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!