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In the age of the digital recruiting, is it still important to know how to write a cover letter?

The short answer: Yes!

Yet, far too often, job seekers treat the cover letter as an afterthought to writing a resume. Or they don't bother to write one at all.

Your cover letter is your introduction to a company and an opportunity to make a great first impression on a prospective employer. So don't squander it.

Today, a cover letter, like your resume, is not typically hard copy mailed to an employer. In fact, it may not be a letter at all. The savviest job seekers still manage to include its modern equivalent somewhere in the body of an email message or an online job application. Someone who takes the time and effort to do this will have a leg up.

Here are tips for writing a cover letter that will convince hiring managers and HR professionals to interview you.

1. Don't just rehash your resume

What's the first thing to know about how to write a cover letter? Your words should do more than restate salient details from your resume. Check out this brief checklist of important functions of a cover letter:

Draw attention to specific skills and experience that make you an ideal candidate. Mention other relevant skills your resume may not illustrate. Explain why you would love to have the job in question. Show you've done research on the company, its mission and key leadership. 2. Tailor your cover letter to a specific job

Don’t use a one-size-fits-all cover letter template for all the positions you apply for. If you do, you’re missing the point: Only a letter that’s targeted to the job at hand will make a positive impression. Write a cover letter employers can't ignore by tying it to the elements of the job that match your unique skills and experience. What are they asking for that you’re especially good at? Those are the points to stress when writing a cover letter.

Just as important, gather facts and figures that support your claims. For example, if you're applying for a managerial role, mention the size of teams and budgets you’ve managed. If it’s a sales role, describe specific sales goals you've achieved.

In addition to highlighting your talents, you can further personalize your cover letter by demonstrating your familiarity with the specific industry, employer and type of position.    

3. Be proud of your past accomplishments

Companies want confident employees who love their work. They know these are the people who tend to perform better, serve as stronger team members and have greater potential to grow along with the business. Don’t hesitate to brag a little about your most pertinent achievements.

4. Keep it brief

The barrage of information coming at all of us today has created attention spans that are shorter than ever before. Cover letters are no exception. Managers are often inundated with applications, so economy of words matters. Keep your cover letter to no more than one page if printed. Short is sweet.

5. Address the hiring manager personally

Just as you personalize your resume to the role, you should also address the cover letter to the person actually hiring for the position. If it’s not spelled out in the job posting, call the employer's main phone number and ask for the name and title of the hiring manager. If you’re still in school or just out, your career services office may be able to help you identify the right contact at a company.

6. Use keywords from the job description

Many employers use resume-filtering software that scans for keywords and evaluates how closely resumes and cover letters match the preferred skills and experience. That means your cover letter should incorporate key phrases you've identified in the job description — if they honestly match with your background and strengths. During the writing process, carefully review the job ad for the type of degree required, the number of years' experience needed, specified software skills, organization and communication abilities, and project management background.

7. Address any concerns

The cover letter also is a place to preemptively explain anything that might give a hiring manager pause, such as a gap in employment. If you have been out of work, briefly explain what you’ve done to keep your skills up to date.

8. Proofread your cover letter!

Last, but decidedly not least, once you're convinced you've made a strong argument for your candidacy, it's time to proofread your work. Typos signal carelessness or a cavalier attitude to an employer. Even a single typographical error can damage your chances of landing an interview. After you've given your letter a final polish, ask a friend with strong grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to review it. Consider providing a copy of the job posting so your friend can make sure you've hit all the right points. #jobsearch

As an HR professional, I was reminded that sometimes we have to get back to basics. So, my latest post is an example of that. Here's the link to it https://https://nnamtique.com/what-is-a-cover-letter-7-characteristics. If you enjoy it, please leave me a comment here or at the bottom of the page on my blog. Thanks. #coverletter #hiring #resume #newjob #newemployee

I am wanting to change career fields. Cover letters stress me out. I enjoy writing. However, I am at a loss as to where to begin with my cover letter and how to write a cover letter that's eye catching. Any suggestions? #careeradvice #coverletter

Hello all, Find Your Hustle is a job board and employability company based in Birmingham UK.

We would like to be off help to the community any way we can. Whether it be Resume Support, Tips for a successful interview or a simple chat.

Connect with us! #FindYourHustle #Resume #CoverLetter #Interview #Free

What do they even want you to say in a cover letter these days?

How To Write A Cover Letter

While your resume is a summary of your background and qualifications, your cover letter explains why you're sending in a resume and should always be included in a job application.

If there’s only one thing you’ll remember from this guide, it should be this:

Always tailor your cover letter to one specific company and one particular job position.

Hiring managers can tell immediately if you created one generic cover letter and sent it all over the tri-state area. They throw those out.

Here’s how to format a cover letter effectively:

Align everything to the left side (block formatting), from beginning to end. Don’t use text justification. Single line space all text (or use 1.15 line spacing). Use a double space between each cover letter section and paragraph. Include a 1-inch margin on all sides of the cover letter. Choose a great cover letter font. Select the font by how legible it is over how pretty it looks. When in doubt, a cover letter is a business document, so follow formal letter formatting rules. Pick a cover letter template that matches your resume template to give the employer one unified job application package. Unless otherwise instructed, send them a cover letter PDF rather than Microsoft Word doc or another format. PDFs look better on more devices than Word cover letters.

Also, how long should a cover letter be?

Never let your cover letter spill over onto a second page. One page is plenty. In general, the best cover letters are relevant, concise, and have a word count which doesn’t exceed 300 words.

The header of a cover letter is quite simple—it’s basically like addressing a postcard. Just your deets, a date, and their info.

