Tailor your Cover Letter to your Job Search Strategy

The cover letter you send with every job application is your chance to make a good first impression. As such, each letter should be customized according to your job search strategy.

Response to Job Advertisements

When responding to a specific job advertisement, your aim is to show an employer that your professional skills and experience matches what is required for the position. Use key words and phrases from the advertisement in your letter, together with statements that explain how you meet the requirements. Try to frame your statements in terms of how your skills can benefit the company—for example, rather than saying “I have four years of experience in sales”, say “Your company will benefit from my four years of sales experience, during which I met or exceeded all sales quotas”.

Cold Contact Cover Letters

An unsolicited job application should emphasize your desire to work with that particular company. You should also be able to demonstrate some knowledge of the company—the recipient of your letter should not be left with the impression that you’re sending out cover letters indiscriminately. In addition, it’s important to make every effort to find out the name of the hiring manager for the position you’re interested in, because unsolicited letters that aren’t addressed to a specific recipient are unlikely to be read. An unsolicited letter should end with a follow-up statement such as a promise to call the recipient by a certain date.

Cover Letters for Recruiters

Most recruiters do not read cover letters unless they particularly like what they read on a resume, but a cover letter should still be sent. The letter should be brief and include the use of relevant key words and phrases. Many recruiters enter cover letters as well as resumes into databases, and adding keywords will increase your chances of being pulled up in a search. Don’t include a promise to follow-up—in this case, initiating further contact is up to the recruiter.

Cover Letters for Networking Contacts

Networking is an effective method of tapping into the hidden job market—the more people you know, the better your chances that one of your acquaintances will know of a position that might be right for you. In these situations, a relatively new combination of a cover letter and resume is an ideal method of making contact. The so-called “resu-letter” is written in a more informal tone than a standard cover letter, and unlike other cover letters, should include key selling points from your resume.

Still Stuck? Try our Cover Letter Creator. 

Also, please review our Cover Letter section for free examples and tips.  If you need more help, please consider using a Career Counselor.