Tips on Writing a Great Cover Letter

Be concise. Never use two words when one will do. Always strike the word "very" and eliminate the word "that" as much as you can.

Do not overdo the style elements. Choose a font that is simple but elegant. Avoid uncommon decorative fonts unless you are applying for a job where being quirky is of greater value than being businesslike and the people who are doing the hiring are on board with this philosophy.

Consider namedropping if you are confident that the person you know at the company you are applying to will vouch for you. Sometimes a bit of inside help does go a long way, so don't dismiss this option out of hand if it is open to you.

Make sure your cover letter is visually appealing and coordinated with your resume. Use the same personal information block in the heading of your cover letter and your resume. A cohesive resume package is a very attractive selling point. If using paper (i.e., not online), use the same high quality paper for the cover letter as for your resume.

Tweak your cover letter depending upon your target. If you are applying for specific jobs then make it relevant as possible. Include the job reference number and address your cover letter directly to the company contact (if you have their name). Alternatively, if you are applying speculatively you can start with the salutation 'Dear Sirs,' and finish with 'Yours faithfully' rather than 'Sincerely'

Find your answers to these important questions before you start writing your cover letter:

1. What is the complete name of the company to which you are applying for a job?
2. What is the name of the person to whom you are addressing the cover letter?
3. What is the address of the person to whom you are sending the letter?
4. What is the title of the job for which you are applying and does it also have a reference number that you should include?
5. What is the type of job or level of the position you are seeking?
   
   • "entry-level"
   • "management"
   • "senior level"
6. What skills do you possess that you are not using enough in your current role? Would the ideal candidate for this new role be required to make more use of those types of skills? What opportunities are missing in your current role? Answering these questions will help you explain why you are interested in leaving current position. For example, are you looking for:
   
   • "room for advancement"
   • "an opportunity to learn new skills"
7. What is your current job or educational position? This may seem like an obvious question, but knowing how to clearly define your current role is a tremendous asset. For example, you could be a:
   
   • "graduate student in environmental science"
   • "customer service professional specializing in the high-end retail market"
8. What is a general description of your accomplishments/experiences in the field to which you are applying? For example, you could have:
   
   • "fifteen years of excellent customer service experience"
   • "an outstanding background in scientific research and discovery"
   • "a solid history of dependability in the automotive industry"
9. What assets can you offer to the company? List a few in your cover letter, such as:
   
   • "extensive experience with start-ups"
   • "demonstrated ability to solve problems"
   • "refined ability to manage teams"
10. What will you help the company accomplish, if given the job you desire?
    
    • "increase its bottom line"
    • "meet its goal of providing only the best in customer service"
    • "expand its customer base and increase its revenue"