Writing an Effective Cover Letter

How to Stand out From Other Job Applicants

Oct 12, 2009 Peter Lavelle

Aside from the CV, the cover letter is the applicant's key means of marketing themselves. This article outlines some hints for standing out from other applicants.

Writing an effective cover letter can mean the difference between being invited to interview, and spending another day searching through job sites. The candidate ought avoid generic terms and descriptions that won't help him or her stand out. At the same time though, the candidate must adhere to the conventional style of the covering letter. So how to balance these objectives?

Making a First Impression

Many candidates begin by stating the position they are applying for and the website where it was located. While this gives the employer some context about the applicant's background, it is a common technique. Further, the employer won't be reading carefully after the hundredth letter. Instead, the candidate might begin by incorporating a qualification or some experience into the letter's opening sentence. This helps distinguish the candidate from others.

Good Cover Letter Writing TechniqueThere are countless leaden sentiments that can make a candidate's writing seem lethargic. Unfortunately employers may connect these with the candidate themselves. Using too many adverbs or adjectives is bad practice in any writing, so sticking mostly to nouns and verbs helps foster an air of enthusiasm. The candidate should not simply tell the employer of his or her skills and experience. Instead, the candidate should engage the employer through how those talents and abilities are expressed. It's all about the impression!

For example, if the candidate has administrative experience, then he or she might use language that creates an atmosphere of professionalism and activity. A list-like format may be effective, less because it demonstrates the things the candidate has been responsible for, than because it shows his or her breadth of experience. Anything to do with quantifiable achievement – such as in sales – will also impress employers.

The Basics of Writing a Cover Letter

Of course, there are some basic tenets of writing an effective cover letter that must always be obeyed. The candidate should write each covering letter from scratch, tailored to every job for which he or she is applying. This is true even if the roles are effectively the same. After all, the candidate must demonstrate that he or she has read the job advert by responding to its specific criteria and person requirements.

Though two administrative positions may be nearly identical, one may feature "attention to detail" as part of its person specification while the other doesn't. An effective cover letter will be careful to incorporate this tenet, with examples from the candidate's own experience for support. Hence, the employer will read the candidate's letter knowing it is relevant to the advertised position, and book the candidate for interview.

Additional Cover Letter Hints

Other assets of an effective cover include addressing the letter to a specific person. This might be the individual overseeing the recruitment process of the position, if they belong to an agency, or someone at the company itself. This demonstrates that the candidate has done his or her research, and has invested some time in writing the covering letter. Employers look for candidates who're dedicated, and this is something the candidate has to show rather than say.

In addition to the cover letter, the candidate might volunteer any documents that help his or her application. For example, if the candidate applies for a marketing position, then including proof of previous experience in the form of Word documents, or websites to which he or she has contributed, always helps. The employer might glance at these documents only briefly, but once again it demonstrates dedication.

With these tips in mind then, the candidate will be able to create an effective cover letter that distinguishes him or her from other applicants, while remaining professional and – above all else – employable. With some practice, the candidate will be able to write cover letters that appear meticulous and well-researched, while nonetheless adhering to a standard formula. So get practising!

The copyright of the article Writing an Effective Cover Letter in Career Advice is owned by Peter Lavelle. Permission to republish Writing an Effective Cover Letter in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Effective Cover Letter

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