Hint #4 - Cover Letters

In today's day and age, with the advent of LinkedIn and the strong focus on networking, the cover letter has become both outdated and academic. Yet, there are some web sites and some hiring managers who want to see how your writing skills are and how you can put together a high quality, well informed cover letter.

In this blog I will give you the sample format for that all important cover letter. First, NEVER send a cover letter to a "to whom it may concern" unless you are absolutely forced to. Second, use LinkedIn to find the proper person, even if it means the "dribbledown" effect must be used.

Next, the cover letter should be in the body of the email, as text. It should not be an attachment. If I were a hiring manager, I'd want to see your resume ONLY as the attachment. Your main conveyance is the text in the email, hence your cover letter. So, here goes.

1. Copy and paste your heading from your resume to the "letter head" of the cover letter. All your contact information should be centered at the top of the cover letter. It should also be left justified at the bottom of the cover letter (like a signature block). This SHOULD NOT be done in a "header and footer" as it shows laziness on the part of the writer.

2. The date and "to" section is obvious.

3. The first paragraph should clearly define where you found the opening. It should, with a high level of confidence, say "I'm highly qualified" and then introduce the second paragraph. It should be no more than 5-10 lines in length.

4. The second paragraph should address each and every "shopping list" or qualifications item in the ad. For example, if it says "must have 6 years in management", you should comment on what jobs you've had where your role was in management. You may want to comment on the achievements you had as manager. If it says "must have excellent written communications skills" you may want to comment on the types of reports you submitted to "C" level management (CEO, COO, CTO, CFO). The second paragraph should be no more than 10-15 lines in length. Succinct, focused, short sentences (bullets are ok to use here) and with lots of confidence.

5. The final paragraph should be a strong close. You should comment that you are available right away for interviewing. You should comment that you are undoubtedly the most highly qualified candidate for this position. You should repeat your phone number (yes, a 3rd time) so that there's no chance he will miss seeing your phone number. Finally, mention that you intend to follow up with him in one week (and, yes, do so!!). The final paragraph should be no more than 5-6 lines.

End the cover letter with "Sincerely yours". For inventiveness, "sign your name" with a font that appears to be a "signature". It will give the reader a chuckle in that you attempted to "sign" the letter.

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