Six Simple Rules for Writing a Successful Cover Letter

RULE # 1: Rise to the top of the pile.

At the height of the last recession in the early 1990's I received over a hundred and fifty resumes for a job I had advertised. As the hiring manager I felt a responsibility to review each and every one of these resumes to get a sense of each potential candidate.

The experience left me somewhat numb, but also enlightened. While the resumes all seemed to cover much the same ground the ones that stood out were the ones with great cover letters attached.

In the years since, I usually spend more time reading the cover letter than I do the resume. The reason for this is simple; a great cover letter brings the candidate to life in front of me.

If it is written skilfully and with style, a cover letter makes me - the person doing the hiring - want to meet the candidate.

Unfortunately, these kinds of cover letters are few and far between. And they should not be. If you want to have success in getting the job that you desire, writing a compelling cover letter should be at the top of your list.

It looks like we are in a recession once again and the job market certainly has been shrinking. This means that every job listing out there will be hotly contested by well qualified candidates. If you want to be successful crafting a perfect cover letter is critical.

So let's get started...

RULE #2: Your resume may never be read.

Too many cover letters are boring. They give me no insight into the person who wrote them. They appear to be an afterthought, just something to tack onto a killer resume. Well, here's a little secret - your killer resume may not even be read if your cover letter doesn't do its job.

And its job is to sell you. It gives you a great opportunity to sell your stuff. This is especially important if your resume is thin on experience or has some significant gaps (for example why you weren't employed for the past five years).

So what is it that would help to sell you to me as a potential candidate?

Well first why are you interested in the position? And it's not enough to just tell me you are. You really need to sell me on it. What is it that excites you about the job and why. By the way you should also tell me where you first heard about the job.

Okay, your enthusiasm for the position has got my attention, now you need to sell me on what makes you a unique candidate to fill it. What relevant experience can you offer me? Notice I said relevant. Experience working as a roofing contractor is not going to help you get a job in corporate communications. However, experience as a volunteer doing media relations and the monthly bulletin for a charity just might.

Take a close look at the job description and the qualities and requirements they are looking for. How does your experience fit them? You may have been a communications major in school but you have had to work in roofing to make ends meet.

RULE #3: Ask, "Why would I be interested in hiring me?"

It is difficult for many of us to blow our own horns. But you have to make a little noise to make yourself heard. And as long as you play a great tune people might sing along.

Step out of your own skin for a moment and imagine that you are the hiring manager for the job. What is it about this candidate that would appeal to you? What is your sense of this person? What is communicated between the lines?

Remember, you are a human being with a real personality (and if you don't have one consider working as an actuary). You need to show your real self. This is how we connect.

Be warned, this can also be a pitfall. Some candidates go overboard on this and become inappropriately casual. I normally avoid reading cover letters and resumes that start with "Hey dude..."

Keep it professional. However, this doesn't mean sterile. When I finish reading your cover letter I want to have a feeling that I could work with you.

RULE #4: Keep it short

This is the most difficult part of writing a great cover letter. It is much harder to write something short than it is to write something long, just ask copywriters who write billboards or bus signs.

You have one page with four or five brief paragraphs to make a compelling argument as to why I should consider you. Brutal I know, but you try reading 15 or 20 cover letters and resumes at a time.

The best cover letters highlight abilities and experience that are specific to the position and then point to the attached resume to fill in all the details.

Quite honestly if a cover letter is longer than a page (including signature) it will likely not be read.

RULE #5: Spelling, grammar and, oh yeah, telling the truth.

It is depressing just how many otherwise qualified candidates cannot put words together and make sense. Worse still, they cannot spell.

It is a lot of work crafting a cover letter; don't spoil it by making silly grammatical or spelling errors. This just tells the reader that you have no eye for detail, no matter what your resume says.

Don't trust your word processing software to do the work for you. Proofread your letter carefully; better still let someone you trust proofread it for you.

If you are uncomfortable writing your own letter, consider having a professional write it for you (I make a lot of money doing this).

However, whether you write your letter yourself or have a professional do it for you, it is important that you keep it truthful. And if you tell me lies, believe me, I will find out. And it doesn't matter when; if you have gotten a job under false pretences it is normally a firing offense.

RULE #6: Dressing for success

Your letter like you has to make a good first impression. Your letter should be addressed to the person who will be making the hiring decision. This is often not spelled out in the ad so you might have to do a little digging to find it out. Here's a hint, many receptionists are quite helpful and it could be as simple as making a phone call. Also check the company's website it is usually full of interesting information and often includes brief biographies of the executives.

Use a good paper stock to print it on and use a readable font. Make certain that your contact details - name, address, phone number(s) and e mail address are at the top.

Sign the letter in blue ink, if possible.

Do not fold it. Attach it by paperclip to a copy of your resume and mail it in a business envelop.

Today most employers want to receive applications via e mail. However, this doesn't mean it has to be less attractive. If they request a word document format it properly so that it will still look like a printed letter when it arrives.

Even if you are sending it via e mail it is still a good idea to send along a printed copy. At the very least it will demonstrate how serious and professional you are.

Writing a great cover letter will not guarantee that you will land the job. In fact, a great cover letter is successful if it only inspires the hiring manager to read your resume, which in turn might lead to an interview and so on down the path to your dream job.

However, not having a great cover letter will absolutely guarantee that you will remain with the rest of the also-rans in the rejected pile.

Writing the perfect cover letter is seriously hard work, but it also helps you to focus on the skills and experience that you can offer a potential employer. The focus in turn can lead you to success as you move along through the hiring process.

Good writing and good luck.