Want Your Job Application to Stand Out? Write a Cover Letter

Let’s be honest—if you’re applying for a job, you’re probably not the only person qualified for the position. How can you stand out among the competition before an employer even gets to meet you? One technique you can use to your advantage is to write an attention-grabbing cover letter. 

Ticket to Work reports that a  cover letter is a one-page document that introduces you to a potential employer. Your resume describes the facts of your work experience (either paid or volunteer work), while your cover letter gives the hiring manager some insight into your personality.

While your resume tells what you did, the cover letter gives you the opportunity to describe how you did it. You should include a cover letter with your job application, whether the company requires it or not, to help catch the hiring manager’s attention.

What should be in my cover letter? 

There are 3 basic elements you need to include:

• How your experience meets the job requirements.
• How your skills match the job requirements.
• Why you want to work for this specific employer.

While templates can be used for your cover letters, they should be tailored specifically to the position you are applying for. Be sure to adapt it for each particular company and include keywords from each job description.

How do I organize my cover letter? 

Your cover letter should be on the shorter side, yet informative to who you are and why you are the best person for the desired position. It should be no longer than one page in length, including your headers and sign-off.

A basic structure for a cover letter would look something like this:

• Heading: Includes your full name, phone number, email and the date. Add your social media profile (e.g., LinkedIn) if relevant to the job.
• Addressee: The name of the hiring manager, company and business address. This information can usually be found on the company’s website or LinkedIn page if it’s not included with the job posting.
• Opening paragraph: A brief discussion of your experience and two or three of your accomplishments that are specifically relevant to the job. Tell your story. If you have results that can be quantified, such as an increase in production by 10%, this is the place for those.
• Second paragraph: Identify the key elements of the job requirements and explain why you’re the best person for the job. Where do your skills and the job requirements overlap?
• Third paragraph: Explain why you want to work for this particular company. What is it about this one company that you admire? Their product? Their inclusive culture? Be specific about why this is meaningful to you.
• Conclusion: Thank them for reading your letter and put the ball in their court. For example, you could end by saying you’d love to discuss your experience with them.

Once you’ve finished your cover letter, make sure to proofread it and review any provided details on how to submit your materials. If the company doesn’t have a specified format that they would like to receive the cover letter in, it’s best to send it as a Word document or a PDF.

For jobs that don’t require a cover letter, but you want to send one anyway, letters should be sent to the hiring manager or a specified contact by email alongside your resume.

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