Resume Cover Letters

Resume Cover Letters that Get Results

You’ve heard it before, but it’s true: first impressions count. Your cover letter sets the tone for your entire application package. Get it right and your resume will be given the attention it deserves. Submit a letter that’s not compelling and your chances of getting an interview could be affected.

Types of Cover Letters

Depending on the type of job posting to which you are responding, there are generally three types of cover letters: those sent to a specified person (i.e. the hiring manager), those sent in response to a "blind" advertisement (i.e. only a P.O. Box or a job-reference number is provided), and those sent to recruiters.

Depending on the situation, there are certain things you can do to increase the effectiveness of your letter.

Cover Letters Sent to a Specific Person

Use the information you have to your best advantage.

When you have the hiring manager's name, use it in the salutation — without exception. This personalizes the letter and shows attention to detail on your part.

In the opening paragraph, be sure to state the job for which you're applying, as a hiring manager may post numerous openings in a given week.

In the body of your cover letter, detail all of the qualifications and skills you have that relate to this new job opening.

Cover Letters Sent in Response to a "Blind" Posting

Newspaper ads often request that you send resumes and cover letters to a P.O. Box, with no indication of the company's name or hiring manager's identity. Similarly, job reference numbers are often the only identification provided in an online posting. When this is the case, keep the following in mind:

Showcase your experience and qualification as they relate to the new position.

Rather than using "Dear Sir or Madam," or even worse, "To Whom It May Concern" — drop the salutation altogether. Instead, write: “Re: Job Reference #” or Re: “Assistant Store Manager Position.”

After that reference, leave a blank line, and then begin the cover letter's first paragraph.

Cover Letters Sent to Recruiters

Companies hire recruiters to find the appropriate employee for a certain position. Because of this, your cover letter must be clear about your preferred industry and position, your travel or relocation preferences, and your salary considerations (if they’re negotiable, include this information).

The remainder of your cover letter will contain the same data as a cover letter you would send to a hiring manager or a "blind" posting — that is, you should include your skills and qualifications as they relate to your preferred industry and position. In this case, though, you will be selling yourself to a recruiter, rather than to a hiring manager.

Letter Design

A cover letter is your first chance to make a lasting impression with a hiring manager. For that reason, it must be professional. Here are some things to keep in mind as you determine your letter’s design.

Be Consistent with Headings

When formatting your cover letter, always use the same heading that you have used in your resume. This makes for a consistent, well-planned presentation that’s designed to impress.

Use the Hiring Manager’s Name

This personalizes the document and shows attention to detail. If you do not know the hiring manager’s name, do some online or telephone research before sending it “blind.”

Be Specific

In your opening paragraph, include what job you’re interested in and a specific reason why you are qualified for this position.

Use Examples

Include in the body of your letter any specific experience, skills, or accomplishments that mesh with the requirements of the new job. This data should be bulleted, rather than presented in a solid block of text. The human eye is drawn to bulleted areas, and they summarize your qualifications in an easy-to-read format.

Here’s an example:

“…As my enclosed resume indicates, my background includes more than two decades of service at U.S. Flight with significant experience in:

Aircraft accident investigation as a member of the U.S. Flight disaster team.

Security checkpoints, where I handled countless calls for assistance.

Training the Ground Security team to protect and promote public safety.

In addition to the above skills, I can also offer your firm:

More than 30 years of experience in the airline industry.

Expertise in dealing with government agencies, including the FAA where I facilitated communications to reduce company fines.

Reduced absenteeism and occupational injuries — standards I maintained at U.S. Flight, where I achieved the best employee safety record of all U.S. Flight cities.”

Choose the Appropriate Closing

If the letter is being addressed to a specific hiring manager, close your letter proactively by indicating that you will be contacting their office within the next week to see if you might set up a time to meet.

Make the Most of "Snail Mail"

Nowadays, most resumes and cover letters are sent as attachments via e-mail. However, if you have reason to send your cover letter and resume by "snail mail,” the documents should be printed on good bond paper (20 lbs.) with a watermark. Choose a color that evokes professionalism; the best choices are white or cream, though a light gray can also be considered.

Thank-You Letters

To be called in for an interview is a success in and of itself — but the application process isn’t over yet.

To make the most of the after-interview stage, always send a personalized thank-you letter to the hiring manager. Not only does this indicate your continued interest in the position, but it also shows follow-through and a level of professionalism that can’t be beat.

Make sure that your letter uses the same heading as your resume and initial cover letter, as this maintains consistency. Also, keep it brief, mentioning only the highlights of your meeting with the hiring manager. This will serve to remind that person of the skills and qualifications you can bring to the opening.

If there were some matters that you forgot to mention during the interview, such as your ability to work extra hours and take on extra responsibilities, a thank-you letter is the perfect way to introduce this.

Follow-Up Letters

A follow-up letter sent a few weeks after the initial application is essential. Hiring managers are seeing more and more applicants for each position and are generally so swamped that they cannot respond to all of them.

Nor will they remember most.

To ensure that your candidacy gets the attention it deserves, use a follow-up letter to again place yourself in front of the hiring manager. Not only will that person take note of your continued interest in the position, but you will certainly move ahead of other, similarly qualified candidates who did not send a follow-up letter.

To ensure a professional look for your follow-up letter and to maintain consistency, use the same heading that was on your resume and initial cover letter. Within the body of the follow-up letter, reiterate your most stellar qualifications as they relate to this position.

Although a follow-up letter will not guarantee that you’ll get an offer, it certainly won’t hurt your chances.

Here is an example of a cover letter:

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I am interested in the assistant position advertised in XXX. I am currently employed as Legislative Director for Assemblywoman XXXX, Chairperson of the NYS Assembly XXX. I accepted this position because of the emphasis on the writing and research skills which are applicable to your requirements for an author’s assistant. My experience in the NYS Assembly has afforded me the opportunity to become familiar with the consolidated and unconsolidated laws of the State of New York.

I also have extensive experience in legal and policy research.

In my position as Legislative Director for Ms. XXX, I prepare her personal legislation which deals with issues relative to her position as Senior Member of the NYS Assembly Standing Committee on XXXX. In as much as she is Chairperson of the XXX Committee I am, of course, heavily involved in the current welfare and medicaid reform movement.

In response to your search for a part-time assistant, I believe my experience in the Legislature, and my research and writing skills qualify me for consideration. If you would like, I can provide with current samples with my work.

To further acquaint you with the specifics of my background I am enclosing my resume. I hope you will consider me for this position. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing my qualifications in more detail.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Your Typed Name