Here’s how to write an effective cover letter heading area:

On any formal letter, such as when writing a good cover letter, the sender’s information goes first. Include your name and address, to follow standard letter formatting rules. Add relevant contact information, such as your phone number, email address, or LinkedIn URL. Leave a line break, then add the date of writing. Finally, add the recipient’s information, including the name and job title of the person reviewing your application, followed by the company’s name and address.

Who to address a cover letter to?

Find the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, because science says people are more receptive to the sound of their own names. Locate their names by searching LinkedIn, checking the job ad, or looking at the company’s about page online. If those fail, give them a call!

First name or last?

If applying to a more traditional role, such as at a law firm or at a university, go with their title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr.) and their last name to be on the safe side. Otherwise, using their first name is a great way to grab the reader’s attention.

How to address a cover letter with no name?

If you tried everything and can’t find the hiring manager’s name, go with “Dear hiring manager.” Replace “hiring manager” with a job title (e.g., “IT director,” “HR manager”) if you at least have that information.

If you aren’t happy with these options, go ahead and skip the salutation, jumping straight to the first paragraph. That’s much better than the universally despised “Dear sir or madam.”

Comma, semicolon, or colon?

Finally, use a colon (:) rather than a comma after your cover letter greeting. Save the commas for less-formal letters to your grandparents.

The opening of a cover letter sets the tone for what follows.

Bore them at your own peril. Intrigue them, and they’ll be dying to read more.

How to write a cover letter opening paragraph that’ll keep you in the running?

Here’s how to make a cover letter intro:

It must introduce you to them as a candidate. It needs to officially identify the position to which you’re applying. It should give a quick overview of your professional background, skills, and experience. It has to be relevant to the company and the particular position.

You’re applying for a job, and the hiring manager’s job is to assess how well you’d fit. In the second paragraph, it’s time to show them you’re the best candidate they could possibly consider.

How? Refer to the job description.

The employment offer’s job requirements section tells you exactly the applicant they’re looking for.

Let them know their search is over.

Don’t simply tell them how you’ll make their lives better. Explain to them that they’re perfect for you, as well.

Of course the company needs to know that you have the job skills, work experience, and professional background they’re seeking. However, they also want to hire someone who’ll enjoy coming to work for them and who’ll be a great fit on the team.

Time to wrap it up with a powerful and compelling cover letter closing paragraph.

How to end a cover letter effectively?

In the last paragraph of a cover letter, invite them to discuss further, request a meeting, and promise them all this greatness you’ve exemplified is just the tip of the iceberg.

Signing off on a cover letter is super straightforward and simple.

Sincerely” is the most standard complimentary close (also known as a valediction), but feel free to use other formal or semi-formal options, as well. “Regards,” “Yours Truly,” or “Thank You” work just fine, too.

Avoid anything too informal, such as “Peace,” “Cheers,” or “TTYL.” Just as you start a cover letter formally, end the cover letter formally, also.

Structure of The Cover Letter

HEADING
Contact Information
Date Address of Company

If possible, use the name of person in charge of unit or department/name of Hiring Manager by searching online (company website or directory). This signals seriousness of intent. If you cannot find a name, Hiring Manager will suffice.

INTRODUCTION Provide specific greeting to person whom you are corresponding. If no name available, Dear Hiring Manager will suffice.

State the position you are applying for and how you found out about it. If you heard about the position via a professional connection, check with them and ask if you might mention them here.

State how your experience matches the position. Include 2·3 key qualifications that you will address in the rest of the letter (these items should match up with your resume).

BODY/ARGUMENT Taylor cover letter to company to be more effective (through company research via informational interviews, website review, and online reading). Do not use the same cover letter for different job applications.

Recognize organizational need (as mentioned in job description) and make your claim as how you can help them (that you have the matching skills).

Give specific examples to support your claim.

Refer to your resume (do not repeat it verbatim).

CLOSING Close with a strong reminder as to why you are a good match for the job and the organization.

Request an interview in some way.

Provide contact information.

Express appreciation for consideration.

Sign your name and print it underneath.

The last time you applied to a company did you also make sure to include a cover letter?

A well-written cover letter gives you a chance to sell yourself to the employer in a conversational style manner and most importantly explains why you are the ideal candidate!

Plus, by writing a cover letter you will make it clear that you truly want the job because you took the extra steps than just submitting a resume.

Now let’s help you write one!

-1- Address the beginning of the letter to a name and include a "Mr." or "Ms" before it. Avoid the bland "Dear Hiring Manager" or "To Whom It May Concern." Make it personal! Do a little searching and find the name of the person you will be sending this to.

-2- In the first paragraph provide a brief idea of who you are and tell the employer how you have learned about the opportunity. The opening paragraph should answer the following questions:

-Who are you? -Where does your expertise lie? -How did you learn about the position? -Why do you want to apply?

-3- The second paragraph is about what you bring to the table and why they should they choose you. Tell them why he/she should be interested in you! Do this by highlighting a few valuable points from your resume that match the job description. Ask yourself, what is it about your previous job experience skills and abilities that will meet the company's needs and make you a good fit? Make it unique to that company so do your research!

-4- Wrap it up with a call to action. What would you like to happen next? For example, you could say, "I have attached my resume for your consideration. I look forward to an opportunity to meet with you in person and discuss how my skills could contribute to the company's success."

-5- Close with a simple thank you at the end and then add your name.

Thank you,

(Your name)

-6- Be sure your contact information is on the cover letter as well. This should be at the top right of the page and include your name, email, and phone number. Essentially it is the same contact info that is on your resume!

Avoid sending the same cover letter to every company. They will know and your application won't be taken seriously. Always put your best foot forward.

If YOU are worth their time then make them worth yours!

Questions? Comment for some help! : )