asking who the hiring manager is for the position you're targeting! (It might not work, but can't hurt.)
If all else fails, you can try one of these:
Dear Hiring Manager:
Good Afternoon,
(Or, if you're using a memo format...)
TO: Hiring Manager for Marketing Associate Position, Job Reference 16754
Good luck!
Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | October 15, 2010 at 3:29 PM | Quote This Comment