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Decoding the Cover Letter
Recently, we said the cover letter was dead.
That hasn’t changed. But since then, we’ve had a few people reach out to us to ask for more information. Specifically, what happens when a company specifically requests a cover letter in the application?
Do you put one together?
Or do you tell them to stick it and direct them to our blog? (Not recommended, though we appreciate the traffic.)
In short, yes—If the company specifically requests a cover letter, include one. Cover letters aren’t fashionable these days, but many hiring managers are die-hards for routine and stick to (arguably) outdated hiring practices. When you run across one of these folks, you’d better believe that a well-written cover letter can give you an edge.
Your Cover Letter Template
What does a good cover letter look like? Of course, there’s no perfect formula for all positions, but here’s a template that we’ve seen candidates have good success with in the past. We’ll break down the components in a moment, but consider this your guiding framework.
Dear [hiring manager],
After reviewing your posting for the [position], here’s why this role is a great fit for me, and how I can be a great solution for you.
[Illustrative story that briefly explains how you fit the role, including a short summary of professional experience.]
I believe these skills, coupled with [x, y, and z – usually soft skills like communication] make me a great candidate for the [X] position. Of course, I’d love to talk soon, so feel free to email me at [email] or call me any time at [phone number].
Sincerely,
[Name]
Easy enough, right?
Let’s take each section one by one and explain how you can customize it to fit your needs.
Understanding the Cover Letter
Salutation
Dear [hiring manager],
After reviewing your posting for the [position], here’s why this role is a great fit for me, and how I can be a great solution for you.
Here, you’re giving them an initial greeting and establishing the role you want (depending on the size of the company, this may not be obvious). The last sentence of this introduction is key. Your goal is to describe yourself, but keep the benefits focused on what you can do for them.
Your Story
[Illustrative story that briefly explains how you fit the role, including a short summary of professional experience]
Great cover letters show rather than tell. They don’t provide a laundry list of accomplishments (that’s what your résumé is for) but rather give a quick pitch that will resonate with the hiring executive. This is the heart of your cover letter and the most difficult part to get right.
Ideally, this story will relate to the overall position, your past experiences, and how the two fit together. Do you have a funny anecdote that sparked your interest in the field? This is the place for it. Did you overcome any significant obstacles in your journey to get where you are? List them here.
This is obviously easier said than done, but your efforts here will pay dividends when the interview rolls around. The hiring manager will ask many of these same questions in person, so putting your thoughts to paper is a great way to help with this process and prepare yourself.
Closing
I believe these skills, coupled with [x, y, and z – usually soft skills like communication] make me a great candidate for the [X] position. Of course, I’d love to talk soon, so feel free to email me at [email] or call me any time at [phone number].
After detailing your story, the bulk of the work is done. You don’t want to make your cover letter too long-winded and you don’t want to waste their time. Thus, your goal here is to tie everything together in short order. A great way to do this is to throw out a nod to your soft skills, such as communication, interpersonal skills, or teamwork. A major part of hiring is finding the right cultural fit, and it pays to demonstrate forethought in this area by indicating that you’ll be a team player.
Keep It Focused
Cover letters are slowly being phased out, but should you be called upon to build one, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep it short, sweet, and to the point;
- Lead with a nod to which role you’re applying for;
- Keep your explanations focused on what you can do for them;
- Describe your personal experiences and relevant professional history in a way that will stick out in their minds;
- Close with a mention of how well you’ll fit in, and provide your contact information.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a great cover letter. And if you need more guidance, feel free to reach out to Urgenci and we’ll give you a hand.
Urgenci
