How to Write a Winning Cover Letter

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the website and/or the RSS feed using the subscribe boxes in the right-had navigation bar. >>> Thanks for visiting!

Writing a cover letter doesn’t have to be tough — if you know what benefits you offer a potential employer and can match them to what the employer says they want. “Benefit” is at the crux of this discussion. Many job seekers take bits and pieces of information from here and there and create a mess of a cover letter.

Always remember that a cover letter works only when you have compelling offer to make. A cover letter should not be an introduction of what you’re looking for in a job. Every word is important — do not waste a single one to distract your potential employer’s attention. They are not as interested in the features you bring to a position (a degree, experience, etc.) as they are the benefits these features bring to them. Think from the employer’s point of view and ask yourself, “Why should I read this letter? Is there any benefit or offer to me which cannot be refused? Can you convince me that it is really a good offer?”

HEADLINE

Keeping these things in mind, you should apply thought in writing your cover letter. Remember, this is, at its core, a sales letter. And what part of the sales letter comes first? The header or the headline. This very crucial to any sales letter, and can make or break your cover letter, too.

The headline should directly target the potential employer and position. Be tactful with your words. Some good examples include?

• 3 Reasons Why I’m An Excellent Fit for (Job Title Here)
• Are You Still Seeking a (Job Title Here)
• Available Immediately: Proven (Key Skill Set Here)

The headline should not be more than a line, so try to be as specific as possible. Nobody has time to read each and every letter in this fast-paced era of instant satisfaction. If you are not able to convey your message to the audience in a short time, then you have lost those readers. The headline should start with a benefit being offered to the employer. This ensures that the employer moves on to the body of the letter.

BODY

Now, having made a good effort with the heading, it’s time to work on the body of the letter. How do you maintain the level of enthusiasm that you created in the employer’s mind with the heading? Once again it is important to remember to focus on the benefits you can bring to the position. For example: What special things did you do in your last job that you can do for this company? Did you save your previous employer money?

Make the reader realize a need for you and your unique set of skills and experience. Remember, the person reading your cover letter will constantly get questions in their mind as to how this will benefit them. So be ready to clear those doubts and answer those questions.

Do you have “testimonials” from previous supervisors? If it supports what you are trying to say, quote them. But keep them short and believable.

CLOSE

Once you’ve made the benefits you — and only you — can bring to the position. Prompt your audience to take action. Tell them to call or email you now. Provide your contact information. Direct them to your online portfolio. Get them interacting with you in someway the moves them toward setting that initial interview.

THE P.S.

Just like with a sales letter, a P.S. can add oomph to your cover letter. Many people simply read the beginning and end of the letter. So, try to convey something that will prompt them to go back to the letter and read it. It will be a perfect end to the sales letter.

The P.S. can reiterate your most important benefit. In can bolster your letter’s call to action. Remember, it should short, powerful and encourage the reader to read the whole letter (if they haven’t done so already.)