The Almighty Cover Letter

I rarely use this space for personal reflections but this week is an exception.  After 15 years of being involved in hiring, I have seen more applicant packages than I can count.  One of the most common places I see applicants go wrong (and right) is the cover letter.  Given that spring graduation is fast approaching and it’s the time of year that many people begin a job search process, I want to provide a list of dos and don’ts to help you make your cover letter or email as strong as it can be.  If you’d like to read more from the experts, go here, and here, and here. 

First the dos:

1. Do your research.  One of the quickest ways to get into the “take a second look” pile of resumes is to show that you have taken the time to do research on the position and organization to which you are applying.  It shows respect for the hiring authorities and that you are a knowledgeable professional.
2. Do have other people look over your cover letter and resume.  Faulkner and Hemmingway had editors, and you need one, too.  It’s important to have at least one other person look at your cover letter and resume before you submit it to look for typos and mistakes.  It’s important to choose reviewers who are good communicators and who will give you honest, constructive feedback.  If you are a student at a university, you have a built-in option – career services – that will help. These services are also often available to alumni as well. 
3. Do show definite interest in the position and organization.  Any reader of your cover letter should be able, after reading it, to state back why you are interested in that specific position at that specific organization.
4. Be honest and authentic.  Don’t over- or under-sell your experiences and accomplishments, and don’t gush when expressing interest.
5. Do state why you believe you are right for the job and frame it as how you can help the organization solve a problem or address a need. Most cover letters are all about the applicant.  That’s natural on some level, but you need to connect the dots for the hiring manager about how you can help the organization address a need. This is also one reason why #1 above is so important.
6. Do talk about your values and how they match the organizational mission and/or culture.  Don’t just highlight your experiences.   Also spend a sentence or two outlining your values and how those match the organization’s.  (Again, research!)
7. Do explain gaps in the resume.  A hiring authority has never met you.  If there are gaps in your resume when you weren’t employed – say a two-year timeframe where you returned to school full-time to get a master’s or started your own business – it’s important that you explain this.  Most applicant packages have literally seconds to make an impression so hiring authorities won’t take the time to piece together where you were for those two years. At worst, they may think you are trying to hide something, so it’s important to address the gaps concisely.

And now the don’ts:

1. Don’t ever send a generic cover letter. Ever.  “To whom it may concern, I am interested in a position at your company…” The message this type of letter sends is that you don’t care enough to even insert the organization’s name in the letter.  It’s the equivalent of never learning anyone’s name and just calling everyone “hey you.” In an age of social media and ubiquitous Google, you can find a name to whom to address your letter or email.  Of course, you should also double-check that you have the right organization listed as it is equally bad to send a cover letter that is specifically addressed…but sent to the wrong organization.
2. Don’t use humor.  Everyone loves a fun person to work with but humor is extremely difficult to convey in writing to people who’ve never met you, so it almost always falls flat.  Just don’t use it. 
3. Don’t try to be cute or clever.  You can write a letter that demonstrates your “voice” and point of view, but, along the same lines as #2 above, let your accomplishments and research set you apart.  Cuteness will make you look immature and unprofessional.   If you work in a creative field where creativity is a major differentiator, by all means ignore the second part of this advice and do something like this. But for everyone else, spend your energy on making your cover letter as correct and clear as it can be.

What other tips can you offer your fellow job seekers?  Want more?  How about some social media tips for job seekers?  Done.