Cover Letters: Mystery Solved

Should I write a cover letter?  How long should it be?  What should it say?  These are all very good questions.  With application systems going online, the frequency of cover letter submissions has declined over the past 10 years.  Most companies include a cover letter field on their job application page, but few make it a “required” one.  As a result, the perceived importance of a cover letter has declined.  But the serious job seeker should understand that writing a really good cover letter is a way to be set apart from the hundreds of more generic applicants. 

Should I write a cover letter?

Unequivocally, yes!  A cover letter gives you a chance to convey your interest in whatever position you are applying for, and your interest in the company you are applying with.  It also shows recruiters and hiring managers that you are serious - you've taken the time to prepare a letter tailored to the opportunity, and you are able to reach out on a personal level and communicate with others.  It is your first opportunity to show your personality and enthusiasm.  It is the “first impression” you make on an employer.

How long should my cover letter be?

I have found a simple three-paragraph formula to be sufficient (described below).  This should translate into about eight sentences.  Any longer, and the reader reads the first couple of sentences and then ends up skimming over the rest of the letter, moving on to your resume.  Remember, we see many applications each week, perhaps hundreds.  Your cover letter needs to hold our attention and that is more likely to happen if it’s concise and to the point.

What should my cover letter say?

Paragraph 1:  State what position you are applying for and how you heard of it, and state your interest in the opportunity.  Paragraph 2:  List two or three qualifications that you possess that you believe make you uniquely qualified for the position.  End the paragraph reiterating your interest –in the position AND the company, also telling the reader WHY you are interested.  Paragraph 3:  Tell the reader you want to interview for the position and tell them the best way(s) to reach you.

Happy writing!

5 Interview Tips for Job Seekers

Whether you're a recent graduate at the start of your career or a seasoned executive, some simple job interview best practices can help you land that opportunity of a lifetime. Do these things well during your interview, and you will increase the probability of getting hired:

1. Show up 5-10 minutes early.  This is simple but important.  In my office we joke that if we could analyze the success rates of those who are offered positions by our organization, we’d find that most people we offer positions to show up no more than 10 minutes early for their interview, and no less than 5.  This shows you are considerate to the interviewer’s schedule and that you have the social skills necessary to consider the needs of others and build effective relationships. 

2. It may go without saying, but never underestimate the power of a smile.  You are making your first impression, and experienced interviewers know that they are getting the best YOU they will ever get.  In their minds, you are not going to get any better than you appear now.  In addition, though it may seem old fashioned, a firm handshake still goes a long way.

3. Bring something.  Nothing looks worse than a candidate who doesn’t bring something to take notes on.  Bring a notebook, portfolio folder, or a tablet.  Even if you do not end up taking notes, do not sit across the table empty-handed.  Bringing something with you is a non-verbal statement of interest.  It communicates “I took the time to prepare for this interview.”  The alternative empty-handed candidate conveys “I really don’t care if I get this position or not, and don’t care to remember anything that I am told about the company or opportunity.”

4. NEVER be negative about a current or former employer.  For many recruiters and hiring managers, this is a deal breaker. We know that people who are negative in an interview are those who will be running to the HR office at every little conflict or disappointment.  They are those who will drag others down with them and create a climate of negativity.  

5. ALWAYS state your interest in the position.  Do not leave an interview without doing this.  Even if you are not specifically asked, at the end of each interview state “I want you to know that I really want this job and I am truly hopeful that it is offered to me.”  Show some humility and wear your heart on your sleeve a little.  It will pay off.