Top Ten Most Effective Cover Letter Tips

Cover letters – they are an essential component of the job application process. After all, a cover letter essentially introduces yourself, your skills, and your enthusiasm for a job position to prospective employers. That said, writing an effective cover letter can be a daunting task for some people.

Let us help you to create your best cover letter yet with the following tips:

10. If you are sending your cover letter via old-fashioned snail mail, ensure that your cover letter’s font and paper is uniform with your resume. Do not use colorful paper or clip art on a cover letter.

9. Always address the cover letter to a specific person rather than addressing it to the more generic "Sir" or "Madam".

8. Always proofread your cover letter or better still – get someone to proofread your cover letter for you. Nothing can turn off a potential employer like typos and grammatical errors.

7. Ensure that your cover letter is no more than one page in length – yet still addresses all required job criteria. Breaking the cover letter into three to five targeted paragraphs is an excellent strategy.

6. Be certain to “toot your own horn” and explain why you would be an excellent asset to your potential employer’s company. Be specific and talk about specific education, experience or leadership roles in the letter.

5. Tailor your letter to the specific job that you are applying for and use “action verbs” to describe your qualifications.

4. Remember to include any special requirements made from your prospective employer in the cover letter. If you do not send this information, there is a good chance that your potential employer will discard your application altogether.

3. Make certain to make a reference to your resume or another enclosures/attachment within the cover letter itself.

2. Express your enthusiasm for the available position and your interest in securing an interview with the prospective employer.

1. Remember to follow-up with your prospective employer. After all, you worked hard on your cover letter and resume – do not let this effort go to waste!


By: Larisa Redins