There are good cover letters and there are great cover letters.
Here are the basics for a good one, which may get you in the door, and tips for a great one, which will show you are the best fit!
A good cover letter has a simple introductory paragraph that states the job you are applying for and where you saw it posted (and if someone referred you, name them!). Then you make sure you state that you have the skills, training and experience that makes you an excellent match for the job. Tell them you have attached your resume. Keep it simple!
A good cover letter shows you’re a match for the job. It’s like the game of concentration. You make sure the job duties and your qualifications match up. One to one. Using the same words that are in the job posting. So: make a list of each skill category and write down one example from your job history that shows you have those skills and you have delivered results using those skills.
A GREAT COVER LETTER has everything a good cover letter has, along with these three elements: 1) context, 2) personality, and 3) commitment.
CONTEXT
Every employer wants to know that you know who they are, what matters to them, their work culture and their community – including partners, competitors, clients and policies that influence their work. What that means for your cover letter is choosing relevant examples from your professional experience that match with their culture/context. If you want to work for a start-up and you have worked in one before, state that. Tell them- I know the demands of a start-up and I thrive in that kind of work environment. If you want to work in a big company, let them know you have worked in other large companies. If you want to work in a strong team environment then note how well you’ve performed as part of a team.
PERSONALITY
Many job postings (and many company websites) talk about personality, spirit and culture. A posting may specify qualities like sense of humor, creativity, and flexibility; they may mention work styles like collaborative, multi-tasking and nimble. In a sense, they’re asking applicants to talk about their personalities.
The challenge in writing about qualities in a cover letter is making them genuine and powerful. That means you should choose qualities that are true to who you are. If they aren’t you, then don’t write about them!
If you do plan to write about personality, write at most two lines about personality, best done with an example. So, if you want the employer to know you are a collaborator then reference how and where you have worked with partners on a project. Say that you are committed to collaborative work environments. If you are known for your sense of humor and being easy to work with, say so, and explain how that has been an asset in a high-pressure environment, or that you look forward to working in a culture that values spirited people like you! Like the game of concentration, always connect the dots back to how you offer what they want and how your skills and personality traits will help you succeed and integrate well into the new job.
COMMITMENT
Every employer wants people who are dedicated, loyal and committed.
To their mission. To their product. To their work ethic. To the long-term success of the company.
Showing that you have shared values and commitment is worth gold in a cover letter. Again, don’t fake it. Rather, take an honest look at where there is alignment with the employer, the product, the mission, the culture, the leadership, the values. When you find it, think about how that commitment influences your work choices and your non-work choices. The most winning statement you can make is something like – “I have dedicated my personal and professional energies to (values, mission, ethic, etc). That’s why I did y or pursued z; and that’s why I am eager to join your organization.”
Ready to write a GREAT COVER LETTER?
Get out the job posting and a blank word document. Write your intro. Then start with the game of concentration. That’s the body of your letter. Then look at how you can spice it up with context, personality and examples of shared commitment. That’s how you will show that you are more than just another person who can do the work – you’re someone who belongs and who will be great to work with!
(Of course, always make sure you have someone proof your letter and read it for flow. You can always contact a career coach for help. My info is lparadise.coach@gmail.com. I’ve got templates too!)