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How to Write
Cover Letters that Get Results
Learning how to write a
good cover letter is an important skill for any serious job
seeker. The cover letter is your first point of contact, so
making a good impression is crucial.
1.) Tailor your
Cover Letter to the Job
Never send out the same
cover letter for any and all jobs you apply for. Generic cover
letters are boring and they don’t show an employer exactly why
you’re a good candidate for the job. Your cover letter should
focus on the professional skills and qualities you have that are
relevant, and leave out anything that isn’t.
2.) Create a
Strong Opening Paragraph
The first paragraph of a
cover letter will usually be read, but if your first paragraph
is vague or full of clichés, an employer may not bother reading
the rest. The opening paragraph should do the following:
- Explain
the purpose of the letter. An employer should know you’re
applying for the job from the first sentence.
- Explain
why you are the person for the job.
- Tell the
reader succinctly, with no more than one or two sentences
for each of these two points.
Avoid using clichéd
phrases like “I am writing to apply for the position…”. An
employer will read this phrase multiple times in other cover
letters—if you can create an opening sentence that’s markedly
different, they’ll be more likely to read further.
3.) Tell an
Employer what you can do for them
Employers want to know
what you can do to make their company more profitable. They
don’t want to hear about how the company can help you gain
professional skills or work experience. This means demonstrating
how the skills and experience you have will make you an asset to
the company.
4.) Use Dynamic
Language and Formatting
Use boldface,
underlining, bulleted lists, and white space to highlight your
skills and qualifications. These make the text easier to read
and help draw the reader’s eye to the important points in your
cover letter.
Use
action words that
demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge, and provide examples
of relevant professional achievements.
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.
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