7 Expert Tips for Writing an A+ Cover Letter

7 Expert Tips for Writing an A+ Cover Letter7 Expert Tips for Writing an A+ Cover Letter When youre applying for jobs , titelblatt letters can feel like the bane of your existence.Im a writer, and even I find the process daunting. What am I supposed to include? How many dumb jokes can I throw in? Do I have to use To Whom It May Concern?To get the 411 on how to write a good cover letter, I chatted with Kevin Kermes, the founder of Career Attraction , and Jenny Foss, the recruiter and job search strategist behind JobJenny.com .Although it sometimes seems like writing anything longer than a tweet is going the way of the dodo, cover letters still matter - especially if you dont have a recruiter or a direct introduction to the hiring manager.A compelling cover letter can be the thing that grabs the readers attention and shares how your career story lines up with what that company is looking for, said Foss. Its your chance to show fit as well as an opportunity to give th e reader a hint of your style and personality.Plus, since fruchtwein cover letters are bad, according to Foss, a great cover letter gives you a strong advantage over your competition.Here are seven tips from these experts that will help you write an amazing cover letter.Although it might seem obvious that you shouldnt use a boilerplate cover letter for different jobs, Kermes said this is the biggest mistake he sees people make.You have to customize what youre going to say to each individual, he said. All of us know when we get an email that was written for the masses, and it doesnt motivate us to take action.So, whatever you do, dont write a single cover letter and swap out the personennames of the companies as you go. Personalize your cover letter in every way you can.This is one of Foss top three tips for writing a cover letter because its the best way to ensure it gets read, she said.Rather than emailing the general jobssupersweetcompany.com, try to find out who the hiring mana ger is - and email them instead.The same advice goes for figuring out who to address your letter to use the name of the internal recruiter, HR person or hiring manager if possible.Kermes said this tip is important because it allows you to tailor your letter to not only the company - but also the individual.Invest the time to learn about who youre writing to and whats important to them, he said. Its a noisy world, and weve found that making emotional connections gets more responses than anything else.To find this information, you couldIf all else fails and you cant find a name, Foss recommended addressing your letter using Dear Hiring Team instead of To Whom It May Concern.Now that the salutation is out of the way, its time for the fruchtwein important part of the cover letter the lead.If you think Im writing to apply for XYZ position will get you in the door, Foss said youre dead wrong.Start out with that as the lead, and youve lost me before I get to the second sentence, she sai d. Draw the reader into the story by sharing what about that organization most impresses or captivates you and why - specifically - you want to work for them.Foss recommended something thats memorable and thoughtful. Be creative.If, for example, youre applying to be an event planner at a resort you visited growing up, she offered the following suggestion My passion for Timberwoods Lodge dates back to 1985, which was the year I first rode my bike (a Schwinn Lil Chick, complete with banana seat) in your Fourth of July Jamboree.Once youve hooked your reader, the next few paragraphs should explain what you can do for them and the company.Spell out very quickly and succinctly what you can walk through that companys doors and deliver, with the deliverables of the job directly in mind, said Foss.It doesnt have to be a guessing game. She pointed out that the job description will give you some very solid hints about what theyre looking for.Kermes suggested using three to four bullet po ints within the letter. Under each one, you should quantify the outcomes you can produce to solve your recipients biggest problems, he said.So, instead of saying I sold $300,000 worth of products at my last job, you could say I will use my past experiences to double sales of your products in the next 12 months. After all, if you write a rockstar resume , itll have all the details about your past positions.No one wants to fall asleep while reading your cover letter, so Foss said you shouldnt be afraid to use a conversational tone and a bit of personality.We all get so hung up on the what it ought to be or the rules for cover letters that we end up with the worlds most boring, say-nothing end products, she said. Dare to be different just keep it on point with what the company is looking for and what you can deliver.As for busting out jokes and casual language, Foss said it depends on your writing strengths, the personality of the company or brand and the position youre applying for.If youre applying to be an auditor at a conservative financial services firm, keep it formal. But if youre applying to be a copywriter for a funky ad agency, youve got more room to play.Gauge the culture and personality of the brand and adjust your tone accordingly, she explained.People rattle on about what they want rather than show the reviewer exactly how and why theyre a great fit, she said. Or they go off on irrelevant tangents in an effort to look witty or original.When you write a cover letter for a job, you should be succinct and remain focused on the readers needs. You also should avoid meaningless words.Many people stuff a bunch of cliches into cover letters like proven track record, results-driven, and my personal favorite very uniquely qualified, said Foss. You cant be very unique - that statement alone is redundant. You either are unique or you arent.Use your cover letter to capture the readers attention and address their needs (which dont include cliches).OK - youre al most done Before wrapping up your dazzling cover letter, you need to add one more thing a call to action (CTA) for your reader .Make it clear what you want them to do and what youre going to do, said Kermes.Your CTA could include a timeline for following up or a way the reader can connect with you. Either way, make sure the reader knows what action to take now that youve totally wowed them.Whether you want to land your first job or find a better one, a strong cover letter is key to your success. Take your time, let your personality shine - and then get ready for the interviews .This article was originally published on Student Loan Hero . It is reprinted with permission.