Finally Nail That Cover Letter

Cover Letters can be extremely tricky, it’s a difficult task to keep things clear and concise while still selling yourself to the best of your ability, all in continuous prose.

You will be judged on your spelling and grammar as well as your quality of writing, not to mention the actual content of your letter. So no pressure.

We’ve done or best to break this down into a fail safe guide, meaning that you can nail that cover letter and get that interview.

Before you Begin

Research the company and find out as much as you can about what they do, focusing mostly on your field but also take into account the other things the company have in their repertoire.

Never Use “To Whom It May Concern”

Never use this phrase as your greeting, it will be lost among the pile of applications and letters and won’t make you stand out. Use google or the company’s website to find out who the hiring manager is, if you can’t find the information there, then try social media. Should that fail then don’t be afraid to pick up the phone. Using “To whom it may concern” conveys laziness and passiveness, two qualities which will not get you hired.

The First Paragraph

Think of the first paragraph as your hook. It should make the reader want to continue to read the rest of the letter.

What would make you want to read the rest of someone’s cover letter? Usually a witty, upbeat yet professional introduction will seal the deal. However, keep it appropriate, if you are applying for a banking firm for example, your first paragraph should obviously be a little more formal.

Try opening with one of your accomplishments, with your driving passion, or with some praise about the company. For example, you might say, “I am a graphic artist with over 10 years of experience, and I’d love to bring my skills and passion for excellence to your recently formed content development team.”

The Body

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to address the position that you are applying for in the first line of the body of your letter.

Jump straight into how you will help the company succeed and how you intend to add value. Use your research to address the company’s value, strengths, success and challenges.

Minimise statements using  “I” and focus mostly on the company for which you are applying.

Don’t just say that you have experience in sales. Give concrete examples of your success using facts and figures and explain how your experience will impact the company. Addressing specifics about the business and how you would fit in makes your letter stand out in a sea of monotony.

Closing The Letter

Just as important as the opening of the letter, is the closing. The intention behind the letter is to sell yourself so don’t be afraid to be a little bold in the conclusion. Restate why you are the perfect candidate for the position and encourage the reader to learn more about your skills and qualifications from your CV, and ask directly for an interview.

Don’t forget to thank the hiring manager for taking the time to read your letter. Keep the letter relatively short, upbeat and positive and be sure to refer to the company by name instead of by using generic phrases such as “your company.”

When your cover letter is short, compelling, and focused on selling yourself to one company at a time, you’ll be amazed at how many interviews you get.

Good Luck!