The Do's and Don'ts of Cover Letter Writing

A well-written cover letter can significantly improve your chances of landing a job interview. It is an essential element of the job application process that allows you to showcase your personality, unique qualities, and professional experience. However, many job seekers make common mistakes in their cover letters, which can negatively impact their chances of being considered for a position. The purpose of this article is to provide expert advice on cover letter writing by examining the essential do's and don'ts to create a compelling and professional cover letter that stands out from the rest. We will cover topics such as tailoring your letter to each position, knowing what to include, and using a professional tone and language. By applying the tips provided in this article, you will be well on your way to crafting an outstanding cover letter that catches the attention of hiring managers.

To create an effective cover letter, there are several best practices to follow that can significantly improve your chances of landing a job interview. Some of these practices include:

1. Tailoring your cover letter to each position: Customize your cover letter for each job application by addressing the specific requirements and qualifications listed in the job posting. Research the company's mission, values, and culture, and demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with their needs. This shows that you have a genuine interest in the position and have taken the time to understand the company's needs. As mentioned in a Coursera article, picking out the most important requirements from the person specification and providing evidence of your ability to meet them can significantly improve your chances of getting an interview.

2. Knowing what to include in a cover letter: Focus on the most relevant aspects of your background, including your education, work experience, and accomplishments, that are most applicable to the position you are applying for. Avoid including irrelevant details, as suggested by the Tufts University Career Center.

3. Using a professional tone and language: Your cover letter should be written in a clear, concise, and professional manner. This means using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as avoiding casual language, slang, or jargon.

4. Showcasing your personality and unique qualities: A cover letter is an opportunity to let your personality shine through and make a lasting impression on the hiring manager. Share anecdotes or examples that demonstrate your passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to your field.

5. Selling yourself and your skills effectively: Emphasize your strengths and accomplishments, and explain how you can contribute to the company's success. Be specific about your skills and experiences, and use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate the value you can bring to the organization.

There are also common mistakes that job seekers should avoid when writing a cover letter to ensure their application stands out for the right reasons. Some of these mistakes include:

1. Avoiding generic cover letters: Using a one-size-fits-all approach to cover letter writing is unlikely to impress hiring managers. As mentioned in a VisualCV article, generic cover letters often lack the personalization and specificity needed to catch the attention of hiring managers.

2. Not summarizing your resume: While your cover letter should complement your resume, it should not be a mere summary of it. Instead, use your cover letter to expand on your most relevant experiences and accomplishments, and explain how they make you the ideal candidate for the position.

3. Keeping the cover letter to one page: Your cover letter should be concise and focused, ideally not exceeding one page in length. This allows hiring managers to quickly assess your qualifications and determine whether they would like to learn more about you.

4. Not using outdated salutations such as "To Whom It May Concern": Whenever possible, find the hiring manager's name and use it in your salutation. This creates a more personal connection and shows that you have taken the time to research the company and its employees.

5. Not including negative phrases or irrelevant details: Keep your cover letter positive and focused on your strengths and qualifications. Avoid mentioning any weaknesses, failures, or unrelated experiences that may detract from your overall message.

To keep the reader engaged and interested in your application, it's essential to make your cover letter interesting and relatable. Some ways to achieve this include:

1. Using storytelling techniques to connect with the reader: Share anecdotes or personal experiences that demonstrate your passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to your field. This helps to create an emotional connection with the reader and makes your cover letter more memorable.

2. Providing real-life examples of your accomplishments: Use specific examples to showcase your skills and achievements. For instance, if you increased sales by 20% in your previous role, explain how you achieved this result and why it is relevant to the position you are applying for.

3. Demonstrating your enthusiasm for the position and company: Express your genuine interest in the role and the company by discussing their mission, values, and culture. As mentioned in an article by UNSW Business School, demonstrating enthusiasm for a role signals your motivation for the job and suggests that you can control emotions in stressful situations.

4. Sharing your career goals and how they align with the company's mission: Explain how your professional aspirations align with the company's goals and how the position you are applying for will help you achieve them.

5. Highlighting your unique skills and experiences: Showcase the specific skills, experiences, and qualifications that set you apart from other candidates, and explain how these unique attributes will contribute to the company's success.

To establish credibility and support your claims, it's crucial to include relevant statistics, facts, and expert opinions in your cover letter. Some ways to do this include:

1. Providing industry-specific data to showcase your knowledge: Research and include statistics or facts that demonstrate your understanding of the industry, market trends, or challenges facing the company. This can help establish your credibility and show that you are well-informed about the field.

2. Citing reputable sources to support your statements: When making claims or discussing achievements, provide evidence by citing reputable sources. For example, if you mention a specific study or report, include a link to the source, like this Purdue OWL resource on MLA formatting and style guide.

3. Referencing expert opinions or industry leaders to back up your claims: Mention quotes or insights from industry experts or leaders that support your statements or demonstrate your knowledge of the field.

4. Including any awards, recognitions, or certifications you have received: Highlight any relevant accolades, certifications, or recognitions that demonstrate your expertise and qualifications for the role.

5. Demonstrating the value you can bring to the company with quantifiable achievements: Use specific numbers or metrics to illustrate your past successes and how they can translate to the company's benefit. For example, if you helped increase customer retention by 15% in your previous role, explain how this experience can benefit the company you are applying to.

Personalizing your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager and the company can help make a positive impression and show that you have done your research. Some ways to do this include:

1. Finding the hiring manager's name and using it in your salutation: Use resources like Zippia's guide on how to find the hiring manager's name to personalize your salutation. This shows respect and attention to detail.

2. Researching the company and its values: Investigate the company's mission, values, and culture to tailor your cover letter to their specific needs and expectations. As mentioned in a Clemson University resource, utilize the details and vocabulary found in your research on the company throughout your cover letter.

3. Tailoring your cover letter to the company's culture and mission: Demonstrate how your skills, experiences, and personal values align with the company's mission and culture.

4. Mentioning any connections or referrals you may have within the company: If you have a connection within the company or have been referred by an employee, mention this in your cover letter to create a sense of familiarity and trust.

5. Complimenting the company on their achievements or recent news: Acknowledge the company's successes or recent events to show that you are up-to-date with their developments and appreciate their accomplishments.

To help you get started on your cover letter, we have provided some examples and templates that demonstrate the do's and don'ts in action. For instance, consider the following well-tailored cover letter example:

When customizing templates to suit your unique application, be sure to follow the tips provided in resources like this Venngage article on creative cover letter templates. Make sure your design looks impressive both on screen and in print, and that the size dimensions fit standard printer paper (8.5 x 11 inches).

By using these examples and templates as a starting point, you can craft a cover letter that effectively incorporates the do's and don'ts discussed in this article, setting you on the path to creating a compelling and professional cover letter that stands out from the rest.

By following these essential do's and don'ts, you can create a compelling and professional cover letter that will make a lasting impression on hiring managers and increase your chances of landing a job interview. Remember to tailor your cover letter to each position, showcase your personality and unique qualities, and avoid common mistakes such as generic content or outdated salutations. Additionally, make your cover letter interesting and relatable by incorporating storytelling techniques, real-life examples, and enthusiasm for the position and company. Don't forget to establish credibility by including relevant statistics, facts, and expert opinions, and personalize your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager and company directly.

Apply the tips and advice provided in this article to your cover letter writing, and you will be well on your way to crafting a standout cover letter that sets you apart from other candidates. We wish you the best of luck in your job search and encourage you to explore additional resources and articles on our website to further refine your cover letter and job application skills.