Job Hunting Series Part II: Writing The Cover Letter

By Matt Krumrie, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: June 3, 2008 - 1:51 PM

Writing an effective cover letter is often an overlooked aspect of the job search.

With so much time and work – often meticulously checking for spelling or grammatical errors – spent on perfecting the résumé, job seekers may get lazy when it comes time to put together a cover letter. But this is another chance to sell yourself, says résumé and cover letter guru Kevin Donlin of Guaranteed Résumé (www.gresumes.com).

"Keep your letter short and focused," says Donlin. "Show respect for the limited time your reader has. Anything longer than four to six paragraphs says, in effect: 'Hello. I have no idea how to prioritize my thoughts. Care to hear my life story?'"

Your first sentence is the most important, says Donlin. "Use it to give the reader context for the rest of your letter. For example, it can be very effective to simply say: 'I'm applying for the position of sales rep, as advertised in the Star Tribune Jobs section,'" he says.

If you heard about the opening from a friend, drop his name in that first sentence: "Jack Smith suggested I contact you about the position of design engineer."

Your cover letter shouldn't simply summarize your résumé. It should tell the reader why you are best suited for that particular job. If you've done research on the company (with the glut of information available on the Internet and in your local library, there's no excuse not to), you can mention points that you've learned, to generate interest.

Example: "Given the fact that your closest competitor, the Rock Group, has now achieved 15 percent of market share, the time is perfect to roll out a new line of products that appeals to your core market of young people who travel. My skills and experience are a perfect match for your needs in this area."

State that you will follow up. If you politely inform the reader that you'll be calling in two days to answer any questions, you'll set yourself apart from the 80-95 percent of other applicants who wait passively for the phone to ring.

Simple – yet often overlooked – steps.

Matt Krumrie is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, MN, and has six years of experience reporting on the employment industry.