When I’m writing a cover letter, all my deepest insecurities surface.
I question my writing skills, my professional experience and, really, my entire life.
How do I introduce myself? Do I repeat what’s on my resume? How much should I talk about myself? Do I brag? How can I mirror my whole being on to this one page?
“People feel daunted by the thought of writing a cover letter,” says Loren Margolis, CEO of Training & Leadership Success, a global consulting firm that specializes in executive coaching and leadership development.
Margolis says a cover letter is really only as complicated as you make it. To tackle yours head on, you need to first understand its purpose.
What’s the Purpose of a Cover Letter Anyway?
All those questions swimming in your head? They’ll settle down when you start to understand the purpose of your cover letter.
First, think about a cover letter just as it is: a cover letter. It’s a one-page brief that physically (or virtually) covers a copy of your resume.
Second, think about your cover letter as a way to emphasize the most relevant points presented in your resume and to provide extra context. Your resume should point out your transferrable skills; those are the skills or experiences you have that’ll translate to your success.
Your cover letter then explains those skills with a little more flavor, color and personality. It also proves you have the communication skills you need for the job.
Margolis compares the cover letter to a short commercial, a quick piece that captures your audience’s attention.
As creepy as it might sound, Margolis says you want it to be like you’re whispering in the reader’s ear: “Hey! Look at this! Look at me!”
How to Format Your Cover Letter
With cover letters, it’s easy to get hung up in the details. It’s called procrastination. Many of us are really good at it.
For that, here are some details to consider before diving into the meat of the letter, courtesy of Margolis:
- Set your document to 1-inch margins.
- Stick with the traditional 12-point font, though you don’t have to opt for the classic Times New Roman. You can mix it up — perhaps with Georgia or Cambria. Either way, make sure the font you choose matches your resume. If you’re in a more creative field like graphic design, put your skills to work — just don’t get too crazy with, like, Comic Sans (*shudders*).
- If you’re attaching your cover letter to an email (preferably in the same document as your resume — your cover letter on the first page, resume on the second), you’ll want it to read like a letter. For that, add your traditional headings: your name and your contact information, the date and the company’s name and its contact information.
If you’re simply copying and pasting the cover letter into the body of an email, which is fine, go ahead and delete all that other stuff and start with “Dear…”
- Speaking of “Dear,” always, always personalize your cover letter, Margolis says. Never write “Dear Sir or Madam.”
“That’s just so spammy,” she says. Instead, find the hiring manager’s name.
If you’ve exhausted your search, opt for the name of the recruiter. Or you could even go as far as calling the company and its hiring department and asking who the hiring manager is.
“Even if it’s the wrong person, have a name,” Margolis says. “You have to have a name.”
But don’t just make it up. Say you’re applying for a brand manager position but can’t find the brand director. Maybe the vice president of the department is listed on LinkedIn. Go with that name.
- Sign off with a simple “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” Don’t take a chance hitting a nerve with your reader. Even “Warm regards” could feel too touchy-feely.
- Keep it all to a page — or less, even. Remember, this is your commercial. How long do you pay attention to a commercial? No more than 20 seconds — two minutes if it’s the Super Bowl. Many times, hiring managers won’t even look at a cover letter if it’s over a page.
The Three Simple Parts to Include in Your Cover Letter
Google “cover letter,” and you’ll get pages upon pages of templates and best practices and theories and expert opinions.
So, no, there’s no singular universal answer to the best way to write a cover letter. But there’s no need to make it more difficult than it has to be.
To keep it simple, Margolis suggests a three-paragraph “You, Me, We” approach.
Paragraph 1: You
“One of the biggest errors people make is that they talk all about themselves,” Margolis says.
However, your first paragraph should be about you — as in the recipient, the potential employer, the company.
If someone referred you for the position or you have some sort of connection to the company, mention that in the first sentence, Margolis says. That could be something like: “So and so, from this-and-that company, recommended I apply for this role.” But mention the specific role. This is important.
So, name drop. That hooks ’em. It’s called networking.
If you weren’t referred, just start by saying you’re excited, pleased or delighted to apply for the position.
Next, state how you found out about the position. Was it your connection? A LinkedIn posting? The company’s website?
Now, mention what excites you about the company. You’ll need to do some research on this part. Is the company a leader in the marketplace? Known for its innovative products? Perhaps it was recently ranked on a “Best Places to Work” list. Or maybe it won an award. Then get more specific about the department and what it’s doing.
Bottom line: This part has to be tailored to the company and the position.
Paragraph 2: Me
That’s you now!
For this paragraph, Margolis suggests choosing two to three transferrable skills. Remember, those are the skills that can easily translate to your success in this new role.
And start bragging.
“It’s the gracious brag, graciously patting yourself on the back and saying, ‘I believe my two years of experience in x will lend to success with your team,’” Margolis says as an example.
You want to use more concrete, specific examples in this section, too, offering more details than your resume. Be as straightforward as saying, “For example…”
“It’s OK to repeat your resume; you’re just shedding a different form of light on it,” Margolis says.
Tie this paragraph up with a nice little bow of a conclusion sentence, something as simple as, “I’d be excited to bring these skills to your team.”
Paragraph 3: We
Margolis says there’s not a whole lot left to say in the paragraph. Even two sentences, done right, can suffice.
This is where you tie it all together. You plus me. We.
Talk about the next steps. Mention meeting for an interview or attending the company’s open house.
Then mention how you’ll follow up. Will you call next week? Email?
If that doesn’t feel appropriate, you can always thank the recruiter or manager for their time.
4 Things to Avoid in Your Cover Letter
We’ve all heard those cover letter horror stories and the “Crap, I didn’t attach it” mutterings.
These, however, are four simple things Margolis encourages applicants avoid.
1. Jargon and/or Acronyms
Just write it out.
Even if you’re entering a job in healthcare policy, Margolis says by way of example, don’t use ACA — just write out Affordable Care Act.
2. Slang or Shortcuts
LOL.
This doesn’t work. Ever. Even if you’re using it ironically.
3. Negative Comments
“You’d be surprised…” Margolis says when mentioning this.
Even if it’s intended to be positive, avoid the “I’ve seen reports of your company’s poor culture in the news, and I really think I can help” comments.
Just leave it sunshine and roses.
4. An Old AOL Email Address
Whatever you do, be sure to send your cover letter from a professional email address. This could be some combination of your first and last name.
Not beachblonde911@aim.com.
Margolis’ Final Words of Cover Letter Advice
Remember: Every cover letter is going to be different, depending on your field, your position and you.
However, Margolis suggests always asking yourself two questions before submitting your cover letter:
- “If I were the recipient of this letter, would I want to read it?”
You should feel proud of your cover letter — not like it’s an extra burden you’ve slapped on top of your resume.
- “Can I use the ‘Three Cs’ to describe it?”
The “Three Cs” are concise, compelling and effectively communicating your value.
Check, check and check?
Spend some time proofreading and revising. Read your cover letter aloud (a trick I use in all my writing) or have a friend or family member read it.
Then, stop banging your head against the desk and overthinking it — just send it!
Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She was a TA for a business writing class in graduate school and spent a year grading cover letters. Her students hated her.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/2jKenfC
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق