How Do I Write a Cover Letter Anyway?
One thing I've learned NOT to tell people when they ask, "Kath, how DO I write a cover letter?" is to say, "Oh, it's easy!" Gulp. Nope. I don't say that anymore!
See, the only reason that I find it to be a fairly easy process is that I've written many of them. Not just for myself, but I've helped others as well.
And I'll help you too.
Afterwards (and don't forget all my other lenses on this topic!) if you find that you need some more help, feel free to check out the excellent resources at www.CoverLetterWriting.net where the techniques shown are very close to the way you and I would work if we were sitting at the table together. (I do get a commission if you buy it!) Ok? Ok. Let's move on!
See, the only reason that I find it to be a fairly easy process is that I've written many of them. Not just for myself, but I've helped others as well.
And I'll help you too.
Afterwards (and don't forget all my other lenses on this topic!) if you find that you need some more help, feel free to check out the excellent resources at www.CoverLetterWriting.net where the techniques shown are very close to the way you and I would work if we were sitting at the table together. (I do get a commission if you buy it!) Ok? Ok. Let's move on!
First, a Little "How Do I Write a Cover Letter" Humor
Let's not always be so serious!
Before we get too serious, I found this funny video on YouTube that has a little "job search" humor - but does actually have some valid points and possibly a few answers to your question, "How Do I Write a Cover Letter?" Enjoy! :)
curated content from YouTube
How Do I Write a Cover Letter that is READABLE?
Good question.
"Readable" equates to:- Lots of white space.
- Use good ol' fashioned regular type fonts like Times New Roman, Arial (similar to our Squidoo lenses!), Courier... In other words, nothing fancy. If it's easy to read and easy on the eyes, your letter stands a better chance of getting read! You don't want your reader to need a magnifying glass to see what you've written!
- Be sure to mention the exact job title you're going for, as well as the company name.
- Always address the person who is getting the letter by name (translate: Do NOT ever, ever, EVER use "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam." That is cover letter suicide.)
If you don't know at first glance who gets it, do your research until you DO know. Even if the application instructions clearly say, "Please address your application to "Hiring Director," I would personally make the extra effort to call or contact the company to find out the name of the Hiring Director.
Then be sure to use the term "Hiring Director" in the letter as the person's title - for example: "Mr. Sam Jones, Hiring Director."
- Use your headline as discussed in the free eBook The World's Greatest Cover Letter, which you can get here =>. View the World's Greatest Cover Letter eBook brought to you for free by www.CoverLetterWriting.net.
- Use only one page. Use LESS than one page. I know that this is contrary to what I mention in my resume writing help lenses and articles; however, this is a COVER LETTER - not a book. ALSO... This is NOT your resume (which CAN be more than 1 page).
Just as the purpose of the resume is to get more interviews, the cover letter's purpose is also to get more interviews. If you have both a powerful cover letter and equally powerful resume, you will get the interview.
- Finally, request the interview (as discussed in the eBook). That's right! REQUEST the interview!
One of the things that drives me absolutely bats is when I see wishy-washy statements like this:
"I certainly hope that I meet your qualifications, and that you will consider me for an interview."
Ack! Gack! That is a hideous statement!
Here's why:
When I read a statement like that I do NOT see "confident, qualified applicant."
Instead, I see someone who is "wishing" and "hoping" instead of "doing."
C'mon people! Let's take some solid, positive action!
Let's see how, next...
How Do I Write a Cover Letter that Requests the Interview?
Use the techniques in the eBook!
Ok. At the risk of repeating information that you can find in the free eBook that we've already mentioned, here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling around in that noggin of yours:
"Because I feel strongly about the fit between Ajax Manufacturing and my technical analysis skills, I would like the opportunity to get together and discuss some ideas that I think you will be interested in..."
"If at all possible, can we meet within the next two weeks? After researching Ajax Manufacturing, I feel especially excited and more convinced than ever that we are a good fit..."
Get the idea? So, again, open up the eBook for more ideas and strategies on this point.
"Because I feel strongly about the fit between Ajax Manufacturing and my technical analysis skills, I would like the opportunity to get together and discuss some ideas that I think you will be interested in..."
"If at all possible, can we meet within the next two weeks? After researching Ajax Manufacturing, I feel especially excited and more convinced than ever that we are a good fit..."
Get the idea? So, again, open up the eBook for more ideas and strategies on this point.
How Do I Write a Cover Letter if I've Been Out of Work for a While?
The same way you'll be creating a resume!
I have had several variations on this question. For example, I had the experience of answering questions such as. "How do I write a cover letter if I'm changing industries?" or "How do I write a cover letter if I've been incarcerated?"or "How do I write a cover letter if I'm an experienced worker?"The first thing to remember is this: Do not operate from a point of desperation. I fully understand that it can be pretty scary to not feel like you've been keeping up with technology or changes in the workplace - but rest assured, you are not alone.
And, although there will be those who tell you to lie on your resume and cover letter - DO NOT DO IT! Please, people, please - do NOT lie. Ever.
Look... You don't need to lie. Ever. Have I gotten that through to you? I hope so.
I am well aware that there are some individuals out there who are arriving on the scene armed with falsified resumes and cover letters. In some cases it appears as though they are actually encouraged to do so. But, let me repeat: You do NOT need to ever falsify your resume or cover letter.
Consider these thoughts and suggestions:
- First of all, we live in a world where it is no longer expected that the worker will remain in a single job for 30 or 40 years. The person who does have a job for 30-40 years in this day and age is not the norm.
- Although you probably aren't thinking this way, you've still been using many of your transferable skills at other tasks during your period of unemployment. For example:
=>Have you been volunteering?
=>Doing any contract work? Do a self-assessment: What kind of skills are your target companies looking for? Do you have them? If not, can you sign up for a class or seminar to get brushed up?
Remember that employers are looking as much for a "match" to their company and personality as much as to a specific job.
It needs to be about them - What do YOU have, that THEY need? Lots of research about them and the job opportunity will help you here.
While you are unemployed, be sure to remain in contact with people in the industry (translate: Network!) by attending seminars and industry conferences, working temp or contract jobs, writing and publishing industry-related articles in trade newsletters and/or online publications.
List all the skills and experience you have (NOT in a chronological order! Remember the advice from my Tips For Writing A Resume lens, as well as my Creating a Resume and Free Resume Writing Help lenses.)
Be positive! These tips help reduce dependency on a timeline of employment history, and bring your assets bubbling to the top.
In other words, show your future employer that you haven't been sitting home on the couch, feeling sorry for yourself while eating chocolate covered bon-bons and watching daytime TV. I don't mean to sound harsh, but if you want to work, you need to show your future employer that you're busy at it rather than just sitting around waiting for something to come your way.

By the way, I do understand that when you lose your job, you might really go through a period of depression and/or feeling sorry for yourself - but there must come a time (sooner rather than later) that you must hoist yourself back on the horse - even if it doesn't look like the horse is going anywhere at the moment.
The free eBook I've been talking about will give you some good ideas on how to capitalize on these thoughts. Once again, you can get it here =>View the World's Greatest Cover Letter eBook brought to you by www.CoverLetterWriting.net.
Also, the cover letter writing tool I've also been talking about that you can see at www.CoverLetterWriting.net will also help you pull it all together.
But how do I write a Cover Letter if I am an inexperienced worker? Or been incarcerated?
Don't worry! I haven't forgotten about you!
First of all, to address those with a criminal background which may or may not include time in prison, it is unnecessary to mention it in your resume or cover letter; however, if you were participating in a work or education program, you can certainly outline that on your resume and/or mention it in your cover letter!For example, I know one young person who completed more than 500 hours of culinary arts training while in prison. This experience was listed on the resume cover letter as:
520+ hours culinary arts learning experience (listed under Qualifications).
One other thing that this person successfully learned in prison was to "cheerfully diffuse stressful situations," among other things.
So, how great would a cover letter look with a line (perhaps using one of the techniques listed in the free ebook we've been asking you to refer to) - let's say, you tell them:
"Here's 2 good reasons why I might be the perfect candidate for line cook at Busy Busy Restaurant..."
...and one of the reasons (highlighted) is:
"Cheerful with ability to diffuse stressful situations in the kitchen."
And lo & behold, that experience (along with other factors such as honesty in the interview and a professional appearance and demeanor for example) has gotten this applicant just about every single job he has applied for since his release!
And as a result, his resume, cover letter, and skills set keep getting better and better.
So, even if you have NOT been in trouble with the law, but have virtually no experience yet, these techniques can apply to you as well!
At the risk of this lens getting too long, what I'd like to do now is move into our a> (and also visit the Resume and Cover Letter Help lens).
And of course, I do want you to look at what www.CoverLetterWriting.net has to offer. Ok?
"How do I write a Cover Letter" quote - If you're waiting to be "inspired..."
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." Jack London
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alysaa
Feb 8, 2012 @ 7:10 am | delete
- This is what I always use when I right my letters http://howtofixstuff.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-write-cover-letter.html it helps me so much
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naheedahsan
Feb 5, 2012 @ 1:26 pm | delete
- Great lens! thumbs up
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DonD
Feb 1, 2012 @ 9:51 pm | delete
- Excellent ways on how to write a cover letter. Thanks. Great lense.
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cruiser123
Jan 30, 2012 @ 4:06 am | delete
- Cover letter should be impressive enough to get the dream job. It is given equal importance as compared to the resume.So,it should be constructed by taking a lot of care.
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antoniow
Jan 20, 2012 @ 4:49 pm | delete
- Thank you for sharing! Great lens! thumbs up
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