Happy Friday!
So, let's get down to business t
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| ...I think we might have sprung a leak, guys. Source |
I know that fact alone doesn't take away all of the pressure, though. So I'm here to help with what is often the most annoying part of a job application - writing a cover letter.
Cover letters are only a few paragraphs long, but they give people trouble because there are so many ways to go about writing one. The open-ended nature of the cover letter can become overwhelming, especially for those who don't consider themselves very skilled writers.
Rest assured that you don't have to be Shakespeare to write a good cover letter. In fact, breaking out the super flowery language probably isn't the greatest idea.
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| Salutations, good sir or madam! May you receive the blessings of a most bountiful harvest... Source |
Here are some of the most important tips for writing a great cover letter:
Start off strong, not stale. If you've ever looked up "cover letter template", you'll probably notice that most of them start off with something like this: "Dear Hiring Manager, I am so excited to join your team at Company X..." Nothing wrong with this approach, per se. Pretty boring, though. Instead of a canned intro, perhaps start off with a brief anecdote that will actually show who you are as a candidate.
For example, want to work for Google? Start by mentioning that your job search wouldn't have been possible without Google, or how the Google Doodle is a daily conversation starter. The first few sentences of a cover letter are crucial - use them to show a company exactly why you want to work for them. Having a good hook will make sure that your letter isn't forgotten. This awesome article by The Muse lists some attention-grabbing intros that might give you some inspiration.
Match up your skills to the position. When you've found a position you're interested in, take careful note of the words used in the job listing. Who exactly are they looking for? Do they need someone organized, or independent, or skilled in research? Finding these key words should be the first step in your writing process. Make a list of the skills mentioned in the job description, and then match them up with skills that you have (and can demonstrate through experiences). Once you do that, you'll have a basic framework for your cover letter. Click here for the Career Center's great pdf on that process.
Address a specific person. This is one basic thing that a lot of people mess up. If at all possible avoid the dreaded "To Whom it May Concern" opening. All that does it show the employer that you weren't willing to put in the effort to find out who the hiring manager is. Nowadays, getting that info is usually as easy as going on the company's website. If you have no luck doing that, just give them a quick call to ask who you should address your cover letter to. It's easy and will make all the difference in showing that you care.
Keep a conversational tone. In a cover letter, you want to sound intelligent and capable, but don't overdo it. This is not the time to pull out your trusty thesaurus. If you keep your tone conversational (like the style I use for my blog posts) you'll write a much more interesting letter. A good way to avoid sounding boring is to use an active voice - click here to brush up on the difference between the active and passive voice. Use clear and concise language rather than anything complicated. At the same time, do keep in mind that you're writing to a potential employer. Don't forget basic professionalism.
The most important thing about writing a cover letter is putting time and effort into showing that you care. With the right amount of planning anyone can churn out a great cover letter. Just remember: a cover letter is meant to pique an employer's interest and make them want to call you for an interview. Don't be afraid to get creative and let your personality shine.
Good luck!
Signing off,
Kelly F. Vieira
Class of 2015
For example, want to work for Google? Start by mentioning that your job search wouldn't have been possible without Google, or how the Google Doodle is a daily conversation starter. The first few sentences of a cover letter are crucial - use them to show a company exactly why you want to work for them. Having a good hook will make sure that your letter isn't forgotten. This awesome article by The Muse lists some attention-grabbing intros that might give you some inspiration.
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| My preferred Google search. Source |
Address a specific person. This is one basic thing that a lot of people mess up. If at all possible avoid the dreaded "To Whom it May Concern" opening. All that does it show the employer that you weren't willing to put in the effort to find out who the hiring manager is. Nowadays, getting that info is usually as easy as going on the company's website. If you have no luck doing that, just give them a quick call to ask who you should address your cover letter to. It's easy and will make all the difference in showing that you care.
Keep a conversational tone. In a cover letter, you want to sound intelligent and capable, but don't overdo it. This is not the time to pull out your trusty thesaurus. If you keep your tone conversational (like the style I use for my blog posts) you'll write a much more interesting letter. A good way to avoid sounding boring is to use an active voice - click here to brush up on the difference between the active and passive voice. Use clear and concise language rather than anything complicated. At the same time, do keep in mind that you're writing to a potential employer. Don't forget basic professionalism.
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| A bit too forward. Source |
Good luck!
Signing off,
Kelly F. Vieira
Class of 2015
