Tips For Your Cover Letter
In the previous post, we discussed some basic rules governing the structure of the cover letter. We’ve got the basics covered, so let’s dive into some nitty-gritty reality of writing a cover letter.
Length
Keep it short. Four paragraphs is a maximum. Five is already pushing the attention of the reader.
Use simple sentences with clear purpose.
I am a flexible graduate with a proactive outreach and a high altitude view who engages in joined up thinking and will live the values of your company from the day one.
Crimes against writing, like the one above have no place in your cover letter. Don’t use cliches, they will turn off your employer, instead of scoring important points for you. It’s better to use plain language rather than send out a cliche-filled application.
Jargon
Don’t use jargon and certainly don’t repeat the exact same phrases what you saw on the job ad. If the company is looking for a “motivated self-starter,” the worst thing you can do is to write in the first sentence of your cover letter “I’m a motivated self-starter.” Why? It shows you are lazy and unimaginative.
Tonality and details
Formal tone is a must. To be perceived as a professional, you need to maintain a good level of your expression. Slang, lingo and informal greetings will only put you down and rid you of your credibility.
Always add a date and a printed signature. The cover letter is an official document. If you plan on sending a hard copy, sign it. Use black or blue ink, and a fountain pen – it looks professional.
Be a STAR!
Using a STAR pattern will help you with examples of your skills and an account of your experience. Let’s look at it more closely.
- S=situation (what was the context in which you made a decision?)
- T=target (what were you supposed to achieve?)
- A=action (what have you actively done to achieve the results?)
- R=result (how did it turn out? Profit? Loss?)
Here is a proper example of STAR in use.
When working on a campaign to increase our client’s coverage in B2B magazines for the client, I pitched a BusinessWeek journalist. The result was a two-page article that boosted the client’s brand awareness by 34% and his sales by 15%.
Where to go next?
- Charlie will provoke your thinking with Why cover letters don’t matter
- Kim Thompson gives 10 reasons to use a cover letter
- Jaredsgirl shared some ideas on the cover letter format
- Julie Erickson emphasizes that your cover letter markets you
The last resource you should make use of is CareerHub, because it contains collective knowledge from many HR and career experts. Go and check it out. It’s worth it.
Image credit: photoplasia
