Creating Compelling Cover Letters
When applying for jobs or even freelance positions, in addition to your resumé, you should also include a cover letter.
The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce you, briefly summarize your experience and demonstrate your suitability for the position you are applying for.
Relax! Creating a cover letter is NOT a big deal. After all, it should be no more than a single page long.
If a job ad asks for a cover letter, make sure that you provide one or your whole application could be rejected.
Let’s create a cover letter!
Open a word processing document and let’s try to write a cover letter according to these tips:
Your cover letter should include:
A header that includes your contact information including email address and phone number
The date of your application
A greeting toward the hiring manager
A statement or reference highlighting the position you are applying for
An opening paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention with 2 to 3 of your top achievements
A second paragraph that explains why you are the perfect candidate for the job
A third paragraph that explains why you are a good match for the company
A formal closing. This could be something to the effect of “Thank you for taking the time to consider my resumé. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, YOUR NAME.
Additional Cover Letter Tips
Your cover letter should spark the reader’s interest and make them want to read your résumé and learn more about you.
The cover letter is supplemental to your résumé and should not just repeat what is already in your résumé.
The cover letter provides an opportunity to highlight and give evidence of the things that set you apart from other job candidates.
Think of the cover letter as an opportunity to sell your skills. Think outside the box. This can include anything that can help you do the job, for instance, attention to detail, or excelling at repetitive tasks.
It can be helpful to think of the cover letter as the bridge between the past and the future that explains what you hope to do next and why.
The cover letter should demonstrate how the experience listed in your resumé translates to the role that you are applying for.
Just as in your resumé, your email address should be professional and be an account you check regularly. Try to stick to a “normal” email address (e.g. first name and last name) to make sure you are taken seriously. Bad email examples are: stupidboy@youmail.com or lazygirl@hotmail.com, or anything else silly.
If you need more coaching on writing a cover letter, ND Works can help. Email kate@ndworks.net for more information.