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04.10
Writing Cover Letters That Get
Read
By
Elizabeth Lions
A common challenge among my
clients is how to write an effective cover
letter. Some think the cover letter is the place
to list all the reasons why they are a good fit
for the position. Others are so overwhelmed by
the cover letter assignment that after looking
at a blank screen for hours, they end up
rewriting a summary of their resume. Numerous
books and articles have been written on this
topic, with much debate over what is the right
approach for the right audience. Perhaps the
following tips can help you when it comes time
to draft this important piece of the job search
puzzle.
Identify who is receiving your
cover letter. More than likely, you are applying
online and it will go into the inbox of a Human
Resource person on the other end of the line.
This person may be a senior leader with years of
experience, or your application could go to a
junior employee that who has been hired to
screen you out. If you are very lucky, you’ll
get read by a hiring manager, but more likely,
if you are fortunate, your information forwarded
by the gatekeeper to a decision-maker.
Regardless, it’s always safe to
assume that HR will be the first set of eyes on
your cover letter and information. Generally
speaking, HR professionals aren’t technical in
skill set, rather they are generalists. Often,
recruiting isn’t even the most important
function of their jobs. Keep that in mind. Be
gentle with them. Don’t bore them. Most
importantly, remember that you are one of many
in their e-mail box, competing for an
opportunity to speak to them about this job.
For years as a recruiter, I
received thousands of cover letters, most of
them missing the correct approach with me
entirely. The one that I remember the most was
the one that was unusual. I distinctly remember
that he sincerely thanked me for my time,
acknowledging that he wasn’t the only person
competing for my attention. He knew I was busy
and treated me with respect. He ended the letter
with a compliment on my abilities and my
organization. I called him immediately, thinking
that this was the type of candidate I wanted to
know more about, and a simple e-mail wouldn’t
do. I wanted to hear his voice and meet him. I
wanted the conversation out of e-mail!
How do you think you can get a
reader that motivated?
Think about the point of the
cover letter. It’s a page turner. The only point
of the cover letter is to keep the reader
interested enough to double click and open to
your resume, where you will be judged. The best
approach is to be pleasant, somewhat informative
and very concise.
Over the years, I’ve been asked
to author cover letters, and to explain why mine
typically work. I have found that even a
rejection letter is good because at least we
know where we stand in the process, and I’d
rather that than listen to dead air. Here are
two examples of cover letters and some analysis
of why they work:
Cover Letter Sample #1
(This goes into the body of the
e-mail itself, and not as an attachment. )
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Hello,
Thank you for taking
time out of your busy day to read my
resume.
I noticed you had an
ad for a (insert job title here),
and wanted to reach out to you
directly. Currently I am a working
candidate and am looking at very
select opportunities. Your
organization, with its values and
beliefs caught my attention.
Perhaps my
background in (add a broad skill
statement here) would be of value to
you. At this point in my career, I’m
looking for an organization that
values its employees, where I can
contribute immediately and be a
respected team member.
I’ll leave this in
your capable hands and thank you for
your consideration.
Best Regards,
Your Signature
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Look at the letter carefully and
I’ll explain in detail why this approach works.
First, the letter acknowledges
that the reader is busy. Not only is this a
polite approach, but considering the reader’s
feelings and workload shows that the letter
isn’t all about you, it is focused on the
reader, too. HR people receive too many cover
letters that have a needy tone, asking or
begging for a job, while others start with an
arrogant tone. Start off on the right foot
immediately by choosing a tone that draws the
reader into the letter and on to the next
paragraph.
This type of letter reminds the
reader that you are working. An employed
candidate is a highly desirable candidate from
the employer’s perspective. It provides an
opportunity to steal you away from another
employer – possibly even a competitor. It also
says that your skills are current and you aren’t
on the government dole, unlike other candidates
in recession or in tight job markets. Top talent
is always working, and being employed just
entices the reader all the more. If you aren’t
working right now and can’t say that, don’t
fear. Cover letter sample number two will
provide verbiage for your situation.
The next paragraph sums up the
position for which you are applying, just in
case there are multiple openings in the company.
Then it goes on to compliment the organization
and show that you did some preliminary research
on the company, which you have reflected in
comments about the organization’s values.
Employers love a candidate who did his or her
homework. In this example, it should be clear
that you did the research and the reader will
want to read on.
This letter says very little
about your actual skills, which will make the
reader want to view your resume. Saying less is
really more in this case. Briefly state that you
have some of the skills the employer is looking
for, but make the reader open your resume to
find the facts.
The last paragraph plays to the
reader’s ego, re-emphasizing how good the reader
is at his or her job, and leaving it to his or
her discretion to pass the your information
along to the hiring manager. It’s a classy way
to close a cover letter, and frankly, it works.
Cover Letter Sample 2
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Hello,
Thank you for taking
time out of your busy day to read my
resume. I’m certain you’ll get a lot
of response to your ad!
I am writing in
response to your (insert position
title here), in the hopes of
exploring this opportunity with you.
I have heard good things about your
organization, specifically how you
are the leader in (enter some fact
here) and believe in (enter a
company core value here). At this
stage in my career, I’m looking for
an organization that supports the
growth of their employees, and a
place where I can contribute at a
high level immediately.
Perhaps my
background in (enter two broad skill
sets that are requirements on the
job description here) would be of
value to you.
Sincere thanks for
your consideration.
When the time is
right for you, please give me a
call.
Best Regards,
Your signature
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Example two uses a slightly
different approach, but the result is the same:
the reader will click to your resume.
Look at the first paragraph. The
tone is friendly and thankful to the reader.
Like it or not, the reader has all the power to
get your information onto the right person’s
desk or to make the decision of whether or not
to call you. By saying that the employer will
get a lot of ad response, you are telling the
reader that you know you are applying to a
desirable organization. Employers like having
their ego stroked. People like working at a
popular place. It feels good. And it’s even more
fun if you are on the inside, looking at others
who want to be where you are.
Paragraph two shows that you
have a basic understanding of the position and
knows something about the company, which scores
automatic bonus points. Again, notice that the
cover letter isn’t just about you; it’s about
the reader, too.
The next paragraph is a teaser
about your skill set. If the reader wants more,
he or she will have to open your resume.
The close is the most powerful
part. It simply says when the time is right,
please call. It gives the reader the power and
implies that you aren’t sitting around waiting
for the phone to ring. The tone says that you
are busy, the reader is busy, and hopefully you
can connect. The close is professional and it
doesn’t have a needy message.
Cover letters are tricky, but
they don’t have to be if you outline why you are
there, what you have to offer and keep the
reader in mind at all times.
 Elizabeth
Lions is an author and career coach,
specializing in working with engineers. Her book
Recession Proof Yourself! can be found at
www.elizabethlions.com
Comments may be submitted to
todaysengineer@ieee.org.
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