How to Write a Cover Letter

Cover letters offer a variety of positives to both candidates and the hiring managers who review the value of applicants for possible hire. This said, many of us consider drafting one exhausting as it can be difficult to create one that is successful in both presenting an applicant in the best possible light; and also doing so in a lucid and concise manner. The thing is, too; many employers only review cover letters first to determine eligibility. If they are not wowed by the cover letter, they dismiss the whole package-having never glanced at the actual meat of the application-the resume. So, how do you create a cover letter that makes a hiring manager sit up and take notice, and not pass your application by? By following the following protocol on how to draft an effective and professional cover letter:

1. Review Your Resume: The first step in creating a cover letter that sells your experience and talents is to review the contents of your resume. The resume is an important main resource for your cover letter for two reasons: one-because it offers a comprehensive look at your career history and achievements, and two-because your resume is a product of the kind of brainstorming that an optimum presentation to a potential manager requires. In short: your resume already has all the best achievements, experiences, and educational highlights that should be drawn from for a cover letter.

2. Summarize Your Career: Next, it is wise to brainstorm how you would best summarize your career-after reviewing your resume. What are the biggest highlights of your professional life? What valuable transferable skills have you learned? And what are the biggest achievements that you can take pride in? Jot all this information down, and consider how long your career history is. So, for example, a good beginning would be something like… “I have over five years in the Public Relations industry, whereby I have been able to grow my passion for communications-meanwhile building upon solid skills and talents in blah blah blah”. An entry level candidate will need to focus on skills rather than timeline experience; and so their career summary beginning might begin something like… “In my experience as a student and working afterschool for company xyz, I have been able to develop a strong skill set of communications, team playing, and professionalism…”

3. Define Your Goals: Once you have brainstormed all the content from your resume that should be added to your cover letter-it is necessary that you define and incorporate your career goals for your prospective employer. A company wants to know-not just what your career history is; but also, what your career goals are-to see if they are in line with their company and their company objectives. Even if you included an objective in your resume, to be effective on your cover letter, you need to present a long term vision for a company to review.

4. Connect the Company and Position: From there, you have to show how your career experience and goals connect you to the company and position to which you are applying; so, basically, why have you chosen this position and company to apply to-and what makes you a good match?

5. Pull It Together and Condense: Lastly, you have to thread all of the parts above into a cohesive and readable cover letter; that is both compelling and a quick read. Try to make it no more than three to four paragraphs-starting with an introduction and that you “write to apply to xyz position”. Next, give them an overview of your career history including time, achievements, and skills in one to two paragraphs. Lastly, tell them why you are applying for the position-built off the last two paragraphs; and conclude by thanking them and looking forward to hearing from them-or something to that effect.

6. Check out Samples: Once you have created your first draft of a cover letter; it is imperative that you review it against the sample cover letters online. Make sure that you have incorporated the best of these samples and tips-prior to sending.